In the centre of Bali sits Jatiluwih, a village nestled in the highlands of Bali that seems to be stuck in time – a time before tourism in Bali. The area is significant to Balinese culture primarily because agriculture has been the centre of Bali’s economy for hundreds of years.
Jatiluwih is officially designated as a UNESCO Cultural Landscape in 2012 – emphasizing the significance as a preserved cultural area. Jatiluwih and its surrounding villages are quite a sight to experience – the natural beauty of the landscape is truly one of a kind.
If you’re a nature lover visiting Bali and would love to experience Jatiluwih’s lush surroundings and some of Bali’s cultural heritage, this tour is for you. I’ve curated this tour itinerary for you to get the most out of an amazing day in Jatiluwih while experiencing Bali’s rich culture.
Keep in mind, you can modify your destinations during your Jatiluwih Day Tour. So if you prefer to stay longer in certain places, or skip an attraction in favour of another, my drivers are flexible. It’s your day so it’s entirely up to you!
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces steal the show as the pride of Jatiluwih itself. Experiencing the view from the top of the hills can truly take your breath away. Of all the things to do in Jatiluwih, you definitely need to prioritize this on your itinerary. Photos don’t do much justice. You have to see it for yourself.
The rice terraces showcase a traditional Balinese irrigation system called Subak. This Subak system goes back thousands of years in Bali’s history. It’s essentially a water management system that guarantees fair water distribution among the Balinese farmers. Not only is the Jatiluwih Rice Terrances significant for Bali’s agriculture, but it also has deep roots in Balinese culture and spirituality.
There is a checkpoint where you’ll need to pay to enter Jatiluwih. The fee is currently 50,000 IDR ($5.00 AUD) per person, and this includes entrance to Jatiluwih’s public places and trekking the rice fields.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are the largest rice terraces in Bali, even bigger than the Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud, spanning over 600 hectares of land. Tip: tell your driver to take you to Jatiluwih Lookout.
Entrance Fee: Included
Address: Jl. Jatiluwih Kawan, Jatiluwih, Tabanan
Hidden Garden Coffee & Tea Plantation
To get a complete experience of Bali and Indonesia’s culture, you have to experience the coffee & tea. Coffee’s presence in Indonesia has been dated way back during the Dutch rule and has since played a vital role in both Bali’s economy and daily life. This stop of the Jatiluwih Day Tour takes you to Hidden Garden Agriculture, a coffee & tea plantation.
It’s a small cafe / coffee shop with a farm that specializes in a wide variety of Indonesian coffees & tea – with the main attraction being Kopi Luwak (Luwak Coffee) – known to be one of the most rare and expensive coffees in the world! You can try a cup of Kopi Luwak here for just 50,000 IDR ($5.00 AUD).
Hidden Garden Agriculture features a small cafe and a patio overlooking the surrounding nature. After you’re guided to your seat, you’ll be given a collection of coffee and tea tasters – 15 total. You may choose to buy a full cup of any of these if you wish. There is no food menu but there’s a small Balinese Rice Cake available which I do recommend you try. It’s just 30,000 IDR ($3.00 AUD).
Right below the cafe area there is a small shop where you can buy Hidden Garden’s coffee, tea, and chocolate. The staff is very friendly and is very knowledgeable on the coffee and tea making processes. I’ve seen some negative reviews online about the sales pressure from the staff, but I haven’t witnessed any of this myself during my several visits here. The vibe is fairly laid back and there is no pressure to buy anything.
Hidden Garden Coffee could potentially be your first stop of the tour. A wide range of coffee is a great way to start the day. They also have a Bali Swing and several spots to take beautiful photos.
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: Jl. Baturiti, Mekarsari, Tabanan
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Yeh Hoo Waterfall
No Bali day tour is complete without sneaking in a waterfall, and Yeh Hoo is the perfect waterfall to slip in your Jatiluwih Day Tour itinerary.
Known locally as Air Terjun Yeh Hoo, this waterfall is actually a hidden gem – imagine something along the lines of Journey to the Centre of the Earth – water cascading from the rocks, surrounded by lush greenery, and not a single unnatural sound to be heard.
At the entrance there will be a warung (small local stall). To enter the waterfall area, the friendly groundskeepers will ask for a small donation of 10,000 IDR ($1.00 AUD). This goes towards maintaining the premises and keeping it clean.
It’s just a short walk to Yeh Hoo Waterfall from the parking area, about 3 – 4 minutes tops. The pathway is well-kept and has a few stairways installed where needed. I suggest wearing appropriate footwear as the pavement be quite moist. Pack an extra set of clothes in case you want to go for a dip in the water.
Entrance Fee: 10k IDR
Address: Air Terjun Yeh Hoo, Senganan, Penebel
Opening Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Taman Ayun Temple
A Bali cultural day tour calls a stop at one of Bali’s temples. This stop during the Jatiluwih Day Tour takes you to Pura Taman Ayun (Taman Ayun Temple), the Royal Temple of Mengwi, created as a family temple by the Mengwi Empire. Pura Taman Ayun has been around since the 16th century!
Surrounded by a large moat, Taman Ayun allows you to explore 4 courtyards, shrines, and pavilions, all with brilliant Balinese architecture. Keep in mind this place is not only for worship, but is also a cultural treasure.
Taman Ayun translates to ‘Beautiful Garden,’ and is the largest water temple in Bali. It has been featured in the BBC series Around the World in 80 Gardens, and it also considered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Entrance Fee: 30k IDR per person
Address: Jl Ayodnya No.10, Mengwi, Badung
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 8:00 am – 6:15 pm
Junglegold Chocolate Factory
You may have seen Junglegold chocolate being sold in stores around Bali and at Bali Airport but this is an opportunity to see (or try) how it’s made. This stop of the Jatiluwih Day Tour takes you to Junglegold Chocolate Factory and gets you up close and personal with their intricate chocolate making progress.
Formally known as Pod Chocolate, Junglegold Chocolate has been around in Bali for over a decade, known for introducing a modern twist to the local chocolates. They produce a range of delicious non-dairy and dark chocolates with blends such as; coconut, peppermint, 100% cacao, and my favourite, caramel crunch.
Entrance to Junglegold Chocolate Factory is free and includes a free tour and free tasting samples. The factory tour itself is quite short – just a quick run through the main process is making chocolate – but the place itself is a nice place to try about 10-12 different types of chocolates (the kids will love this) and perhaps grab a coffee and some pastries at their cafe.
If you’d like to try your hand at making your own chocolate, it’s 100,000 IDR ($10.00 AUD) to mould your own fresh chocolate. There’s also chocolate and coffee available on location if you’d like to buy for yourself or as a gift for a loved one.
Entrance Fee: Free, 100k IDR for chocolate making
Address: Jl. Denpasar-Singaraja No.29, Mengwi
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Optional: Bali Butterfly Park
Located in Wanasari, in the Tabanan Regency, the Bali Butterfly Park was established with a goal to conserve butterfly species native to Indonesia and has always been a popular tourist destination for Bali visitors
Bali Butterfly Park (or Taman Kupu-Kupu) offers you the opportunity to explore its tropical garden which is home to a wide range of beautiful butterflies – over 900 different species. You’ll also be introduced to the Bali Peacock!
This is an optional stop during the Jatiluwih Day Tour, mainly because I know some of you may not be comfortable around insects and small critters. Simply inform your driver if you’d like to visit Bali Butterfly park during your day.
Entrance Fee: 100k IDR (adult), 50k IDR (kids)
Address: Jl. Batukaru No.76, Sedandan, Tabanan
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Jatiluwih Day Tour Map
During the Jatiluwih Day Tour, you can first head to Hidden Garden Coffee Plantation (maybe the coffee will get you going!). Next, you can head to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, then Pod Chocolate / Junglegold Chocolate Factory. And you can finish off your day at Taman Ayun Temple.
You’re not obligated to follow the order of stops. You can modify the order of stops according to your preference. The initial ride to Hidden Garden is about 1 hr 15 mins. Since you’ll likely be headed towards the North of Bali in the morning hours, there shouldn’t be much traffic once you’re out of the Seminyak area.
Is the Jatiluwih Day Tour suitable for Kids?
Absolutely! The kids will love exploring this side of Bali. In addition to the fact that they will have a cultural experience at such a young age, they will love Bali’s vast nature.
They’ll also be really curious with the Luwaks at the coffee plantation, and trust me, the Junglegold Chocolate Factory will be their favorite stop of the Jatiluwih Day Tour.
I also have the optional child seats add-on in the booking form below if you’re with young ones who need to be strapped in.
Can I stop for lunch in Jatiluwih?
Yes, of course! Even though Jatiluwih doesn’t have a ton of options, there are several places to stop and grab a bite to eat while enjoying the view of the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.
Bhuana Agung Restaurant has a wonderful spot overlooking the rice terraces with a decent selection of food on their menu. Or if you’d like to enjoy the view from slightly higher, Jatiluwih Resto has a 2nd floor balcony area where you can dine. It’s right in front of the big “I Love Jatilwuih” sign.
What is and isn’t included?
Included in the Jatiluwih Day Tour is your very own private car & driver. You’ll be picked up from your hotel or villa by an English-speaking, trustworthy and knowledgable driver with an immaculately maintained 6-seater, air-conditioned SUV. Fuel, parking feees, applicable taxes, and 10 hours of allocated time from pick up and drop off are all included.
The seating configuration is 1 in the front passenger seat, 3 in the rear and 2 more in the rear-most fold-down seats. If you prefer more room you can upgrade to a Toyota Innova, which is slightly larger and roomier, and far more comfortable for 5 or 6 passengers, or you can hire a minivan instead.
Entrances fees to Taman Ayun and Yeh Hoo Waterfall are not included. I’ve chosen to leave this out in case you decide to skip these stops or swap for other destinations.
In summary, here’s what’s included in the Jatiluwih Day Tour:
- Private, air-conditioned SUV
- 10 hours of allocated time
- Friendly, English-speaking driver
- Entrance fees to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- Ability to change or alter your itinerary
- Vehicle Fuel
- Applicable taxes
- Parking fees
Not included:
- Entrance fees to Taman Ayun Temple
- Entrance fees to Yeh Hoo Waterfall
- Entrance tickets to Bali Butterfly park (optional stop)
- Chocolate making at Junglegold Chocolate Factory
- Tickets to any events at attractions (if any)
- Food or beverages
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