Alas Harum Bali

Shannon
Sep 23
3 min read

Balancing Tradition and Tourism

Alas Harum, a major Instagram attraction in Bali’s Tegallalang valley, combines spectacle with tradition across its sculpted hillside terraces. Established in 2014 as a coffee plantation, it has expanded into a site where rice, coffee and cacao are cultivated alongside pathways, skywalks, swings and rope bridges that draw visitors for panoramic views. The terraces descend in precise, undulating steps, framed by coconut palms, statues and native plants, while farmers still tend their plots according to age old rhythms. Even the name carries meaning, “Alas” for forest and “Harum” for fragrance, anchoring this modern agrotourism site in the cultural and natural heritage of the region.

Statues of large and small luwak animals in a park setting with dense greenery. "ALAS HARUM" in gold letters is displayed prominently.

The terraces are maintained under the ancient Subak system, Bali’s cooperative irrigation method. Each farmer’s plot is part of a larger network of channels, weirs and water-sharing agreements, coordinated through community meetings and temple rituals. Water is distributed equitably, terraces are planted in harmony and the ecosystem remains balanced. Walking along the terraces, visitors can see the channels carefully carved to allow water to descend gradually, feeding every plot while preventing erosion, a subtle but precise art passed down through generations.

Green hillside sculpture of a monkey face with a wide mouth, surrounded by tropical plants and palm trees. "Alas Harum Bali" sign above.

Dewi Sri, the Balinese Goddess of rice and fertility, lies at the heart of the Subak system, her presence honoured through offerings and rituals that safeguard the terraces. Water temples scattered along the slopes serve as focal points for this devotion, where villagers place flowers, rice and incense to secure her blessings for abundance and protection. These ceremonies not only acknowledge the spiritual guardianship of Dewi Sri but also reinforce the cooperative irrigation practices that keep the terraces thriving. In this way, spiritual belief and practical engineering remain inseparable, making Alas Harum both productive farmland and a living shrine to the harmony between humans, nature and the divine.

Lush green terraced landscape with gold statues, a flowing stream, rope bridge, and tropical plants. A serene and vibrant garden scene.

Alas Harum has embraced agrotourism, designing much of its layout with the Instagram generation in mind. Giant swings, rope bridges, bird’s-nest lookouts and skywalks are positioned to capture sweeping shots of the valley, drawing crowds who come as much for the photos as for the view. Alongside these staged attractions, demonstration plots of coffee and cacao, highlight the wider agricultural heritage of the region, with guides explaining each step from planting to harvest. Despite the emphasis on spectacle, the terraces remain active farmland and farmers continue to work alongside the steady flow of visitors. This balance underscores that the site, while catering to tourism, still functions as a productive landscape sustaining local communities.

A person in a flowing yellow dress swings over lush terraced rice fields, palm trees, with "ALAS HARUM" sign in the background. Mood: adventurous.

Tourism brings modern pressures to Alas Harum’s fragile landscape. Heavy foot traffic and poorly planned construction risk blocking irrigation channels or undermining ceremonies tied to the water temples, problems highlighted during the 2025 Bali floods when drainage systems were pushed to their limits. To counter this, local communities are enforcing rules that safeguard channels, sacred trees and planting schedules, ensuring farming can continue alongside visitor activity. The site now balances multiple identities at once, productive farmland, ritual ground and tourist draw. Its survival depends on locals and visitors respecting those boundaries rather than overwhelming them.

Vibrant terraced rice fields with palm trees in Bali. Lush greenery, statue figures and a pathway. Sign reads "ALAS HARUM BALI."

🗺️ Location

Jalan Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia

🚆 How to get there

The entrance to Alas Harum is in the Tegallalang area, roughly 7 km's north of Ubud Palace. You could walk there in about 1.5 hours but a 20 minute Go-Jek or Grab scooter ride costs around 50,000 IDR and is much more convenient. Returning to Ubud can be a bit tricky, as some drivers may be reluctant to go that far, so it’s best to ask your initial driver to wait for you or coordinate a return ride using a Go-Jek or Grab near the entrance. There are plenty of attractions in the area, like Gunung Kawi Sebatu or Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, so I would suggest organising a driver for a full day. This will cost anywhere between 300,000 - 650,000 IDR, depending on your mode of transport.

⭐ Attraction Info

Alas Harum Bali is open daily between 7am - 7pm and is directly connected to the Cretya Jungle Club in Tegallalang. Entry costs 50,000 IDR, giving basic access to the rice terraces and photo areas, while optional extras like giant swings, sky bikes and ziplines can be purchased separately. Visitors can also join coffee tours that include tastings of Bali’s famous Luwak coffee and dine at Cretya overlooking the valley. For the most up to date pricing and activity details, it’s best to consult the official website below.