Mt. Batukaru jungle trek in Bali: rainforest, temple & waterfall

Beyond the usual trails: a rainforest trek where the guide knows every path

This 10-hour guided jungle trek on Mount Batukaru takes you through Bali's last remaining rainforest, starting with a temple blessing and ending at a hidden waterfall. Your local ranger points out wild orchids and medicinal plants while you cross small rivers, rest at a jungle temple with fresh coffee and Balinese snacks, then visit a mountain village farm, hot springs, and a family warung for lunch. Pickup from your hotel is included, as is a 15-minute massage after the trek and all entrance fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jungle trek and village exploration

• Pick up and scenic countryside drive
• Visit Pura Luhur Batukaru temple
• Trek through rainforest with local ranger
• Picnic with coffee and Balinese snacks
• Drive to mountain village with photo stops
• Walk through Balikaru garden and herbs
• Enjoy lunch at village Warung
• Visit Balikaru Farm and village walk
• Relax at Belulang Hot Springs
• Stop at Pengempu Waterfall
• Drive back to accommodation

The Experience

Your guide picks you up in the morning for a drive through Bali's countryside—emerald rice terraces, small villages, farmers in the fields, photo stops along the way. The road climbs toward Mount Batukaru, the island's second-highest peak, and the air cools as you reach the misty slopes. At Pura Luhur Batukaru, one of Bali's most sacred temples, you'll join locals in a short visit to ask permission from the forest spirits before entering the jungle. The incense, the sound of water, the quiet devotion—it sets the tone for what comes next.

Then you step into the rainforest. Your personal guide and a local ranger lead you on narrow jungle paths beneath towering trees and giant ferns. The ranger knows this place like home—he points out wild orchids, medicinal herbs, secret trails, and shares stories of nature's balance and survival skills passed down through generations. Midway through, you pause at a hidden jungle temple where fresh coffee and homemade Balinese snacks are waiting. It's a simple picnic surrounded by birdsong and the distant call of monkeys, a moment to catch your breath before the trek continues. The trekking itself runs about two hours, with small river crossings and light challenge, but the pace is active yet manageable—time to take in the landscape instead of rushing through it.

After the hike, you drive to a peaceful mountain village and walk through Balikaru, a family community surrounded by tropical greenery. The garden holds more than forty species of plants, herbs, and spices—lemongrass, galangal, chili, pandanus—and your hosts explain how they're used in Balinese healing and cooking. A refreshing drink and a 15-minute massage restore your energy. Then comes lunch at an authentic village warung with garden views: Nasi Campur Tumpeng, a colorful traditional Balinese meal with local vegetables, meats, and fragrant spices. Changing rooms and showers are available if you want to freshen up.

Your journey ends with a visit to the Balikaru Farm, where villagers cultivate rice, cocoa, coffee, and tropical fruits using traditional, sustainable methods. You wander through fields of herbs and spices, sample fresh produce straight from the ground, then take a leisurely walk through the mountain village—traditional houses, everyday scenes of rural Bali. The walk leads to Belulang Hot Springs, where locals bathe in natural sulfur waters believed to have healing properties. A short walk through tropical vegetation brings you to Pengempu Waterfall, a hidden gem where clear water cascades into an emerald pool surrounded by jungle. Then it's a relaxed drive back to your hotel in the late afternoon, carrying the freshness of the rainforest with you.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your hotel.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• personal guide and local ranger.
• entry to Pura Luhur Batukaru temple.
• rainforest trekking for around two hours.
• coffee break and homemade Balinese snacks at a hidden jungle temple.
• visit to Balikaru Farm with animals and stingless Trigona bees.
• lunch—Nasi Campur Tumpeng with local vegetables and meats—at a village warung.
• 15-minute massage after the trek.
• visit to Belulang Hot Springs and Pengempu Waterfall.
• changing facilities, showers, and towels at the activity center.
• all activities and entrance fees according to the itinerary.
• digital photos and memories of the tour by email.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Balikaru

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want to experience the rainforest when the air is coolest and the wildlife most active—the trek's two-hour pace and included massage mean you'll be back at your hotel by late afternoon, refreshed instead of exhausted. If you've spent your first days on beaches and in towns, this tour reaches the part of Bali most visitors never see: a working mountain village, a sacred temple, and a rainforest where your guide is actually from there.

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Top questions

How difficult is the jungle trekking on Mount Batukaru?

The trek runs about two hours with small river crossings and moments of light challenge, but the pace is active yet manageable—designed for travelers with at least moderate physical fitness. The path is narrow and moves through dense vegetation, but there's plenty of time to take in the landscape instead of rushing.

What's included in this tour besides the trekking?

Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, a 15-minute massage after the trek, coffee and homemade Balinese snacks at a hidden jungle temple, lunch at a village warung, visits to Balikaru Farm and Belulang Hot Springs, entry to Pengempu Waterfall, and a stop at the sacred Batukaru Temple. All activities and entrance fees are covered; changing facilities and showers are available at the activity center.

Who guides the trek, and what language do they speak?

You're accompanied by your personal guide and a local ranger who knows the jungle intimately. The tour is available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, or German—you choose your language when booking.

What should I bring and wear for this jungle trek?

Wear well-worn, sturdy trekking shoes and breathable clothing suitable for a jungle hike—long sleeves and legs offer protection against leeches. Cotton or quick-dry materials work best. Bring a sun hat, high-SPF sun cream, mosquito repellent, and drinking water. The activity center has lockers where you can store anything you don't need during the trek.

Is there a waterfall on this tour?

Yes—Pengempu Waterfall is your final stop before heading back to your hotel. A short walk through tropical vegetation leads to this hidden gem, where clear water cascades into a small emerald pool surrounded by jungle greenery.

Can children join this trek?

Children are welcome from age 6. The trek's moderate pace and manageable difficulty make it suitable for families, though parents should ensure their child has at least moderate physical fitness for the two-hour jungle section.