Not found on most popular itineraries, North Bali remains one of the most unspoilt and fascinating areas on the island. The road from Denpasar airport is a scenic route that brings you from crowded modernity to laid-back village life and underwater wonders through a constantly changing landscape dotted with volcanic lakes, mountains and terraced rice fields. You can start your exploration in Singaraja, Bali’s second largest city. Get a glimpse of the island’s colonial heritage in the old harbour, or learn about the last Raja and the history of the region at the Buleleng Museum.
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If you want to enjoy time relaxing on the beach, continue to Lovina, where you can lay on volcanic beaches and explore shallow reefs without the crowds. Don’t be surprised to be in the company of other travellers if you go dolphin watching, as this excursion is very popular. Join an inland trek that will take you to the Air Terjun Singsing waterfalls where you can cool off.
Up north-west is Pemuteran, a lovely bay to hide in if you want to stray away from other tourists and enjoy nature at its best. Gateway to Pulau Menjangan and Taman Nasional Bali Barat, Pemuteran is the perfect base to explore one of Bali’s most beautiful and unspoiled areas. Divers will love Menjangan Island, home to no less than ten superb diving spots, where you can discover a submerged Hindu temple, an anker wreck surrounded by caves, steep walls and a healthy coral reef teeming with colourful fish. The park also offers valid trekking opportunities through the rainforest, where over 200 bird species and 200 plant species coexist together with timor deers, sambar, primates as well as leopards and pythons! Take the trek to Gunung Kelatan or explore the mangrove forest near Gili Manuk bay for great birdwatching.
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