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EtnoJourney
Crafts & Textiles

Kerta Gosa and Kamasan Painting

Klungkung dan Kamasan, Bali

Photo: DayakSibiriak · CC BY-SA 4.0

Duration
1 day
Group size
Max. 10 people
Category
Crafts & Textiles
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for almost everyone; plenty of stops and light walking.
Language
Indonesian, English

About this journey

Read the story of karma on Kerta Gosa's ceilings, then visit Kamasan, home of Bali's classical wayang painting.

The morning starts at Taman Gili, Semarapura. At Kerta Gosa, the Klungkung kingdom's hall of justice, your guide helps you read the Kamasan wayang-style ceiling panels, from Bhima in heaven and hell to the Tantri tales. At Bale Kambang, surrounded by its moat, the ceilings tell the Sutasoma story. In the afternoon we go to Kamasan village to see how wayang-style paintings are made: the sketch, the layered colouring, and figures modelled on shadow puppets. Paintings can be bought directly from the painters.

Hosted by the local community in Klungkung dan Kamasan

What you'll experience

  • Reading Kerta Gosa's ceiling panels
  • Bale Kambang and the Sutasoma story
  • Wayang-style painters in Kamasan
  • Buying directly from the painters

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Ceilings of karma and the painters' village

    09:00 meet at Taman Gili, tour Kerta Gosa and Bale Kambang, 12:00 lunch in Semarapura, 13:30 Kamasan village, ending around 16:00.

What's included

  • Local guide
  • Taman Gili entrance ticket
  • 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
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
  • Small-denomination cash for crafts or donations

Local etiquette

  • Do not touch the painted panels on the ceilings and walls of the historic pavilions.
  • Ask before touching textiles, looms or work in progress.
  • Ask before photographing people, homes or ceremonies.

Getting there

About 1–1.5 hours by road from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport along the east coast road.

Meeting point

Taman Gili Kerta Gosa, Semarapura, Klungkung

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FromIDR 800,000 / person

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