PLACES OF INTEREST Bali's natural attractions include miles of sandy beaches, picturesque rice terraces, towering active volcanoes over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) high, fast flowing rivers, deep ravines, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves and lush tropical forests full of exotic wildlife. The island's rich cultural heritage is visible everywhere - in over 20,000 temples and palaces, in the many colorful festivals and ceremonies (including tooth filings and cremations) and in its drama, music and dance. Bali can be experienced in many different excursions; guided tours by coach, private car or "Big Bike", by boat or by air plane and helicopter. Seeing Bali's beaches and rice terraces, the famous Besakih Temple on the slopes of holy Mount Agung, Lake Batur and its active volcano and the temples of Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu from the air is a really spectacular experience. Kintamani Volcano Tour:
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The first stop is often in the village of Batubulan to watch a performance of the Barong and Kris Dance. Afterwards you visit the villages of Celuk (silver jewelry) and Mas (wood carving) to see Balinese artisans at work. Ubud, Bali's cultural center, has grown to a busy town with numerous Balinese art galleries and shops. A scenic drive over small roads overlooking beautiful rice terraces brings you to the mountain village of Kintamani (about 5,000 feet above the sea) which offers stunning views of Lake Batur and the volcano. You can then cross the crater-lake below the still active Mount Batur and visit the ‘Bali Aga’ village of Trunyan then return through traditional villages with stops in Tampaksiring to visit the temple of Tirta Empul and to visit the Elephant Cave "Goa Gajah", a hermitage from the 11th. century used by both Buddhists and Hindus. 
Drive to Besakih through various villages visiting on the way a weaving factory, see the famous painted ceiling at the old "Palace of Justice" in Klungkung, and visit the school of painting in Kamasan. The "Mother Temple" in Besakih is Bali's most holy and Indonesia's biggest Hindu temple. It was built in the 11th century at an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) on the slopes of Mount Agung. You pass picturesque rice terraces on the way to the walled ‘Bali Aga’ village of Tenganan and continue to Candi Dasa on the East coast. On the way back it's recommended to stop at the famous Bat Cave ‘Goa Lawah’ to see the thousands of bats hanging from the walls inside. 
After a stop in Sangeh to visit its holy forest inhabited by wild monkeys, drive up into the mountains to Lake Beratan (1,200 meters above sea level) and the picturesque water temple Ulu Danu. Visit the busy flower, fruit and spice market in Candikuning and drive back through small country roads, villages and rice fields, with a stop in an artisan village specializing in gold threaded textiles (Ikat) worn during important ceremonies. 
Drive the scenic road via Pupuan through the mountains to Bali's North coast. You'll enjoy beautiful views of picturesque rice terraces and large plantations growing vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cloves and even grapes for Bali’s own wineries. Near the village of Banjar is a popular hot spring where you can take a bath in the natural pond. After a lunch on the black beach in Lovina you pass the old capital of Singaraja on the way to Git Git, famous for its multi-tier water fall. Return over back roads to see the unspoiled Bali. (This tour can be combined with the visit to Bedugul.) 
Visit the royal Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi (built in 1624), the holy monkey forest near Sangeh, and famous Tanah Lot at sunset. This picturesque Balinese temple was built in the 16th century on a huge rock 100 yards off of Bali's west coast is surrounded by the sea during high tide. 
Visit the artisan villages of Batubulan (stone carving), Celuk (silver & gold jewelry), Mas (wood carving), and Pengosekan (painting). Stop at the "Bali Art Market" in Sukawati to bargain for all kinds of handicrafts and textiles.
