Sidemen is a calmer side of Bali. This private day tour takes you out past the usual Ubud bustle into East Bali’s Sidemen countryside, with rice terraces, river valleys, and waterfall scenery close to Mount Agung. You’ll get a mix of culture and nature, plus a pace that feels more like a day with a friend than a big group scramble.

I love that the day includes both Klungkung heritage and fresh-air walks, so you’re not choosing between temples and views. I also like the “photo-friendly but not rushed” rhythm—short stops at markets and viewpoints, then time to enjoy the scenery at your speed.

One thing to plan for: Gembleng Waterfall involves a hike, and it’s recommended for people with moderate fitness. Also, lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget for ordering at the organic garden kitchen.

Key highlights at a glance

• Kerta Gosa (Klungkung): palace remains tied to the 17th–19th century Klungkung Kingdom era, with admission included
• Klungkung Market: a mix of old and new, including Balinese fabrics, traditional clothing, and gold jewelry
• Sidemen rice field walk: a flat track with a picture-perfect panorama and a relaxed 45-minute stroll
• Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen: order your lunch using ingredients grown in the garden, plus dessert standouts
• Gembleng Waterfall pools: five natural infinity swimming pools along the hike, with admission included

Why Sidemen feels like older Bali (and why that matters)

Sidemen is the kind of place where the scenery does most of the talking. It sits in East Bali near Mount Agung, and the area stays more mountainous than many parts of the island, which makes the views feel bigger and quieter. You can still sense a rural rhythm here—villages keep living their daily life while you visit.

What I like about this tour is that it’s not just “drive to views, leave.” You get little context along the way: a historical stop in Klungkung, a look at market life, then a slow walk through Sidemen’s rice fields, and finally a cool-down at Gembleng.

This works especially well if you’ve already spent time around central Ubud and want a change of pace. You’ll feel the difference fast—less crowd pressure, more breathing room, and a day that leans into nature without ignoring culture.

Price and value: what $64.16 covers (and what it doesn’t)

At $64.16 per person for about 8 hours, this tour is priced like a solid “all-in day” rather than a budget-only taxi ride. The value comes from two things: private transportation and included admissions at key stops.

Admission is included for:

• Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa (Kerta Gosa)
• Gembleng Waterfall

Other parts—like the Klungkung Market, the Sidemen rice field walk, and Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen—are listed as free admission stops. That means your ticket money is being used where it counts: heritage and the waterfall experience.

The one cost gap is lunch. The tour doesn’t include lunch, but Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen is set up so you can order from a menu using garden-grown ingredients. If you want a predictable day budget, plan on paying for your meal there.

Your 9:00 am start: how the timing shapes the day

A 9:00 am start matters more than you’d think in Bali. Early begins help you move through popular areas before the day gets hot and crowded. It also gives you better light for photos during the rice field walk in Sidemen and helps keep the waterfall hike more comfortable later.

Because it’s a private tour, you’re not waiting on a big chain of group pickups. You’re with just your group the whole time, so the guide-driver can shape the pace to your comfort. That flexibility makes the day feel smoother, especially if you want extra time for one stop.

The tour also says you’ll want moderate physical fitness. Most of the day is easy, but Gembleng includes a hike to reach the pools.

Klungkung’s Kerta Gosa: palace remains with a long backstory

Your first stop is Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa in Klungkung, Bali’s capital city from the 17th to 19th century during the Klungkung Kingdom era. Dutch invasion is mentioned as part of that historical period, and the most significant visible memory of the kingdom is the Kerta Gosa palace remains.

What you’ll likely enjoy here is not just the “pretty old building” angle, but the sense that this site anchors a bigger story. Klungkung matters in Bali history, and seeing the physical remains gives the day more depth than a standard photo stop.

You get about 30 minutes, with admission included. That’s enough time to walk around, take in details, and keep momentum—so you don’t feel stuck in one place while the rest of the day waits behind you.

Practical note: historic sites usually involve uneven ground. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.

Klungkung Market: fabrics, gold, and everyday energy

Next comes Klungkung Market, a place described as a mix of old and new. The new section has stores with Balinese fabrics, traditional clothing, and gold jewellery. There’s also a food court where you can eat local food (admission is free for this stop).

This stop is short—about 30 minutes—so think of it as a quick taste of local commerce rather than a deep shopping mission. If you like seeing the real materials people use in daily life, this is a good moment to slow down and look closely at textures and colors.

Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, you’ll probably come away with better context for what you see later in Bali. The market helps you connect the island’s culture to the objects people actually wear and sell.

If you do want snacks or a bite here, you may want small cash. For the rest of your spending day, keep your budget in mind since lunch is not included later.

Sidemen rice field walk: an easy track with big views

After Klungkung, you’ll head to Sidemen, where the centerpiece is a Sidemen Rice Field Walk. This part is described as a flat walking track, and it’s set up for a relaxed 45-minute stroll.

What I like about this format is that you get the best kind of Bali view: rice terraces framed by valleys and mountains—without having to do a strenuous hike. The track is meant to be easy enough that you can focus on photos, breathing fresh air, and just enjoying the slow pace.

It’s also the kind of stop where your senses help more than your camera. You’ll feel the change in temperature when you step into the open countryside, and you’ll likely notice the calm compared to Ubud’s busiest roads.

Bring basics: sun protection, water, and comfortable shoes. Even a flat walk can feel longer under Bali midday heat.

Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen: lunch from the garden

The tour then moves to Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen, where you can order lunch from a menu using ingredients that come from the garden. This stop is about 1 hour, and admission is listed as free.

The big reason this stop is worth your time is that it turns lunch into an experience, not just a place to refuel. Organic garden meals in Bali can sometimes feel like a marketing label, but here the tour description clearly ties the menu to garden-grown ingredients—and that connection changes how the food feels.

Two items are specifically recommended:

• Granita’s (called out as refreshing)
• Chocolate lava cake (named as dessert highlight)

I’d treat those as your “if you see it on the menu, consider it” options. If you’re traveling in a hotter part of the day, the granita angle makes sense. And if you like desserts, lava cake is a safe bet for a satisfying ending to a long day.

Also, since this is a garden and kitchen setting, expect the hour to be a little more relaxed than a quick restaurant stop. You’ll likely have time to look around and settle before heading to the waterfall.

Gembleng Waterfall: five natural infinity pools and a jungle hike

The final major stop is Gembleng Waterfall. This is where the day cools off—and where the tour leans hard into nature.

You’ll hike to the top and there are five natural infinity swimming pools along the way. The description encourages you to stop anytime and swim, with views through jungle tree tops.

Admission here is included, and the stop runs about 1 hour. That time is usually just enough for a dip or two plus a bit of exploring, without letting the hike steal the entire day.

A few practical considerations:

• Waterfalls mean slippery steps. Wear footwear that grips.
• Bring a dry bag if you have one, or at least plan how you’ll keep your phone safe.
• Don’t assume you’ll be able to swim in every pool. Some are for standing and soaking more than swimming, depending on the flow.

If you want a fun, visual end to the tour, this is it. It’s also a great payoff for the earlier rice field walk—one day, two different kinds of Bali scenery.

Private transport and the guides: what makes the day feel easy

Even though the tour includes several stops, the experience stays manageable because it’s private with private transportation. That matters in Bali, where travel times can change with traffic and road conditions.

The reviews also highlight the impact of a good guide-driver. I saw praise for drivers like Icha, described as extremely friendly and courteous and also a safe driver. Another review specifically named Edo as the guide/driver and tied his service to enjoying the day’s highlights—rice fields, Kerta Gosa, and Gembleng Waterfall.

That’s the real value of private touring: someone is handling routing and timing while you focus on the experience.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants a day that runs smoothly with fewer stress points, this setup is a good fit.

Who should book this Sidemen highlights day tour?

This tour fits best if you:

• want East Bali nature without giving up culture
• like a mix of short sightseeing stops and longer scenery time
• prefer private pacing over joining a large group
• enjoy walking at an easy-to-moderate level, especially the flat rice walk and the waterfall hike

It’s a great choice for couples, small friend groups, and families with moderate fitness needs—because the itinerary is designed around manageable time windows at each stop.

If you hate water at all, or if swimming in pools sounds like a hard no, you can still enjoy the scenery and viewpoints. But the waterfall stop is a major part of the “payoff,” so you’ll likely want at least one refresh moment in the water.

A quick reality check: what could annoy you

This day is well-paced, but it has two “heads-up” factors.

First, lunch isn’t included. You’ll order at Anandinii, which is a plus for food experience value, but it still means extra cost.

Second, Gembleng requires a hike up to reach the pools. The tour notes moderate physical fitness, so if you’re dealing with knee issues or struggle with wet stairs, you might want to plan your comfort level carefully.

Neither issue ruins the tour. But they do help you decide if it matches your travel style.

Should you book the Sidemen Highlights Day Tour?

If you want a full day that feels genuinely different from central Ubud, I think this is a strong pick. You get Sidemen rice views, a meaningful Klungkung heritage stop at Kerta Gosa, and a memorable nature finale at Gembleng’s waterfall pools—plus the ease of private transportation.

Book it if your priority is an authentic-feeling East Bali day with a balanced mix of culture and scenic time, and if you’re comfortable with a moderate hike at the end.

Skip it (or look for a lighter alternative) if you need lunch included in the price, or if waterfall hikes and wet steps are a no-go for your body.

FAQ

How long is the Sidemen Highlights Day Tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered as part of the experience.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What is the price?

The price is $64.16 per person.

What’s included in the tour price?

Private transportation is included, and admission is included for Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa and Gembleng Waterfall.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

How physically demanding is it?

It’s recommended for travelers with moderate physical fitness.

What ticket options do I get?

A mobile ticket is included.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.