A few weeks ago, we featured a unique walking tour through hidden Bali, offering an experience far removed from the beaches and bar culture of our northern neighbor. Now, intrepid traveler Les Latchman shares first-hand insights into what the hike was truly like.
Bali. An island that has captivated travellers for generations, known for its sun-soaked beaches, lush green landscapes, cascading waterfalls and rich cultural traditions. But as breathtaking as it is, its popularity means many of its most famous spots are often filled with bustling crowds, making it harder to have a Bali experience that’s natural and truly immersive.
That’s why I was intrigued when I came across The Natural Adventure’s Hiking Hidden Bali tour. It promised a different kind of journey, one that would take me beyond the usual tourist trails, deep into Bali’s remote Highlands, working rice paddies and ancient forests. It promised a way to experience the island not just as a visitor, but as a traveller connecting with its landscapes and people. I have to admit, I was a little sceptical. Could a place as popular as Bali still hold hidden corners untouched by mass tourism? Could I really find that sense of adventure and authenticity I always look for when travelling? Curiosity won out, and I booked the trip.
A heartfelt Highlands welcome
The trip got off to a great start as our local guide Jony drove us from the bustling capital of Denpasar, deep into the remote Balinese Highlands towards Megati. Two hours away from the typical tourist trails, we found ourselves exploring working rice fields where, instead of throngs of tourists posing for photos, we found farmers tending their crops. I had a sense this day would be special, having previously visited the famous Tegalalang rice terraces – yet these paddies surpassed the beauty of any I’d seen before. This was further emphasised through the absence of crowds, and I admit to feeling a little nervous about how the farmers might perceive me in this remote setting, given how tourism has adversely impacted other parts of Bali. But their smiles and openness quickly put me at ease. One unforgettable moment was meeting a husband and wife farming duo. After exchanging smiles, they saw my camera and gestured for me to take a picture. I couldn’t believe how friendly the local people were and we all found ourselves, ironically, posing for photos in an impromptu photoshoot.
Wild dining Balinese-style
Later, as if on cue, we got to taste that very rice we’d seen growing and being harvested in the paddies. Jony had arranged for a freshly-cooked lunch to be delivered to us on the trail, a kind of jungle-side Deliveroo – except that it felt like pure luxury in the middle of nature.The sumptuous rice was paired with chicken satay skewers, golden corn fritters, shredded green beans and sambal matah – a spicy, citrusy relish that became an instant favourite of mine. It was unlike any lunch experience I’d ever had: we were in the heart of nature, eating sustainably-sourced food which was delivered right to our shady spot in between the Megati and Kemetug villages.
Fruits, spices and the warmth of a local home
Over the next few days our journey took us deeper into the areas of Belimbing and Pupuan which were brimming with fruit and spice plantations. Everywhere we turned, there were cacao pods on tree trunks, ginger roots peeking through the soil, and avocados strewn across the trail. Jony gleefully shared that you can buy a kilo of avocados for less than $2 here. It’s safe to say I was in millennial heaven.
However, the real standout moment came midway through a hike, where Jony invited us into his home near Pupuan. We met his family and picked fresh fruit together from the garden, including mangosteen, passionfruit, guava and something known as snow fruit. This is a velvety treat which, when opened, revealed a cool cotton candy texture. Jony’s wife brewed me a fresh cup of robusta coffee. It felt like a genuine privilege to be welcomed so warmly and share a meal with his family, in such an intimate setting. I couldn’t help but think back to my initial scepticism and desire for authentic experiences exactly like this.
Walking in a floral wonderland
In all my excitement about exploring fruit plantations in the earlier part of the trip, I never realised we would stumble upon endless fields of blue, yellow and white hydrangeas. It took us all by surprise and Jony confirmed he had purposely kept quiet, allowing this spectacle to catch us completely off guard. It’s these little touches that allowed us to feel like we were discovering them for ourselves, which is that rare feeling I hope for when travelling. The sense of wonder reminded me that even in a place as frequented as Bali, there are still surprises waiting around every corner.
Into the heart of Bali’s ancient forests
I thought the trip had peaked visually with the hydrangeas, but how wrong I was. By day six, the terrain had changed again, with the next hike leading us into the heart of an ancient, otherworldly rainforest. Located in the Bengkel region, the humidity hung in the air, and the sound of tropical birds echoed all around. Towering above us were Banyan trees, some over 40m high, 300 years old and wrapped in bright yellow cloth with well-tended shrines at their bases. Jony explained that these mighty giants are considered cosmic, bridging the physical and spiritual realms, which is why people come to worship there.
As we watched local people make offerings to honour their significance, I couldn’t help but think how these incredible trees have stood as silent witnesses to generations of change. Through drastically different eras when Bali’s landscapes were largely untouched, through decades of growth, and now into a time of bustling cities and overtourism. The island had greatly evolved around them, and yet here they remain: still majestic, still rooted in the beating heart of the island.
Chasing Bali’s spectacular waterfalls
As the trip drew to a close, we finished in style with a sweaty adventure to seek out Bali’s most spectacular waterfalls. Jony thoughtfully planned a route so that each waterfall somehow surpassed the last in grandeur. It was 32C, the hottest day of the trip, so being able to swim at every waterfall was the ultimate reward – like nature’s own air conditioning. Having them all to ourselves felt a bit naughty, as if we’d stumbled onto true hidden gems that the rest of the world had somehow missed.
A trip that makes a lasting impression
My earlier experiences of Bali had led me to believe its authentic charm was overshadowed by overtourism, traffic jams, crowds and tourist traps. Yet this journey proved to me that this is not the case everywhere. By venturing into lesser-known areas, such as Kemetug and Pupuan, and connecting with a local guide who truly understands the island, I found a Bali that’s alive with warmth, wonder and a vibrant culture seemingly untouched by the everyday hustle.
It wasn’t just about collecting pretty pictures, it became about forging genuine connections, tasting home-cooked meals in the most unexpected places, and realising that even in a destination as famous as Bali, there are still new adventures to be had. Travelling like this felt meaningful. I wasn’t just a tourist. I was part of an experience that respected and celebrated the destination, benefiting both the people who call it home and those of us fortunate enough to explore it.
My lasting feeling from this incredible trip is that the best adventures aren’t just the ones everyone else is having, but the ones that are thoughtfully crafted by those who truly know and love a place – allowing you to experience it in a way you never thought possible.
This post was originally featured on thenaturaladventure.com
