We will take you on a journey through Klungkung, past terraced rice fields and breathtaking scenery to Kintamani, where you can view Mount Batur and its carter lake. At 1717 metres high, Mt Batur is an active volcano that has erupted more than twenty times during the last two centuries. The volcano is comprised of a set of cones budding in the centre of a gigantic caldera with an adjacent crescent-shaped lake. The strange landscape is punctuated with bizarre hillocks and a series of craters with jets of white steam puffing out of small holes. The beautiful Kintamani area boasts a cool climate suited to growing some of the best fruits and vegetables on the island. Situated on a ridge across from the lake and the volcano, Kintamani offers some of the most stunning scenery to be found in Bali and is a must-see for all visitors.
We will then proceed to Tampaksiring, where the 10th century holy spring and temple of Tirta Empul is located. Possessing magical powers and believed to be the elixir of immortality, the gin-clear freshwater springs bubble up into a large tank within the temple and gush out through waterspouts into a bathing pool, where elaborate carvings adorn the lichen covered walls.
The next stop is Gunung Kawi, a blinding green water canyon surrounded by swaying fields of indigenous Balinese rice, known as ‘Padi Bali’. Approached via a steep descent through stunning scenery, this is one of the prettiest places on the island. Here you will see ten ancient royal shrines dedicated to 11th century Balinese royalty, carved out of the rock face of the gorge of the Pakerisan River. Finally on the way back to Candi Beach Hotel we will visit Pura Goa Lawah, the highly revered bat cave temple. Built in the 11th century, this temple occupies a natural cave set in a cliff face, and there are tunnels here that are reputed to lead as far as Besakih. The cave is inhabited by thousands of chirping fruit bats and the legendary giant snake, Naga Basuki.
