Full Day Kintamani and Penglipuran Village Private Chartered Car Tour from Bali

Kintamani’s volcano and lake views give this full-day Bali tour its big scenic moment, while Penglipuran offers a close look at a traditional village. You’ll travel by private car, so the day can be adjusted to your interests rather than shared with a busload of strangers.

I like the mix of village life and craft traditions, from batik and silverwork to Penglipuran’s distinctive homes. I also like that the private format leaves room to talk with your English-speaking driver and shape the day around what matters to you.

One point needs checking before you book: the overview mentions several temples, a purification ceremony and Kopi Luwak coffee, but the timed route does not list all of them. Entrance and performance fees are extra, and the Kintamani lunch is not included.

Key points

• Kintamani combines Mount Batur and Lake Batur views with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Mist can obscure the scenery, so keep expectations flexible.
• Penglipuran is the cultural highlight for many, with a traditional village setting and a distinct sense of local life. Its homes also contain shops, which can make the village feel a little staged.
• The Ubud-area craft stops are shopping visits, with batik and weaving in Tohpati and gold and silver work in Celuk.
• The Barong and Keris dance takes about an hour, but the performance fee is not included in the tour price.
• The $65 price covers a private car and driver for up to five people, not entry tickets, performances or food.
• Several advertised attractions are missing from the timed route, so confirm which temples, ceremony and coffee stop are actually planned.

A full day that links Bali’s crafts, villages and volcano country

This is a long, varied day out of Denpasar, with the convenience of a private car and a route that moves from performance and craft stops toward the cooler highlands of Kintamani. The broad appeal is clear: you get a taste of Balinese arts, a village visit, and a chance to see Mount Batur and its lake without arranging several separate rides.

The day begins at 8:30 am and lasts about nine hours. That is enough time for a full itinerary, but the route includes several stops and travel between them. If you want to linger over lunch, browse shops or spend extra time in Penglipuran, tell your driver early and ask what can be shortened.

Gusti Bali Tours operates the trip. The driver speaks English, and Gusti was praised for giving useful explanations. Since this is a private tour, your group is the only group in the car. That makes it easier to ask questions, adjust the pace and discuss what you want to see, though customization still depends on the day’s schedule.

Barong and Keris dance: start with a staged story

The first listed stop is Sahadewa Barong Dance and Fire Dance, where you watch a Barong and Keris performance. Plan on about an hour, and remember that admission is not part of the $65 car-and-driver price.

A dance performance gives you a more direct introduction to Balinese performing arts than a quick visit to a shop. The program is a set event, however, not a private demonstration. If you prefer time in villages or temples to a scheduled show, ask whether this stop can be skipped or replaced.

Tohpati and Celuk: crafts with a shopping emphasis

The next stops are in the Ubud art-village area. At Tohpati, the focus is batik processing and handwoven cloth. The scheduled visit is about 30 minutes, which gives you time to look around but not a long workshop session.

Celuk is known for gold and silver work, with a separate 30-minute stop at Bali Artika Silver. These visits are useful if you want to see local craft traditions and perhaps shop for a small keepsake. They are presented as shopping stops, so go in expecting retail time rather than a detailed, hands-on lesson.

I’d be clear with your driver about your interest level. If you love textiles and jewelry, these stops may be a welcome part of the day. If you are not shopping, ask whether the time can be used elsewhere, especially since the schedule also promises temples and villages.

Batuan Temple: a short visit between the shops and highlands

Batuan Temple is described as a unique village temple, with about 30 minutes allotted. That is a compact stop, suited to a look around rather than an extended temple visit.

Temple access and customs can vary, and the tour price does not cover entrance fees. Ask your driver about any entry cost or clothing expectations before you arrive. The available details do not specify a dress code or whether a guide accompanies you inside, so it is best not to assume either.

Kintamani: Mount Batur and Lake Batur views

Kintamani is the scenic centerpiece. The planned stop lasts an hour and is intended for views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur, usually alongside lunch at a local restaurant. The meal is not included, and the restaurant’s food may not be the strongest reason to stop. One visitor found the view worthwhile but the food poor.

Weather matters here. Mist can partly hide the volcano and lake, as it did during one trip, so the view is not guaranteed to be crisp. I’d treat lunch as a practical pause with a chance of a fine panorama, rather than booking solely for a perfect photo.

The information provided does not give a restaurant name, menu or meal price. If food is important to you, ask your driver what is planned and whether you can choose another place. Keep some flexibility in your expectations: the mountain view can be the star, but it depends on conditions.

Penglipuran: a beautiful village with shops at every house

Penglipuran is scheduled for an hour and is described as a traditional countryside village with a distinctive social and cultural life. It is the stop most likely to give the day a sense of local place beyond staged performance and retail visits.

The village is attractive, but there is a commercial side: each house has a small shop. That can make the setting feel a little contrived, especially if you expect an untouched village with no tourist trade. I’d approach it as a living community that also welcomes visitors, not as a museum frozen in time.

An hour is enough for a walk and a look at the village, but not an unhurried visit if you want to browse every shop. If this is your main reason for booking, let your driver know you would rather spend more time here and less at a shopping stop, if the route allows.

Check the temple and coffee promises before booking

The tour overview also mentions Elephant Cave, Kehen Temple, Tirta Empul Temple, a purification ceremony and Kopi Luwak coffee. These are not listed among the six timed stops, which instead name the dance, two craft visits, Batuan Temple, Kintamani and Penglipuran.

That difference matters. A nine-hour day may not comfortably fit every attraction, especially with driving time between stops. Before booking, ask which of those extra places are included on your actual departure and whether they replace another stop or are only possible additions. Do not count on taking part in a purification ceremony or sampling Kopi Luwak unless the operator confirms it.

The overview also mentions traditional Indonesian cuisine, but lunch is explicitly excluded. The best reading is that you may have an opportunity to order local food during the Kintamani stop, not that a meal or tasting is included.

What the $65 group price really covers

At $65 for a group of up to five, the price can be good value if you share the car with family or friends. You are paying for private transportation, an English-speaking driver, fuel, parking and bottled water, with air conditioning for a day that covers several destinations.

The price is not an all-in tour cost. You pay entrance fees and performance charges directly, and you cover lunch or dinner yourself. No amounts are provided for those extras, so ask for current fees and bring enough for the stops you plan to make. The $65 rate is per group, not per person, but additional costs can change the final total.

For a solo visitor or a pair, the private-car format may cost more per person than joining a shared outing. Its value is flexibility and personal attention, not included admissions or a guided activity at every stop. For a group of four or five, splitting the base price makes the arrangement more appealing.

Who will enjoy this route most

I’d recommend this tour if you want to see several sides of Bali in one day and value a private car over a fixed group schedule. It suits people interested in village life, crafts, temples and scenery, especially if they are comfortable with short visits and a fair amount of time on the road.

It is less suitable if you want a deep, slow visit to one place, a fully guided temple experience, or a guaranteed close view of Mount Batur. It may also disappoint if you expect the listed price to cover admission, a performance and lunch. The strongest approach is to book for the private transport and broad itinerary, then confirm the details that matter most to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The tour begins at 8:30 am, and passport details for all participants are required when booking. Most travelers can participate.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a private, full-day route that combines craft villages, a traditional dance, Kintamani scenery and Penglipuran without arranging transport stop by stop. The chance to tailor the day and talk with an English-speaking driver is a real advantage, particularly for a small group.

Before paying, get a clear answer about the unlisted temple and coffee stops, and ask how much time will be reserved for Penglipuran. If your priorities are the volcano view and village visit, this can be a sensible way to cover both. If you want every advertised attraction, a meal and performance fees included, the $65 headline price does not tell the whole story.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private activity for your group, with a private vehicle and driver.

How many people can join for $65?

The stated price is $65 per group for up to five people.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an English-speaking driver, bottled water, fuel surcharge, parking fees, an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation.

Are entrance fees and lunch included?

No. Entrance and activity or performance fees are paid separately, and lunch or dinner is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.