Tour overview

The Bali Rice Field Trekking begins in the quiet village of Kastala. As you set off, you cross a Bamboo bridge and are immediately immersed in a sprawling complex of emerald-green rice paddies and meticulously carved terraces. This route is a photographer’s dream, offering panoramic views of Mount Agung looming in the distance, framed by coconut groves and the intricate irrigation systems known as Subak.

Over the course of approximately two hours, the trail leads you across small bamboo bridges and through narrow paths that wind directly through the heart of the agricultural land.

A Model of Cooperation

What makes this specific Bali trekking rice field experience unique is the communal philosophy behind the soil. The vast paddy fields encountered on this trek actually belong to the local community of Tenganan Village. However, in a beautiful display of Balinese “Gotong Royong” (mutual cooperation), the land is farmed by laborers from the surrounding areas.

This partnership is governed by a traditional sharecropping agreement:

• The Labor: Local farmers provide the daily care, planting, and harvesting.
• The Land: Tenganan village provides the fertile grounds.
• The Harvest: Upon completion, the yield is divided 50:50 between the village and the farmers.

This system ensures a sustainable livelihood for the laborers while maintaining the ancestral wealth of the Tenganan people, creating a balanced ecosystem where everyone benefits.

Arriving at Tenganan: A Step Back in Time

The trek concludes as you enter the gates of Tenganan Pegringsingan, one of the most famous Bali Aga (Original Balinese) villages. Unlike the rest of the island, Tenganan has strictly preserved its ancient traditions, laws, and architecture since the time of its ancestors. The village is renowned for its:

• Double Ikat Weaving: The rare “Geringsing” cloth, believed to have protective powers.
• Unique Architecture: Identical house rows facing a central wide stone-paved street.
• Cultural Isolation: Strict customary laws (Awig-Awig) that have kept the village’s identity pure for centuries.

Walking into Tenganan at the end of your trek feels less like arriving at a destination and more like stepping through a portal into Bali’s primordial past.