Tirta Gangga is a village in East Bali.
Understand
[edit]Tirta Gangga literally means water from the Ganges and it is a site of some reverence for the Hindu Balinese. Strictly, the name refers to the water palace built here in 1946 by the King of Karangasem. It is though widely used to refer to the general area which includes the water palace and some particularly stunning rural areas around.
Get in
[edit]Tirta Gangga is a popular side trip from the nearby coastal resort towns of Amed and Candidasa. Organised tours are widely offered.
Public buses run from nearby Karangasem town and Perama buses can be chartered from Candidasa.
If you are driving yourself, Tirta Gangga is on the main east coast road just north of the town of Karangasem (Amlapura) and is fairly well signposted.
Get around
[edit]This is a great area of Bali in which to walk with many small roads and paths to explore.
See
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The area around Tirta Gangga holds some stunning rice paddy terraces. Those postcard pictures of Bali rice terraces which you have all seen are usually from photographs taken here.
- 1 Tirta Gangga Water Palace. The primary draw in this area for visitors is the Tirta Gangga water palace, a lovely maze of pools and fountains surround by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. The one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963. It has been lovingly re-built and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence. The centrepiece of the palace is an eleven tiered fountain, and there are many beautiful carvings and statues adorning the gardens. This is a great spot to unwind and it has a real atmosphere of old Bali. You can bathe in the pools for a small charge which is additional to the Rp 50,000 (foreigners) or Rp 10,000 (Indonesians) entrance fee.
- 2 Lempuyang Temple (Pura Lempuyang Luhur). Lempuyang Temple (Pura Lempuyang Luhur) is about 10 km east of Tirtagangga on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang. This is one of the key nine directional temples on the island. Park in the car park and walk up the steps to the temple. The lower temple is always open but the upper temple (at the top of the dragon staircases) is often locked, so it is best to go with a Balinese driver who will usually be able to arrange for the temple priest to open it up for you. It's situated high up a mountain and there are magnificent sunset views at dusk.
Do
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- This is a great trekking area with some of the best walks in Bali to suit all levels of fitness. Guides can be arranged easily at the water palace or from your hotel. The areas around Selat and Sideman (off the main Karangasem to Rendang road) are especially good. A good starting point for trekking information and for finding a knowledgeable guide is the Genta Bali restaurant at the water palace. As a rule of thumb, look to pay about Rp 70,000-100,000 per hour for a reputable guide.
- Bathe in the pools at Tirta Gangga.
- Take photos. Almost every twist and turn you make in this area presents yet another photo opportunity. The terraced rice paddies and other landscapes are especially attractive but do not neglect the water palace itself.
Buy
[edit]There are many souvenir shops and stalls at the entrance of the water palace.
Eat
[edit]Good Karma is a great value, long-established restaurant above the main car park of the water palace.
Tirta Ayu inside the water palace is a good quality restaurant with a superb aspect looking out over the pools and gardens.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
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There are several budget accommodation options alongside the main road both south and north of Tirta Gangga. Look for the signs.
- 1 Cabe Bali, Temega village (about 1.5 km south of the water palace), ☏ +62 363 22045. Delightful bungalows in a very rural Balinese setting. Great gardens and a public swimming pool. German owned and managed. From Rp700,000.
- 2 Dhangin Taman Inn (right by the entrance to the water palace), ☏ +62 363 22059. Basic rooms aimed at the budget traveller. From Rp90,000.
- 3 Alamku Bungalow, Ababi, ☏ +62 813 38739950. This house has a spacious living room with a double bed (a spare bed can be made available on request). The bathroom and kitchen both have hot running water and there is a terrace with panoramic views. It is on a hill at the edge of the jungle and overlooks rice terraces leading to Mount Lempuyang. €23.
- 4 The Villas at Tirtagangga, Tirtagangga, ☏ +62 363 21383, [email protected]. Three different private villas adjoining the Water Palace. The largest of them, Villa Tirta Ayu, incorporates the former King of Karangasem's personal chambers. From $120 to $400.
- 5 Tirta Ayu Hotel & Restaurant, Tirtagangga, ☏ +62 363 22503, [email protected]. The only hotel located inside the famous Water Palace at Tirtagangga. The hotels award winning restaurant is elevated to take in the vista of the beautiful gardens with the crystal clear ocean in the distance. From Rp800,000.
Go next
[edit]The popular coastal resort towns of Candidasa and Amed are easily reached in about 20 minutes from here.