Sidemen is Bali with the volume turned down. This private day tour strings together Sidemen rice terraces and Gembleng Waterfall, with a side trip into Klungkung’s kingdom era that you’ll feel right away in the architecture and atmosphere. I love how the day mixes easy nature time (a flat rice-field walk) with stops that show how people actually live in East Bali. I also like the food angle: you can order lunch at an organic garden kitchen where the ingredients come from the garden.

One possible drawback: lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget for your meal at the garden stop, and you should expect some wet, slippery moments at the waterfall hike.

Key things I’d plan around

• Private transport, door-to-door style so you spend the day looking at East Bali, not navigating it.
• A flat rice-field walk in Sidemen for great views without a hard hike.
• Klungkung’s Kerta Gosa palace remains for a quick, meaningful history stop.
• An organic garden kitchen lunch option with a menu built around ingredients grown there.
• Gembleng Waterfall’s five natural infinity pools for swimming and photo moments.
• Guides matter: friendly drivers and local knowledge can make the day feel smoother and more personal.

Sidemen’s Quiet Rhythm: Why This Day Tour Feels Different

If you’ve seen enough of Bali’s main tourist lanes, Sidemen is a good reset button. The Sidemen area sits closer to Mount Agung, and that shows in the feel of the day: cooler air in the hills, more open valleys, and a sense that life is still focused on daily work rather than tour schedules.

What makes this tour click is the pacing. It’s not nonstop adrenaline, and it’s not a checklist where you barely get out of the car. You’ll get gentle movement through rice fields, time for a proper cultural stop in Klungkung, and then a reward: the kind of waterfall swimming people remember long after the photos.

The best part for me is how the day holds together. Rice terraces and jungle waterfall pools don’t feel random here. They connect through East Bali’s geography and rural rhythm. You’re seeing the “why” behind the views, not just collecting them.

Price and What You Actually Get for $64.16

At $64.16 per person, this is priced like a mid-range full-day tour with real value baked in. The big reason: you’re not just booking a guide and hoping you like the seats. You’re paying for private transportation, plus included entrance at two of the main stops—Kerta Gosa and Gembleng Waterfall.

Here’s the practical breakdown of what you’re likely saving time (and money) on:

• Included admission at Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa (Kerta Gosa) for that 17th–19th century Klungkung story
• Included admission at Gembleng Waterfall, where you’ll be hiking a bit and swimming in the pools
• Other parts are free for you to enjoy: the Klungkung market stop, the Sidemen rice-field walk, and the Anandinii organic garden area (though you’ll pay for lunch if you order)

Lunch is the one clear extra cost, since it’s not included. Still, that can be a good thing. You can pick what you want at the organic kitchen instead of being handed a set meal.

Booking-wise, it’s also smart to reserve ahead. The tour is often booked about 22 days in advance on average, so if you want a specific date, don’t wait until the last week.

The 9:00 AM Private Plan: How the 8 Hours Usually Feel

This tour starts at 9:00 am and runs around 8 hours. That’s long enough to feel like a true day trip, but not so long that you’re destroyed by the end—assuming you pace yourself at the waterfall.

Because it’s private, you’re not squeezed into a big group timeline. You can usually take your time at the rice walk and market stop without watching the clock for the next departure. It also helps for photos: you’re not sharing the best angles with 30 other people.

One detail that matters in Bali: your day will likely depend on comfort and weather. The waterfall pools are natural, and surfaces can get slick. If it’s rainy, you’ll want to slow down and use care on the hike.

Klungkung’s Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa: Kingdom-Era History Without the Long Lecture

Stop 1 is Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa in Klungkung, Bali’s capital area during the 17th to 19th centuries. This is also where you’ll learn about the Dutch invasion period, since it’s tied to the kingdom era and what remains today. The standout here is Kerta Gosa—described as the most significant palace remains.

What I like about this stop is that it’s short and clear. You get the sense of a major kingdom in this region without being dragged through a half-day history class. The admission is included, so you don’t have to do extra cost math or hunt for tickets.

Practical tip: wear something comfortable for walking inside and around the site. You’ll likely be outdoors for parts of it, and Bali sun can jump on you fast.

Klungkung Market for Fabrics, Jewelry, and Real Snacks

Then you head to Klungkung Market for about 30 minutes. This is one of the best “watch and taste” stops on the day because it mixes old and new sections.

In the newer area, you’ll find stores with Balinese fabrics and traditional clothing, plus gold jewellery. There’s also a food court with local food where you can eat in—though how much you want to snack here depends on your appetite for the garden lunch later.

The value of this stop isn’t just shopping. It’s that brief window into everyday trade. You’ll see what local buyers are moving and what kinds of products matter in this area of Bali.

Practical tip: set a small budget before you arrive. It’s easy to get tempted by textiles and jewellery, but you’ll feel better if you buy only what you truly want to take home.

Sidemen Rice Field Walk: Flat Path, Big Views, Easy Pacing

Next up is Sidemen, and specifically a rice field walk. This portion is described as a flat walking track, about 45 minutes, with picture-perfect views.

This is the part of the day you’ll probably be most grateful for if you like nature but don’t want a hard hike. A flat track means you can focus on breathing the air, taking photos, and moving at a comfortable pace rather than spending energy on steep terrain.

Why it’s worth doing on a tour like this: in Sidemen, the best viewpoints often require time and planning to reach. With private transport, you’re not trying to time your own route. You get there, you walk, and you’re back on track for the next stop.

Practical tips:

• Bring sunglasses and a hat.
• Wear shoes with grip if the ground is damp.
• If you want photos, plan to step aside from the walkway edges so you don’t block others.

Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen: Order Lunch From the Place It Grew

This stop is about 1 hour, and it’s one of the more thoughtful parts of the itinerary. At Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen, you can order lunch from a menu that uses ingredients grown from the garden.

Two menu highlights mentioned are granitas (a refreshing choice) and chocolate lava cake for dessert. Even if you don’t order both, it’s a nice clue that the kitchen leans toward fresh, chilled options plus a proper sweet finale.

Admission is free for this stop, but lunch is not included overall. In other words, you treat it like a restaurant stop that’s tied to the garden experience, not like a pre-paid meal.

What makes this valuable: it breaks the pattern of “tour eats, tour leaves.” Instead, you get a little context for the food source, then you choose what you eat. It’s a more adult way to handle lunch.

Practical tips:

• If you’re swimming later, consider eating something lighter here.
• Bring a light layer even in warm weather, since you’ll be in and out of shade.

Gembleng Waterfall: Five Natural Infinity Pools and a Swim-Friendly Hike

Stop 5 is Gembleng Waterfall, and it’s the day’s cooling-down payoff. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and the hike includes the promise of five natural infinity swimming pools.

That wording matters, because it sets expectations: you’re not just walking past a waterfall. You’ll hike a bit up the trail and have chances to swim in multiple pools. You can stop anytime and take a dip, and the views through the jungle tree tops are part of why people come.

Admission is included, which helps because waterfall attractions can add up quickly.

A few reality checks so you’re comfortable:

• Pack swimwear in your day bag. You’ll want it ready.
• Wear footwear that can handle slippery ground. Water shoes or sandals with grip help.
• Keep an eye on where you step. Even a short hike can be slick in Bali.

If you’re not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the waterfall and take photos. You can choose how long you stay in the water and how far you walk.

Guides Can Make the Day: Icha, Dharma, and Edo’s Impact

One theme that shows up in the experience is that the guide/driver experience can be the difference between a good day and a smooth, memorable one.

Icha is praised for being a very safe driver and for being extremely friendly and courteous. That combination matters in Bali traffic and on rural roads where the “real driving” can be a little intense compared to city streets.

Dharma is highlighted for being an amazing guide, including help with a water purification at a holy springs temple and the ability to bypass the tourist line thanks to local connections. That’s a big deal if you care about respectful cultural moments and don’t want to waste time waiting around.

Edo is also mentioned for a great day, with the rice fields and Kerta Gosa plus Gembleng Waterfall as the standout stops.

Even if your day includes the same core attractions, your guide can shape your pacing, your comfort, and your understanding of what you’re seeing. If you care about context, ask questions. If you care about photos, ask for the best order of stops within the timeline.

What to Bring So You Enjoy Every Stop

This is a practical day. You’ll do a rice walk, visit a market, potentially eat at a garden kitchen, and then you may swim at the waterfall pools. Pack for that mix.

Bring:

• Swimwear (quick-change plan helps)
• A towel or quick-dry towel if you have one
• Water-friendly footwear with grip
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat
• Cash or a card for market purchases and lunch
• Refillable water bottle (staying hydrated helps on a warm day)

And if you’re sensitive to sun or heat, plan your photo time. Morning light can be forgiving, and the midday hours can feel intense once you’re in open areas.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This Sidemen highlights day tour is a strong choice if you want:

• A private day that feels calm rather than chaotic
• East Bali nature without a punishing hike
• A mix of culture (Klungkung’s Kerta Gosa) and rural scenery (Sidemen rice fields)
• A waterfall where swimming is part of the fun, not just a view

It may not be ideal if:

• You want lunch fully included as part of the price
• You hate slippery conditions or don’t want to get wet
• You’re looking for a fast, “max attractions in min time” kind of schedule

If you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or even solo and you like the freedom of private transport, this format tends to suit you.

Should You Book This Sidemen Highlights Day Tour?

I’d book it if you want a day that feels grounded in East Bali: rice terraces, a meaningful Klungkung site, organic food with a menu you choose, and a waterfall where you can actually cool off in the pools.

I’d pause and think twice if swimming isn’t your thing or if you need lunch included in the set price. Since lunch is not included, your total spend will depend on what you order at the organic garden kitchen.

If you do book, my advice is simple:

• Bring swimwear and grippy footwear.
• Go easy on the market shopping—set a budget first.
• Ask your guide whether a holy springs purification moment is included on your day’s route, especially if you enjoy respectful cultural experiences.

FAQ

Where does this tour run?

It’s a day tour based in the Sidemen area in East Bali, with pickups from the Ubud area and stops including Klungkung and Sidemen.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What time does it start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered, and it’s a private tour with private transportation.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch isn’t included, though you can order lunch at the Anandinii Organic Garden & Kitchen stop.

Which stops have admission included?

Admission is included for Taman Wisata Kertha Gosa and for Gembleng Waterfall. The Klungkung Market, Sidemen rice field walk, and the Anandinii garden stop are listed as free.

What kind of fitness level do I need?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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