Tetebatu is a town in Central and East Lombok, Indonesia.This small town is about 2km from the southern boundary of Mount Rinjani National Park. It is a quaint and scenic rural area some 400-500 metres above see level, and gives visitors the chance to experience real, traditional village life in Lombok. This is as far removed from drunken beer boy scene in Senggigi as you could possibly imagine The Tetebatu area is perhaps best known for for its cultural attractions. Traditional Sasak handicraft artisans are spread throughout the villages in this area and products include black terracotta and basketry. The nearby town of
Kotaraja is the best known location in Lombok to witness
traditional Sasak stick fighting and the village has a long tradition of producing forged blacksmith tools.
Get In to Tetebatu
Getting to
Tetebatu by public transport is a bit of a saga and can take a very long time. There are buses from the main terminal in Mataram to Pomotong about 12km south of Tetebatu. These are unpredictable but seem to be most regular in the late mornings. From Pomotong you might be able to find a bemo to take you to Kotaraja, and from there a horse cart (
cidomo) for the final 2 km to
Tetebatu.
There are reports of the Perama bus company offering one way transfers from Senggigi to Tetebatu for Rp 60,000 per person, but it is unclear whether this is a charter rate for a group with a minimum number of people, or whether it is a scheduled service. Worth enquiring at their Senggigi office, tel: +62 370 693007.
Easier, and not expensive if there is more than one in your party, is to charter a private car or taxi. From the main tourist destinations in West Lombok, this will cost Rp 300,000-500,000 depending on exactly where you are and your negotiating skills. For the return journey, private cars are available in
Tetebatu for a similar price.
Get Arround
Horse carts (
cidomo) are easily available for short journeys.For longer excursions around the local villages you might be able to figure out the bemo routes (although it is difficult). More likely is that you will find a car and driver for hire in town.Bicycles and motorbikes are available for rent. Expect to pay a daily rate of about Rp 25,000 for a bicycle and Rp 70,000+ or a motorbike. Your hotel will be able to help with this.
What to see..??
- Air Terjun Jukut. These falls are not as spectacular as those in the north of the national park around Senaru, but still very much worth the effort to see. You will need a guide to find Jukut and your hotel will certainly help with this. Expect to pay about Rp 100,000-150,000. The falls are reached via a really pleasant two hour walk from Tetebatu through charming rice paddies. Less recommended is to drive to the main car park, from where the falls are 2km down a well trodden walking track. Local Sasak lore has it that the waters here are a cure for baldness. Rp 20,000.
- Taman Wisata Tetebatu (Tetebatu Monkey Forest). This park is a gentle 4km walk north of the town. Expect lots of macaques and some pleasant enough scenery and waterfalls. Again, ask at your hotel about a guide, and avoid any offers of motorised transport.
- Kotaraja is about 5km south of Tetebatu and is famous for the local form of stick fighting - peresehan. Regular events are held in which young Sasak men ceremonially fight each other with a rattan stick and a buffalo skin shield. Enquire locally in Tetebatu to see if any fights are scheduled.
Source http://wikitravel.org/en/Tetebatu
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