Nyambu Ecotourism Village, Tabanan: Rice-Field Treks, Subak and Old Temples with Village Guides

About 20–30 minutes' drive from Tanah Lot, Nyambu village in the Kediri district of Tabanan offers a slower-moving Bali. It was inaugurated as an ecological tourism village in 2016, and to this day more than half its land remains rice fields fed by the subak irrigation system, with old temples and shrines scattered between the paddies. It is not run by a big operator but by a community ecotourism group — many of them village women — who serve as guides, cooks and hosts.

Trekking & Cycling Routes

• Rice-field walk: an easy 1–2 hour stroll along paddy bunds, subak channels and footpaths between hamlets.
• Cultural walk: stops at old temples, stories of the village's history, and a lesson in making canang offerings with residents.
• Cycling route: a gentle ride on mostly flat village lanes — the most comfortable option for families.
• The full-day package (about 4–5 hours) usually adds a traditional snack workshop and a home-cooked lunch.

What You Will See

• A working subak: the water gates, and an explanation of how water is shared fairly between farmers under a centuries-old system.
• Old village temples and shrines standing amid the rice fields, almost never on the usual tourist lists.
• Household gardens — coconut, banana and spice plants that go straight into the cooking pot.
• An atmosphere deliberately protected: visitor numbers are capped so the village keeps its own face.

Best Time & What to Bring

• Tours usually start at 09:00 or 10:00, while the air is still cool and villagers are out in the fields.
• The paddies are greenest a few weeks after planting; the run-up to harvest is atmospheric too.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and shoes you don't mind getting muddy. A sarong or sash helps at temple grounds.
• Village homestays start from around Rp180,000 per night if you want to linger.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: View on Google Maps — roughly 20–30 minutes from Tanah Lot, 15–20 minutes from Tabanan town and 45–60 minutes from Canggu.
• Booking: reserve at least 2–3 days ahead through the village tourism managers / BUMDes Nyambu — the official profile is on Jadesta Kemenpar — or via the Village Ecotourism Network (JED). Unguided drop-ins are not accommodated.
• Price range: local packages start at around Rp350,000–400,000 per person (guide, bicycle hire, welcome drink, lunch). Through JED, the 1–2 hour walking activity starts around USD 35 and the 4–5 hour day experience around USD 85 per person, minimum two guests, including pickup from the Canggu, Ubud, Sanur and Kuta areas.
• Social: search on Instagram

If you want Nyambu as a quiet interlude between Tanah Lot and Canggu, check the AccessiaPass hotel vouchers for the Tabanan and Canggu areas first to keep your accommodation costs light.