Reviewed · TEMPLE TOURS

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu

★ 5.0 · 17 reviews From $69 Operated by Travel Story Bali · Bookable on Viator
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The best thing about this private North Bali tour is the range. In about nine hours, you move from Tanah Lot’s sea temple to mountain rice fields, a lake temple, a waterfall, and a small coffee plantation. It gives you a brisk but useful look at several sides of Bali without asking you to arrange separate drivers and tickets.

I like the included admission fees, which keep the price easier to judge, and I like having an air-conditioned vehicle for the long stretches between Kuta and the north. Guide Benny has earned particular praise for explaining Bali in a friendly, personal way, making the temples more meaningful than simple photo stops.

The main drawback is the pace. You have roughly an hour at each major temple and only 45 minutes at Banyumala, while the total duration includes all driving time. The waterfall also requires a short hike down, so this is not a good match if knees or steep paths are a concern.

Key points at a glance

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu - Key points at a glance

  • Tanah Lot begins the day with ocean views: Explore a Hindu temple on a rock formation surrounded by waves and cliffs.
  • Jatiluwih gives you a walk through working rice country: Follow a purpose-built pathway across UNESCO-protected rice fields.
  • Ulun Danu combines temple, lake, and mountain scenery: The broad park gives you time for photos and cultural explanation.
  • Banyumala adds the day’s physical challenge: Reach the twin falls by a short downhill hike, with time to swim if conditions suit you.
  • Coffee and tea tasting rounds out the route: Stop at a small local plantation after the waterfall.
  • A private ride makes the long route practical: Your group travels in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and return to your hotel.

Why this route works for a one-day Bali outing

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu - Why this route works for a one-day Bali outing

Bali can be awkward to explore independently when several sights sit far apart. Tanah Lot is on the southwest coast, while Jatiluwih and the Bedugul area lie inland and north. This tour links them in one long circuit, so you spend less time solving transport problems and more time getting out of the car.

The $69.87 per-person price is strongest when you value convenience. It includes private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, taxes, and entrance fees at the listed attractions. Lunch is not included, and the tour is private rather than a shared bus experience, so the value improves if two or more people are splitting the vehicle cost.

You should think of this as a full sightseeing day, not a slow retreat. The advertised duration is about nine hours, and that includes travel between stops. The scheduled visits add up to a little over four hours, leaving a large portion of the day for Bali’s roads.

That long travel time is not a flaw unique to this tour. It is the price of fitting coastal Bali, Jatiluwih, Bedugul, Banyumala, and the Twin Lakes into one outing. If you want maximum variety in a single day, the route makes sense. If you prefer lingering at one temple or taking a long rice-field walk, it may feel rushed.

Tanah Lot: an ocean temple for the opening scene

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu - Tanah Lot: an ocean temple for the opening scene

Tanah Lot is a strong first stop because the setting does much of the work. The Hindu temple sits on a rock formation in the Indian Ocean, with waves breaking around the base and cliffs along the shore. You get about an hour to explore the temple area and take in the sea views.

The appeal here is visual, but it is not only a photo stop. A local guide can explain the temple’s place in Balinese Hindu culture while you look out over the water. The setting also gives the day an immediate sense of place: this is a temple shaped by coast, tide, rock, and ritual.

Keep your expectations sensible. One hour is enough to walk around the main area and see the views, but not enough for a long, unhurried visit. The tour includes the admission fee, so you do not need to budget separately for entry.

Tanah Lot is likely to be one of the more popular parts of the route. The experience depends heavily on weather and sea conditions, and the tour itself notes that poor weather can cause a cancellation or date change. Bring a phone or camera, but allow time to look beyond the obvious temple frame.

Jatiluwih: a useful walk through Bali’s rice country

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu - Jatiluwih: a useful walk through Bali’s rice country

At Jatiluwih Green Land, the focus shifts from ocean drama to broad, layered rice fields. You follow a conveniently made pathway overlooking the paddies, with about an hour to walk and take photos.

This is one of the tour’s most rewarding stops because you are not limited to a roadside viewpoint. A path lets you move through the rice-field area and see how the green terraces shape the countryside. The site is UNESCO protected, which signals its cultural and agricultural importance, not just its good looks.

The one-hour visit calls for a little planning. You can use it for a steady walk, stop often for pictures, or choose the optional buffet lunch with a view. Since lunch is not part of the tour price, check the meal cost before sitting down and remember that a longer meal leaves less time for walking.

I like the choice here. You are not forced into a meal, yet the buffet restaurant gives you an easy option after the drive. If the view matters more to you than a quick meal, this is a sensible place to pause, but do not expect the tour to wait while you turn lunch into a long break.

Jatiluwih is also where comfortable shoes matter most. The tour describes a pathway rather than a demanding trail, but you are still walking through an outdoor agricultural area. The route is a better fit for someone who wants a taste of the countryside than for someone who only wants a vehicle-based sightseeing day.

Ulun Danu Bratan: Bali’s lake temple and mountain backdrop

Ulun Danu Temple is the cultural center of the middle part of the day. The temple sits on a lake, with mountains behind it and a large surrounding park. You have about an hour to explore the grounds, take photos, and learn about Hindu culture from your Balinese guide.

The setting is different from Tanah Lot in every important way. Tanah Lot is exposed to the sea and surf, while Ulun Danu feels tied to inland water and mountain scenery. Seeing both in one day helps you understand why Bali’s temples are often valued as much for their surroundings as for their buildings.

The park gives you room to spread out rather than standing at one tight viewpoint. That matters on a busy sightseeing route. You can frame the temple with the lake and mountains, then spend a little time noticing the grounds instead of rushing straight back to the vehicle.

An hour remains a short visit, especially if you want detailed cultural explanation and plenty of photographs. This is where the quality of your guide matters. Benny is specifically praised for offering local insight and explaining more than the basic names of the sights. If he leads your trip, ask questions as you walk, since the time at each stop is limited.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: the active part of the day

Banyumala is the tour’s clearest change of pace. You leave the temple grounds and take a short hike down to twin waterfalls and a natural pool. The scheduled stop lasts about 45 minutes, with time to take pictures, stand under the falling water, and swim if you choose.

The setting offers a refreshing contrast to the day’s temples and viewpoints. The water, forested surroundings, and pool give you a chance to do more than look at scenery. If you enjoy a quick outdoor break, this may become your favorite stop.

The practical warning is important: the route down can be difficult for anyone with knee problems. The tour information says the waterfall can be skipped if you are unable to make the descent. That makes the stop flexible, but you should not treat the path as flat or effortless.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a short visit, but it is not a generous swimming session. You need to account for the walk down and back up, changing if necessary, and taking photographs. Bring suitable footwear and only choose the swim if you feel secure on the path and around the pool.

This stop also depends on the weather. Wet conditions can affect both the walk and the waterfall experience. Since the full outing requires good weather, the provider may offer a new date or a full refund if weather forces cancellation.

Coffee, tea, and the Twin Lake viewpoint

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu - Coffee, tea, and the Twin Lake viewpoint

After Banyumala, the route includes a small local coffee plantation where you can sample coffee and tea. This is a modest stop, but it gives the day a local food and farming angle after several major attractions.

Do not expect a long plantation visit based on the available details. The attraction is the tasting, along with a chance to learn a little about local drinks in a relaxed setting. It also sits beside the final viewpoint, so you are not adding a large detour to the already long route.

The final stop is Twin Lake View, where you look over the two lakes and the mountains of Bedugul. You have about 30 minutes, and the viewpoint includes a photo area with swings, bird nests, and other photo structures. The fee for using the photo zone is not included, so ask about any extra charge before posing.

This stop is designed for quick, memorable pictures rather than a long walk. The view gives you a final high point, literally and visually, after the waterfall and plantation. If you dislike staged photo areas, simply use the panorama itself and skip the added props.

The private vehicle and guide make a difference

All inclusive Tanah lot & North Bali Tour: Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu - The private vehicle and guide make a difference

This is a private tour, meaning only your group participates. That gives you more control than a shared coach, even though the schedule still has fixed stops and a planned return to your hotel.

Pickup is offered, and your driver brings you back after the final stop. The air-conditioned vehicle matters on a nine-hour day, particularly because the route includes long transfers between Kuta and northern Bali. You are not paying only for sightseeing. You are also paying to avoid arranging several separate rides.

The guide is part of the value. Benny is singled out for being local, friendly, and generous with information about Bali. Those qualities matter here because the route includes three religious and cultural sites. Without explanation, Tanah Lot and Ulun Danu can become attractive backdrops. With a good guide, you have a better chance of understanding why these places matter.

The tour description does not promise a set guide for every booking, so you should not assume Benny will lead your departure unless confirmed. Still, the experience clearly aims to include a Balinese guide who can explain the culture along the way.

Who should book this Bali tour

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at Bali beyond the beach areas. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want a private vehicle, several major sights, and the convenience of one booking.

It is especially good for you if:

  • You want temples, rice fields, waterfalls, mountain views, and a tasting in one day.
  • You prefer private transport to a shared group coach.
  • You are comfortable with several hours on the road.
  • You want admission fees handled in advance.
  • You like having a local guide for cultural context.
  • You can manage the short downhill walk to Banyumala.

I would hesitate if your priority is slow travel. The stops are well chosen, but the schedule leaves limited time for lingering. I would also think twice if you have knee problems, do not enjoy uneven outdoor paths, or want a guaranteed swim at the waterfall.

The 100 percent recommendation rate and five-star score from 17 published ratings are encouraging, but the sample is small. The strongest praise centers on Benny’s friendly manner and local insight, so the guide you receive may shape your day as much as the route itself.

Should you book the Tanah Lot and North Bali route?

Book it if you want an efficient, private sampler of Bali’s west coast and northern highlands. The combination of included entry fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a local guide makes $69.87 per person a fair price for a full nine-hour outing, especially when shared across a small group.

Skip it if you want a relaxed temple visit, a long rice-field hike, or a day with little driving. For everyone else, this is a practical way to fit Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu, Banyumala, coffee, and the Twin Lakes into one well-packed day. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, and remember that poor weather may change the plan.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including travel time between the points of interest.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and your driver returns you to your hotel after the tour.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. All entrance fees, taxes, and other listed fees are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. At Jatiluwih, you have the option to eat at a buffet restaurant with a view.

Do I need to hike to Banyumala Waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall requires a short hike down. The stop can be skipped if you cannot make the descent.

Can I swim at Banyumala Waterfall?

Yes, the stop allows time to swim in the natural pool and stand under the waterfall stream, though the visit lasts about 45 minutes.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time.

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