Top Attractions in Sidemen

River rafting on the Telaga Waja River is Sidemen's signature activity, offering an exciting 18 km course that winds past lush forests, rice paddies, and cascading waterfalls. Half-day rafting tours cost approximately 500,000 IDR ($25) per person and provide a thrilling way to experience the valley's natural beauty without the intensity of more challenging rapids. Beyond water activities, visitors can trek through the surrounding rice terraces on foot, discovering hidden waterfalls and gaining authentic insights into rural agricultural life. The region is renowned as one of the best places in Bali to learn traditional textile weaving — visitors can join hands-on workshops with skilled artisans who craft the famous ikat fabrics using backstrap looms, a centuries-old technique where intricate patterns are tied and dyed into threads before weaving. Another hands-on experience is the silver making workshops in the area (around 300,000 IDR for a 2-hour session including 7 grams of pure silver), where you design and craft your own jewelry to take home. Nearby, Goa Lawah (the Bat Temple) is one of Bali's six holiest temples — built in the 11th century, it's remarkably well-maintained and features thousands of bats living in a cave directly behind the temple, adding a unique and slightly eerie atmosphere to this sacred site (entrance: 50,000 IDR). The surrounding hills also hide spectacular waterfalls that see few tourists — a stark contrast to the crowded falls near Ubud.