Bali: Discover The Culturally Secluded Bali Aga Villages of Trunyan

We will begin our tour by visiting the largest temple, Mother Temple Besakih, also known as one of Bali’s Six Sanctuaries according to Balinese tradition. Besakih is a sprawling complex consisting of 23 separate yet interconnected temples. It holds the distinction of being the first temple ever built in Bali and the primary site of the Six Sanctuaries. Situated on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest mountain, Besakih was established by Bali’s first priest in the 8th century and has been a place of continuous Hindu worship since 1284. By the 15th century, Besakih became the state temple of the influential Gelgel Dynasty.

Following our visit to Besakih, we will explore one of the Bali Aga villages, namely Trunyan. Originally an uninhabited island, Bali began to see settlement from the 8th century, marked by the establishment of Besakih Temple. The priest who founded Besakih and his followers have maintained their distinct identity amidst subsequent waves of Javanese migration in the 11th, 15th, and 17th centuries. Known as the Bali Aga or Balinese mountain people, these ancient residents reside in tranquil villages like Trunyan near Lake Batur, where they uphold unique customs such as leaving the deceased lying on the ground instead of burying them.

Next, we will visit a coffee plantation, observing the process from harvesting Arabica and Robusta coffee seeds to grinding them into fine powder for your enjoyment of coffee and tea. Finally, we will conclude our tour with lunch overlooking the picturesque rice terraces of Tegalalang. Afterward, we will return you to your original departure point.