Day trip · from Ubud
Sidemen in a day from Ubud: Bukit Jambul, the rice fields, Taman Ujung
A day in east Bali, at the foot of Mount Agung: a viewpoint over the terraces, a walk through the Sidemen rice fields with a village guide, then the pools of the Taman Ujung palace. Fewer people than around Ubud, more road. The times given here are indicative.
- Updated on
- 4 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
You leave Ubud early, stop at Bukit Jambul as the mist lifts, then walk through the Sidemen rice fields in the late morning. After lunch in the valley, the road heads down to Taman Ujung for the afternoon. You return to Ubud at the end of the day, often in traffic.
Contents
Key points
- Indicative times: they depend on traffic, the weather and the pace of the walk.
- Leave early: Mount Agung is mostly visible in the morning, clouds build up afterwards.
- In the Sidemen rice fields, a village guide keeps you from getting lost and trampling crops.
- Taman Ujung is the furthest point: it sets the time you get back to Ubud.
Sidemen is a valley of terraced rice fields in east Bali, away from the central circuits. From Ubud, the road crosses Klungkung then climbs to the valley; Taman Ujung lies further east, near Amlapura.
On the programme: Bukit Jambul, the Sidemen rice fields and Taman Ujung. For the road, see Ubud to Sidemen.
The day, indicative times
- 7 amLeave Ubud with the driver, road towards Klungkung.
- 8:15 amBukit Jambul: a stop over the terraces as the mist lifts.
- 9 amArrival in the Sidemen valley, meeting the village guide.
- 9:15 amSidemen rice fields: a walk through the terraces, short or long to suit the group.
- 12 pmLunch in the valley.
- 1:30 pmRoad east, towards Amlapura.
- 2:45 pmTaman Ujung: a stroll around the pools and pavilions.
- 4:30 pmBack towards Ubud, arriving in the early evening.
How the day runs
You leave Ubud early, stop at Bukit Jambul as the mist lifts, then walk through the Sidemen rice fields in the late morning. After lunch in the valley, the road heads down to Taman Ujung for the afternoon. You return to Ubud at the end of the day, often in traffic.
The walk can be shortened to suit the group: a short loop is enough to see the terraces and irrigation channels. With children, that is the right choice.
Who it suits
- Families: flat paths, pools at Taman Ujung, few crowds.
- Travellers looking for rice fields without the Tegallalang crowds.
Who it does not suit
- Anyone who wants the rice fields at sunrise: you need to sleep in Sidemen.
- People who cope badly with long hours in a car.
- Those expecting organised activities: the valley is farmland first and foremost.
Getting there: east, then the coast
From Ubud to Sidemen, allow less than the airport to Sidemen, published at about 1 h 45: an order of magnitude, not a timetable. The hard stretch is crossing Klungkung, often congested. The detour to Taman Ujung makes the day noticeably longer: it is the furthest point, and the return is done in one go.
- Car with a driver: the simplest way to link three distant stops.
- Scooter: possible for experienced riders, but the day is long and the road busy.
- Bukit Jambul is a roadside stop on the Klungkung to Rendang road, towards Besakih.
What you see
A panorama over the terraces at Bukit Jambul, a real walk through working rice fields in Sidemen, and a pleasure palace with its pools and pavilions at Taman Ujung. You see neither Besakih nor Tirta Gangga: adding them would make it a full day in the car.
Bukit Jambul
A 20 to 30-minute stop over the terraces, best in the morning.
Sidemen rice fields
A walk of 1 h 30 to 3 h on unmarked paths, at the foot of Mount Agung.
Taman Ujung
Pools, pavilions and gardens, often almost empty on weekdays.
What you pay for, and what you do not
The driver for the day is the main item. On site, add the village guide for the walk, the Taman Ujung entry, displayed at the gate, and sometimes a parking contribution at Bukit Jambul. Prices are paid on site. The rice fields themselves have no entry fee.
| Item | Paid? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Ubud ↔ Sidemen ↔ Taman Ujung | Yes | By the day; mention all three stops when booking |
| Village guide in Sidemen | Yes | Agreed on site, depending on the length of the loop |
| Taman Ujung entry | Yes | Price displayed at the entrance |
| Parking at Bukit Jambul | Sometimes | Contribution asked on site |
| Walking in the rice fields | No | No entry fee |
Mistakes to avoid
The main trap is leaving late: you reach the valley when Mount Agung is already under cloud, and drive back to Ubud after dark. Next come walking without a guide in a maze of paddy dykes, and the unplanned shop stops some drivers suggest along the way.
- Do not walk in the rice fields off the dykes: these are crops.
- Tell the driver from the start that you do not want shopping stops.
- Bring water, a hat and shoes that can handle mud.
- Keep covered clothing handy if you pass a temple during a ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Sidemen in a day from Ubud?
Yes, as long as you leave early. You see the valley in the late morning rather than at sunrise, and Mount Agung may already be in cloud.
Do you need a guide to walk in the rice fields?
It is not compulsory, but the paths are unmarked. A village guide keeps you from getting lost and explains the crops.
Is this day trip suitable for children?
Yes: the walk is easy to shorten and Taman Ujung is free to wander. The hardest part for them is the time in the car.
Can you add Besakih or Tirta Gangga?
Not without dropping Taman Ujung or the walk: each addition means several more hours in the day.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
