Route #3: East Bali with Gates of Heaven

The tour may begin with an optional visit to Pasar Seni Sukawati — a genuine local art bazaar on Bali (where you hardly see any tourists), established in the 1980s. It is an excellent place to purchase Balinese crafts such as carved wooden figurines, frames, all kinds of handicrafts, paintings, aromatherapy products, sarong garments, textiles, and souvenirs.

We drive along local roads through towns and rural areas, where you can observe the carefree rhythm of daily life: women carrying and placing offerings at homesteads and temples, men working in the fields or resting after hard labor, and small traders bustling about at market stalls and shops.

The tour route leads through Krisik Waterfall, an intimate spot hidden from wild crowds, managed by a hospitable local village. Participants receive bamboo walking sticks for wading through a shallow river that flows through a naturally carved canyon. Traversing this wild section is an adventure in itself, and at its end awaits a charming cascade with a pool where those who wish can take a refreshing swim.

We continue to Pura Goa Lawah, a temple founded in the 11th century beside a mysterious cave overtaken by countless bats, densely hanging from its upper vault. This unassuming site represents one of the most important Hindu sanctuaries, belonging to the Sad Kahyangan pantheon (meaning “places of God”), forming a symbolic protective shield for Bali, and manifesting the cult of the mythical serpent Basuki.

Further along, we stop at the secluded Bukit Asah hills, from where you can gaze at the magnificent Virgin Beach, admire the panorama of nearby Nusa Penida, or even strain your eyes to spot the outlines of the next island in the Indonesian archipelago — Lombok. We find ourselves at the natural boundary between Southeast Asia and Oceania, marked by the famous Wallace Line.

Taman Ujung Sukasada, property of the royal family from the Karangasem regency, combines rich history, beautiful water elements, and stunning architecture with distinct Balinese, Chinese, and Dutch accents. The extensive complex consists of well-maintained gardens and floating structures connected by arcaded bridges.

In the late afternoon, we visit the Tirta Gangga palace complex, a fascinating labyrinth of pools, fountains with stone sculptures and statues, surrounded by lush gardens. The name derives from “tirta,” the high Balinese word for water, and “gangga,” a reference to the sacred Ganges River in India. Both twin palaces pay tribute to water as the primary element in Balinese Hinduism.