local life
Palm Sugar and Arak in Sidemen
Sidemen, Karangasem
93
Climb with Kadek's family at first light to tap palm blossoms, then reduce the sap to sugar over a wood fire.
Low tourist intensity 3h
from Rp 400.000Discover experience
bali
Sidemen
A working valley under Agung
Understand this place before you visit
The place
A wide green valley in Karangasem, terraced from the river up to the palm groves, with Mount Agung closing the northern view.
The people
Rice farmers, palm tappers and weavers. Most homestays are family houses with a few rooms added, and the person who checks you in is usually the person who cooks.
The culture
Karangasem's dense ceremonial calendar, with weaving tied directly to ceremonial dress and status.
The food
Palm sugar, black rice, river fish and lawar made for temple days rather than restaurants.
The landscape
Terraces, palm hillsides and the Telagawaja river gorge; cool at night, humid by mid-morning.
Local experiences
craft
Songket Weaving in Sidemen
Sidemen, Karangasem
91
Sit at the loom with Sidemen's weavers, where a single ceremonial cloth takes three months and is sold by the maker, not a shop.
Low tourist intensity 3h
from Rp 425.000Discover experience