Welcome to one of the most volcanic islands in the world
Although surrounded by water, Bali is part of the archipelago subject to the greatest volcanic activity in the world. Indonesia is indeed at the junction of two tectonic plates, Eurasian and Indo-Australian, which has caused the formation of many volcanoes. Bali is located in the path of the "Pacific Ring of Fire": nearly 450 emerged volcanoes (75% of the world's volcanoes) that follow an almost straight curve in the Pacific Ocean, for about 40,000 km. They are located on the coasts of countries or on islands at the limit of tectonic plates and major oceanic faults of the planet, from Patagonia to Tonga, through Alaska, Japan and Indonesia.
You will discover the volcanoes of Bali in the north of the island, along a west-east axis, the western volcanoes formed first. Thus, the majority of the surface of the island is covered with volcanic magma.
The volcanic chain remains very active with two large volcanoes, Gunung Agung (3,142 meters) and Gunung Batur (1,717 meters) that dominate the northeast of the island of Bali. This volcanic activity has allowed a great fertility. But the deadly eruptions of Batur and Gunung Agung in 1963 also devastated the regions to the east and forced many Balinese to migrate to other parts of Indonesia. The Balinese consider it a miracle that the Besakih temple was spared. Gunung Agung, which has remained inactive since that sad year, reawakened in 2017 and again in 2019 without, fortunately, causing any casualties. It therefore experiences regular eruptions with ash clouds that form and move, sometimes causing the closure of airspace. The Indonesian government invites to extreme vigilance and prohibits the zone on 4 km around the crater. It is preferable to be well informed on the evolution of the activity of the volcano. It is highly recommended to consult the website of the French Embassy in Indonesia: www.id.ambafrance.org.
As for the Batur volcano, its last eruption was in 2000. By walking along the edge of its three craters, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the region and sometimes on the Rinjani volcano on the island of Lombok. It is not rare to cross monkeys.The Bratan, caldera with three lakes
The other main peaks of the island are Batukaru (2 278 meters) and Abang (2 152 meters). This southern volcanic mountain range, balanced by a large limestone plateau, called the "bukit" (hill), divides Bali into two very distinct regions. The northern part, reduced to a rather narrow coastal strip, rises rather quickly towards the mountainous sides and presents a dry climate favorable to the culture of coffee. This slope knows only two rivers that irrigate two areas of rice fields, one around Singaraja and the other around Seririt.
Mount Batukaru, sacred mountain for the inhabitants, is the second highest peak in Bali. During a hike through the forest, the excursion will take you about 5 hours, starting from Pura Luhur Batukaru, in the center of the island. On your way, you will cross the Batukaru temple at 900 meters above sea level, one of the must-see temples in Bali.
A caldera is a volcanic crater. Bratan, near Munduk and Bedugul, is of this type, 11 km long and 6 km wide. It has beautiful tropical forests and three lakes: Bratan, Tambligan and Buyan. There are also hot springs due to geothermal activity. Lake Bratan is the most impressive. Water is drawn from it to irrigate the plantations. You can reach it by scooter or by car. Once you reach the 1,500 meters of altitude, you will admire the temple of Ulan Danau which dates from the 16th century.The diversity of landscapes on the Balinese territory
The waters surrounding Bali are filled with coral reefs that scuba divers will enjoy exploring. The southern part, which extends from north to south in successive stages, is wonderfully suited to the cultivation of rice in terraces. The numerous rivers have built gorges where the terraces come to a halt and soon let the natural and luxuriant vegetation emerge. The southwest appears as a succession of irrigated land tongues and dry fields from which coconut plantations spring up. As for the Southeast, the eruption of Gunung Agung (1963-1964) has so upset the landscape that the region of Karangasem, once one of the richest of Bali, has given way to a phantasmagorical landscape, bruised by large volcanic debris.
The west of Bali, little known to tourists, is home to both arid areas and forests developed on rugged terrain. This part of the island deserves attention especially for its original cultivation of clove trees and coffee, the only national park on the island, but also its coastline offering excellent spots for experienced surfers.
To the east, the slopes of the Seraja volcano have allowed the emergence of grasslands and dry crops. As for the Bukit peninsula and the island of Nusa Penida, with its limestone reliefs, the land allows the growth of kapok trees (from which the plant fiber is extracted to produce kapok) and bushes of almost Mediterranean type. The beaches are generally black volcanic sand, except in the south of the island (Kuta-Legian-Seminyak and the Bukit peninsula) and the north (Lovina). It is customary to say that Bali is a volcanic island entirely devoted to the cultivation of rice terraces. Nothing could be further from the truth. Irrigated land accounts for only 15% of the total land area, while dryland cultivation is now estimated at about 50%.Natural or man-made caves
The Indonesians dedicate a real cult to the caves, considered as mysterious and magical. Many come to pray and meditate. Throughout the archipelago, there are two kinds of caves: those formed by the eruption of volcanoes, the molten lava leaving behind underground tunnels as it descends; the limestone or sandstone caves formed by the erosion of rivers and rainwater, tunnels and underground formed. The caves of Bali are mainly of limestone type, more recent (10 000 years). The bat cave, Goa Lawah, in the southeast attracts many tourists. The elephant cave, Goa Gaja, is not a natural cave but was made from an ancient temple. It is located only 2 km from Ubud. The site is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1995.
A final geological phenomenon is the Uluwatu cliff of the Bukit peninsula, composed of limestone and formed by the erosion of the sea. Perched on the side of this cliff, the temple of Uluwatu (11th century) is one of the most beautiful and emblematic of Bali that should not be missed. A word of warning against the local monkeys who have made tourists their target: they are mischievous little thieves of objects and food in the bag!
The peninsula of Prapat Agung, in the northwest, part of the Bali Barat National Park is also home to limestone mountains. The island of Nusa Penida, located east of Bali is a very dry limestone plateau that completes this picture of Balinese limestone formation to explore.A good hydrography for the amateurs of rafting but not only...
Beginner or experienced, the rivers of Bali will offer you the possibility to live beautiful descents in rafting with variable forces of current. There are three main rivers to remember. The Ayung, in the Ubud region, is the longest river. It originates in the northern mountains and runs for nearly 70 kilometers through Bangli, Badung and Gianyar. Its course ends in the strait of Badung in Sanur. In the east of the island, the Telaga Waja has its source at Mount Abang. It flows through the Rendang area before flowing into the Bali Sea. We appreciate its clear waters. To the southeast, in Bakas, the Melangit River is well known among rafting enthusiasts who will enjoy this sensational sport through a beautiful tropical forest.
The Petanu River, sacred river, corresponds to the historical center of Bali, because the first kingdoms were born there. There are no less than forty temples on this narrow strip of land ... In addition, the landscapes: rivers, rice fields and forest, are beautiful.Rice fields on the Unesco heritage list
The rice fields of Jatiluwih, in the center of Bali, are listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2012. And we understand why when we arrive on site ... They are located at 600 meters above sea level. They are the most beautiful rice terraces of Bali, in the form of natural amphitheater. The traditional rice of Jatiluwih is red and its maturation is much longer than white rice. It is served as tea in the few warungs of the village. It should be noted that the ancestral methods of the 21st century are still applied and only natural fertilizers are used. Jatiluwih means "really beautiful". You will be conquered.
