Top 3 Bali Tours with Sustainability Efforts for Your Vacation

There are so many Bali tours to choose from, ranging from nature trips to interactions with local communities. However, some people may confuse ecotourism with nature-based tourism when they are planning to visit a tourism destination. 

Although they appear similar, there’s a significant difference. Nature-based tourism is a broad term that describes tourist activities in nature, whereas ecotourism focuses on the sustainable aspects like minimizing  personal footprints on the environment while giving more to nature and local communities.

If you want to visit Bali to enjoy their eco-tourism destinations, here are the top 3 Bali tours that you should check out.

Jatiluwih

This village, which is listed as one of the UNESCO Cultural Landscapes, is most notable for its breathtaking rice fields. Achieving this status wasn’t easy- the local community has to  promote sustainable organic farming of native rice varieties, while creating a management office to help attract tourists to Jatiluwih. This includes overseeing  Bali day tours, and making sure they are sustainable.  

The tours within the village aren’t  just sustainable but fun too with activities such as ATV rides into Wahyu Jungle, or even camping in the rice terraces. If you don’t know what to do in Bali, the village offers exhilarating or peaceful tours for you to choose from. 

To maintain its status as an ecotourism destination, travelers must follow a number of rules on their Bali day tours:

• No motorbikes or vehicles on trekking paths,
• No picking rice, fruits, or plants,
• No disrespectful behaviour (e.g. public urination, entering sacred sites, or harassment).

You can learn more about Jatiluwih by visiting their website, which includes a track flow map to help you make the most of your time there. You’re encouraged to skip cafes or restaurants that don’t align with eco-friendly goals.

Ecobalitours

For a guided experience, Ecobalitours can help you with several packages that highlight ecotourism values.  Their Ubud and Tegalalang tour includes stops at the Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and handicraft markets. 

The Monkey forest in Ubud is a sacred site believed to be protected by guardian spirits. Since the 14th century, it’s remained a natural sanctuary for monkeys roaming across 12.5 hectares of conserved land. 

Ecobalitours also supports the local economy by including visits to the Ubud Art Market, where you can buy locally made items such as woven bags and hand-carved statues. The tour ends with the serene Tegalalang rice terrace, offering a powerful connection to nature. 

By choosing Ecobalitours, you’ll experience the heart of Bali’s environment while contributing positively to communities that protect it. 

JED (Jaringan Ekowisata Desa)

JED or village ecotourism network as translated, is a collaboration between four villages: Kiadan Pelaga, Tenganan Pegringsingan, Dukuh Sibetan, and Ceningan Island. Together, they work to protect the local community, culture, and environment-  making JED one of the most authentic Bali Tours with sustainability at its core.

One highlight is their turtle conservation program, where you can even ‘adopt’ a turtle.  Your contribution directly funds conservation efforts.  You can join farmers in Kiadan Pelaga to learn how to make organic coffee a hands-on, peaceful experience surrounded by nature. 

Not sure what to do in Bali that’s going to create a difference? JED offers customisable itineraries based on your preferences, and every village shares the same sustainability commitment. They have created the system and infrastructure to support sustainability programs in everyday life, such as installing solar panels, converting manure into gas, and transforming household waste into compost. 
 

In addition to looking for eco-friendly activities in Bali, you should also travel with sustainability in mind. That means you should consider using reusable items such as water bottles, bags, food containers and utensils, and personal care. 

Most importantly choose eco-conscious hotels and tour providers that align with your values. Click here for the best eco-friendly hotels in Bali. With mindful travel habits, you can help make sustainable tourism in Bali a reality- leaving a positive impact on both the place and its people.

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