Bali Cooking Class & Jamu: Learn in a Mountain Village

Cook a real Balinese meal, make Jamu from scratch, and plant rice with a farmer

A full-day cooking class and cultural immersion in a small mountain village near Mt. Batukaru, where you pick herbs from the garden, prepare authentic Balinese dishes in an open-air kitchen, craft two types of Jamu, help with rice planting, and end the day at the sacred Belulang hot spring. The experience includes an air-conditioned vehicle pickup, a live guide in your chosen language, lunch cooked by you, and a certificate by email afterward.

The experience

How do you actually learn to cook Balinese food? Not in a classroom: in the kitchen where a family cooks it every day. You start with a scenic drive through tropical landscape to a mountain village near Mt. Batukaru, then walk through rice terraces and meet the farmers who grow what you'll cook. In the herb and spice garden, you pick from over 40 varieties of plants growing right there, then move to the Jamu Pavilion to craft and taste two types of Jamu, Indonesia's ancient herbal health drink made from roots, spices and fruit.

The real work happens at Paon Bali, the open-air kitchen built into the landscape. A chef guides you through preparing an authentic Balinese meal: you'll make Sate Lilit (minced chicken satay with Balinese spices) at a live bamboo grill station, steam Tum Ayam (chicken wrapped in banana leaves), fry tempeh, prepare mixed vegetables with herb paste and coconut, and cook Lak Lak, a traditional dessert using a clay pot. You eat what you made, surrounded by the sounds of traditional music and the village itself. After lunch, if you have the energy, you can help a farmer with rice planting or meet Manis the cow and visit the stingless Trigona beehives. Before heading back, you'll walk through the village, see a traditional Balinese house and learn about Asta Kosala architecture, then soak in the sacred Belulang hot spring.

The day runs about eight hours total, including the drive. You'll also learn to play the Rindik, a traditional Balinese instrument, and receive a cooking class certificate by email after the tour. An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel, and a live guide speaks English, German, Italian, French or another language by arrangement. Dietary needs like vegetarian meals are accommodated if you note them at booking.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your hotel.
• a live guide in English, German, Italian, French or another language by arrangement.
• guided tour through the herb and spice garden with over 40 plant varieties.
• hands-on Jamu production and tasting of two types.
• full cooking class in the open-air Paon Bali kitchen with instruction from a chef.
• the meal you cook (Sate Lilit, Tum Ayam, tempeh, vegetables, fern and dessert).
• visit to an authentic Balinese compound and traditional house.
• introduction to the Rindik, a traditional Balinese instrument.
• help with rice planting on the farm.
• visit to the Balikaru farm with animals and stingless Trigona beehives.
• optional bath at the sacred Belulang hot spring.
• a farewell gift.
• and a cooking class certificate by email after the tour.

Options for this experience

4 options

English-Speaking Tour Program07:30The English-speaking guide will travel with the whole group. Pickup is included.

German-Speaking Tour Program07:30Along with the standard program, you'll be joined by a private guide who speaks German. Pickup is included.

Italian-Speaking Tour Program07:30In addition to the standard program, an Italian-speaking private guide will accompany you. Pickup is included.

French-Speaking Tour Program07:30On top of the standard program, a French-speaking private guide will be with you. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Pets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Balikaru

Is this one for you?Choose your preferred language at checkout. The guide speaks English, German, Italian, French or another language by special arrangement, so the instruction and stories stay clear throughout the eight hours. If you want to cook and learn in a language you're comfortable with, pick the option that matches.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I cook in the Paon Bali kitchen?

You prepare a full Balinese meal: Sate Lilit (minced chicken satay cooked at a bamboo grill), Tum Ayam (chicken steamed in banana leaves), fried tempeh in sweet soy sauce, mixed Balinese vegetables with herb paste and coconut, traditional fern, and Lak Lak dessert made in a clay pot. You eat everything you cook for lunch.

Is the rice planting something I actually do, or just watch?

You give the farmer a helping hand. It's hands-on work in the paddy, not a demonstration. Whether you do it depends on the season and what the farmer needs that day, but it's part of the experience when it's possible.

What is Jamu, and do I really make it myself?

Jamu is Indonesia's traditional herbal health drink made from roots, spices, tamarind and fruit. You craft two types at the Jamu Pavilion: Beras Kencur (Indonesian spice and herb drink) and Jamu Kunyit Jahe (turmeric, ginger and tamarind juice), then taste them both. A guide walks you through the process.

Does the hot spring at the end mean I should bring a swimsuit?

The Belulang hot spring visit is included, and bathing there is optional. If you want to soak, bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes. If you'd rather skip it, you can just visit and move on.

How long is the drive to the mountain village, and what's the terrain like?

The scenic drive takes you through tropical landscape with photo stops along the way. Once in the village, you do a leisurely walk and a soft trek of about 30 minutes downhill through rice terraces and the village itself. Nothing steep or strenuous.