Sidemen: the valley that time forgot

Rice terraces, weaving villages and the cone of Mount Agung, with none of the crowds of Ubud.

Area

East

Start from

Ubud

Distance

about 1.5 hours

Time needed

2–3 days

Best season

All year

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Car or scooter

Tickets & rules

None

Why go

Sidemen is a valley in East Bali that feels like Ubud did decades ago. Rice terraces climb the hills, Mount Agung looms above, and life follows the rhythm of farming and ceremonies.

The villages are famous for songket and ikat weaving; you can visit workshops where women weave on traditional looms.

Days here are for walking, cycling, reading on a terrace and eating very good home-cooked food.

The story

Sidemen attracted Western artists in the twentieth century, including Walter Spies, who spent time here, but it never developed into a tourist town.

Songket weaving uses gold or silver thread woven into silk or cotton, and it's worn at important ceremonies. Learning to weave is still part of growing up for many girls in the area.

Mount Agung, visible from almost everywhere in the valley, is the holiest mountain in Bali, and its presence shapes daily life and ritual here.

Getting there

Drive east from Ubud via Klungkung. The road into the valley is narrow and winding.

A suggested plan

1. Day 1Arrive, sunset walk through the terraces.
2. Day 2Guided walk through villages; visit a weaving workshop.
3. Day 3Day trip to Besakih or Lempuyang.

Where to stay

Guesthouses and villas with views of the terraces and Agung.

Good to know

• Hire a local guide for village walks; you'll see and understand much more.
• Bring cash; ATMs are limited.