Map of Karangasem

During the 18th and 19th centuries Karangasem was the most powerful kingdom in Bali but in the middle of the 19th C, it became a vassal of Lombok. Covering 861 sq. km, the district of Karangasem is well known for its breathtaking landscape formed by lava flows from Gunung Agung, the sacred mountain of Bali. Beautiful terraced paddy fields lie at the lower southeastern slopes of the district while coffee and clove plantations are found higher up. Planing salt and fishing are the major economic activities in the coastal areas. Standing 3,142 meters high, Gunung Agung made disaster news on 17th March 1963 when its crater exploded, spewing rivers of Lava and hot volcanic mud down its slopes and into the sea. Ash rained over the whole island and lava streams covering roads isolated its eastern end and even made the sky of Surabaya in east java dark at midday. Large areas of crops and many villages and temples were wiped out.

Thousands of people were either burned to death or suffocated by the searing clouds of hot gas rushing down the volcanic slopes. The villages of Sorga and Lebih, situated high on the slopes of Agung, were totally destroyed. As if by miracle Besakih temple, just six kilometers from the crater, suffered little damage. Nowadays, Mount Agung is quiet and the mother temple Pura Besakih perched 1000 meters up the slope attracts a steady stream of devotees and tourists.

Pura Besakih is Bali's most important and well-maintained temple, consisting of about 30 separate temples in seven terrace that ascend up the hill. Every district in Bali has its own
Shrine or temple at Besakih and besides honoring Ida Sang Hyang Widi (God Almighty)
All Balinese gods and goddesses are also honored.

If you want to climb Mount Agung you must request permission from the temple authorities, as no one should stand higher than the temple when a ceremony is being held. You can ascend the mountain from behind the temple or through the village of Sebudi , near selat. It is a tough 6-8 hour climb and you are recommended to leave early
In the morning and hire a guided.

Padang Bai is the port for the ferry service to lembar on the Island of Lombok. It is a quiet fisherman's village situated in a perfectly sheltered bay. The beach is picturesque and quaint with a long sweep of sand where boats with colorful sails are drawn up on the beach.

From Padang Bai the road follows a beautiful stretch inland and turns off at the mountain village of Tenganan, a Bali aga village, one of the few Balinese communities to resist the Majapahit invasion of 1343. It is a walled village consisting of two rows of identical houses. This is the only place in Indonesia where double weaving Ikat (Geringsing) is produced. The village is also famous for its lontar sacred books, traditional Balinese palm leaf books.

On the coastal road 13 kilometers from Tenganan is the once quiet fishing village of Candidasa. You can expect to find plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and some nightlife here. There are fantastic views from the promontory and on a clear day Mount Agung rises magnificently behind the range of coastal hills.

The main town and capital of the Karangasem district is Amlapura. Puri Agung Karangasem palace is an impressing reminiscence of the time when Karangasem was a kingdom. It has a three level gate and beautiful panels of stone relief on the outside.

Six kilometers from Amlapura you will find the Tirtagangga water palace, this palace was built around 1947 by Amlapura's water loving king. The palace contains a network of pools and a swimming pool fed by a natural spring, surrounded by some of the most beautiful rice terrace in Bali.

North of Tirtagangga is Tulamben beach. SS Liberty, the American war ship sunk by the Japanese in 1942 lies just off the beach and is accessible from the beach. Although it is a long way from anywhere on this barren coast, it is worth a pause on your journey.