Karangasem

The Regency of Karangasem is one of the regencies in Bali, covering an area of 839,54 sq, kilometers. Karangasem itself consist of eight districts namely: Karangasem, Manggis, Rendang, Selat, Sidemen, Bebandem, Abang and Kubu District.

Karangasem has an extraordinary variety of charming landscapes. Low and high mountain ranges intermingle with upland plains, tropical forests, terrace rice fields, beautiful beaches, culture and historical remains, traditional "Bali Aga" village their way of life make Karangasem is worth visiting.

In fact it is too easy to reach all of the interesting places in Karangasem. Supported by fairly good road condition accommodation and other facilities such as hotels, restaurants, moneychangers, souvenir shops and others, which you expect in tourist environment. In order to make your trips more effective in exploring the tourism objects, we suggest you to choose one of the routes below;

1. Klungkung (Semarapura) - Bukit Jambul - Besakih - Telaga Waja - Iseh - Putung - Sibetan - Tirtagangga - Tulamben - Jemeluk - Taman Ujung - "Water Palace" - Amlapura - Puri Agung Palace - Candidasa- Tenganan - Padang Bai - Yeh Malet - Klungkung (Semarapura).

2. Klungkung (Semarapura) - Yeh Malet - Padang Bai - Tenganan - Candidasa - Amlapura - Puri Agung Palace - Jemeluk - Tulamben - Tirtagangga - Sibetan - Putung - Iseh - Telaga Waja - Besakih - Bukit Jambul - Klungkung (Semarapura).

History
Karangasem has a rich variety of older customs found in villages that resisted Javanese influences after the 14th century. The royal family, related to Gelgel, became independent and in the early 1700s challenged Klungkung. Internal strife led to exile and the formation of a rival house in Lombok, which returned to defeat its own family on Bali and also took Buleleng. By recognising Dutch superiority, Karangasem remained intact when South Bali was conquered in the early 1900s. After Mount Agung erupted in 1963 the capital changed names to Amlapura.
Palaces
With its history of rivalry among factions of its royal family, its is hardly surprising that Karangasem harbours numerous old palaces. The Puri Agung Kanginan palace features a blend of Balinese, Dutch and Chinese architecture. In Karangasem?s south are the ruins of the Taman Ujung pleasure palace, and in the north the Tirta Gangga water palace, the most intact of all, boasts a series of spring-fed pools which are welcomingly clear and a treat to bathe in after a long drive. Traditional arts The main point of interest for traditional arts in Karangasem is Tenganan, a Bali Age (indigenous Balinese) village renowned for its double-ikat gringsing cloth, and annual festivals featuring wooden ferris wheels and ritual battles with thorny leaves.

Temple-going
On the coast just north of Tenganan is Candi Dasa, a temple after which the seaside resort is named. But the resort is better known for its marine and night life than it temple, and temple-goers are likely to pass it by on the way to Besakih, Bali?s most important temple complex, which is located on the slope of Mount Agung, its highest peak. Visitors are not allowed to enter the interior of the huge temple, but the view from the outside is gorgeous anyway, and the mountain air refreshing. There is also the Silayukti sea temple at Padangbai, from where the ferry leaves for Lombok.

Eco-tourism
In recent years, snorklers and divers have begun to tread a steady path past Candi Dasa, north-east of Tirta Gangga to Amed, a sleepy fishing village with a series of small beaches nuzzled into rocky coves and several outcrops of colourful coral reef. For divers, the shipwreck offshore Tulamben, nearby Amed, has become renowned as one of Bali?s best sites. Karangasem also welcomes keen mountain climbers to Mount Agung, Bali?s highest peak. The climb takes between 5 - 8 hours, and must be undertaken with a guide. The view from the summit makes the
grand Besakih temple look like an anthill!.

Jemeluk
Jemeluk is located at Purwakerti Village, Abang District. It provides a fabulous panorama with the view of mountain and beaches, the calm of sea; stream also the wonder of under water life makes Jemeluk suitable for diving and snorkeling. A place of diving, snorkeling, swimming, an canoeing sports. A favorite spot for tourists with an interest in water sports, Jemeluk is a haven for scuba divers. Snorkeling, swimming and boating are popular activities in this village, and the reef is alive with tropical fish, coral and underwater vegetation..

Bukit Jambul
Located at Pesaban village, Rendang district, 8 km north of Klungkung (Semarapura) climbs steeply into the hills. An harmonious mixture of hills, rice fields, valley and sea view. The view of terraced rice fields, backed by a valley and sparkling blue ocean is most astonishing from the hilltop at Bukit Jambul. The view of terraced rice fields, backed by a valley and sparkling blue ocean is most astonishing from the hilltop at Bukit Jambul.

Sibetan Snake Skin Fruit Garden
Snake Skin Fruit Garden has a good for the tourist. Sibetan in well known throughout Indonesia for its delicious salak-a crisp, tart fruit encased in a rind that has the look and feel of snakeskin. The winding road through Sibetan is lined by densely-planted salak palms and trucks may be seen loading them for market. These fruits are better near than anywhere else in Indonesia- peel the scale skin and enjoy the thirst - quenching pulp. Sibetan is the main producer of Salak Bali (snake skin fruit). Sibetan village there free has become famous not only in Indonesia but also all over the world. Sibetan snake skin fruit garden is located at Dukuh Sub Village, Sibetan Village, Karangasem Regency, about 83 km from Denpasar. One thing which is attractive here is the method the local people used to pick and carry the fruit. Even tourists sometimes can take part in the activities as if the local people of Sibetan village. Besides Salak Garden, there also beautiful panorama and natural scenery. The terraced fields, the view of foamy waves at the sea further beyond make Sibetan an interesting place to visit .

Asak and Bungaya
Only a few kilometers from the main eastern town of Karangasem are two small villages both belonging to the ancient Bali-Age sect. Asak has an antique ?gamelan? orchestra with wooden keys. Unique costumes and exotic flowered headdresses are worn in the graceful group Rejang dances that feature at every temple festival. Bungaya, with its neat geometrical compound walls and arched entrances all following the traditional design, is famed for its skilled stone carvers and intricate basketry and woven work.