🌿 I’ll never forget that first moment I descended the rustic stone steps into Desa Eko in Munduk, Bali. I’ve seen beautiful places in my travels, but this one took the cake.
Deep in the Munduk mountains, perched on the side of a picturesque valley, you’ll find Desa Eko. A boutique glamping experience designed with love and intention. One that by contrast, takes a more gentle approach on a busy island, already suffering from over-tourism.
Desa Eko offers visitors a variety of accommodation options, and also activities and experiences. It’s beautifully misty and moody when shrouded in cloud and bright and soul-cleansing when bathed in light. This is what Bali, off the beaten trail, should feel and look like.
Book one night or one week, and you’ll not be sorry you did, it’s a destination for disconnecting and recharging your internal battery. A place to go hiking, toast marshmallows, soak in an outdoor bath, eat delicious food or to simply just reset.
Below is my honest review of Desa Eko Munduk. I highlight everything you can expect from your stay, from facilities to my thoughts on the Studio accommodation. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want to know more!
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Table of Contents
Desa Eko Munduk at a Glance
📍 Location – Munduk central/north Bali- 70km from Canggu (approx)
⛺️ Camping & Glamping – Mountain View Tents, Lotus Tents & Deluxe Tents
🛌 The Studio – A single luxe studio
🇮🇩 Approximate Price – 1 to 4.7 million IDR
🧘♀️ Facilities – Botanist Restaurant, yoga platform
🐝 Activities & Experiences – Curated tours
💧 Walking Trail – Access to the local waterfalls trail
🛜 Starlink – Strong free wifi
🍳 Breakfast Included – Complimentary breakfast for guests
At the heart of the property you’ll find the stunning Botanist restaurant. Completely constructed of bamboo it sits high on the Munduk Valley, overlooking lush Bali jungle and clove forests.
Much of the time, Desa Eko is up in the clouds and this creates a somewhat mystical vibe to lust over. Then when the sun decides to make an appearance, the clouds move over and the valley lights up.
Desa Eko is the perfect getaway, away from the touristy path of Canggu and Seminyak, and the over trodden streets of Ubud. Munduk is a slice of real off-the-beaten-track goodness, it’s the piece of Bali I’ve come to love and seek out. And finding Desa Eko is like finding a hidden gem. It’s a little bit luxe, and it’s a whole lot of eco-friendly.
💖 Trust me… you’ll love it!
The Accommodation Options
It’s boutique and it’s beautiful! The accommodation options include the Mountain View Tent, the Lotus Tent and the Deluxe Tent. But if camping or glamping cramps your style, or you’re travelling with the kids then the Studio Accommodation might be your best option.
My lucky little family stayed in the Studio cabin, while my mum and friend were booked in the Lotus Tent. Let’s look at the differences between for each option –
The Studio
The Studio – well, for a start the balcony feels like it reaches out, resting on the tree tops. From the terrace there is no object or building in sight. Naturally this immediately sets the tone for a peaceful stay. In the same bamboo style build as the main restaurant, the team at Desa Eko have created a space that feels creative, calm and most importantly Balinese. In other words, the studio fits humbly within its surroundings.
Large glass windows wrap around the sleeping and relaxing quarters of the studio, making it feel open, light and airy. But to be honest we had the glass doors pulled back throughout our stay, letting the jungle spill in.
You’ll probably find yourself sitting on the terrace couch, or at the terrace table looking out at the beautiful scenery most of the time. A view best enjoyed with a coffee in the morning, or a glass of wine later in the day. Or even from the outdoor bath tub and a glass of prosecco. It’s super private and the best kind of peaceful.
Camping & Glamping Options
⛰️ Mountain View Tent
The more simple of the tent options is the Mountain View Tent. If you want the mountain camping experience but need to watch the budget this time, then this one is for you. Surrounded by the sound of nature, the river and the trees, this is camping but not as you typically know it.
🪷 The Lotus
The pretty little Lotus tent is a great option if you want a step up from the Mountain View Tent. A cosy little space, with plenty room to stand and move about in. Pitched permanently on a little deck, you might decide to sit out under the moonlight and enjoy the starry night. Enjoy the minibar with complimentary coffee and tea, the local chocolate and other little goodies.
⭐️ Deluxe Tent with or without Bathroom
Next up is the Deluxe Tent which provides a slightly more elevated experience to its guests. You have the option of a Deluxe Tent with a bathroom or without… you decide. Either way it’s a complete glamping experience with minibar, deck furniture, carpets and cushions. All the comforts you need to just stay put, with a good book and hot drink.
The Facilities
Desa Eko, has everything you need and more to switch off, kick back and relax. You’ll find a steady hum of visitors, whether at the restaurant or guests, but it’s not crowded. And that was one of my favourite aspects of our stay. It feels secluded, but not forgotten… if that makes sense 😊.
Everything feels modern, while in fitting with nature, it feels intentional, while also feeling organic and authentic. Aesthetically, Desa Eko is perfectly balanced, a space to feel inspired and recharged.
Starlink Wifi
Wifi and mobile phone reception tends to be a bit patchy in the Munduk Mountains, but not at Desa Eko. The super strong Starlink wifi means you can escape, but still touch base with work if you need to.
Fire-pit
A firm favourite for our girls was the evening fire pit. After the sun set and dinner was finished we asked the team to light the fire pit located at the Botanist restaurant. We then proceeded to consume one packet of toasted marshmallows cooked over flames! No regrets, they were yum and a fine finish to the evening.
🍪 Note: marshmallows are on a BYO basis & don’t forget the chocolate biscuits for the perfect s’mores!
Bathrooms
Guests staying in the Mountain View Tent, Lotus Tent and Deluxe Tent have access to the shared bathroom facilities. These are perfectly comfortable and given the limited number of tents, they’re never crowded. However if you prefer your comfort of a private bathroom, then we recommend the Deluxe Tent with bathroom, or the Studio option.
Yoga Deck
At the base of the property, along the valley stream you’ll find a large yoga deck available to use at your pleasure. Grab a complimentary yoga mat and cycle through the poses to the sound of nature… and nothing else!
The Botanist
Interestingly, it was the Botanist that initially drew me to Desa Eko. On our first weekend visit to Munduk we’d been looking for a place to enjoy some good food. (We don’t just enjoy a lovely stay, we get equally enthusiastic about good food). And our Google search uncovered The Botanist Restaurant.
A relaxing lunch later and I knew we’d be back. The staff were friendly, helpful and obliging to my questions. I also love it when you can stay in a beautiful place, for a getaway or a stay-cay, and they do really good food! It means you can really disconnect if you want to, no pressure to leave the peace and calm in search of food.
And the food cooked up at the Botanist, feels like the perfect blend of soul food and comfort food. Whether it’s breakfast crepes overlooking the jungle, or a Botanist bowl for lunch, or a Maldivian curry for dinner, there is truly something on the menu for each member of the family.
What’s more the kids can grab a board game, the adults a deck of cards and you can settle right in. Sit in the communal Botanist or grab a more secluded jungle gazebo. At Desa Eko there are a stack of complimentary games to keep you entertained.
Experiences & Activities
There are also a variety of available activities to visitors. From a traditional Balinese water ceremony, a medicinal plant and beekeeping tour, a sunrise tour or a local cooking lesson. We highly recommend these, particularly if you are visiting Bali from abroad and you plan to experience some of the local culture.
Permaculture Tour
The lovely team at Desa Eko offered our family a Permaculture Tour with the knowledgable Agung. We spent two hours walking the gardens, learning about the abundant flora and fauna that provides the backdrop for Desa Eko.
No surprises that me and My Free Range Family get excited by nature, so this tour was perfect for us. We enjoyed the guided walk around the property. Visiting the nearby Golden Waterfall, admiring the stream by the yoga deck and learning about the small ceremony temple.
Agung diligently showed us around his second home, introducing us to every plant, tree, flower and seed that we could find. He answered every one of my 100 questions, he foraged and fed us with treats straight from the jungle.
Perhaps the most exciting, to my family of passionfruit lovers, was the King Marquis. This giant fruit, closely related to the passionfruit family was a surprise and a delicious feast. One which we picked and enjoyed at the end of the tour in the Botanist restaurant. At the same time we sipped coffee made with beans handpicked straight from the Desa Eko mountainside. We tasted the local honey, wild raspberries, crispy cassava chips and herbal tea, with everything collected from the property.
Waterfall Trail
Desa Eko is connected to the well known waterfall trail and hike in Munduk. From your accommodation make your way down to the yoga platform and follow the signs to the Golden Waterfall. It’s an easy 10 minute walk from the yoga deck. They’ve even made this handy guide here to the waterfall trail.
Then if you plan to make a bigger trek of it, then carry on to the loop trail. This longer multi-hour trek stops at other well known sights, such as the Red Coral Waterfall and Melanting Waterfall. It’s a stunning way to see Munduk!
A Commitment to Sustainability
One of the things I love most about Desa Eko, is that you have to really search for any sign of plastic. There is real intention around the building materials, the decorations and aesthetic, in every detail really. You could get lost looking at the details of the bamboo restaurant, which is basically the heart of the property.
You won’t find plastic drinking bottles, instead Desa Eko have provided a Terra water filtration system. Guests can fill a glass or their drinking bottle straight from the terracotta vessel. But my favourite discovery, one which we learned from Agung is the compost collection. All food waste goes straight into the compost, it doesn’t go into plastic bags and then landfill. This fact made my heart sing!
By pure definition Desa Eko is sustainable in every sense of the word. There’s no green washing here, there’s a sincere commitment to doing the right thing. It’s tourism at its gentlest and I couldn’t fault it.
Booking Your Stay
Desa Eko gets a solid 5 stars from my family. It also got a massive thumbs up from my mum who joined us on this stay and who booked the Lotus Tent. We loved the time to connect together as a family in a place of tranquility and comfort.
I highly recommend you get in touch with the lovely team at Desa Eko in Munduk and book your stay. Whether you live in Bali, or you’re a visitor to the island, Desa Eko is a very good way to escape the tourist madness of Bali.
I’m grateful to Matt and the team… for offering a night hosted stay and allowing me to write this honest review. Please note I always research a place before choosing to take a hosted stay to ensure their values align with My Free Range Family travel values around sustainability. All photos and views shared here are my own.
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We are a travel LOVING FAMILY, who chose to travel full-time for 3 years, BUT now live in Bali. Sign up to follow our journey, and to get our itineraries and guides on all the destinations we visit!
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