THE Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bali Botanical Garden is, however, one of the major points of interest in this high altitude retreat. Located on the side of Tapak Hill and reaching out of Candikuning village, the garden was first established in 1959. This garden retreat was actually the first botanic gardens set up by the Union as a purely Indonesian initiative, but now is one of four Indonesian botanic gardens found around the archipelago

The tranquil botanical gardens of Kebun Raya Eka Karya in Bedugul cover over 120 hectares on the slope of Mount Pohen. The gardens contain a huge collection of trees, nearly hundreds varieties of orchids and are rich in bird life. As a center for the study of local plants, the gardens also boast a herbarium and library.

The gardens initially housed a range of conifers stretching over 50 hectares of land, but its development was affected by the military coup of 1965, and development did not resume again until 1970. Since its humble beginnings, this area has grown tremendously in beauty and in popularity. The Gardens now include 154.5 hectares, and displays a collection of plants from eastern Indonesia's seasonally wet-dry mountain.

The high altitude and high moisture levels of the mountains make it an ideal habitat for the diverse range of plants. With over 1180 species represented from over 545 genera and 150 families (approximately 14,500 plan specimens in total), there is no shortage of unique samples to explore.

The Gardens assist with the conservation of Indonesian plants by collecting and nurturing species from diverse habitats. Plants native to the area are also given a home here and carefully propagated. Through research into Indonesia's unique flora and the variety of habitats, the gardens help to provide an important link from the botanical past and into the future.

At 1500 meters above sea level, Bedugul contrast greatly with the lowland plains of Bali. Travelers will often pass through Bedugul on their way to the coastal beach towns of Singaraja and Lovina, or as an alternative to the eastern mountain areas, such as Kintamani, which are heavily frequented by tourists. Either way, visitors are often surprised at what they find at this unusual location.

You literally ascend to the peak of the crater before descending into the village valley, and as you descend into the valley the complete scenic panorama opens up before you. The Bratan Lake is dotted with small hotels and lodges offering a meditative mountain experience. A beautiful old temple, Ulun Danu Bratan, just out into the water of the lake and becomes a significant feature of the lake's serenity.

Some visitors also choose a bit more adventure and go water-skiing or jet skiing on the lake, golfing on the crisp vast golf greens or hiking further into the pine forests of the surrounding hills. It is essential to stop at the quaint market at Bedugul, which offer a tempting array of fresh fruits and vegetables alongside cool climate roses and wild orchids and a selection of aromatic oils and wooden and bamboo knick knacks.