Located just north of central Bali, Munduk is a famous village in Bali ideal for trekking tours. It was once the holiday destination for Indonesia’s Dutch population because of its cool mountain weather all year round. As it is located at an altitude, it’s actually one of the best locations in all of Bali to catch sunrises and sunsets. Hidden between lush green mountains, lakes, and plenty of flora, it’s no wonder that Munduk Village is much loved by trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Munduk village may seem unassuming as you drive by, but there’s plenty of hidden gems to discover. Along its many trekking paths, you’re bound to find plenty of inviting waterfalls to take a dip in. The weather at Munduk Village is ideal for agriculture and farming, so it’s no wonder that there are plenty of coffee plantations and rice terraces to visit too.
Unlike the more tourist-friendly destinations of Bali (like Ubud), Munduk village revels in its traditional way of life. It may not have any kind of nightlife scene for partying, but during the day, the mountains, ravines, and lakes here are amazing places to witness Bali’s awe-inspiring natural surroundings. There’s so much to offer that you don’t even need a guide –you can just grab a map and begin your adventures.
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Places to Visit in Munduk
1. Rice Terraces: The weather of Munduk makes it a natural choice for agriculture and farming. Munduk’s rice terraces are located in Jalan Raya and are open to the public. You’ll get to witness the use of traditional tools for planting and harvesting, not to mention being a part of the luscious landscape here.
2. The Giant Banyan Tree: Just 15 minutes south of Munduk is this 700 year old site to behold. It has roots large enough to walk through and is said to host a special, wish-granting spirit. Local history even suggests that this tree was once the hiding spot for locals during Dutch occupancy. Within walking distance is two temples, Pura Pecalang and Pura Subak.
3. Tamblingan Lake: Located 15 minutes out of main Munduk village is Danau (“lake”) Tamblingan. Not only is it a scenic drive to the lake, but the lake itself is a beautiful, peaceful location. There are plenty of wooden boats for both fishing and tourist purposes, a little jetty into the water, and most recently, one of Bali’s signature wooden swings. It’s no wonder then that this spot is very famous amongst couples for taking romantic pictures and conducting wedding shoots.
Tamblingan Lake Source 4. Coffee Plantations: Munduk Village is said to grow some of the best coffee in Bali, so you definitely must visit the village’s coffee plantations. There are plenty of plantations to choose from. Alternatively, you can always stop by Munduk’s cafes to try the brew for yourself.
Trekking in Munduk Village
The most popular activity in Munduk is trekking. There are 12 popular trekking paths in and around Munduk varying from one hour to five hour treks. The difficulty levels are easy, moderate and challenging based on the path you choose. The paths are well-marked, meaning that you can explore on your own with the help of a map or if you’d prefer to enlist a guide, you can hire one for anywhere between IDR 200,000 to IDR 500,000 for the day.
The Coral trek takes you through avocado, vanilla, and coffee plantations and ends with the Red Coral waterfall while the environmental trek takes you to waterfalls, rice fields, and close-by villages. The inter-village trek lets you explore Munduk’s many villages and specially stops at the Giant Banyan Tree. The challenging Dutch colonial trek takes you to Munduk’s stone structures built during colonial rule, including the first guest house in Bali dating back to 1906. The moderately challenged Tropical Fruit Trek, best taken from November to January, lets you explore the fruit plantations of Bestala village and includes a visit to Munduk’s stone sarcophagus.
No matter what trek you choose, most treks include Munduk’s waterfalls. Do note that they have an entry fee of around IDR 15,000 per person and allow you to swim in the waterfall’s little pools. The way down to these waterfalls can be difficult, depending on the route you take.
Food in Munduk
As a traditional village in the hills of Bali, Munduk does not have any bars and most of the dining options are located within guesthouses, resorts and plantations. You’ll also find lots of warungs (food stalls) all along the street, offering delicious local food – often with a view! Warung Made and Warung Classic, located on Jl. Pura Puseh, are local favourites. You should also check out Warung Makan Kadir that’s best known for its traditional Balinese mixed rich with meat and vegetables.
Eco Café is a restaurant that overlooks Munduk Waterfall and can be found on Jl Kayu Putih. Not only is the view amazing, but so is the food. In addition, Bali Panorama is a small restaurant that specializes in fruit juice made from fresh local produce. If you’re looking for something other than Balinese food, Ngiring Ngewedang Restaurant can be found just 2 kilometres outside of Munduk that offers some Western cuisine options.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Unlike other parts of Bali, Munduk’s altitude means that it sees much cooler weather all year round. However, this altitude also means that it sees heavy rainfall. In the dry months, it may rain for a few hours in the day, but it can rain almost all day during the monsoon months of December to March. So, the best time to visit Munduk Village is the months from April to September when the area sees the least rainfall.
How to Reach Munduk
Munduk can be found in Buleleng Regency in north-west Bali. It is around 85 kilometres (2 and a half hours) from Ngurah Rai International Airport and 79 kilometres (2 hours and 15 minutes) from Kuta to the south. It is 65 kilometres (2 hours) from the tourist area of Ubud to the south-east and 35 kilometres (1 hour) from Singaraja to the north.
There are some shuttles that operate from Ubud towards Munduk that will cost around IDR 100,000 per person. On days that there aren’t enough people travelling in that direction, the shuttle may not be running. There are also routine shuttles to Bedugul which is 22 kilometres (40 minutes) from Munduk. The fastest way to reach Munduk is by private transport. These are more expensive than the shuttles, but they are quick and efficient. A taxi/ van will cost around IDR 500,000 from the airport and IDR 300,000 from Kuta. It will cost around IDR 250,000 from Ubud and IDR 150,000 from Singaraja.
Getting Around the Village
Munduk is fairly spread out, so it’s best to hire a vehicle for your time there. Most of the waterfalls and plantations are within walking distance, but if you’d like a vehicle after a tiring trek or a vehicle to take you to close-by lakes, you should hire a bike or a taxi. Private cars will cost around anywhere between IDR 100,000 to IDR 500,000 depending on the agency, driver, and locations to visit. Alternatively, a scooter will cost you around IDR 50,000 per day. Be sure to negotiate a fair price in advance before renting either vehicle for your stay.
Tips
1. Munduk does not have many modern amenities. The closest ATM is located in Banyuatis village in west Munduk which is a 15 minute walk away. 2. Munduk does not have bars or nightlife. If you’d like to drink, it’s best to buy alcohol from a local shop and drink at your accommodation.
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