The Soul of North Bali A Spiritual Journey Through Lakes Falls and Sacred Retreats

In Bali’s northern highlands, the air is cooler, the pace is gentler, and the spirit feels deeply rooted. This full-day journey is a graceful unfolding through the island’s serene north—a place of temples rising from misty lakes, forest-veiled waterfalls, quiet monasteries, and sacred springs. It’s a soulful escape into Bali’s more contemplative side.

As morning light stretches across the island, your journey begins—rising steadily into the hills where devotion and nature exist in elegant harmony.

🌊 Ulun Danu Bratan — The Floating Temple of the Lake

Your first sacred stop is the ethereal Ulun Danu Bratan, a water temple that appears to float gently atop Lake Bratan. With its eleven-tiered pagoda and mountain backdrop, it’s one of Bali’s most photographed—and most spiritually powerful—sites.

• Walk mist-lined paths where temple towers reflect on still water.
• Learn about Dewi Danu, the goddess of water and agriculture.
• Watch soft ripples echo beneath shrines built to honor Bali’s balance with nature.

This is where the journey begins—with a temple that mirrors the sky and whispers of gratitude.

🌄 Twin Lake Viewpoint — A Panorama of Peace

From the lake, your route winds higher into the mountains toward the Twin Lake Viewpoint, where the lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan lie side by side—two sapphire mirrors nestled in a volcanic caldera.

• Stand beneath the clouds and look down over dense forests and crater lakes.
• Breathe in crisp highland air perfumed with eucalyptus and earth.
• Let the view stir something quiet and intuitive within.

Here, time seems to pause, offering a rare moment of stillness and sky.

💧 Banyumala Waterfall — The Heart of the Jungle

Next, descend into the emerald folds of the forest to reach Banyumala Waterfall, where twin cascades flow in tandem into a clear natural pool. Framed by moss-covered cliffs and canopy shade, it’s a place that feels untouched and entirely alive.

• Follow jungle trails softened by roots and birdsong.
• Dip your feet—or your spirit—into the cool, inviting waters.
• Capture photos that echo the living, breathing essence of Bali’s wild heart.

This hidden gem is a gentle, refreshing cleanse for both body and soul.

🍽️ Lunch in the Clouds — Mountain-Top Dining

After your waterfall immersion, you’ll ascend once more to a mountaintop restaurant perched 1,200 meters above sea level. The air is light, the view expansive, and the food deeply nourishing.

• Savor traditional Balinese dishes made with highland-grown ingredients.
• Look out across the Banjar district, with jungle valleys unfolding below.
• Share stories over warm plates as the sky shifts above the peaks.

It’s a meal woven with gratitude and the taste of elevation.

🧘‍♀️ Brahma Vihara Arama — Bali’s Buddhist Sanctuary

Not far from Lovina, you’ll find Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery: Brahma Vihara Arama. A peaceful complex of shrines, gardens, and meditation halls, it offers a unique perspective into the island’s spiritual diversity.

• Wander through gardens filled with stupas, prayer wheels, and blooming frangipani.
• Observe silent monks in saffron robes walking shaded paths.
• Gaze upon a miniature replica of Borobudur surrounded by jungle canopy.

This space invites you to breathe slowly, walk mindfully, and honor the presence of peace.

🛁 Banjar Hot Springs — Thermal Waters Beneath the Trees

The journey ends in the quiet embrace of Banjar Hot Springs, where natural thermal pools bubble beneath jungle trees and flowering vines. These springs have soothed travelers and locals for generations.

• Soak in sulfur-rich pools surrounded by lush gardens.
• Listen to water trickling from stone-carved naga spouts.
• Let your thoughts dissolve into warmth and greenery.

It is a final blessing—a serene immersion that closes your northern passage with stillness and restoration.

🏨 Where to Stay Nearby

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay – Located in Jimbaran, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

Hyatt Regency Bali – Located in Sanur, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

Intercontinental Bali Sanur Resort – Located in Sanur, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport – Located in Seminyak, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

InterContinental Bali Resort – Located in Seminyak, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

W Bali – Seminyak – Located in Seminyak, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

Zara The Ocean View Bali – Located in Seminyak, this international-brand stay offers exceptional service and refined comfort.

✨ In North Bali, you don’t just visit—you reconnect. With nature. With stillness. With something timeless inside yourself.

This article was written with care by the editorial team at BaliExpertGuide.com, where every experience is curated to stir the heart and guide the journey inward.

📸 For more soulful escapes, follow us at @baliexpertguide