The Astungkara Trail

Service Description

A walking/trekking trail that links together sustainability-oriented farming communities through participating subaks and banjars starting seaside in Tabanan and winding northward through rice paddies and agricultural zones up to Kintamani, then down the deep ravines and forests of north Bali to salt flats and coral reef and mangrove restoration projects near Pemuteran. Run as a social enterprise, the primary goal of the Astungkara Way is to support local farmers to transition to chemical-free farming and achieve self-reliance, food security, and financial sustainability as a community. Profits from the AW support expert consultation and the implementation of regenerative farming methods. Astungkara Way Coast-to-Coast course participants can expect the following: *2-3 hours of trekking daily *Daily interaction with farmers, their family members and local guides/learning facilitators en route *2-3 hours of farm work per day which could include doing real work on building farmers’ shelters with bamboo, and contributing to regenerative farming actions in local farming communities *eating local organically grown food directly from the farm or foraged en route and prepared by/with farming families *participation in Balinese rituals, ceremonies as a welcomed guest *learning and practicing local languages in context *facilitated discussions with experts in regenerative farming methods, Balinese history/culture/spirituality *exposure to, involvement in and inspiration from strong, functional, fully participatory communities *basic accommodation either with homestays in the village or under mosquito nets in basic bamboo shelters in the rice paddies *nature immersion through agricultural or wild terrain with limited exposure to roads and traffic *to go back home with a deeper understanding of sustainability, a changed perspective, empowered with knowledge and experience to initiate or contribute to regenerative actions and projects in the places they call home. *to make a meaningful contribution to local farmers and communities through labour, and by participating in a new model for tourism in Bali that results in sustainable, strong, self-reliant communities rather than concrete hotels built on rice paddies. Pre-book for 2021: 10 pilgrims each for May and June 2021 20 days All food and accommodation included