Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village Tour

Mount Batur gives this full-day trip its big payoff: a highland lunch with a view of the volcano and the valley below. Along the way, you get a varied introduction to Bali, from a traditional dance and sacred spring temple to Ubud’s macaques and rice terraces.

I like that the driver and car are private, so your group can travel between scattered sights without piecing together transport. I also like the day’s mix of culture and scenery, plus the included buffet lunch, admission fees and mineral water.

One consideration: this is a packed 10-hour day, with seven stops and considerable driving between them. If you prefer lingering at each place or want a quiet day, this route may feel rushed.

• The Barong and Keris dance opens the day with a story of good and evil told through traditional Balinese performance.
• Mount Batur is the lunch view, not just a distant sight from the road. The included Indonesian buffet has vegetarian food available on request.
• Tirta Empul is a living temple, where Balinese worshippers come to the holy spring for purification.
• Your private group sets the pace, within a full itinerary that begins at 8 am and lasts about 10 hours.
• Celuk is the shopping stop, known for gold and silver handicrafts. Its village visit is free, though purchases are personal expenses.

A private ride through a full day of Bali

The tour starts at 8 am, with pickup and drop-off available at most hotels in south Bali and Ubud. You travel in a private car with air conditioning and an English-speaking driver, which matters on a route that links several different areas and includes narrow, winding roads.

A private vehicle does not make the day leisurely by itself. The listed visits add up to about six and a half hours, before driving time, so the schedule is designed to give you a taste of each stop rather than hours to explore any one of them.

The driver is more than a way to get from one place to the next. The tour description presents the driver as a guide, and the names associated with the operator include Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri and Oka. Your assigned driver may be someone else, but the personal service is a recurring feature of this experience. Some drivers have also helped with extra requests, so it is worth explaining your priorities early.

Barong and Keris: a story told in dance

The day begins with a one-hour Barong and Keris dance performance. The story centers on the struggle between good and evil, with Barong, a figure from Balinese mythology, at its heart. The performance is also described as a trance dance.

This is a useful first stop because it gives you a cultural frame for the day before you visit temples and villages. The show is described as both informative and humorous, so it offers more than a pretty costume display. Keep in mind that the performance is a scheduled stop, not a private lesson in Balinese dance; you will have time to watch and take in the story.

Admission is included. If you are travelling with children or anyone who has not seen a traditional performance before, this is a lively way to begin, though the spiritual themes may take more attention than a quick photo stop.

Monkey Forest: temple grounds and macaques

At the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, you have about an hour to explore a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud. Its full name is Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, but the familiar name, Ubud Monkey Forest, is easier to keep in mind.

The appeal is the combination of natural surroundings and sacred sites. This is not simply a place to see monkeys; the sanctuary is also a temple complex. The hour gives you a chance to walk around, but it is not a long visit if you like to pause often or take your time.

The tour includes admission. Because the stop features macaques, follow the sanctuary’s guidance while you are there and keep your attention on the animals and your belongings. The available tour details do not spell out specific animal rules, so ask your driver or staff at the entrance if you need directions.

Tegalalang: a close look at Bali’s rice terraces

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is another one-hour stop, and it brings the day’s green highland scenery into focus. The rice fields are arranged in terraces, a familiar image of Bali that makes more sense when you see how the slopes have been shaped for cultivation.

This visit is a chance to admire the terraces rather than simply pass them from the car. The time is enough for a look around, but you may want to keep your expectations modest if you enjoy slow walks or photography. The schedule has other major stops ahead, and there is no indication that this is an open-ended visit.

The appeal is also its place in the day’s sequence. After the performance and Monkey Forest, the terraces shift the focus from cultural sites to the working countryside. Admission is included in the tour price.

Kintamani and the Mount Batur lunch view

Kintamani sits in Bali’s highlands, around 1,500 metres above sea level, and is known for its cooler air. The tour allows 30 minutes for the highland stop itself, followed by an hour for lunch at The Amora Bali.

The restaurant meal is a buffet of Indonesian specialties, with water included. Vegetarian food is available on request, so let the operator know in advance if you need it. The main attraction at lunch is the view of Mount Batur and the valley below, giving you time to sit down rather than eat between stops.

This is one of the day’s strongest practical features. A long sightseeing route is easier when lunch is arranged, and a volcano view makes the meal part of the experience rather than a logistical pause. Still, the view is the purpose of this stop, not a guarantee of perfect visibility. If the mountain is obscured, the meal remains included, but the main visual draw may be less clear.

Tirta Empul: a sacred spring temple

At Tirta Empul Temple in Tampaksiring, you have an hour at a site known for its holy spring water. Balinese worshippers come here for purification, making this a place of active religious practice as well as an important cultural stop.

Approach the visit with respect. This is a temple, not just a scenic backdrop, and the spring’s religious purpose is central to what makes it distinctive. The tour includes admission, but the details do not specify whether ceremonial participation or special clothing is included. If you are unsure how to dress or where you may go, ask your driver before entering.

The hour gives you time to see the site without making the temple the whole day’s focus. That balance will suit you if you want a first introduction to Balinese spiritual life. If temple visits are your main interest, you may wish for more time here than this itinerary allows.

Celuk: gold and silver handicrafts

The final listed stop is Celuk Village, known for gold and silver handicrafts. You have an hour to see the craft area and, if interested, browse the work on offer. Unlike the other listed attractions, the village stop has no admission fee.

This is the day’s clearest shopping opportunity. The tour highlights the village’s jewelry workshops and handicrafts, but buying anything is optional and personal expenses are not included. You can enjoy the visit as a look at local craft production without treating it as a required purchase stop.

If you are considering buying jewelry, take your time and make sure you are comfortable with the item and price before committing. The tour information does not give specific shop names or prices, so the best approach is to browse rather than expect a set shopping experience.

What the $65 price covers

At $65 per person, the price includes a private air-conditioned car, an English-speaking driver, petrol, entrance fees, the Indonesian buffet lunch, one bottle of mineral water per person, and tax and service. Personal expenses are extra, which is most relevant at Celuk or if you want additional food or drinks.

The value comes from bundling transport and admissions across a long, multi-stop route. With no public transport connecting these highland sights conveniently, arranging a private driver yourself would take planning and coordination. Here, you have one vehicle and a driver for the day, plus lunch and the listed entry fees in the price.

It is not the cheapest way to see any single stop, and the tour is not designed for people who want to spend half a day at one temple or terrace. But if you want a broad overview without organizing each transfer, the price is easier to justify. Group discounts are available, and because the activity is private, you share the car only with your own group.

The pace, pickup and practical details

Plan for a full day, starting at 8 am and lasting about 10 hours. Pickup is offered at most hotels in south Bali and Ubud, but confirm that your accommodation is within the service area when you book. The tour is listed as suitable for most participants, though no detailed accessibility information is provided.

Bring what you need for a day out, including any personal items you prefer to have with you. The tour supplies one bottle of mineral water per person, but it does not cover personal expenses. If you need a vegetarian lunch, request it ahead of time rather than waiting until you reach the restaurant.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Booking confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Who should choose this Kintamani and Ubud tour?

This tour suits you if you have one day to see several well-known parts of central Bali and value convenient transport over a slow, self-guided visit. It is especially useful for a small group that wants a private vehicle, a driver who can explain local culture, and a set route that covers temples, countryside, performance and shopping.

It is less suited to you if you want to avoid a long day in the car, spend extended time at each stop, or choose your own route as you go. The schedule is broad by design. The driver may be able to accommodate additional wishes, but you should not count on adding stops without affecting the day’s timing.

I would book it for a first full day in the area, especially if the Mount Batur lunch view and the convenience of private transport appeal to you. Before you commit, decide whether seven stops in 10 hours sounds like a useful overview or too much of a good thing.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, with an 8 am start time.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at most hotels in south Bali and Ubud. Confirm that your hotel is covered when booking.

What is included in the price?

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

Can I request a vegetarian lunch?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available on request, so let the operator know in advance.

Are personal expenses included?

No. Personal expenses are not included. Celuk Village itself has no admission fee, but any purchases there are extra.