Just a few km away from Villa Gita is the village of Tenganan, the Bali Aga village that is a veritable living museum. Visitors are welcomed during daylight hours, with many of the houses also functioning as shops and workshops where expert craftsmen and women perform their centuries’ old skills. Pantai Putih is a stunning white sand beach in a beautiful azure bay that is perfect for swimming about 10 minutes from the villa. The villa is also close to the three water palaces – Tirta Gangga, Jungutan and Ujung – built by Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, the last Raja of Karangasem.
Family tour attractions in the area include the recently-opened Bali Safari & Marine Park, and the Odyssey Submarine Adventure, an ideal activity for those who would like to witness marine life under the ocean without having to scuba dive. The Bali Safari and Marine Park is about half-hour away from the villa and is supposedly the best Taman Safari park to date. A perfect day trip for children of all ages. Visitors can travel in safari buses across monkey-filled rain forests, a Bengal white tiger habitat and a savanna-like landscape dotted with hippopotamuses and lions. Guides are present to offer information about each animal, as well as the park’s conservation efforts.
In Villa Gita, you are also close to Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano – the towering Mt. Agung – home to Pura Besakih, the most important Hindu temple complex on Bali. Around 200 m east of the main bay near Padang Bai, a complex of three temples sits on top of the hill, with a good view of the bay. The biggest is Pura Silayukti, where in the 11th century, Empu Kuturan, who introduced the three-temple system to Balinese villages, lived and meditated. At the back is the Pura Telaga Mas, and fifty metres to the south is Pura Tunjung Sari with its three-roofed meru and three smaller shrines. At the top of Gumang Hill, the view from the Pura Gumang temple over Candidasa beach is worth a visit with its great views, cool breezes and uninterrupted stillness.
Just a few kilometres away, Padang Bai is a major harbour for ferries to Lombok as well as for smaller boats to Nusa Penida. It is a very picturesque village, with semi-circular hills surrounding a sparkling blue bay and sandy beach. Less than one hour to the northeast of Tirta Gangga lies the enthralling coastline of Amed – a succession of black sand and pebble beaches stretching from the village of Amed to Selang, the easternmost tip of Bali. This coast offers spectacular ocean views and fantastic snorkeling or diving near Tulamben, famous for its WW II shipwrecks.
The fertile land and hilly villages around Tirta Gangga offer an endless choice of walks, from one-hour walks in the rice fields to one-day treks into highland villages and forests. Hiking the four volcanoes is also an option. Hikers in good physical condition can try all 3142m of Mt. Agung – the steep descent is known to be the toughest part. Mt. Abang (2152m) is an enjoyable climb through thick forest with very few tourists. Mt. Batur (1717m) is much easier with great views of the volcano’s caldera but is crowded with visitors. An easy yet lovely ascent with dramatic views is the one to Pura Lempuyang on Mt. Seraya (1175m).
Our staff at Villa Gita are knowledgeable about the local areas and can help arrange for your visits and activities.