Sidemen: A wild escape in the heart of Bali

Sidemen is a preserved corner of Bali, far from mass tourism . This haven of nature immerses you in verdant landscapes , terraced rice paddies and natural waterfalls .

You can raft down the Telaga Waja River or swim in the terraced natural pools of Gembleng Waterfall , with incredible panoramic views of the valley. Sidemen is also famous for its silver craftsmanship , where you can create your own piece of jewelry crafted by local artisans. For a spiritual immersion, meet the local shamans . Further afield, admire the graceful water palace of Tirta Gangga and discover Lahangan Sweet , a platform perched high above offering spectacular views of Mount Agung.

For these three days in Sidemen, I wanted to have a unique experience, a total immersion , alone in the heart of nature. I slept in an open cabin, isolated in the middle of the rice paddies.

During the day, everything was peaceful, but once night fell, the atmosphere changed completely . The sounds of frogs, the deep blackness, the creaking of wood, the furtive passage of animals like geckos, snakes or mice – all this is normal, but I was not comfortable with this environment.

Before going to sleep, I meticulously checked every nook and cranny, wrapped the mosquito net everywhere, even under the bed, to make sure I slept peacefully.

To reassure myself, I called an Indonesian friend , hoping to find some comfort. But when I told him about my loneliness in Sidemen , he could think of nothing better to do than tell me the rumor of a mafia that was targeting tourists for black magic rituals…

Needless to say, between his chilling story , the surrounding noises, the isolation and the total darkness , I didn't sleep a wink the first night.

But everything turned out well —

It is precisely this contrast, between fear and wonder, that makes the experience even more memorable.

• Enjoy nature activities : rafting on the Telaga Waja, swimming at the Gembleng waterfall.

• Participate in a silver craft workshop to create your own jewelry.

• Plan a visit to the Tirta Gangga water palace and the Lahangan Sweet viewpoint.

• Visit Tirta Gangga early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the peace and quiet.

• Immerse yourself in the local culture by meeting shamans and healers .

• Remain extremely vigilant at night.