Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village Tour

Bali packs a lot into one long day. This 10-hour private tour links Ubud’s temples, rice terraces, monkey forest, craft village, and Kintamani’s Mt. Batur view without asking you to handle Bali’s narrow, winding roads yourself. I especially like the included Indonesian buffet lunch and the chance to see Tirta Empul, a working holy-water temple rather than just another photo stop. The traditional Barong and Keris dance adds useful cultural context, too.

I also like the flexibility of a private car, English-speaking driver, and hotel pickup from most south Bali and Ubud hotels. Past guests repeatedly praised individual drivers, including Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, and Oka, with safe driving, clear explanations, patience, and help taking photos coming up often. The main drawback is the schedule: seven stops in about ten hours can feel full, and Celuk is primarily a shopping visit, so you should be ready for a busy day.

Key details before you book

• Seven major stops in one day: You visit a dance performance, monkey sanctuary, rice terraces, Kintamani, a volcano-view restaurant, Tirta Empul, and Celuk Village.
• Private transport matters here: Your driver handles the route, fuel, and parking while you watch Bali pass by from an air-conditioned car.
• Lunch comes with a Mt. Batur view: The buffet includes Indonesian specialties, water, and vegetarian food on request.
• Tirta Empul is the cultural centerpiece: This sacred spring temple gives the day more meaning than a simple scenic tour.
• Celuk is for gold and silver shopping: It suits you if you enjoy craft workshops and browsing, but it may feel less important if you do not plan to buy anything.
• The tour is highly rated: It has a 5 out of 5 rating from 183 reviews and a 99 percent recommendation rate.

Why this route works for a first Bali day

Bali’s central highlands are easy to reach on a map and less easy to navigate in practice. Roads can be narrow, winding, and slow, and public transport does not connect these sights in a simple way. A private driver turns the day into a practical sightseeing loop.

The route also gives you several different views of Balinese life. You begin with performance and mythology, then move through a forest temple, farming country, mountain scenery, a sacred spring, and a craft village. That mix is more useful than spending the whole day at one viewpoint.

Still, do not expect a slow, quiet day. The itinerary has seven stops, and each listed visit lasts about 30 minutes to one hour. If you want long walks through Ubud or extended time at the rice terraces, you may need to ask your driver how to adjust the order or shorten a stop.

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. Pickup is offered from most hotels in south Bali and Ubud. The tour is private, so only your own group participates, and the driver can respond to your pace more easily than a large coach tour.

Starting with Barong and Keris in Sila Culture

The first stop is a one-hour Barong and Keris dance performance. This traditional Balinese story presents a struggle between good and evil, with Barong appearing as a major mythological figure in Bali.

This is a smart opening because it gives you a bit of cultural vocabulary before you visit the temples. The dance is also known as a trance dance, and the performance style can be dramatic, humorous, and symbolic rather than easy to follow in a literal way. The program includes admission.

I would treat this as a cultural introduction, not a complete explanation of Balinese religion. Your driver may add context, and the past praise for guides such as Arsa and Dirga suggests that the quality of interpretation can make a real difference. Dirga was specifically praised for explaining local customs and traditions in detail.

One hour among monkeys and temple courtyards

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud is a nature reserve and temple complex. Its formal name is the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, but most people simply call it Ubud Monkey Forest.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a taste of the forest paths, temple setting, and resident macaques, but it is not an open-ended visit. The attraction works because it combines natural shade, stone temple architecture, and animal life in one compact stop.

Keep your attention on your belongings around the monkeys. The supplied tour information does not promise a specific animal-handling briefing, so listen carefully to your driver or local staff and follow posted rules. The forest is not just a monkey photo stop. Its temple setting is part of what makes it meaningful, so give yourself time to notice the carvings and courtyards instead of focusing only on the animals.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the limits of one hour

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of the most recognizable farming views near Ubud. The stepped fields show how agriculture follows the slopes, and the changing greens make this a strong photography stop.

The tour allows one hour. That is enough to look out over the terraces and take photographs, but your time may feel short if you want a longer walk. Paths can be uneven, and the experience is more about seeing the pattern of the fields than covering a large area.

I like this stop because it breaks up the temple visits with a clear view of rural Bali. The practical tradeoff is that popular viewpoints and nearby craft or shopping areas can make the stop feel commercial at times. The tour description does not include a special trek, so do not book it expecting a long guided hike through the paddies.

Kintamani’s cool air and Mt. Batur views

Kintamani sits at about 1,500 meters, giving this part of the day a cooler feel than Bali’s southern coast. The itinerary allows 30 minutes at Kintamani Highland, followed by an hour for lunch at The Amora Bali.

The highland stop is mainly about the setting. You can expect views toward Mt. Batur and the surrounding valley, though visibility is naturally important for any volcano viewpoint. The route description promises the mountain view, but it does not guarantee clear weather, so keep your expectations sensible.

The cooler air is a welcome change after the lower, warmer parts of Bali. It also makes Kintamani feel distinct from Ubud. Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to cooler temperatures, although the tour information does not specify a dress requirement for this stop.

Lunch at The Amora Bali with Indonesian dishes

Lunch is included in the price and takes place at The Amora Bali in Kintamani. The buffet serves Indonesian specialties, includes water, and offers vegetarian food on request.

This is one of the tour’s strongest value points. A long private driving day can become expensive once you add a meal, drinks, fuel, entrance tickets, and transport. Here, lunch and one bottle of mineral water per person are already covered.

The real attraction is the view while you eat. The restaurant looks toward Mt. Batur and the valley below, so lunch is not merely a break between stops. Past guests specifically praised the combination of Indonesian food and the volcano view.

The buffet format also suits mixed groups. You can sample several dishes without committing to one unfamiliar plate. Personal expenses are not included, so plan to pay separately for anything beyond the listed inclusions.

Tirta Empul, Bali’s holy spring temple

Tirta Empul Temple in Tampak Siring is the most important cultural stop on the route for many people. Balinese worshippers have visited its holy springs for more than a thousand years, using the water for purification.

That detail changes how you should approach the visit. Tirta Empul is an active place of worship, not simply an old building made for photographs. Walk respectfully, pay attention to temple rules, and let the religious purpose guide your behavior.

The visit lasts about one hour and entrance is included. The tour information does not state that a purification bath or ceremonial participation is included, so do not assume you will take part in the water ritual. You can still learn a great deal by observing the temple layout, spring pools, and devotional activity.

This is also where an English-speaking driver can add real value. Ayu was praised for taking care of practical needs, while Putu Lencong was praised for answering questions about Balinese culture. Those are useful qualities at a sacred site, where a little explanation helps you avoid treating the visit like a quick stop at a viewpoint.

Celuk Village and the shopping question

Celuk Village is known for gold and silver handicrafts. The tour gives you about one hour to browse the craft area and shop for jewelry or other handmade pieces.

This stop will appeal to you if you like seeing how local craft businesses present their work. It can also be a good place to look for a personal keepsake rather than a mass-produced souvenir. Prices are described as low, but you should still compare items and decide what you are comfortable spending.

Celuk is the tour’s clearest commercial stop. If you do not want to shop, one hour may feel long compared with the time given to the rice terraces or Kintamani Highland. On the other hand, the private format means you can discuss your preferences with the driver. The tour includes no shopping purchase, so all jewelry and personal items are extra.

The private car and driver make the difference

The package includes a private car with good air conditioning, an English-speaking driver, petrol, entrance fees, lunch, one bottle of mineral water per person, tax, and service charges. For a full day across central Bali, that is a useful bundle.

The strongest praise centers on the drivers rather than on one single attraction. Teddy was described as friendly, helpful, and professional. Naya was praised for knowing the roads and explaining Bali. Koming received praise for excellent driving skills and a helpful attitude, while Heri was noted for safe, experienced driving and explanations about the volcano.

Another useful detail comes from the guest who said the driver accommodated additional wishes and took many photographs. That does not mean every driver will act as a dedicated photographer, but it shows the benefit of a private day: you can ask for small adjustments instead of following a fixed group schedule.

The experience is listed as a private activity, not a shared coach excursion. That matters for couples, families, and small groups who want to talk freely, pause for photographs, or ask questions along the way. It also means the $65 per-person price becomes more attractive when several people share the vehicle, though the listed price remains per person.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see Bali, but the package covers much of the day’s basic cost. You receive private transport, an English-speaking driver, fuel, admission fees, buffet lunch, water, taxes, and service charges.

The value is strongest if you are staying in south Bali or Ubud and want to see several central attractions in one day. Arranging separate taxis, entrance tickets, meals, and a route through winding highland roads could be less convenient, even if you found a lower headline price.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want one slow visit to Kintamani or a long walk at Tegalalang. You are paying for range and convenience, not for extended time at each location.

The tour is commonly booked about 36 days in advance, which suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if your Bali dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this full-day Bali route?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Ubud and the Kintamani area. It gives you scenery, religion, craft, food, and performance in one organized day.

It is also a good fit for:

• Couples who want a private car rather than a shared bus
• Families who value hotel pickup and a flexible driver
• Small groups looking for a simple way to divide transport costs
• Visitors interested in Balinese culture as well as photographs
• People who prefer included lunch and entrance fees

You should think twice if you dislike shopping stops, prefer independent wandering, or want a quiet mountain day. Seven stops create variety, but they also create movement. The tour is practical and full, not leisurely.

Small practical tips for a better day

Wear comfortable shoes for the forest, rice terraces, and temple grounds. The provided information does not specify a dress code, but Tirta Empul is a sacred temple, so respectful clothing is the sensible choice.

Tell the operator about vegetarian needs before lunch, since vegetarian food is available on request. Carry some money for personal expenses, especially if Celuk’s jewelry catches your eye.

Ask your driver about the day’s timing if photography matters to you. You have roughly one hour at the Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, and Celuk, but only 30 minutes at Kintamani Highland. A private tour offers some room for conversation, though the full route still has limits.

Should you book the Kintamani and Ubud tour?

Book it if you want to see many of Bali’s central highlights without arranging transport yourself. The strongest reasons are the private driver, included admissions, Indonesian buffet lunch, Mt. Batur view, and the chance to visit Tirta Empul with cultural guidance.

I would be especially comfortable booking it for a first Bali visit, a family group, or anyone who values safe driving and a driver who can explain local customs. The consistently high rating, 99 percent recommendation rate, and repeated praise for drivers such as Teddy, Ayu, Heri, Naya, and Putu Lencong support that choice.

Skip it if your ideal day involves lingering at one place, avoiding craft shopping, or exploring Ubud at a slow pace. For everyone else, $65 buys a busy but useful introduction to the Ubud and Kintamani area, with enough variety to make the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Kintamani and Ubud tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours and begins at 8:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private driver pickup and drop-off are offered at most hotels in south Bali and Ubud.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a private air-conditioned car, an English-speaking driver, petrol, entrance fees, an Indonesian buffet lunch, one bottle of mineral water per person, tax, and service charges.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available on request at lunch.

Which attractions are visited?

The route includes a Barong and Keris dance performance, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland, lunch at The Amora Bali, Tirta Empul Temple, and Celuk Village.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.