From Field to Table: Rice Processing in Tete Batu

From Field to Table: Discover the Rice Processing Tradition in Tetebatu

Step Into the Heart of Lombok's Rice Culture

Rice is more than just a staple food in Indonesia—it is the heartbeat of daily life, a symbol of prosperity, and a living connection between the land and its people. Nestled at the foot of majestic Mount Rinjani, Tetebatu Cultural Village offers a rare chance to walk the rice journey from field to table in the most authentic and interactive way imaginable.

Join Lombok Heritage for a Full-Day Rice Processing Tour that takes you beyond sightseeing into a fully immersive agro-cultural experience. From planting in emerald-green paddies to pounding the rice in a traditional wooden mortar and finally savoring a home-cooked meal prepared with love—this tour celebrates every sacred step in the rice cycle.

This is agritourism at its finest. And it's waiting for you at www.tetebatutour.com.

Why This Tour is a Must-Do in Tetebatu

✔️ Authentic Local Experience
✔️ Hands-On Activities (Planting, Harvesting, Milling)
✔️ Cook & Eat With a Local Family
✔️ Scenic Rice Terraces & Village Vibes
✔️ Eco-Cultural and Educational
✔️ Perfect for Families, Foodies, and Culture Seekers

Full-Day Itinerary: From Field to Table

🕘 08:30 – Welcome Ceremony and Village Walk

Your guide will welcome you warmly at the Lombok Heritage Basecamp in Tetebatu. Enjoy a welcome drink made from lemongrass and tamarind as your host introduces you to the day’s schedule.

Then, set out on foot for a short cultural walk through Tetebatu village. You'll pass by charming wooden houses, bamboo groves, and smiling villagers preparing for their daily routine. As you walk, your guide will share stories about Sasak culture, rice as a sacred element, and the community’s sustainable farming principles.

Highlight: Visit a traditional barn (lumbung) and see how families store rice after the harvest.

🌾 09:30 – Rice Field Experience: Planting or Harvesting (Seasonal)

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and immerse yourself in the rice-growing process.

• 🌱 Planting Season (November–March): Step barefoot into the cool, muddy paddy fields. Local farmers will guide you in planting rice seedlings the traditional way—line by line, with patience and precision.

• 🌾 Harvest Season (May–September): Learn how to cut rice stalks with a sickle, bundle them, and carry them on your shoulders like a true villager.

Your guide will explain the rice cycle, irrigation methods, and local traditions surrounding planting and harvest. Feel the rhythm of life as the locals do—calm, purposeful, connected to nature.

Pro Tip: Wear a conical hat (caping) and sarong provided by the tour—perfect for photos and comfort!

🧺 11:00 – Post-Harvest Processing: Threshing, Drying & Milling

Now that you’ve worked the land, it’s time to learn how rice becomes ready to eat.

1. Threshing – Try your hand at separating rice grains from stalks using age-old techniques.

2. Drying – Spread the grains on bamboo trays or tarps under the sun. This crucial step preserves the rice for storage.

3. Milling – Experience the traditional way of pounding rice using a wooden pestle and stone mortar, a task often performed in harmony by village women. You’ll gain a deep respect for what goes into every bowl of rice.

Interactive Demo: Compare hand-pounded vs. machine-milled rice and taste the difference in quality and aroma.

🍽️ 12:30 – Traditional Sasak Cooking Class & Lunch

After a morning of learning and labor, join a local host family in their open-air kitchen for a cooking class featuring freshly processed rice.

• Menu Highlights:

  • Nasi Pelemeng Tetebatu: Fragrant coconut rice with local herbs

  • Pelecing Kangkung: Spicy water spinach with sambal

  • Ayam Bakar Bumbu Sasak: Grilled chicken with traditional Sasak spices

  • Kopi Lombok or Ginger Tea: Freshly brewed local drinks

You’ll chop, stir, and cook using firewood and clay stoves, gaining insight into traditional Lombok culinary arts. Then, sit down with your host family and enjoy the feast you helped create.

Vegetarian and vegan options available on request.

☕ 14:00 – Storytelling & Relaxation in a Bamboo Gazebo

After lunch, move to a shaded bamboo gazebo overlooking rice fields. Your guide or a village elder will share folktales, agricultural rituals, and the importance of rice in Sasak spirituality and daily life.

You’ll also learn about local food security movements and how the villagers are preserving traditional rice varieties in the face of globalization and climate change.

Optional Activity: Try weaving coconut leaves or creating flower offerings (canang) with local artisans.

🏞️ 15:30 – Walk to Hidden Water Irrigation Canals

Take a light trek through the fields to visit an ancient subak-style irrigation system, still used to distribute water from the slopes of Mount Rinjani. The lush greenery, chirping birds, and flowing water offer a serene, meditative end to your field-to-table journey.

Photo Opportunity: Capture panoramic views of Rinjani Volcano, rice paddies, and traditional huts from a scenic viewpoint.

🚐 16:30 – Return to Basecamp & Farewell Gift

Back at the basecamp, enjoy a fresh coconut and receive a small gift: a pack of organic hand-pounded rice from the village as a reminder of your experience.

You’ll leave Tetebatu not only with full hearts and bellies but also with new wisdom, appreciation, and memories that will last a lifetime.

What's Included?

✅ Guided Village Tour
✅ Hands-on Farming Activities
✅ All Equipment & Traditional Attire
✅ Local Cooking Class & Lunch
✅ Cultural Workshops
✅ Bottled Water, Snacks, Coconut Drink
✅ Organic Rice Gift
✅ English-speaking Local Guide
✅ All Entrance Fees & Donations to Village Community

What to Bring

• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)

• Comfortable footwear for muddy fields

• Change of clothes (you may get wet!)

• Camera or phone for stunning photo ops

• Curiosity and open heart 💚

Rate/Pricing & Booking

Price: Starting from IDR 650,000 / person
Group Discounts: Available for 4+ people
Private Tour: Custom itineraries on request
Booking Link:

👉 Reserve Your Spot: tetebatutour.com

📞 WhatsApp: Mr. Ibrahim

📞 WhatsApp: Mr. Ukenk

Responsible Travel with Lombok Heritage

By joining this tour, you're directly supporting local farmers, women’s groups, and youth cooperatives in Tetebatu. A portion of all proceeds goes to sustainable farming education and community-based tourism initiatives.

At Lombok Heritage, we believe in travel that uplifts—both the traveler and the local community. Your journey matters.

More Than Just a Tour—It’s a Cultural Awakening

“From Field to Table: Rice Processing in Tetebatu” is more than a day out in nature. It’s a journey into the lifeblood of a community, a tribute to ancestral wisdom, and a celebration of food as a bridge between cultures.

Don’t just visit Lombok. Live it, taste it, and carry it with you.

🟢 Ready to get your hands muddy and your heart full?
Book your experience now at 👉 www.tetebatutour.com