Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours

Bali packs a lot into one road day. This private tour links a Barong dance, two traditional art villages, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Monkey Forest, and the Kintamani highlands with an English-speaking driver at the wheel. I like the freedom of a private car, and I like that petrol, taxes, and entrance fees are included. The catch is time: traffic may limit you to about four destinations, even though the full route lists six.

The tour costs $70 per person and runs for roughly eight to ten hours. I especially like the chance to ask the driver for local advice, a point praised repeatedly in the feedback about Ketut, who is described as punctual, polite, helpful, and flexible. You should also know that food and drinks are not included, and extra time costs 10 percent of the full-day tour price per additional hour.

Key points before you book

• Private transport keeps the day flexible: Only your group joins the activity, with an air-conditioned car or bus and an English-speaking driver.
• Ketut receives strong praise: Several bookings highlight his punctual service, friendly manner, local advice, and willingness to help with wider Bali plans.
• The route mixes culture and scenery: You move from a good-and-evil dance story to metalwork, painting, rice terraces, monkeys, and a volcano view.
• Traffic controls the real schedule: The advertised route includes six stops, but the operator says the day may cover up to four places when roads are slow.
• Kintamani is the big scenic payoff: The highland stop gives you views toward Mount Batur and Lake Batur.
• The $70 price works best for a small group: Included transport, fuel, taxes, and listed admission fees can make this practical when shared by two or more people.

Why a private car makes sense in Bali

Bali sightseeing often involves long drives between sites. A private vehicle matters here because you are not tied to a large group’s pace or forced to wait for strangers at every stop. You can also speak with the driver during the day and ask for help shaping the route around road conditions.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and gasoline is included. That may sound basic, but it keeps the day simpler because you are not negotiating fuel charges or arranging separate rides between Ubud and Kintamani.

The driver is an important part of the experience. The feedback names Ketut Legawa and repeatedly praises his punctuality, professional manner, friendliness, and willingness to offer suggestions. One person also noted that Ketut helped arrange boat tickets and organize a wider Bali schedule. That is useful if you want more than a silent transfer between attractions.

Still, you should treat the route as a flexible plan rather than a guarantee of six full visits. The operator says traffic can reduce the total to about four destinations in a ten-hour day. Bali’s roads can turn a short distance into a long ride, so confirm your priorities with the driver at the start.

Barong and Kris Dance: a 40-minute introduction to Balinese performance

The first stop is a Barong and Kris Dance performance, scheduled for about 40 minutes with admission included. This is one of the clearest cultural introductions on the route because the story presents the struggle between good and evil through dance, movement, costumes, and music.

The Barong is a well-known Balinese figure, and the performance offers more than a photo opportunity. It shows how religious and mythological ideas are expressed through stage action rather than a spoken museum explanation.

I would make this a priority if you are new to Bali or have limited time for cultural performances. Forty minutes is long enough to see a substantial portion without taking over the whole day.

The limitation is that a scheduled performance can make the day less flexible. If traffic delays you early on, you may have less time at later stops. Ask the driver about the timing before setting out, especially if you care more about Kintamani or the Monkey Forest than the dance.

Celuk Village: gold and silver work with a shopping decision

Celuk Village is the planned stop for gold and silver art, with about 30 minutes included. The village is known for local metal crafting, and the visit gives you a look at a specialized Balinese trade rather than another general souvenir market.

This stop may suit you if you enjoy seeing how decorative pieces are made and want to browse jewelry or metal objects. The short visit keeps the subject focused, but it also means you should not expect a long workshop session or an extended craft course.

A practical point: village craft stops can feel partly commercial. That is not automatically a problem, but you should decide in advance how interested you are in buying. If you want to focus on scenery, tell the driver how much time you want to spend here.

For shoppers, the stop can add value because you can see local work in its place of origin. For anyone who dislikes shopping, it may be the easiest part of the route to shorten when traffic is heavy.

Batuan Village: traditional painting and local artistic ideas

Batuan Village follows with about 30 minutes devoted to painting art. Ubud’s painting tradition has long been connected with religious and mythological subjects, and Batuan offers a look at that artistic side of central Bali.

I like the contrast between Celuk and Batuan. One stop focuses on metalwork, while the other deals with painted images and ideas. Together, they show that Ubud’s cultural appeal is not limited to temples or scenery.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick introduction and perhaps a look at works for sale. It is not enough for a slow art study, so keep your expectations in line with the schedule.

This is another stop where your personal interests should guide the pace. If you enjoy art, you may want to spend longer here. If the priority is the volcano view, you may prefer a shorter visit and an earlier departure toward the highlands.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace: the route’s most familiar view

Tegallalang Rice Terrace is scheduled for about 30 minutes, and admission is included. The terraces sit on the road between Ubud and Kintamani, making this a natural stop while crossing the area.

The appeal is visual: layered rice fields, a sloping setting, and one of Bali’s most recognizable rural scenes. The stop also connects the day’s cultural visits with the agricultural side of the island.

Half an hour is enough to pause, take in the view, and take photos. It is not a long walk through the whole area. The exact experience can depend on road conditions and where the vehicle stops, so ask the driver what viewpoint is practical on the day.

You may also find woodcarvings in Tegallalang and nearby villages, according to the tour description. That gives you another chance to see local craft, though the main reason to stop here is the rice terrace itself.

If you want a slow, quiet visit, this tour may feel rushed. The terrace is one of the places where road delays can cut into your time quickly, so make it clear if this is one of your must-see stops.

Ubud Monkey Forest: a short visit in the center of town

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is planned as a 30-minute stop in the heart of Ubud. Its central location makes it easy to combine with other Ubud sights, and the forest is known for its resident monkeys and shaded setting.

A half-hour visit gives you a taste of the sanctuary rather than a long wander. That can work well in a full-day route, especially if you want to see several different sides of Bali.

You should pay attention around the monkeys and follow local instructions. The provided information does not specify the sanctuary’s current rules, so ask the driver or staff what you should do with bags, food, and personal items before entering.

This stop is a good fit for families and first-time visitors who want to see the famous Ubud attraction without giving it half a day. If you prefer temples, painting, or mountain scenery, it may be less important than the other stops.

Kintamani Highland: the reason to keep time in reserve

Kintamani is the longest scheduled stop, at one hour, and it offers the clearest wide view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. The area is a highland setting with countryside around it, so the air and scenery provide a change from the lower roads near Ubud.

For me, this is the stop that gives the route its strongest sense of place. You are not just moving between shops and attractions. You are looking across a volcanic area and seeing how dramatically Bali’s terrain changes within a single day.

The view can be affected by weather, haze, and traffic timing. Since the tour does not include a volcano climb, this is a viewpoint visit rather than a hiking experience. You should not book it expecting a trek up Mount Batur.

Keep one hour available here if Kintamani matters to you. The operator says the route can be reduced because of traffic, so tell the driver early that the highlands are a priority. If you have to drop stops, the art villages may be easier to shorten than Kintamani.

How the schedule really works over eight to ten hours

On paper, the stops add up to about three hours and 40 minutes: 40 minutes for the dance, 30 minutes each in Celuk, Batuan, Tegallalang, and the Monkey Forest, plus one hour in Kintamani. The remaining time is for driving, traffic, and changes between areas.

That makes the ten-hour maximum important. This is not six attractions placed next to one another. The tour connects southern or central Bali with Ubud and the Kintamani highlands, and the roads determine how much time remains at each stop.

The description says the day can include up to four destinations depending on traffic. I would therefore choose four priorities before you go. A sensible list might be Barong Dance, Tegallalang, Monkey Forest, and Kintamani, or you could replace one of those with Celuk or Batuan if art matters more.

Extra hours cost 10 percent of the full-day tour price per hour. The exact dollar amount is not stated, so ask the operator to confirm the charge before extending the day. You also need to remember that meals are not included.

What the $70 price delivers

At $70 per person, the value depends on how many people share the private vehicle and how much of the route you complete. The price includes an air-conditioned car or bus, an English-speaking driver, gasoline, all fees, and taxes. The listed attraction admissions are also marked as included at the stops.

That package can be useful because separate transport, fuel, driver costs, and entry fees can quickly add up during a long Bali day. The private format is especially appealing for couples, families, or friends who want to control the pace.

The value is weaker if you expect a slow visit at all six places. Traffic may reduce the number of stops, and the schedule gives only 30 minutes to several attractions. You are paying for transport, coordination, and access to a broad route, not for extended guided sessions at every site.

Food and drinks are extra. Plan for that outside the tour price, since no meal is included in the package.

Who will like this tour most

I would recommend this experience to a first-time Bali visitor who wants a broad introduction in one day. You see performance, craft, painting, agriculture, wildlife, and volcanic scenery without changing hotels or arranging several separate rides.

It also suits families and small groups. Children under two enter free, and the private format means your party can discuss the pace directly with the driver. The tour information says most people can participate and that public transportation is nearby.

Couples and friends may find the $70 rate easier to justify when sharing the private arrangement. It can also work for someone staying in or near Ubud who wants a full day without handling the roads alone.

I would be more cautious if you dislike shopping stops, need long visits at each attraction, or want a serious art guide. Celuk and Batuan are brief, and the driver’s role appears to combine transport with local guidance rather than provide a specialist lecture at each site.

Practical advice for getting more from the day

Decide your top four destinations before pickup. The road can make decisions for you, and a short conversation at the beginning gives the driver a clear idea of what you do not want to miss.

Ask about timing for the Barong performance first. A scheduled show can shape the rest of the day, while Kintamani needs enough travel time to make the mountain view worthwhile.

Keep the art stops flexible if scenery is your main goal. Celuk and Batuan each receive about 30 minutes, so they are useful introductions but not full workshops or gallery visits.

Bring money for food and drinks, since those are excluded. Also ask about the extra-hour rate before the day runs late, rather than waiting until you are already over the planned time.

The cancellation policy is generous if your plans change: you can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Ubud and Kintamani day?

Book it if you want a private, efficient introduction to central Bali and you value a helpful driver more than a slow, specialist-led tour. Ketut Legawa receives particularly warm praise for punctuality, kindness, flexibility, and help with wider trip planning, which adds useful human support to a long day on the road.

Before booking, choose your priorities and accept that traffic may limit the route to four destinations. The strongest case for this tour is the combination of private transport, included fuel and fees, and the chance to connect Ubud’s arts with Tegallalang and Mount Batur. If you want lengthy visits, independent wandering, or a single focused activity, choose a narrower day instead.

FAQ

How long does the private Ubud and Kintamani tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight to ten hours. Extra hours are charged at 10 percent of the full-day tour price per hour.

How many destinations can the tour visit?

The route lists six possible stops, but the total depends on traffic. The operator says the day can usually include up to four destinations within ten hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The package includes an air-conditioned car or bus, an English-speaking driver, and gasoline.

Are entrance fees and taxes included?

All fees and taxes are included. Admission is also listed as included for the Barong Dance, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Monkey Forest, and Kintamani stops.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You need to pay separately for food and drinks.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can children under two join for free?

Yes. Children under two years old have free entrance.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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