Pilgrims with bamboo staffs crossing a rice field bund
Trails / Multi-day trails

The Astungkara TrailBali coast to coast, a 10-day trek

Walk from Bali's south coast to its north in ten days. Cross rice fields and primary forest, share meals with local families and spend nine nights with the communities along the way.

Duration10 days, 9 nights
Distance112.3 km
RouteCemagi Beach to Seririt Beach
Group4 to 9 pilgrims
Minimum age12 years

Why this trail

Our original coast-to-coast pilgrimage invites you into the everyday life of Bali. Follow farm paths and forest tracks with local guides, and arrive each evening to a new welcome. Ten days to reconnect with the island, the people who care for it and yourself.

Coast to coastFrom a temple ceremony on the south coast to a closing ceremony on the north coast.
Nine communitiesShare meals, stay with local hosts and join activities at each stage.
Jungle and waterfallsA full crossing of the Batukaru primary forest, then the waterfalls of Munduk.
A pilgrim in quiet reflection on the rocks of the south coast at the start of the trail
Pilgrims and their village hosts cheering together
Mattresses under mosquito nets on an open bamboo platform
A small group walking a quiet road under giant bamboo
Watch the film

A taste of the Astungkara Trail

Come along for a few minutes, from the south coast to the north.

Day by day

12345678910about 1,430 mCemagi, south coastSeririt, north coast112.3 km

Approximate elevation of each overnight stop. Numbers show the day of the journey.

Day 17.6 km

Cemagi Beach to Jiwa Garden

Begin with a ceremony at a coastal temple, then walk inland to a permaculture garden and join a composting workshop.

66 m up · 43 m down
Day 26.4 km

Jiwa Garden to Nara Sari

A subak clean-up with the Sungai Watch team, traditional villages, rice crackers and offerings made in a family home.

63 m up · 22 m down
Day 315.7 km

Nara Sari to Astungkara Way

Visit a dragon fruit farm, then cross the paddies to our learning center. Discover regenerative farming, cook together and gather around the campfire with farmers.

162 m up · 119 m down
Day 413 km

Astungkara Way to Sangeh village

Village paths to an artisan family for lunch and bamboo weaving, then on to camp among the rice fields.

197 m up · 89 m down
Day 515.2 km

Sangeh village to Rumah Desa

Climb towards the ancient banyan tree at Kayu Putih, then settle into a Balinese family compound. Explore the home garden, kitchen and Balinese script with your hosts.

344 m up · 77 m down
Day 610.3 km

Rumah Desa to Sandan Natural Farm

Join a melukat water purification ceremony led by a priest, then walk through plantations to a regenerative family farm.

526 m up · 59 m down
Day 712 km

Sandan to the mountain shelter

Bamboo forest to the Geothermal Gate, then a full crossing of the Batukaru primary forest with a local forest guide.

1,041 m up · 564 m down
Day 85.9 km

Mountain shelter to Golden Valley

Down through the plantations of Munduk to a waterfall. Coffee propagation, jungle soup and a traditional body scrub.

96 m up · 514 m down
Day 913.8 km

Golden Valley to Munduk Bestala

Rural North Bali, a community forest and a natural spring. Intercropping garden and Balinese desserts with your hosts.

385 m up · 1,002 m down
Day 1012.7 km

Munduk Bestala to Seririt Beach

The last walk to the north coast, a closing ceremony by the sea and a final lunch.

Good to know

  • DifficultyDemanding, which is why the minimum age is 12. You walk about 11 km a day on average, with the longest days around 15 km. Day seven crosses the Batukaru forest: 12 km with a big climb.
  • What you carryA day pack with water, rain jacket and sun protection. Your main bag travels by car to the next stop.
  • Where you sleepYou sleep the way the trail lives: together, on open bamboo platforms and in village homes, each with a super comfy mattress, pillow, blanket and mosquito net. There are no private rooms, and your stay goes straight to the families who welcome you.
  • Travelling soloMany of our pilgrims come on their own. Groups are small, and you share meals, evening circles and sleeping space, so you feel part of the family from the very first hour.

What's included

  • AccommodationCommunal sleeping on bamboo and wooden platforms and in village homes, with mattress, pillow, blanket and mosquito net.
  • MealsThree vegetarian and vegan meals a day plus snacks, from fresh local ingredients.
  • Luggage transportYour bags travel by car from one stop to the next.
  • At least three guidesWith you day and night, for cultural and natural insight.
  • Village fees and ceremoniesContributions to the communities and temples that receive you.
  • Workshops and activitiesCooking, weaving, composting and farming with your hosts.
  • Drop-offFree drop-off to Ubud or Canggu after the trail.

You walk between 2 and 7 hours a day. The trail is for experienced hikers. Pick-up before the trail is not included.

After you book

  1. We confirm your place by WhatsApp. Include your number with country code when you book.
  2. Closer to your dates, we add you to a private WhatsApp group with logistics and pre-trail forms.
  3. A few days before departure, we host a short video call to answer questions.

What your booking does

Your journey supports the people who call Bali home. Nine nights with local hosts mean nine opportunities to support village livelihoods. Your booking pays guides, families and farms along the route, and helps sustain our wider work with farmers.

See where it goes

Not ready to book?

Ask about the Astungkara Trail

Tell us your dates and who is coming. Lucie replies personally, usually the same day.

Saba, an Astungkara Way trail guide, at the forest edge

Cross the island with the people who call it home.

National Geographic Best of the World 2026, Readers' Choice winner.

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