Tetebatu Rice Terraces: The Best Guide
The Tetebatu Rice Terraces are one of the best places to visit while adventuring around Lombok. Rice fields are commonplace in Asia, such that the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bali. What most people don’t know is that there are equally as beautiful, but more authentic rice terraces right next door in Lombok, Indonesia.
The Rice Terraces in Lombok are absolutely magical. They are authentic and stretch for miles. The rice terraces in Bali are also beautiful but they are built for tourism and are not actually used to grow rice for the locals. Whereas, the fields in Lombok are actually used to feed the entire village of Tetebatu. They are an important part of the island of Lombok and they cannot be toured without a guide.
If you are interested in learning more about the magic of Tetebatu Rice Terraces keep reading!
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In This Post
What are the Tetebatu Rice Terraces
The Tetebatu Rice Terraces are a unique area of land in Lombok that is home to stretching rice fields built into the mountain. The land is layered with different platforms growing various types of rice. This is due to a centuries-old traditional irrigation technique called subak. This is done so water can run through the various layers of rice crops and keep them all wet and good to grow.
The Tetebatu Rice Terraces aren’t as “clean” as the ones in Bali and this is because they are used by the locals to grow rice for the entire village. As a result, they are not only less clean but they also cannot be visited without a local tour guide. This is because the way to get there is through the dense jungle, the paths have odd holes, and if you step on the rice you are endangering the livelihood of the village.
How to get to the Tetebatu Rice Terraces
The Tetebatu Rice Terraces have to be accessed with the help of a local guide. The tour guide I had for my adventures was named Roonie and he made the touring of the terraces even more amazing! Roonie is a local of Tetebatu and is extremely knowledgeable about the area and everything to do with rice, Lombok, and more! I highly recommend booking a tour with Roonie. You can find his TripAdvisors page with more information and contact info here.
What to do in the Tetebatu Rice Terraces
The Tetebatu Rice terraces offer more than just the rice fields. This area sits deep in the middle of Lombok in the lush jungle and offers more than meets the eye. Below is a list of all the other things your guide can show you and let you experience while touring the rice terraces.
Waterfall
After viewing the rice terraces you can also go to a private waterfall in the middle of the jungle. This waterfall is deep enough to swim in and feels like. your own secret paradise. It is the perfect place to cool off and have your personal Tarzan getaway.
Unique Crops
During your adventures, you will come across various different plants and crops within the jungle. Your guide will point out the vanilla plants, cocoa beans, hot peppers, tomatoes, and more! Plus, once you are done with your tour you can buy the fresh spices and take them home as a souvenir.
Black Money Forest
At the end of your tour, you will come across the amazing Black Monkey Forest. Black Monkeys are very rare and can only be found here. They are much timider than the brown monkeys in Bali and look majestic sitting high in the trees.
Local Cooking
After your tour, you can go for a meal to eat some delicious local food at the Black Monkey Warung. This is a small restaurant that serves tasty and low-cost meals that you will love!
Tetebatu Rice Terraces Tips
- Bring water
- Wear sunscreen
- They will give you a rice farmer hat so you don’t need one
- Bring a swimsuit
- Wear hiking shoes
The Tetebatu Rice Terraces are nothing short of amazing. The stretching green fields, local crops, hidden waterfalls, and shy monkeys are very unique to this region of Lombok. No trip to Lombok is complete without stopping at the Tetebatu Rice Terraces.
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Love,
SSW
