Karangasem

Karangasem is Bali’s Eastern most regency, and its gate to the Lesser Sunda Islands across the Lombok strait, which is a busy international sea lane. The regency is named after the kingdom of Karangasem, established in the 18th century, which was Bali’s most powerful well into the 19th century. The satria warriors from Karangasem congquered Western Lombok, which still has to this day an important Balinese minority.

Places of Interest in Karangasem Regency :

Iseh Village

The tourist object of Iseh is situated at Iseh village, Sidemen district. The distance of this object is about 52 kms from Denpasar and can be easily reached by public or private vehicles. Some facilities are available in this object, such as small hotels with its rural air and art shops that offer the most famous product of this area which is known as “Endek Bali”, In those art shops we can find something to be brought home to remind us of this small paradise.

Menjangan Dive Site

Menjangan Island is a small island part of the West Bali National Park. The reefs of northwest Bali are the most protected dive sites in Bali which provides good diving any time of the year. Divers arrive at Labuhan Lalang a modest small harbor, with a few simple restaurants. The trip to Menjangan Island takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on the site. There are many dive sites around the island, but the best area is a stretch along the southeast and from far northwest down into the channel.

Mount Agung

The towering Mount Agung is the natural decoration that beautifies the eastern regency of Karangasem. A powerful but sacred energy is kept in its divine presence. The highest volcano in the island is Bali’s natural landmark that puts his grips upon the wonderful landscape of green foothills created by his lava flows.

Padang Bai Harbour

Port of Padang Bai is located in the village of Padang Bai, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency. From the port city of Denpasar Padangbai is ± 53 km or about 3 Km from the city Amlapura. Location Padang Bai is located on the coast road Klungkung, Karangasem majors turn to the right. In the village of Padang Bai Temple Silayukti also one of the Pura Sada heaven in Bali. Location of this temple can also be a tourist attraction because of the area there is beautiful scenery Pura Padang Bai bay. Near the temple there is also a place of meditation and meditation, which is located right on the seafront. To do meditation here need permission from local stakeholders.

Pura Besakih

The greatest of all Balinese sanctuaries, Pura besakih, is the witness of the great natural power barely presented by Mount Agung looming above. Its stunning look presents the harmonious combination of religi and nature. The temple complex, about 22 temples in all, is built separately in such a distance of more than one kilometer. Pura Pengubengan, the highest temple at the compounds, occupies an area where many ancestral temples, such as Pura Padharman, are sustained by a particular clan group.Puta Penataran Agung, the great temple of state, occupies the central part of Besakih temple. Its six terraces represent a history of successive enlargements.

Puri Agung Karangasem

Puri Agung Karangasem or Karangasem Palace was built in 19th Century by Anak Agung Gede Jelantik, the first king of Karangasem Kingdom. This tourist destination is visited for its unique architecture, which is the combination of Balinese, Chinese and European architectures.

Putung Village

Putung itself is located in Duda Timur village, Selat district, approximately 64 km from Denpasar and about 19 kms from Amlapura. This area is reachable by public or private vehicles. Small hotels with restaurants completed with large parking lot are available in this area as the supporting facilities. The most plus point of Putung as a tourist object is its wonderful and amazing pristine panorama, which is the combination of mountains and sea view in a distance. Putung lies on mountainous area that surrounded by dense trees, particularly “salak” or snake skin fruit garden. This makes the air in this area is very cool and refreshing.

Sibetan Village

Sibetan village, which is famous for its “salak” or snake skin fruit is located in Bebandem district, 83 km from Denpasar or 15 km from Amlapura. Visitors visiting this area will be able to find food stalls and home stay. As one of tourist destination in Karangasem, Sibetan village offers natural panorama (agro tourism). Sibetan village is 400-600 m above the sea level, with the average temperature of 20º-30º C.

Taman Ujung

Taman Ujung is located 5 Km south of Amlapura, a remote district capital. It is one of three water palaces ever built by the last King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah, in 1921. Recent renovations have recreated lakes, pavillions, and statues in extensive grounds with boundless view of the blue ocean as the vivid backdrop. The king used to serve his prominent guests and kings from all over the place in the country at the palace whose buildings employ a mixed architectures. The lavish palace was one fully destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Agung and earthquakes but a few sculptures and portals remain.

Telaga Waja River Area

Telaga Waja is a river located in Rendang village, Rendang district. This river is great for rafting activities. The water was clear and lots of curves with large rocks along the stream. This rafting activity will test your courage to conquer the challenges of this nature.Some supporting tourism facilities available in these places, such as small hotels and restaurants.

Tenganan Village

Tenganan is one of the few Balinese communities which have resisted the Javanization process brought about by the Majapahit invasion of 1343.  As such it is called a Bali Aga village – mountain Balinese village.  It has kept its traditional architecture of parallel rows of houses.There you can see the making of the double-weaving ikat, the Gerinsing.  The village is also reputed for its lontar traditional manuscripts.  You can even have your lontar with an English translation if you want.

Tirta Gangga Water Garden

Tirtagangga Water Garden scratches on a 1,2 Hectare area, which consists of three complexes. The first complex lies on the lowest level of this area, where we can find two ponds and a water tower. The second complex in the middle level is the location where we can find swimming pools; while in the third part, which is the main complex, we can find the rest house of the King. Before the construction of the water garden, there was a big spring water in this area. Therefore people surrounding the area called this place “embukan” which means spring water. The spring water was then functioned to fulfil the people’s need of water and also for the “purification” of the Gods (Ida Betara). For this case, the spring water is recognised to be holy and sacred.

Yeh Malet

This tourist object is facilitated with some rest places for visitors passing this area. Food stalls are also available here. Visitors who wish to know more about tourist destinations and facilities around Karangasem regency or just to have brief information about Yeh Malet could come to tourism information centre established here. Yeh Malet lies on the main road connecting Amlapura and Denpasar. Thus, this place is good for those who want to get rest. Here, visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and also watch the traditional making of salt. In this area, visitors can also have swimming, fishing or jogging.

Jemeluk Beach

Jemeluk is precisely situated at Purwakerti village, Abang ditrict. It is about 100 km from Denpasar and 21 km from Amlapura. Around the area, we will be able to find small restaurants, hotels, and food stalls. For visitors who wish to closely enjoy the sea panorama, a stopover is available. Jemeluk becomes interesting to visit for its amazing luxurious underwater scenery. Its shallow save and clear water give comfort for visitors who loves diving activity very much, to see tropical fish and other marine lives exist here. The coral reeves found in this area becomes another attraction of Jemeluk that draws visitors from all over the world.

Jambul Hill

The name of Bukit Jambul was firstly given during the Dutch invasion in Indonesia by a tourist, who was inspired by a high hill standing on the south of the main road connecting Klungkung regency and Besakih of Karangasem regency. There is a Hindu Temple called Pura Pucak Sari on the top of the hill, which is surrounded by big trees. Below the temple complex there is a stunning panorama of rice fields. This makes the trees look like a tufting hair from a distance ( Bukit = hill, Jambul = Tuft of hair). Bukit Jambul is renown as an outstanding natural tourist destination due to the harmonious combination of hilly land, rice fields, valleys and the beautiful sea panorama in a distance. From high land, we will be able to witness the beauty of the nature beneath.

Cekepung Village

In Tanah Lengis, Karangasem, there are several unique music clubs, such as bamboo-made angklung orchestra and cekepung, a special music performance only known in Karangasem and on Lombok,  its origin. Cekepung is performed by a group of men whose leade will start the musical performance by singing a text in Sasak language (a language of a traditional tribe in Lombok), which is then paraphrased by another man in Balinese language. A combination of rhytmic, interlocking song and a gamelan orchestra create a beautiful harmony.