Jatiluwih Rice Terraces & Batukaru Temple Tour with Guide

The subak irrigation system that built those rice terraces is still working the way it has for centuries.

A full-day tour of two of Bali's most significant cultural sites: the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, where traditional Balinese farmers maintain an intricate system of curved paddies and shared water channels, and Pura Luhur Batukaru, a remote mountain temple sacred to Balinese Hindus. An English-speaking guide leads the route through both sites. Hotel pickup is included from major resorts in the south.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Batukaru Temple

• Visit UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
• Admire green rice fields and irrigation
• Travel through tropical forest to Batukaru Temple
• Explore sacred Pura Luhur Batukaru Temple

The experience

The tour starts with the rice terraces themselves: an endless patchwork of finely curved paddies in brilliant shades of green, with glistening water running through them. The guide explains the subak system, the communal irrigation network that has sustained these fields for generations and earned the site its UNESCO designation. You walk through the terraces and take in the scale of what you're standing in. It's the kind of landscape that photographs don't quite capture.

From there, the route climbs through thick tropical forest beneath Mount Batukaru to reach Pura Luhur Batukaru, one of Bali's most sacred temples. For Balinese Hindus, this site holds special spiritual significance: only the Besakih Temple ranks higher in importance. The temple sits in a remote, peaceful setting that feels removed from the busier tourist circuits, and the guide will walk you through the grounds and explain what you're seeing. The forest canopy and the quiet make it an ideal spot to sit for a moment if you want to.

The full day runs eight hours from pickup to drop-off. Your hotel in Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, or Nusa Dua will be your starting point. The guide collects you and returns you there at the end. Entrance fees to both sites, the air-conditioned vehicle, parking, and government fees are all included. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. The terrain at the terraces is uneven, and the temple involves some steps.

What’s included

• English-speaking licensed guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, or Nusa Dua.
• entrance fees to both the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Batukaru Temple.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• parking fees.
• government fees.
• and insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by PT JTB Indonesia

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're based in southern Bali and want a guided tour that combines two major cultural sites in a single day. The guide provides historical and spiritual context at both the terraces and temple that you'd miss exploring independently.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What exactly is the subak system I'll see at Jatiluwih?

The subak is a traditional Balinese irrigation network that distributes water from mountain springs down through the rice paddies in a carefully managed, communal system. Farmers have used this method for centuries to keep the terraces flooded and productive, and it's still in use today. You'll see the channels and the way water flows from one paddy to the next as you walk through the fields.

How sacred is Batukaru Temple, and what will I be able to see there?

Pura Luhur Batukaru is one of Bali's most sacred sites. Only the Besakih Temple holds higher spiritual rank for Balinese Hindus. You'll walk through the temple grounds with your guide, who will explain the layout and significance of the structures. The setting is peaceful and remote, nestled in forest beneath the mountain, and the guide will point out what you're looking at and answer questions about the temple's role in Balinese spiritual life.

What's included in the price, and what should I budget for separately?

Entrance fees to both sites, hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, the vehicle, parking, and government fees are all included. Food and drinks are not included, so bring money for lunch or snacks if you want them. Gratuities for the guide are also separate.

Which hotels does pickup cover, and how early will the guide arrive?

Pickup is available from major hotels in Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua. Confirm your hotel and pickup time when you book. The guide will collect you from your hotel lobby or the agreed meeting point and return you there at the end of the day.