Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village Tour

The best part of this long Bali day is the sharp change of scene: a traditional Barong and Keris dance in the morning, cool highland air at Kintamani, and holy springs at Tirta Empul before returning through Ubud country. You get a useful mix of culture, scenery, temples, and local craft without trying to manage Bali’s narrow, winding roads yourself.

I like the private car and driver, especially for a route that covers Kuta, Ubud, and the Kintamani highlands. I also like the buffet lunch with Mount Batur views, since it turns a necessary meal into one of the day’s main sights. The drawback is the packed schedule: ten hours and seven stops leave limited time at each place, and Celuk is mainly worthwhile if you have some interest in buying jewelry.

Key points at a glance

• Barong and Keris dance: Begin with a one-hour performance about the struggle between good and evil in Balinese mythology.
• Mount Batur lunch: Eat Indonesian specialties at The Amora Bali, with water included and vegetarian food available on request.
• Sacred Tirta Empul: Visit one of Bali’s best-known holy spring temples and learn about purification traditions.
• Private transport: Your group has its own air-conditioned car, English-speaking driver, fuel, and entrance fees.
• Strong guide service: Drivers named Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, and Oka have received especially warm praise for safe driving, explanations, and flexibility.
• Full-day value: At $65 per person, the cost covers transport, admissions, lunch, mineral water, tax, and service charges.

Why this private Bali route works

Bali looks compact on a map, but the roads between the southern beach towns, Ubud, and Kintamani can be slow. A private driver removes the need to arrange several taxis or work out public transport for sites that are not linked by a simple route.

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. and lasts about ten hours. Pickup and drop-off are offered at most hotels in south Bali and Ubud. Since this is a private activity, only your own group rides in the car, which gives you more breathing room than a large coach tour.

That privacy also matters when the day runs long. You can ask the driver to explain a custom, clarify what you are seeing, or help with photographs. Drivers such as Naya, Ayu, and Koming are specifically praised for safe driving, practical help, and adapting to extra wishes. Dirga is noted for explaining local culture and traditions in detail, while Putu Lencong is praised for answering questions about Bali.

The vehicle has good air conditioning, petrol is included, and each person receives one bottle of mineral water. These are basic details, but they count on a ten-hour outing in Bali.

Barong and Keris: a lively start to the day

The first stop is a one-hour Barong and Keris dance performance at Sila Culture. This traditional Balinese show tells a story of good against evil, with Barong as a major figure in Balinese mythology. The Keris dance is also known as a trance dance, so this is more than a staged folk routine with pretty costumes.

The performance gives you useful cultural context before the temples and villages later in the day. A humorous and informative presentation can make the symbolism easier to follow, even if you know little about Balinese stories.

There is one practical point to keep in mind. A performance is a scheduled show, not a quiet village ceremony, and some people may prefer more time in the countryside. Still, as an opening stop, it offers a clear introduction to Balinese religious storytelling and traditional dance.

Admission is included, and you have about one hour here. That fixed timing helps keep the rest of the day moving.

Ubud Monkey Forest and its temple setting

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, commonly called Ubud Monkey Forest, is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud. Its formal name is Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

You have about one hour to walk through the forest setting and see the sanctuary. The attraction combines trees, temple structures, and macaque monkeys, making it different from a standard temple visit. The temple grounds are part of what gives the stop its character, rather than the monkeys alone.

I would treat this as a close look at one part of Ubud, not a full exploration of the town. One hour goes quickly, especially if you pause for photos or move carefully around the animals. The schedule also means you should stay aware of the meeting time instead of wandering without a plan.

Admission is included. Because the site is a major stop on the route, it works well for anyone who wants a familiar Ubud highlight without arranging a separate visit.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: beautiful, but brief

The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of the most recognizable rural sights near Ubud. Its stepped fields show how farming has shaped the hills around the area, and the green terraces make a strong contrast with the stone temples and built-up parts of the route.

You get roughly one hour here. That is enough to take in the view and walk around the main area, but it is not a long countryside hike. If you want a slow, quiet visit among the fields, this stop may feel short.

The value comes from seeing the terraces as part of a larger day. You are not spending the whole outing at one viewpoint. Instead, the rice fields connect the cultural stops with the highland scenery ahead.

The wording of the tour information describes this as a place many people stop while going to or from Kintamani. That is exactly how it functions here: an efficient scenic pause on a wider Central Bali route.

Kintamani and the Mount Batur view

Kintamani sits at about 1,500 meters, so the air is cooler during the day and can feel cold at night. Even with only 30 minutes listed for the highland stop itself, you get a clear change in climate and scenery from the lower parts of Bali.

The focus is the view toward Mount Batur, the volcano, and the surrounding valley. Weather will affect how much you see, so the outlook is naturally less certain than an indoor attraction. The highland setting is still one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour.

The short stop is followed by lunch at The Amora Bali, where the view continues to do much of the work. This is a sensible arrangement: you get a quick scenic orientation, then time to sit down and enjoy the same mountain setting over a meal.

Bring a light layer if you tend to feel cold in high places. The supplied information specifically describes Kintamani as cooler and damp, though the tour does not promise a particular weather condition.

Indonesian buffet lunch at The Amora Bali

Lunch is a one-hour buffet of Indonesian food at The Amora Bali. Water is included, and vegetarian food is available on request. The meal is covered in the tour price, so you do not need to budget separately for the main midday stop.

The key reason to value this lunch is the setting. You can eat while looking toward Mount Batur and the valley below, rather than treating lunch as a rushed roadside break. One guide, Putu Lencong, is specifically associated with taking the group to a restaurant with a volcano and lake view.

At $65 per person, an included meal with a highland view adds real value, especially when the price also covers the private car, driver, fuel, entrance fees, water, tax, and service charges. Personal expenses are not included, so shopping and other purchases remain separate.

Tell the operator about vegetarian requirements when booking or before departure. The supplied details confirm that vegetarian food is available on request, but do not promise a particular menu.

Tirta Empul and the meaning of holy springs

Tirta Empul Temple in Tampak Siring is one of the day’s most important cultural stops. It is also known as the Holy Spring Temple, and Balinese worshippers have come here for more than a thousand years to use the holy water for purification.

You have about an hour to see the temple and springs. This is a place where respectful behavior matters. The attraction is not simply a photo stop. Its purpose is tied to worship and purification, so listen to your driver’s guidance and observe what is happening before taking pictures.

Tirta Empul adds depth to the day because it explains a living religious practice rather than only showing architecture. The earlier dance introduces mythology, while the holy springs show how spiritual traditions remain part of daily and ceremonial life.

The temple is in Tampak Siring, making it a natural addition after Kintamani and before the return toward Ubud and the southern hotels. Entrance is included.

Celuk Village and the jewelry stop

The final listed stop is Celuk Village, a traditional village known for gold and silver handicrafts. You have about an hour to browse the craft area and shop for jewelry.

This is the most purchase-focused stop on the route. If you enjoy handmade metalwork or want a Bali souvenir with a practical use, Celuk can be worthwhile. If you do not shop, the stop may feel less essential than Tirta Empul or the rice terraces.

Admission is free, but purchases are personal expenses. The tour information describes the jewelry as available at low prices, yet you should still inspect pieces carefully and decide what fits your budget. The private format gives you a little more control over how long you browse, though the day’s overall schedule remains fixed.

Celuk also rounds out the cultural picture. You see performance, farming, religion, and craft in one day, rather than visiting only scenic viewpoints.

The drivers make the biggest difference

The tour’s most praised feature is its driving and guide service. Names connected with especially positive experiences include Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, and Oka.

That does not mean you can select one of them unless the operator confirms it. Your assigned driver may be someone else. Still, the repeated pattern is useful: the driver is expected to handle the road, explain the sites, answer questions, and help the day run smoothly.

Heri is praised for explaining the volcano and providing safe, experienced driving. Oka is associated with a route covering Ubud, Kintamani, and Tampak Siring. Ayu is noted for making sure the group reached the right places and taking care of practical needs. Another driver helped with photographs, which can be useful when you are traveling as a couple or small group.

Since the tour is private, ask questions throughout the day. You will get more from the temples and dance if you treat the driver as a local guide rather than only a person behind the wheel.

Is $65 a fair price?

For a ten-hour private tour, $65 per person is a strong value when two or more people share the car. The price includes private transport, air conditioning, an English-speaking driver, petrol, admission fees, buffet lunch, one bottle of water per person, tax, and services.

The value drops slightly for a solo participant because the per-person price does not benefit from sharing the vehicle with companions. Even then, arranging separate transport to seven stops could be inconvenient and costly, particularly on roads where public transport is limited.

The tour is also useful for a first full day in Central Bali. You get several major sights without spending time negotiating rides between them. The tradeoff is that no single stop receives a long, relaxed visit.

The tour has a listed five-star rating from 183 ratings and a 99 percent recommendation rate. The strongest praise centers on safe driving, friendly service, cultural explanations, photography help, and flexibility with extra wishes. Those are the qualities that matter most on a route this long.

Who should book this full-day tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Kuta or Ubud and want to cover several major Central Bali sights in one day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a private car to a large shared bus.

It is also a good match if you want a first introduction to Balinese culture. The Barong dance, Tirta Empul, Celuk craft village, and Monkey Forest each offer a different angle, while Kintamani and Tegalalang provide the visual highlights.

You may want a different plan if your priority is a slow day at one temple, an extended rice-field walk, or a dedicated shopping trip. Seven stops create variety, but they also require steady movement. The tour is designed for seeing a lot, not lingering everywhere.

Pickup is offered from most south Bali and Ubud hotels. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation, though the private car remains the more practical way to cover this particular route.

Book with the knowledge that free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted or refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want broad coverage and easy transport more than a slow, deeply focused visit. The combination of private driving, included admissions, lunch, and a full day of major sights makes $65 a sensible price, especially for a small group.

The strongest reasons to go are the Mount Batur lunch, Tirta Empul’s holy springs, and the chance to have a driver who can explain Bali along the way. The main warning is the pace. If you are happy with one-hour stops and a long day, this is an efficient way to see Ubud and Kintamani. If you prefer unhurried exploration, choose fewer sights and spend more time in each place.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. Pickup is offered from most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity, and you travel by private car.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet of Indonesian food is included, along with water. Vegetarian food is available on request.

Is Mount Batur visible during lunch?

The lunch stop at The Amora Bali offers a view of Mount Batur volcano and the valley below.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the listed attractions are included. Personal expenses, including purchases at Celuk Village, are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.