When is Inner Baduy closed? Kawalu explained, with dates
Updated 23 October 2026
If you plan to visit Inner Baduy early in the year, check whether Kawalu is on. During this period the Inner Baduy villages do not receive tourists. Outer Baduy stays open.
What is Kawalu?
Kawalu is a series of fasting and purification rituals in Baduy custom. For about three months, Inner Baduy residents carry out their customary worship, and their villages (Cibeo, Cikeusik and Cikertawana) are closed to tourists and outsiders. Only people with a special and urgent need may enter, and in very small numbers.
Dates announced so far
| Year | Inner Baduy closure |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 February to 3 May 2025 (per RRI reporting) |
| 2026 | From 20 January 2026, about three months |
| 2027 | Not announced. Our estimate is 2027-01-20 to 2027-04-30, an estimate only |
Dates change each year according to the customary council. One source gives a different 2025 range, so do not rely on the 2027 estimate when buying tickets or booking lodging.
How to check the latest dates
- Ask the tour operator you choose. We update this site as soon as an announcement is made.
- Contact the Lebak Regency Culture and Tourism Office.
- Follow local news at the start of the year.
What if you still want to visit during Kawalu?
Choose Outer Baduy. Lodging and trekking move to Outer Baduy villages such as Kaduketug and around. The experience differs from Inner Baduy, but you still stay in a villager's home and see daily life up close.
After Kawalu
After Kawalu there are further customary ceremonies such as Seba Baduy, when residents bring harvest produce to the regional government. In 2026 Seba Baduy was scheduled for 23–26 April at the Lebak Regent's Pendopo. Inner Baduy welcomes visitors again once the closure ends.