Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Bali | Entrance Fee, Swing, Cafes, Tours

Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Bali Overview

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are located about 20 minutes north of Ubud in Bali and are a popular stop for those visiting Kintamani, which falls on the same road. They are famous for the spectacular location where these paddy fields are set in and the two swings where you can click photographs. It is especially popular during sunrise and sunset.

Capture some exquisite photographs, have coffee at one of the quaint little cafes or take a little detour through the Pakudui village nearby for some intricate wooden crafts. The road twists and turns into Tegallalang at 600 m above sea level, allowing for a cool breeze and pleasant weather to add to the pleasant panorama. The timeless quality of the valley complements the rich culture here. One can always see the local farmer tending to his crops in the unique oblique system irrigation steps perfectly set into the hills in the valley.

The Rice Fields

Balinese Farmer at Tegalalang Rice Terraces — The Farmers at the Tegallalang Rice terraces are Incredibly Friendly
(Source)

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are famous for two main reasons: one their efficient 8th-century method of 'Subak' rice farming, and two, the spectacular location that these paddy fields are set in.

Rice Terraces: The terraces offer dramatic views and offer great photo opportunities to all who come here. Though the area is a major tourist attraction, and that most of the 'workers' are just around to click pictures with, one just has to move a little bit further to find spots that are much quieter and all the more beautiful for it, especially if one can manage to get there in time for the sunrise.

Woodwork and Woodcarvings: Not only is this place beautiful in its landscape, but it is also a major hub of handicrafts made up of ornamental woodwork and carvings. Centuries of craftsmen have perfected their techniques to develop exquisite pieces of art. Other small industries include the stone and glass ornament artefacts. Several locals will approach you, offering local coconut drinks, coconut leaf is sewn into hats, wood carvings and vases and the amount one can indulge is only restricted to the depth of one’s pockets! The shops even line the road for up to 10 km!

Tourist in a Straw Hat at Tegalalang Rice Terraces Ubud Bali — Locals offer you Straw Hats and an Insight into Terrace Farming at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud, Bali (Source)

Down in the valley, one can explore the jungle. It gets a lot more humid down below but the move away from the throngs of tourism is guaranteed to find you perfect, beautiful and quiet locations just for yourselves.

Things to Do

Tegallalang Rice Terraces Swing

Cost: IDR 1,50,000 per person.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Bali has become seemingly obsessed with swings with one popping up every few kilometres. The original inspiration was derived from the official Bali Swing. In lieu of this, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces have themselves set up two swings to show off the awesome views of the rice paddy terraces from high up. One is located at the point where you first come in on the road and the other higher up on the other end of the rice fields. The latter is more ideally placed for photography and Instagram-ers.

Coffee of Bali: Explore the coffee industry and coffee making process at Alas Harum Agro Tourism. Alas Harum is a Kopi Luwak farm. Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee made from raw coffee berries that have been digested and defecated by a specific animal: The Asian Palm Civet.

It's one of the most expensive drinks in the world (per kilogram) but a tourist can taste it for much cheaper here. So if your gastronomy is the adventurous kind, or you are a die-hard coffee fan, you know where to go. It's just down the road from the Kampung Resorts in the middle of Tegallalang village.

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple is a short Hike from the Tegalalang Rice Terraces Ubud Bali — The Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple is a Hindu Water Temple,
a short hike from Tegallalang Rice Terraces (Source)

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple: Meditate at Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, splendid rock-cut shrines. It is an out of the way temple accessible through a short hike, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is located in the small village of Sebatu and the signs on the road clearly indicate its location if you're coming on the road from Tegallalang.

Timings- 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost- Adults: IDR 15,000 Children: IDR 7,500

Panoramic View of Tegalalang Rice Terraces Ubud Bali — The Swings at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces give you a Nice Panoramic View of the Valley (Source)

Admire the scenery from the Swings: There are 2 swings at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. These terrace swings are a good way to get a good look at the whole valley.

Visit the Made Ada Museum: Made Ada Museum at Pakudui displays the techniques employed by generations of sculptors in the village. Ada Garuda Gallery is one of the best galleries in Bali, It is owned and operated by Mr Made Ada who is a world-renown artist known for his traditional wood carvings of Garuda. Made Ada is the master carver and businessman whose family has had three generations of master carvers of these great Balinese artefacts. Additionally, his son Nyoman Ada conducts day-long carving classes which are good fun.

Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Tegalalang Rice Terraces Ubud Bali — Cycling Tours are Offered at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud, Bali (Source)

Cycling at Tegallalang Rice Terraces: Cycling tours to explore the Tegallalang Rice Terraces let you go around the valley and further.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces Cafes

Tegalalang Rice Terrace Cafe — The Tegallalang Rice Terrace Cafe is a good place to relax and get some amazing panoramic views of the valley (Source)

If you want to spend a more relaxed time just soaking in the beauty of the valley, head over to the Tegallalang Rice Terrace cafe, or any of the other cafes in the area.

1. Kampung Cafe: part of a bigger resort and cottages complex, but very good service and is recommended by tourists.
2. Ca Peacock Cafe: Great for pizzas and local Indonesian cuisine! IT is also open till much later than the other places nearby. Lovely staff and good value for money.
3. Alon-Alon Terrace Cafe: Great view as it is set right in the middle of the rice paddies! They serve both western as well as Balinese food. Open-air seating and a unique coconut curry make it an attractive location to visit for lunch.
4. Terrace Padi Cafe: Quite close to the swing and great view. Best place to stop for a bite if you’re headed to the swings.
5. Rice Terrace Cafe: By far the most popular among tourists as it gives you a great view of the entire valley with a gazebo-like rooftop seating.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces Tours

There are Tegallalang Rice Terrace Tours offered by Travel and Tour companies, offering a fun and engaging method in making the most of your visit to this incredible destination. You have the option of riding a bike from the Main Ubud area to the rice terraces as well as visit nearby historic temples and the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. These tours are a great way to explore the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, as well as other popular tourist spots of Ubud.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Tegallalang Rice Terraces is April, May, June and September. This would allow you to avoid the throngs of tourists that come in with the holiday rush. Early morning to catch the sunrise is the best time of the day to visit the rice fields.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Ubud, Bali — The Best Time to Visit Tegallalang Rice Terraces is Between April and June (Source)

Tips

Tegalalang Rice Terraces Bali — Visit Tegallalang Rice Terraces During Off-Season to Avoid the Crowds and Enjoy the Scenery (Source)

A lot of times, the local farmers will ask you for a “donation” to do anything. The trick is to politely, but firmly, say no and move on ahead. A lot of the times tourists who wish to walk around the terraces are repeatedly stopped by the locals.
Try to get away from the noise and crowd by exploring the jungle further down in the valley. It gives an individual the peace, quiet and the serenity to take in the beauty of the place.
Take a scooter from Ubud. It's easily one of the cheaper options and it gives you the freedom to roam around wherever you want.
Spend at least 3 hours there. Explore the location, the culture and the markets at Pakudui for a full experience.
To go to less crowded but equally beautiful locations, tourists can look at Campuhan and Pejeng.

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are a must-visit for anyone visiting Bali. However, over time the Tegallalang rice terraces have attracted more than their fair share of tourists and it does tend to get congested during some of the peak seasons.

The important thing to keep in mind while visiting is to identify the more relaxed periods (as mentioned above) and make the most of the experience by actually exploring the surrounding valley. It's an illuminating experience.

Pakudui Village

The Pakudui village, locally known as the 'Garuda' Village is a small settlement located near the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. What makes it famous is that almost 90% of its residents are accomplished sculptors with even the youngest teenagers pitching into the local tradition.

And what do they sculpt? The Garuda of course! Garuda is the mythological bird/creature with the head of a golden eagle, the body of a lion and part human features that served as the holy mount of the Hindu god Vishnu. You will find several busts of the Garuda all over the village, which is what earned them their nickname in the first place.

The residents of the village are extremely friendly and some might even take you over the entire work involved in the sculpting process. This village is extremely famous and people from across the world come here to buy the statues sculpted by them. There are kilometres worth of shops to go to and see gorgeous pieces of art all available for negotiable prices.

How To Reach Tegallalang Rice Terraces

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are located only a short distance to the north of Ubud, in Bali.
Fly into Denpasar, which is the only airport at Bali.
From Denpasar, one can take a cab to Ubud. It costs around IDR 3,20,000 and takes 2 hours.
In Ubud, one can rent a scooter for about IDR 1,20,000 per day and drive to the terrace.
Cabs and minivans are also available with minivans being the cheapest option at IDR 5,00,000 for six people.
It takes about 5-20 minutes to reach the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, depending on where you stay in Ubud.