About 90 minutes’ drive northeast of Ubud, the emerald-hued Sidemen Valley evokes the feel of Old Bali, before the tourist throngs descended on the island. Sleepy villages snuggle in the valley amid cascading rice terraces, and cloud-capped Mount Agung looms in the background like a benevolent sentry. A highlight of a visit here is strolling around the small villages. This is where the locals still tend to their traditional activities, surrounded by farmland and rice paddies. You can also hike through the countryside to the summit of Mount Agung, or trek through the rice fields and lush countryside past cocoa and coffee plantations.
Other popular things to do here include rafting the rivers; yoga retreats; and taking part in cultural activities such as dancing, carving, or traditional weaving. Bali homestays and B&Bs are particularly popular in this area, but you’ll also find some luxury villas overlooking the rice fields.