Experience Traditional Rice Milling in Tete Batu

Experience Traditional Rice Milling in Tetebatu: A Full-Day Cultural Tour with Lombok Heritage

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Discover the Heartbeat of Lombok’s Agrarian Culture in Tetebatu

Far from the buzz of Lombok’s coastal resorts lies the lush and serene village of Tetebatu, a cultural gem cradled at the foot of Mount Rinjani. Here, time slows down, and traditions live on — especially in the form of traditional rice milling, a community ritual deeply rooted in generations of Sasak culture.

At Lombok Heritage, we invite you to embark on a full-day immersive journey into the rhythms of rural life through our “Experience Traditional Rice Milling in Tetebatu” tour. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s story-living, where you’ll not only witness but also take part in the ancient process of turning golden rice stalks into fragrant grains ready for the table.

Let’s walk you through the full-day itinerary and all the unforgettable experiences waiting for you.

Why Choose This Experience?

Before diving into the itinerary, here's what makes this cultural experience stand out:

• 🌾 Authenticity: Witness and join locals in every step of traditional rice milling — from harvesting, drying, pounding, to winnowing.

• 📸 Photo-worthy moments: Golden paddy fields, buffalo carts, traditional tools, and scenic rice terraces form the perfect backdrop.

• 💬 Local wisdom: Engage in storytelling sessions with farmers and elders who preserve centuries-old knowledge.

• 🌱 Sustainable travel: By joining this tour, you directly support community-based tourism and rural artisans in Tetebatu.

Full-Day Itinerary: Experience Traditional Rice Milling in Tetebatu

🕗 08:00 AM – Warm Welcome & Local Breakfast

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Lombok Heritage Base Camp in Tetebatu, where you’ll be greeted by your local guide with a traditional Sasak breakfast — think of piping hot ketan (sticky rice), banana fritters, and Lombok coffee served in handmade clay cups.

Your guide will introduce you to the cultural importance of rice in Sasak society, and what you’ll experience throughout the day.

🌾 09:00 AM – Walk Through the Rice Fields with the Farmers

After breakfast, don your traditional bamboo hat (caping) and start your guided walk into Tetebatu’s stunning rice paddies. These terraces are not just beautiful; they are living agricultural systems passed down for generations.

You'll meet local farmers who will show you how they check the ripeness of the rice, the traditional tools they use, and even try your hand at cutting rice stalks with a ani-ani (a traditional hand knife).

Traditional rice harvesting in Lombok – part of the Lombok Heritage village tour.

🐃 10:30 AM – Ride a Buffalo Cart (Optional Add-on)

For a unique touch, enjoy a buffalo cart ride (cidomo sapi) — a nostalgic mode of rural transport. Climb aboard and take in the tranquil views of Mount Rinjani peeking over the golden fields, as your guide shares stories about life in the village before modern machinery arrived.

🌞 11:00 AM – Sun-Drying the Rice

Head to the drying yard, where farmers spread the newly harvested rice on bamboo mats under the sun. Learn about traditional sun-drying techniques, and how weather and timing affect rice quality. Try raking the rice with a bamboo spreader — it's more fun than it sounds!

This step is crucial and entirely natural — no chemicals, no shortcuts.

Eco-friendly rice processing in Tetebatu

🔨 12:00 PM – Try Hand-Pounding with Traditional Mortar & Pestle

This is the most exciting and photogenic part of the tour — the rice milling process using a lesung (wooden mortar) and alu (wooden pestle). Get hands-on as the villagers teach you the rhythm and technique to pound rice without smashing the grains.

There’s even a traditional pounding song the women sing in unison while pounding — you’re welcome to join in!

Hands-on rice milling experience in Tetebatu

🍽️ 01:00 PM – Farm-to-Table Lunch with Local Family

Time to enjoy a delicious traditional Sasak lunch prepared with love by a local family. Expect flavors you won’t find in restaurants — such as:

• Beberuk terong (spicy eggplant sambal)

• Sayur bening (light spinach soup)

• Ayam Taliwang (grilled spicy chicken)

• Freshly milled rice — the one you just helped process!

Dine on a bamboo floor mat inside a traditional bale house, as your hosts share stories of village life, family traditions, and farming rituals.

☕ 02:30 PM – Traditional Coffee Grinding & Coconut Snack Demo

After lunch, relax with a cup of Tetebatu coffee, ground the traditional way using stone grinders. Then, join a local snack-making demo, where you’ll help craft rice and coconut-based treats like dodol, lemper, or kue jaje — all made from the very rice you milled earlier.

You can even take some treats home as edible souvenirs.

Tetebatu culinary tour experience

📿 03:30 PM – Visit Local Craft Workshop (Optional Cultural Add-On)

If you’re up for more, take a short walk to a nearby artisan house, where villagers craft bamboo rice sifters (nyiru), baskets, and woven mats. You’ll learn how these tools are essential in rice processing and take part in a mini-weaving session.

These handcrafted items also make perfect souvenirs.

🌄 04:30 PM – Closing Ceremony & Certificate of Participation

Back at the base camp, your hosts will offer you a ceremonial send-off with traditional music and a certificate that commemorates your rice milling journey with Lombok Heritage. It’s a small token, but one that holds deep meaning.

By this point, you’ve not only witnessed traditional rice milling — you’ve become part of it.

What's Included

✅ Local English-speaking guide
✅ All hands-on rice processing activities
✅ Traditional breakfast and farm-to-table lunch
✅ Buffalo cart ride (if selected)
✅ Community contribution and eco-tour support
✅ Take-home snacks and certificate

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Hat and sunscreen

• Camera (a must!)

• Curiosity and a sense of adventure

• Reusable water bottle (we’re plastic-free!)

Pricing & Booking Information

This full-day tour starts at IDR 650,000/person. Discounts are available for group bookings and families.

Visit www.tetebatutour.com to book your spot directly or contact us via WhatsApp for quick reservations.

Why Book With Lombok Heritage?

At Lombok Heritage, our mission is to preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage of rural Lombok. Every tour we run is:

• 🧡 Community-Based: Your payment goes directly to farmers, families, and artisans.

• 🌍 Eco-Conscious: We use zero plastic and encourage low-impact travel.

• 🧠 Educational: Every step is an opportunity to learn — not just to see.

We don't do staged experiences. When you book with us, you're living the real Tetebatu.

More Than Just Rice

The humble grain of rice is more than food — it is a symbol of life, labor, and community in Lombok. Through this tour, you’ll gain not just insights, but empathy and a newfound appreciation for the people who cultivate every grain by hand.

Whether you’re a cultural traveler, a photographer, a foodie, or someone seeking deeper connections while traveling, this tour promises more than memories — it delivers meaning.

Come mill with us. Come grow with us. Come live Lombok.

👉 Reserve Your Spot: tetebatutour.com

📞 WhatsApp: Mr. Ibrahim

📞 WhatsApp: Mr. Ukenk