Lighting up the sky — a firefly experience

Decades ago, most visitors to Bali would witness quite a spectacle at dusk, when thousands of fireflies would light up the skies above the rice fields. Unfortunately, development and pesticides have decimated their numbers over the years. Luckily, one local farmer has made it his life’s mission to save these wonderful creatures.

This afternoon, you’ll journey to a family farm outside of Taro Village to meet Pak Wayan. You’ll be given a welcome drink and snack to enjoy while Wayan tells the story of why fireflies hold such a special place in his heart. You’ll also learn about the steps he has taken over the years to rehabilitate the local firefly population. He’ll then take you for a short tour of the farm, where you’ll find a variety of fruit trees, including coffee, jackfruit, palm and pineapple trees, as well as many local varieties of plants and their multiple uses. You’ll also stop by his laboratory, where his small team operates their firefly breeding programme.

Returning to the main pavilion, you’ll meet some of Pak Wayan’s family as they walk you through a short cooking demonstration before sitting down to an authentic Balinese dinner. If you like the dishes, feel free to ask the family for the recipes, so you can impress your family and friends back home with your new Balinese cooking skills.

As night falls, you’ll head out to the rice fields to see the real show. As the darkness envelops us, the rice paddies come alive with the soft, pulsating glow of countless fireflies, painting a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Guided by Pak Wayan, you'll witness the thriving and protected environment he's nurtured.

Please note that fireflies are a natural phenomenon and may not always be visible. Rainy nights and full moons will reduce the chances of seeing them in the wild. However, even on these nights, they can be observed in the laboratory.