Bali: Secret and Untouristic Tour North West Bali.

Bali, minus the crowds and minus the guesswork. I love the calm views at Belimbing Rice Terrace with Mount Batukaru in the background, and I love the quiet reward at Blahmantung Waterfall tucked inside a local garden. The main thing to consider is that parts of the day involve walking and a bit of wayfinding, since Blahmantung has no signboards.

This North West Bali route is built for people who prefer fewer foreigners on the trail. You move through Belimbing Village plantation country, then head to Siwa Pujungan Temple, and finish with a waterfall that needs local directions to find the right path.

At $36 per person for a 10-hour private-car day (with entrance fees and mineral water included), it can be good value, especially if you like nature and village-side culture more than checklists. Just know lunch and drinks are not included, so plan on a simple meal stop of your own.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel During the Day

• Belimbing Rice Terrace with Mount Batukaru framing the view
• Rice paddy trekking and a look at how farmers work in the fields
• Siwa Pujungan Temple’s origin story, tied to a huge Shiva statue found in 1993
• Blahmantung Waterfall access through a local garden, with no signboards
• Private transport with an English-speaking driver, so your pace stays yours
• A quiet, less-crowded feel that matches the goal of North West Bali

North West Bali, Without the Usual Tourist Traffic

The best part of this tour idea is the promise behind it: get you away from the most over-visited routes and into places that still feel like real daily life. The timing and geography help. Belimbing Village sits about 600 meters above sea level in Tabanan Regency, west Bali, and that elevation tends to make the morning feel cooler and calmer than the lowlands.

You also get a private car charter for the day. That matters here because the stops are spread out, and you do not want the stress of hopping between shared shuttles while you are trying to enjoy rice terraces and temples. The day runs about 10 hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off included, so you can treat it like a full, single-day escape.

One more practical point: this is not designed as a “drive, photo, leave” day. The stops have trekking and walking components, plus temple areas where you will likely spend time moving around. If you come in expecting a relaxed pace, you will enjoy it a lot more.

Belimbing Rice Terrace and the Batukaru Mountain View

Most Bali days start with temples or beaches. This one starts with scenery that feels quiet and grounded: Belimbing Rice Terrace at Belimbing Village. You get a view with Batukaru Mountain as a backdrop, and the whole setting is described as peaceful, with a comfortable, cool mountain-side atmosphere.

What makes this stop click for me is that rice terraces are not just pretty. They are working systems. At Belimbing, you are not only looking. You are connecting the view to the way people farm and live in the area. That connection shows up later when you do rice paddy trekking.

Typical challenges are simple. Even if it feels restful, rice terraces and paths can be uneven. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. The tour suggests sandals, which is common in Bali, but if you know you slip easily, bring trekking-friendly sandals or shoes you can trust on dirt and grass.

Rice Paddy Trekking Through Belimbing Village

After enjoying the terrace panorama, the day shifts into the hands-on part: rice paddy trekking. This portion focuses on pure nature and the working rhythm of the fields, with time to see local farmers working in the rice paddies.

For a lot of people, this is the “real Bali” moment they came for. You are not just observing from a lookout. You are walking through the field environment, seeing the textures of the crops, and getting a feel for how the landscape is maintained.

The best way to set yourself up for this section is mindset. Slow down. You do not need to power-walk it. In places like rice fields, you want a steady pace so you can notice details and avoid slipping. Also, since the tour includes a towel and change of clothes in the recommended packing list, you can guess there are wet or sweaty moments later. Planning for that keeps the day comfortable.

Pura Siwa Pujungan Temple, Where a Shiva Statue Started Everything

From rice terraces and farms, you head to a temple with a specific origin story. Siwa Pujungan Temple is tied to the discovery of a large Shiva statue and a family-built, personal commitment to sacred space.

Here is the key story context you get on the way: the temple was founded by Jero Mangku Sutarjana. In 1993, he found a bronze Shiva statue, about 10.5 meters tall, on the western slope of Mount Batukaru. Later, he received a revelation to build a temple at that location, and with his own budget he built what became Siwa Pujungan Temple. The temple’s name comes from the statue, which depicts Lord Shiva sitting cross-legged upright on a mountainside.

Location details are useful for planning your expectations. The temple sits in Pujungan Village, Pupuan District, Tabanan Regency. From Denpasar it takes about 90 minutes, and from the city of Tabanan it is about 47 kilometers away. Also, there is a distance between the vehicle parking lot and the temple area, about 3 kilometers. That means this is not just a quick stop. You will likely do a decent walk before and within the temple area.

If you are sensitive to walking distance, pace matters. Wear comfortable clothing and expect a steady walk rather than a sprint.

Blahmantung Waterfall, Quiet Garden Vibes and a Roadside Start

The day’s final nature highlight is Blahmantung Waterfall, and it has a distinctly less tourist feel. The waterfall is located in the middle of a garden owned by local residents. There is no signboard and no proper parking lot.

The practical way it’s reached is also part of the experience. If you drive, you can only park on the roadside toward the waterfall. From the edge of the highway, you walk about 800 meters. And because the route includes branching paths, it can feel confusing on a first visit, so the tour strongly suggests asking locals first about the exact route.

What you should expect emotionally is calm and slower movement. With a place that lacks big signage and tourist infrastructure, people tend to arrive more quietly and spend more time in small circles rather than rushing for the perfect shot.

Waterfall reality check: waterfalls can be slippery. Bring a towel, keep an extra change of clothes, and wear sandals you trust. If you expect a long climb back, be kind to your knees and plan for the return effort.

Private Car Charter and English-Speaking Driver, Why It Matters Here

This is a private group experience, which means you are not sharing the day with strangers. You get a private car charter and an English-speaking driver, plus petrol, parking fees, and entrance fees are included.

That sounds standard until you see what the tour includes. A route that mixes rice terraces, a temple with a 3-kilometer stretch between parking and site, and a waterfall accessed via a garden with no signage needs flexibility. A private setup lets your driver manage timing and pacing so you are not stuck waiting while someone lags behind.

Also, past guidance on this kind of route matters. Some drivers are known for explaining what you’re seeing and giving you time rather than rushing. You may even get small custom touches, like a stop in a local shop when it fits your day. Even if the day stays mostly the same, a good driver can make the difference between feeling lost and feeling smoothly guided.

For your part, help by communicating your comfort level. If you know you do not like long walks, say it early. If you want more time at the rice terraces for photos or breathing space, ask before the schedule locks in.

Price and Logistics: Does $36 Actually Make Sense?

$36 per person for a 10-hour private car day can feel like a bargain, and the value mostly comes from what’s included. You get:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private car charter
• English-speaking driver
• Petrol
• Parking fees
• Entrance fees
• Mineral water

What’s not included is where you should do your basic planning:

• Lunch and dinner are not included
• Drinks and meals are not included
• Personal expenses are not included
• Extra hours cost IDR 50K per hour

So the math is simple. If you are the kind of traveler who can skip a sit-down lunch or share a simple meal, the tour cost stays very reasonable. If you want a full meal and drinks at a café during the day, budget a bit more.

Also consider the time. This is a full-day plan. If you are short on time in Bali and you want a single day that covers rice farms plus a temple plus a waterfall, this format can be efficient. The private transport reduces friction, which is a real value in rural Bali.

What to Pack, Wear, and Plan for This Specific Day

The recommended packing list is practical, and you should treat it as your baseline:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• Change of clothes
• Sandals

That change of clothes piece is not random. Between trekking and a waterfall, you can get sweaty or damp. Bring something easy to swap into afterward so you do not end the day uncomfortable in the car.

A few rules matter too. Luggage or large bags are not allowed. Pets are not allowed. And this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you fall into mobility needs, you might want a different format that reduces walking distances.

Finally, bring a small water habit mindset. Mineral water is included, so you are not starting dry. Still, if you tend to get thirsty, plan ahead mentally for breaks during the day rather than expecting constant stops.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Another Plan)

This experience fits you best if you want:

• A quieter Bali day focused on rice fields, temples, and a less signposted waterfall
• A private-car pace where you can move at a comfortable rhythm
• A little hiking, not just sightseeing

It may not suit you if you want zero walking, super easy access, or a day that is heavily signposted and driver-proof. Blahmantung in particular is the kind of place where you benefit from having someone who knows the right paths and can help you avoid confusion.

If you love nature but also like culture, this route hits both. Belimbing gives you everyday farming life. Siwa Pujungan brings temple meaning and origin context. Then Blahmantung finishes with a calm, garden-centered waterfall setting.

Should You Book This North West Bali Tour?

I think it’s a strong choice if your Bali goal is to see the side of the island that feels more local and less crowded. The route is built around rice terrace views, a temple with a specific origin story, and a waterfall that requires local direction. That combination makes it more memorable than the average checklist day.

Book it if:

• You are comfortable with walking, including a longer approach to Siwa Pujungan and an 800-meter roadside-to-waterfall walk
• You want a private driver and a calm, slower pace
• You can handle lunch and drinks being your own responsibility

Skip it or consider alternatives if:

• You need wheelchair accessibility
• You want a fully signposted, minimal-walking day
• You dislike remote navigation and branching paths

If you match the vibe, you’ll end the day feeling like you spent time in real neighborhoods, not just famous stops.

FAQ

How long is the Bali: North West Bali Secret and Untouristic Tour?

The tour duration is 10 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $36 per person.

What’s included in the price?

It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private car charter, an English-speaking driver, petrol, parking fees, entrance fees, and mineral water.

Are lunch or dinner included?

No. Lunch, dinner, drinks, and meals are not included.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, a change of clothes, and sandals.

Is Blahmantung Waterfall easy to find?

There are no signboards and no parking lot for the waterfall. You park on the roadside and walk about 800 meters from the edge of the highway, and you should ask locals first because there are branching paths.

How far is the walk from parking to Siwa Pujungan Temple?

The distance between the vehicle parking lot and the temple is about 3 kilometers.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What is the extra hour cost if we need more time?

Extra hours cost IDR 50K per hour.