Villa Montana
Payangan Bali
Nearby Attractions
Ubud
The village of Ubud is located 20 to 30 minutes from Villa
Montana. It is the cultural and artistic heart of Bali. Some of
the best shopping, dining and spas in Bali are located in or near
Ubud. Ubud is a delightful village and is a favorite destination
for those in the know. Arts and crafts shopping abounds. The spas
are the best on the island and offer great value. Dining options
in Ubud range from upscale French cuisine at the famous Mozaic (widely
regarded as the best restaurant on the island) to Indian to Mediterranean
to Japanese. Of course Indonesian cuisine is abundant and very inexpensive
in Ubud. Villa Montana is ideally located close enough to Ubud to
enjoy all of the myriad of shopping, dining and spas will being
just far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet of the upcountry
Ayung River Valley.
Walking Tours
Tours within a short walk or 15 minute drive of Villa Montana
Within a short walk of Villa Montana there are
many interesting guided or self-guided tours available. All of these
tours are provided with an English speaking knowledgeable guide
for a nominal charge of $10 USD. One day's advance booking is necessary
and can be arranged by contacting the on-premises Villa Manager.
The following tours are a small sample of available options representing
the "best" of Villa Montana's immediate surrounding area:
Buhu Coffee Plantation
The Buhu Coffee Plantation is located 3 KM from Villa Montana
walking along a very scenic jungle and rice field pathway. Buhu
Coffee Plantation is an 8 hectare coffee plantation owned by local
villagers. The tour is free and highlights an important agriculture
tradition amongst Balinese highlanders. Coffee beans and ground
coffee are available for sale at very nominal prices. The Balinese
coffee blends are hearty and strongly acidic. A beautiful short
walk. You can choose to be driven to the plantation roundtrip, walk
one way and then be driven back, etc. This plantation is a genuine
working farm and not a "tourist circuit" stop; you will
be the only visitor present.
Mawang Rice Paddies
The Mawang rice paddies are 2 ½ KM from Villa Montana
walking along the spectacular Ayung River Valley. The Mawang rice
paddies are particularly beautiful and very steeply pitched along
the river valley. Traditional Balinese village life is in evidence
everywhere along with way - housewives doing the daily laundry in
a rice field canal, Balinese "open air" bathing in the
streams, farmers doing their chores and children playing. You will
experience a colorful mosaic of Balinese life untouched by mass
tourism.
Pilan
Pilan village is a 15 minute drive east of Villa Montana on motorbike
(included in the nominal $10 tour guide fee). Pilan is a genuine
cultural experience - unique and something very few visitors to
Bali experience.
Car access is not possible due to the small and
winding dirt road leading to Pilan. Villa Montana provides transport
on motorbike with driver. Pilan is a super traditional Balinese
village without electricity and completely untouched by the economics
of tourism. Life is based on subsistence agricultural farming and
the simple routine of rural Balinese living. The entire village
consists of walled "compounds". Within these compounds
are members of the same family; up to four generations living together
in one compound. Once married, the newly married couple build a
private home within the same compound. All of Bali used to live
in this traditional "family compound" way; now it is very
rare and found only in a few small and isolated mountain villages
on the island. Pilan is one of the few villages remaining where
all members of the community belong to a family compound. NEVER
visited by tourists unless they are from Villa Montana. You will
have ample opportunities to meet the local villagers and observe
or participate in their daily routines. Villa Montana's staff know
the villagers well allowing a very reclusive and isolated world
to be opened to you. An exclusive and unique experience not to be
missed. Allow 4 hours total.
Penyabangan Area
The Penyabangan area is a 10 minute drive north of Villa
Montana. A rich agricultural region featuring plantations of teak,
cocoa, coffee, coconuts, clove and stunning tropical flowers. You
will definitely be the only tourist in Penyabangan and the locals
are very inquisitive and surprised to see an "outsider"
in this remotely colorful area. Children will be shyly smiling as
you pass by; the cultural photo opportunities are a prize.
Kerta Village
The village where Villa Montana is located, Kerta, has
a challenging hiking trail leading 200 meters down to the base of
the Ayung River. Just off to the side of Villa Montana begins a
steep yet well defined hiking trail leading through a dense jungle
of bamboo forests, pineapples, bananas, papayas, cocoa and coffee
down to the base of the rushing rapids of the Ayung River. Monkeys
and tropical birds are omnipresent - a challenging short hike through
pristine jungle.
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