Bali/Batur: Mystical & Burial Rituals Tour with Kehen Temple

Trunyan’s cemetery is unlike any other stop on a Bali sightseeing day: after a cleansing ritual, some deceased villagers are placed in bamboo enclosures beneath a fragrant tree rather than cremated or buried. Bayung Gede has its own striking custom, with newborn placentas placed beneath trees outside the village.

I like this tour for two reasons: a guide can explain the beliefs behind what you see, and the route visits communities and sacred sites far from Bali’s usual beach-and-temple circuit. The main consideration is that Trunyan involves a boat ride and a real burial site, which may feel unsettling; check the boat fee for your ticket option before you book.

• Trunyan’s cemetery: Reach the village by boat and learn about its distinctive burial customs.
• Bayung Gede’s placenta trees: See a local tradition rarely found elsewhere in Indonesia.
• Kehen Temple’s stairway: Visit an important temple on the slope of Bukit Bangli.
• A guide-led cultural day: Guides such as Raka, Kar and Suker explain customs, history and spiritual beliefs.
• Plan for add-on costs: Lunch is not included, and the boat fare may be separate.
• Eight hours on the road: Air-conditioned transport connects the villages and temple, with pickup available.

A different side of Bali, beyond the beach circuit

This eight-hour tour takes you into Bali’s highland communities to explore customs that are not part of the island’s standard temple-and-waterfall day. The focus is on Bali Aga traditions, the beliefs and practices of communities with a distinct cultural identity, and on how local people understand the seen world, or sekala, alongside the unseen, or niskala.

The day is built around three very different stops. Trunyan brings you face to face with a burial practice that can challenge assumptions about death and mourning. Bayung Gede offers a quieter look at a village custom connected with birth. Kehen Temple closes the cultural route with striking architecture and a sacred setting.

I’d choose this tour if you want context, not just photo stops. The guide is central to that experience. Names mentioned by visitors include Raka, Kar, Suker, Yogi and Karba John, but you should not expect a particular guide unless the operator confirms it. The best guides explain what a ritual means, answer questions with care and help you understand where to stand and what to photograph.

The drive sets up the day

Pickup is available from your accommodation, and the tour uses a comfortable, air-conditioned car. The drive toward the Batur area is part of the experience, not simply time between attractions: the route offers views of the volcano and gives your guide room to introduce Balinese customs and local beliefs before you arrive.

That conversation matters. A cemetery can be startling if you arrive without knowing what you are seeing. A guide who explains the customs first can help you approach the site with respect and decide how much time you want to spend there. Many guides are praised for sharing stories and explanations that go beyond a quick description of the place.

The tour is listed in English and Korean. Pickup is optional, and the schedule depends on available starting times. If you are adding stops such as a coffee tasting, rafting or a hot springs visit, ask about timing. One visitor specifically advised starting earlier than 10 a.m. when adding extras, because traffic around Ubud can build in the evening.

Trunyan’s cemetery: a visit that asks for respect

The first major stop is Trunyan, an ancient village on the shore of Lake Batur. You reach it by boat, making the crossing part of the day. Weather can affect the ride, and safety adjustments may be needed, so this is not a stop to treat like a guaranteed, weather-proof museum visit.

The cemetery is known for a burial custom that differs from the cremation practices many people associate with Bali. After a cleansing ritual, the bodies of married people are placed in bamboo cages, locally called ancak saji, beneath the Taru Menyan tree. The name means fragrant tree, and local belief links its scent with the way the area’s odour is neutralized. The name Trunyan is also derived from the tree.

This is a genuine burial site, not a staged display. Some visitors find it fascinating; others may feel uneasy or prefer not to stay long. Both reactions are reasonable. You can listen, observe from an appropriate distance and follow your guide’s directions without treating the site as a spectacle.

Photography may be restricted in sacred areas, so ask before taking pictures. Do not touch ceremonial items or enter restricted spaces. The village is a home as well as a cultural site, and the people who live there deserve more than a camera pointed at them.

There is an important cost detail to settle before departure. The boat charter is IDR 600,000 per boat and can carry up to five people. If your chosen option includes entry tickets, the boat ticket is listed as included; if you choose an option without entry tickets, the boat is not included. Confirm which option you have. For a solo visitor or a couple, a per-boat fee can feel steep if you must cover it alone.

Access can also vary. A visitor was told that Trunyan was not open to tourists on the day of their tour. That does not establish a regular closure, but it is a good reason to check current access before you book or travel. Weather and local conditions may affect the visit.

Bayung Gede and the hanging placenta trees

Bayung Gede is presented as one of Bali’s oldest villages and, according to local belief, the parent of other ancient villages on the island. Its unusual custom concerns birth rather than death. Newborn placentas are placed beneath hanging trees outside the village rather than buried in the usual way.

The stop gives the tour a useful counterpoint to Trunyan. One site shows how a community handles death; the other shows how it marks a birth. Together, they make clear that local customs are not simply curiosities. They are part of how a community understands life, family and the relationship between the visible and invisible worlds.

The site is culturally sensitive, so follow the same basic rules you would at Trunyan: ask before taking photos, keep to permitted areas and do not handle anything. The visit may be brief, but a thoughtful guide can give it meaning. Some visitors have also had a chance to speak with local residents, though that should not be assumed as a guaranteed part of every tour.

Kehen Temple’s stone stairway and old banyan tree

Kehen Temple, on the slope of Bukit Bangli, is the final major cultural stop. It is an important Hindu temple and is regarded as the mother temple of Bangli. The climb up its famous steps is one of the day’s visual highlights, with the stairway often described as a path to heaven.

Inside the temple grounds, look for the old banyan tree and the distinctive wooden bell hanging from it. These details give the visit a different feel from the cemetery stops: here, architecture and sacred space come to the fore. A good guide can explain the temple’s significance and help you understand the symbols and customs you encounter.

Dress modestly for both village and temple visits, with shoulders and knees covered. Bring comfortable shoes, since the tour involves uneven paths as well as the temple steps. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The guide is the difference between a stop and a story

The most valuable part of this itinerary is often the person explaining it. Guides such as Raka, Kar, Suker, Karba John and Yogi are among the names associated with the tour, but assignments vary. Visitors have described guides who explain Balinese Hindu traditions, answer questions patiently and handle sensitive subjects like burial customs with care.

Some tours use a separate driver and guide, leaving the guide free to focus on conversation during the drive. Others may have one person handling both roles. Either way, you can make the day better by asking questions and being clear about your interests. If you want more time at a particular site, or prefer a quieter lunch stop, say so early and ask what is possible.

The experience can also be personalized with optional extras. Choices may include a buffet lunch, Polaroid photos, a traditional massage, Luwak coffee tasting, jungle swings, rafting, ATV riding, a hot springs visit, coffee tasting or a German-speaking guide. Not every add-on is available with every tour option, and extras can affect the day’s timing. Check the details before paying rather than assuming an activity is included.

One practical caution: lunch is not included. A guide may help you find a place to eat, and some visitors have had good local meals, but the stop can vary. If you want to avoid an expensive tourist-oriented restaurant, mention your preference clearly. Bring cash too, since local villages generally do not accept cards.

Is $35 good value for this day?

At $35 per person, the base price is appealing for an eight-hour outing with accommodation pickup and drop-off, a guide, mineral water and air-conditioned transport. Entrance fees and the boat ticket are included only if you select the relevant option, so compare the package details rather than relying on the headline price.

The boat charge deserves special attention. At IDR 600,000 per boat for up to five people, it can be reasonable when shared by a full group, but much less attractive for one or two people if it is not included in the selected option. Lunch and add-ons also increase the total.

What you are paying for is not just transport between places. The guide’s explanations are a large part of the value, especially at sites where customs may be unfamiliar or emotionally difficult. If you want a scenic drive and a few quick photos, this may be more than you need. If you want to understand why these traditions matter, the day offers good value, provided you confirm the boat and entrance arrangements.

Who should book this tour?

This is a strong choice for anyone curious about Balinese spiritual life, village traditions and customs beyond the familiar tourist route. It also suits people who have already seen Bali’s better-known temples and want a more unusual day around Batur. The route is educational rather than physically demanding in the way a long hike is, but it still includes uneven paths, temple steps and a boat crossing.

Think carefully if you are uncomfortable around human remains or ritual death practices. The Trunyan visit includes a real burial site, and it is fine to decide that this is not the right experience for you. Pregnant people, wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments are listed as not suitable for the tour.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms offer flexibility, but the more important booking step is checking which ticket option includes the boat and confirming that Trunyan is open to visitors.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Available starting times depend on the date you choose.

What places does the tour visit?

The main stops are Trunyan Village and its cemetery, Bayung Gede and its placenta trees, and Kehen Temple.

Is the boat to Trunyan included?

It depends on the option you book. The boat ticket is included with options that include entry tickets. Otherwise, the boat is not included, and a charter costs IDR 600,000 per boat for up to five people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A buffet lunch may be available as an add-on.

What languages are available for the guide?

The tour lists live guides in English and Korean. A German-speaking guide may be available as an add-on for some options.

What should I wear?

Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting villages and temples. Comfortable shoes are useful for uneven paths and temple steps.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues and is not suitable for wheelchair users. It also involves a boat ride and uneven paths.

Can I take photographs at the cemetery and village sites?

Photography may be restricted in sacred areas. Ask your guide before taking pictures, and respect any local instructions.