Muncan Village, Karangasem: Terraced Rice Fields, Telabah Lantang & Purification Rituals below Mount Agung

On the road between Sidemen and Besakih, Muncan village in Selat district, Karangasem, shows East Bali at its most unpretentious: terraced rice fields on the southern slopes of Mount Agung, irrigation water gurgling beside the road and hardly any tour buses. It makes an easy stop before or after Pura Besakih, or a morning scooter loop from Sidemen.

Telabah Lantang: The Most Photogenic Irrigation Canal

Telabah means rice-field irrigation canal and lantang means long. In Banjar Yang Api, a clear, cold canal runs parallel to the village road, with a large “TELABAH LANTANG DESA MUNCAN” sign in Latin and Balinese script and rice fields stretching towards the peak of Mount Agung. In the mornings, locals use this road for jogging.

• From Sangkan Gunung village (Sidemen), head straight north towards Besakih; the spot is on the right-hand side of the road.
• Free—park on a safe road shoulder without blocking traffic.
• Greenest during the rice-planting season.
• The canal water is used for irrigation: don’t litter or use soap.

Terraced Paddies & Subak Life

Along Jalan Raya Muncan, the paddies are watered by the subak system, whose channels flow right beside the road. Riding slowly past them, you’ll see farmers planting or harvesting against a volcanic backdrop. Stay on the road or clearly visible dikes, and ask permission before stepping into a field.

Melukat at Tirta Sah

Muncan’s customary village has also developed purification (pengelukatan) tourism at Pura Tirta Kelebut Toya Sah Telaga Dwaja in Banjar Dinas Susut. Its water is used as holy water for ceremonies across Selat district and is believed to cleanse body and mind.

• The temple priest and helpers are usually on hand from morning to afternoon.
• Bring a banten pejati offering and an ivory coconut, or simply a canang sari; wear a sarong and sash.
• On Purnama (full moon), Tilem (new moon) and Banyu Pinaruh it can get very crowded—choose an ordinary day for a quiet visit.

Best Time & Route

Come between 06:00 and 08:00, when the air is cool, the light soft and Mount Agung usually still clear. Muncan is about 10 km (±20–25 minutes) from both Sidemen and Pura Besakih, ±26 km from Amlapura and ±45 km (about 1.5 hours) from Ubud. The road is fairly smooth but climbs and winds; the nearby Telaga Waja River is also popular for white-water rafting.

Practical Info & Reservations

• Location: Banjar Yang Api, Muncan village, Selat district, Karangasem. View on Google Maps
• Hours & tickets: the village roads and Telabah Lantang can be visited any time, free; at Tirta Sah leave a voluntary donation.
• Reservations: not needed—come by rented scooter or car, or ask your Sidemen hotel driver to add it to a Besakih route.
• Instagram: search on Instagram

Make Muncan a morning stop from your base—compare prices and book Sidemen hotel vouchers on AccessiaPass.