Bali's Hidden Rice Terraces Trek Experience
Think of Bali, and you probably think of rice terraces cascading down the hillsides. Come see these gorgeous fields on a tour that’ll teach you the ins and outs of local agriculture. Discover an ancient irrigation system, wander through fields growing everything from rice to tomatoes, and find out how these fields are their own unique ecosystem and cultural tradition.
Highlights
- Visit a local food market
- Learn about the biodiversity of the rice fields and their importance to Balinese culture
- Learn about the ancient irrigation system of subak that’s still used today in Bali
- See a subak agricultural temple not typically visited by tourists
What's included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Rice field donation
- A gift of udeng for men or a sash for women
- Light snacks
- Coconut water or coffee
- Mineral water
- Additional food and drinks
- Tips/gratuities for your guide
Overview
Local Impact: How you taking this tour will benefit the local community:
This tour supports farmers in the Kerobokan area by donating a portion of your tour fee to a local farmer’s cooperative. During the visit to the temple, your guide will explain how the co-op works across the rice fields, the intricate workings of the 1,000-year-old subak irrigation system, and its importance to the community.
Visitors to Bali have long been drawn to the stunning emerald terraces that were first planted by Hindu priests when they arrived on the island in the 9th century. Locals and visitors alike appreciate the beauty of these fields as they change seasons, from planting to harvest, and they offer up a serene, peaceful sight far removed from the bustling beaches of Bali’s tourist zones. Our Bali tour will whisk you away from the tourist track and introduce you to real local life: on the rice terraces of Kerobokan that define the country’s agricultural industry. Your guide will explain how the subak irrigation system works — it’s an ancient irrigation system, having first been introduced by Hindu priests when they arrived on Bali over 1,200 years ago, but is still very much in use today. The subak system is about so much more than just watering plants, though. It creates ecosystems for new life, and is bound by the community’s temples, where water priests honour the relationship between humans, the Earth, and the gods. You’ll learn more about this relationship with a visit to a local subak temple, a gathering place for farmers. We’ll walk from here into the expansive rice fields of Kerobokan, where we’ll begin our trek of about two to three kilometres (wear comfy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!). We’ll make our way through the terraces, using the tops of walls as a pathway. We’ll cross over rivers, carefully treading over the farmers’ bamboo bridges from one rice field to the next. The local farmers here don’t just grow rice, but also tomatoes, beans, bananas, eggplant, chilies, corn, sugar cane, and water snails. The rice fields themselves are home to a number of aquatic species, including frogs, fish, crabs, and snails — it’s the perfect little ecosystem, and you’ll have a better understanding of how it all works together. After our trek, we’ll end our trip at a small café and drink some fresh coconut water. Need a taxi to get to the meeting point? Our local guides in Bali recommend the Blue Bird taxi app as the easiest way to get around.
Additional Information
While we strongly recommend that all travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission and avoid putting undue strain on healthcare services, vaccinations are not a requirement to join an Intrepid Urban Adventures tour. For further information, please review COVID-19 Health & Safety at https://www.urbanadventures.com/en/about-us/covid-19-customer-info
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity.
