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Crafts & Textiles

Gringsing, Tenganan's Double Ikat

Tenganan Pegringsingan, Bali

Photo: Los Angeles County Museum of Art · Public domain

Duration
1 day
Group size
Max. 8 people
Category
Crafts & Textiles
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for almost everyone; plenty of stops and light walking.
Language
Indonesian, English

About this journey

Learn about gringsing, a naturally dyed double-ikat cloth made in only a handful of places in the world.

In gringsing, both the warp and the weft are tied and dyed before weaving, so the motif only appears whole when the two sets of threads meet. The dyes come from natural materials, and a single cloth can take years. With local weavers, you see the stages of making it and hear about the motifs and the cloth's role in life-cycle ceremonies, from hair cutting and tooth filing to weddings and death rites. We do not offer gringsing weaving classes; this tour is a chance to learn and appreciate, not to try.

Hosted by the local community in Tenganan Pegringsingan

What you'll experience

  • Double ikat up close
  • Natural dyes and how long it takes
  • Gringsing's role in ceremonies
  • Small group of eight at most

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Threads, dyes and meaning

    09:00 meet in the village, visit weavers and see the tying and dyeing stages, 12:30 lunch, afternoon conversation about the motifs, ending around 15:00.

What's included

  • Local guide
  • Contribution to weavers and the village
  • Lunch
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Transport from your hotel to the meeting point
  • Crafts you buy in the village
  • Tips for guides and hosts (optional)
  • Travel insurance

Before you go

Practical notes so your trip is comfortable and your hosts feel respected.

What to bring

  • Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
  • Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Small-denomination cash for crafts or donations

Local etiquette

  • Gringsing cloth carries sacred meaning for residents: touch it only when invited.
  • Ask before touching textiles, looms or work in progress.
  • Don't enter compounds or houses unless invited; follow your guide.
  • Ask before photographing people, homes or ceremonies.

Getting there

About 1.5–2 hours by road from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, near Candidasa in Karangasem.

Meeting point

Area parkir Desa Tenganan Pegringsingan, Karangasem

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FromIDR 950,000 / person

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