Experience Munduk

Munduk is derived from the term Mundukan, meaning “elevation” or “upper section of a valley”.

It is a village located in the mountains of North Bali, on the slopes of a sacred volcano.

The atmosphere is crisp and clean (15-30°C).

Munduk is nestled between clove and coffee plantations, so the air smells of coffee, vanilla, and cloves. The variety of flowers and plants on display is impressive: hydrangeas, dahlias, roses, poinsettias, and more.

Munduk’s History

During the colonial period, Munduk was already a popular spot for the Dutch. At the time, Singaraja was the capital of Bali and a large harbour was located there. The Dutch brought colonial architecture to Munduk, as well as traditional exports like coffee, cocoa, cloves, and vanilla.

Pesanggran, Munduk’s first (and, for a long time, sole) guesthouse, was established around 1901.

The Dutch built roads so that guests in Bedugul who had heard of sleepy Munduk could be picked up by horse.

Munduk also had a scenic view with its twin lakes and rich cultural heritage. It was surrounded by wild forests and mountainous areas.

It quickly became a popular weekend destination for the Dutch.

Bali’s first eco-tourism resort

Pak Nyoman Bagiarta was a lecturer at Nusa Dua’s renowned tourist campus, “Politeknik Pariwisata Bali”, before returning home in 1992. His devotion to, and vision for Munduk are inspiring.

Pak Nyoman’s vision was to establish a place where tradition and tourism could flourish.

He built up everything gradually, and so the Puri Lumbung, cottages, spa, and restaurant were established. It is a place where you can experience local culture and nature up close.

He supported and continues to represent Munduk as a popular tourist destination in Indonesia and around the world.

The best Bali coffee comes from Munduk

Munduk was one of the wealthiest villages at the time, thanks to the Dutch introduction of coffee cultivation in 1870 (Arabica coffee) and 1915 (Robusta coffee). It became one of the most important sources of food for independence fighters. As a result, the locals refer to the era between 1900 and 1965 as Munduk’s Golden Age.

Tamblingan Lake

The sacred Tamblingan Lake provides much of the water consumed in neighbouring villages.

Its forests protect the region from erosion and landslides. All the villages along this route depend on each other and on their ancient relationship with the water.

Cloves, like coffee, were introduced by the Dutch.

During harvest, the area has a strong scent of cloves. Harvesting occurs once or twice a year, depending on the weather. As a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. You can relax here and enjoy the spectacular views while sipping the greatest coffee in the world and eating several types of food.

However, if that is too boring for you, there are:

– several waterfalls to visit: Melanting Waterfall, Golden Valley Waterfall and more.

– rice trekking, during which you can hike through rice fields and the Merta Jati Forest, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rare flora and animals can be found here.

Also, visit Tamblingan Lake, where traditional boats can be paddled. Or just sit back, enjoy the natural sounds, and feel the high energy of this sacred and mystical place. It’s best in the early morning.

The Culture of Munduk

Gamelan tradition and art

Munduk is also known for its Gamelan musicians, such as Made Trip, as well as traditional Balinese dancers. Made has been the leader of the local Gamelan community since 1975, preserving the live form of Gamelan.

His dad taught him how to play and build the bamboo Gamelan. Made was born in 1953 and began playing Gamelan at the age of seven. He performed Joged Bumbung, a style of gamelan music from Northern and Western Bali that became Bali’s folk music.

Following intense self-study, he was able to play the ancient form of Gamelan, “Gong Gede Wayan“,
at the age of 11 and the new form, Gamelan Gong Kebyar, since 1957.

The Maestro of the Munduk gamelan

Bapak Made Trip created his Gamelan Gong Kebyar at the age of thirteen and continues to perform at Gamelan festivals. He has received several invitations to teach Gamelan at art schools in Italy, California, and France. Showing his dedication to Gamelan, Made toured the world with his group, showcasing the precision and synchronization of the Munduk Gamelan.

Gangsing

I had never heard of this before traveling to Munduk.

However, everyone is familiar with Beyblade, right?

Here, Gangsing is a local hobby. The player creates the Gangsing, or Twister, and then there is, of course, a competition. Their local team even won the national title in Indonesia with this game.

Last but not least, the people here are warm and welcoming.

Pak Nengah Yuhena, for example, was Munduk’s village head (kepala desa) and leader. He is now the devoted and traditional Head of Munduk. We learned what we know about Munduk from him and his son, Surya.

Places to stay in Munduk

The Puri Lumbung

Their cottages are renovations of original Balinese lumbung (rice barns). All twelve cottages have a bedroom with an attached balcony made from hardwood, perched on stilts. Stairs lead down to a large dressing room and garden bathroom with a shower and hot water.

The cottages are surrounded by lush, tropical gardens and ponds with views of the green rice paddy valleys, the Java Sea coastline in the distance, and dramatic mountain peaks.

Instagram:

@purilumbungcottages_munduk

Website:

purilumbung.com

The Ekommunity

is a wonderful location for individuals who enjoy nature and the jungle. Your room is a cozy tent with wooden decking. However, Central Europeans, take note: It can get rather cold at night. Here, you can unplug and reconnect with yourself while eating healthy cuisine. The highlight is the yoga deck by the river.

Instagram:

@ekommunity

Website:

ekommunitybali.com

Arya Utama Gardenvillas

This provides basic, clean, and lovely accommodations. The price is affordable and the view is priceless.

The meals are delicious! We just love this place, depite it’s simplicity, it’s a wonderful place to stay close from major waterfalls and a quiet venue with rainforest view. A tropical getaway, with local ownership.

Contact: Surya Whatsapp +62 857 3925 75 66

Facebook: Arya Utama Gardenvilla

You can find more amazing travel tips about Bali here.