Bali Forests & Mountains

National Park, Gunung Batur Area, Bali Botanical Gardens

Venture into Bali's interior for a different perspective of this incredible island. Picturesque rice fields cover around 20% of the island with dense jungles in the interior. In drier areas, expect scrub, savannah and barren volcanic cones.

The lush greenery of Bali is stunning. Huge Banyan trees thrive in villages and temple grounds; tamarind trees in the northern region; clove trees cover the highlands; and bright red flame trees, acacias and mangroves dominate the south. About a dozen species of coconut palms call Bali home, with an even larger variety of bamboo species.

Flowers - are everywhere! Fragrant jasmines, graceful water lilies, bright hibiscus and cheery bougainvillea abound. In gardens, roadsides and temple grounds the scent and colours of magnolia, frangipani and orchids hangs in the air. Cut flowers decorate temples and statues as offerings to the Balinese gods. These same blooms are also delicately woven, plaited and arranged in the crown of Bali's mesmerizing dancers.

Bali's interior provides a home for monkeys, civets, mousedeer, barking deer and flocks of beautiful birds. The jalak putih or Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) is Bali's only indigenous bird, but there are over 300 species of birds in Bali. This includes dollar birds, wild fowl, sea eagles, sandpipers, blue kingfishers, white herons and egrets, sparrows, cuckoos and wood swallows.

Taman Nasional Bali Barat (National Park)

Taman Nasional Bali Barat, or Bali Barat Nasional Park makes up almost the whole of the western tip of Bali, covering an area of over 750 square km. The area that is the park, has been made into a conservation area.

The park's boundaries include open savannah, dense rainforest, tangles of mangrove swamp, colourful coral reefs and Pulau Menjangan, the famous Deer Island, which is really a small island reserve off the north coast of Bali. The park is a haven for over 300 species of animals and birds, most particularly the endangered jalak or Bali Starling.

Pulau Menjangan is home to the rare Java Deer, and welcomes visitors who enjoy good diving and snorkelling. You must be accompanied by an official guide and in possession of a park permit, to enter the park.

Gunung Batur Area

The Gunung Batur area, known as Danau Batur and the volcanic cones at Gunung Batur are contained in a huge awesome bowl-shaped caldera. Towering at 1717m, Gunung Batur is one of Bali's natural wonders, and just perfect for trekking, although the beauty of the place can still be enjoyed without such exertion.

Don't forget to drop by the much-revered Pura Ulun Danu temple, Pura Puncak Penulisan in Penulisan; and the hot springs at Toya Bungkah.

Gunung Agung

Gunung Agung is Bali's biggest trekking challenge. Fortunately, Bali's highest and most revered mountain is not difficult to climb. The tip is to start well before dawn, armed with a strong flashlight, water, food, and warm and waterproof clothing. The best time for a climb is during the dry season of April through October. But climbing is not permitted when major religious events are held at Pura Besakih, which is most of April.

The shortest and most popular route up Gunung Agung is from Selat or Muncan; involving the least walking due thankfully to serviceable roads from both Selat or Muncan town to the Pura Pasar Agung, or Agung Market Temple. From the temple, you can climb to top in as little as 2 short hours.

Do remember to report to the police station at Selat before start off on your excursion, and drop by again on your return. A guide is necessary, and one can be pre-arranged in Selat or Muncan by just asking around the markets, or by contacting the Selat police station.

Bali Botanical Gardens

It is truly a treat to be able to wander freely around the Bali Botanical Gardens in Bedugul deep in the heart of northern Bali, locally known as Kebun Raya Eka Karya.

Established in 1959 it's a rambling 120 hectares located high on the slopes of Tree Mountain with a massive collection of trees, a rich fluttering bird lifeand five hundred species of exotic orchids!