Learn Traditional Plowing in Lombok

Learn Traditional Plowing in Lombok – A Hands-on Full-Day Village Experience with Lombok Heritage

Connect with the Earth, Just Like the Locals Do

In an age of digital convenience and fast-paced travel, there's something profoundly moving about slowing down and getting your hands dirty—literally. Imagine standing in a lush green rice field in Tetebatu, the breeze carrying the scent of wet earth, as a powerful water buffalo helps you plow the land, just like the Sasak ancestors have done for generations.

This is not just a tour. It’s a journey into the heart of Lombok’s cultural soul.

Welcome to the "Learn Traditional Plowing in Lombok" tour by Lombok Heritage, where you’ll spend a full day immersed in the authentic rhythm of village life—guided by the wisdom of local farmers, fueled by home-cooked meals, and grounded in centuries-old traditions that still shape life on the island today.

Why You Should Join This Traditional Farming Experience

Location: Tetebatu Cultural Village, East Lombok
Duration: Full Day (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
Best For: Cultural travelers, families, eco-tourists, students, and anyone who wants to experience rural life in its purest form.

Highlights:

• Plow the rice field with a water buffalo

• Learn ancient farming techniques passed down for generations

• Harvest seasonal crops (based on timing)

• Cook and eat with local families

• Explore rice terraces and village life

• Cultural exchange with Tetebatu farmers

• Optional bamboo craft session or local coffee roasting

Why This Tour Matters

Many travelers visit rice fields just to take a photo. But how many actually live the experience?

You might have admired the vast green paddies from your hotel balcony or Instagram. But only a few dare to walk barefoot through the mud, grip a plow, and feel the raw pull of the land—because they want something deeper, more meaningful.

This tour is designed not for spectators, but for participants.

FULL-DAY ITINERARY: Step Into the Farmer's World

🕗 08:30 AM – Warm Welcome at Tetebatu Cultural Village

Your guide will greet you with a smile at the Lombok Heritage base in Tetebatu, where you’ll be offered traditional herbal tea (wedang rempah) and local snacks. A short briefing sets the tone for the day—what you’ll do, how to prepare, and what cultural values to respect.

Get ready to trade your shoes for rubber boots or go barefoot like the locals.

🐃 09:00 AM – Traditional Plowing Experience

Walk down to the village's fertile fields accompanied by your farmer guide and a sturdy water buffalo (kerbau).

You’ll learn:

• How to harness the buffalo to the wooden plow

• The art of guiding the animal through the field

• Mud-balancing techniques (yes, there's a skill to walking in a wet rice paddy!)

• How local calendars and moon cycles affect planting seasons

This is not staged tourism. The field you’re plowing might be used for actual planting next week!

📸 Photo Tip: Capture a moment of you holding the plow, with the mighty buffalo and volcano view in the background. Pure Lombok magic.

🌱 10:30 AM – Seed Planting & Crop Discussion

Depending on the season, you’ll get a chance to:

• Plant rice shoots, corn, or vegetables

• Discuss organic vs conventional farming in Lombok

• Learn about local irrigation systems (subak) used for centuries

You’ll feel an immediate connection to the land—and perhaps a new appreciation for your food.

🏡 12:00 PM – Village Lunch with a Local Family

After washing up, head to a traditional Sasak home where a home-cooked lunch awaits:

• Ayam Bakar (spicy grilled chicken)

• Plecing Kangkung (water spinach with chili sambal)

• Nasi Puyung (spiced rice with local toppings)

• Seasonal fruit and herbal drink

This is more than food—it’s a window into family traditions, cooking methods, and village hospitality.

🛖 01:30 PM – Cultural Dialogue & Coffee Break

Post-lunch, enjoy a slow afternoon chat with the elders. Hear firsthand stories of farming life, marriage rituals, and how traditions have endured through colonial times, earthquakes, and tourism waves.

You’ll also:

• Try roasting Lombok coffee beans over firewood

• Learn how locals use bamboo and banana leaves in farming and cooking

• Option to participate in a quick bamboo weaving session

🌾 02:30 PM – Rice Terrace Walk & Seasonal Harvest

Take a short trek around Tetebatu’s picturesque rice terraces, guided by local youth who will explain:

• Rice harvesting cycles

• Local flora and fauna (look out for black monkeys!)

• Medicinal plants and their uses

If you’re lucky and it’s harvest season, you’ll be invited to help gather some crops—be it rice, cassava, or beans.

🎁 04:00 PM – Farmer Certificate & Farewell Snack

Back at the village hall, you’ll receive a small souvenir and a fun “Honorary Farmer of Tetebatu” certificate, handmade on traditional woven paper.

Before you go, savor a snack of sticky rice with coconut and palm sugar (klepon) as you reflect on your day.

🛵 05:00 PM – Departure

Time to return to your hotel or continue your journey. You’ll leave with muddy feet, a full belly, and a full heart.

Rate per Person (Minimum 2 persons)

Rp. 700.000 / person

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• English-speaking local guide

• Water buffalo plowing session

• Farming tools & boots

• Cooking experience & lunch

• All entrance fees and donations

• Local souvenir and participation certificate

• Filtered water and herbal drinks

• Insurance coverage

Optional Add-ons:

• Pick-up & drop-off from Hotel or Homestay in Tete Batu Area

• Drone videography of your plowing session

• Traditional music welcome (extra fee for group tours)

Why This Tour Makes a Difference

You’re not just learning. You’re empowering.

Each booking supports:

• Local farmers and youth guides

• Traditional knowledge preservation

• Eco-tourism initiatives in Tetebatu

• Sustainable rice farming education

By joining this tour, you directly help preserve Lombok’s farming heritage for future generations.

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

• Eco-tourists looking for green experiences

• Families with kids (aged 8+) eager to learn where food comes from

• Travel vloggers or writers looking for unique content

• Cultural explorers interested in authentic rural life

• School or university field trips focusing on sustainability

WHAT TO BRING

• Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting muddy

• Sunscreen and hat

• Change of clothes (you’ll want it after plowing!)

• Reusable water bottle

• Camera or phone for capturing moments

• Curiosity and open mind!

BOOK NOW: LIMITED SLOTS PER DAY!

To keep the experience intimate and meaningful, we limit each session to a maximum of 6 participants.

👉 Reserve Your Spot: tetebatutour.com

📞 WhatsApp: Mr. Ibrahim

📞 WhatsApp: Mr. Ukenk

Let the Land Teach You

Travel isn’t always about ticking off places. Sometimes, the most powerful journeys are the ones that slow you down, ground you in something real, and remind you where everything begins—the earth beneath your feet.

Come learn to plow like the Sasak ancestors. Embrace the mud. Feel the strength of the buffalo. Taste the soul of the land.

Join the “Learn Traditional Plowing in Lombok” tour and become a part of the island’s living heritage—with Lombok Heritage.