REVIEW · KUTA
Full Day Kintamani and Penglipuran Village Private Chartered Car Tour from Bali
Book on Viator →Operated by Gusti Bali Tours - Private Bali Tour Driver Guide · Bookable on Viator
One day, three parts of Bali. This full-day private charter car tour links Ubud crafts, Kintamani scenery, and Penglipuran village life into one smooth 9-hour day. I especially like the mix of performance + hands-on culture, starting with the Barong and Fire Dance.
I also like that you get to do this at a human pace with an English-speaking driver-guide, including time for stops that feel like real local routines rather than a checklist. One thing to watch: if it’s misty, the Mount Batur and Lake Batur views can be partly hidden, and lunch in Kintamani is a variable you’ll want to plan for.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Bet On
- The Day at a Glance: How This Private 9-Hour Route Really Works
- Morning Culture Stops: Barong Dance, Tohpati Weaving, and Celuk Silver
- Batuan Temple: A Short Stop That Adds Context
- Kintamani and Mount Batur Views: When Weather Changes the Day
- Elephant Cave, Kehen Temple, and Tirta Empul: Sacred Stops You Can Feel
- Kopi Luwak Coffee: The Included Coffee Moment (Not Guaranteed for Everyone)
- Penglipuran Village: Beautiful Village Life, With a Caveat
- Price and Logistics: What $65 Includes—and What You’ll Pay On the Day
- Who This Tour Fits (and Who Should Skip It)
- Should You Book This Private Kintamani and Penglipuran Car Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Full Day Kintamani and Penglipuran tour?
- What time does the tour start?
- Is pickup included?
- What does the $65 price include?
- Are entrance fees and performance costs included?
- Is lunch included in the tour price?
- What craft villages will we visit in Ubud?
- Which sacred sites are part of the overall plan?
- Is this tour private?
Key Things I’d Bet On

- Barong and Keris dance time built in so you’re not just looking at culture from the outside
- Tohpati (batik and hand weaving) + Celuk (gold and silver) for a clear craft contrast in one morning
- Mount Batur viewpoints in Kintamani with time for the view while you eat
- Sacred stops around the Batur area including Elephant Cave, Kehen Temple, and Tirta Empul purification
- Penglipuran Village walk for village-style Bali with a full hour on the ground
- Up to 5 people per group can make the $65 price feel very reasonable per person
The Day at a Glance: How This Private 9-Hour Route Really Works

This is a private car day out of Bali that runs about 9 hours (starting 8:30 am). The big win is that you’re not riding a packed shuttle with strangers, so you can actually enjoy the stops and stay flexible if the day’s weather changes.
The routing is classic Central Bali: Ubud area first (dance and crafts), then toward Kintamani for Mount Batur and lake views, then finishing with Penglipuran Village. That order matters. Mornings tend to be best for getting the clearest impressions, and the afternoon village visit is a nice “slow down” after more moving parts.
Price-wise, it’s $65 per group (up to 5 people). That can be great value if you’re traveling with friends or family. If you’re a solo traveler, it’s still a fair private-day option, but it won’t feel like a bargain compared to shared tours.
Also, this is a “car and driver” tour in the real sense. Entrance fees and performance/activity charges are not included, so you’ll pay those directly on the day. Plan for that so the day stays stress-free.
Other Kintamani volcano tours at Mount Batur & Bali highlands
Morning Culture Stops: Barong Dance, Tohpati Weaving, and Celuk Silver

Your morning starts with a performance stop: Sahadewa Barong Dance & Fire Dance. This is the kind of Balinese sacred storytelling that makes the rest of the day click. Even if you don’t know the myths, the energy and costume work do the explaining for you, and it sets a cultural tone that feels respectful rather than touristy.
From there, you head into the Ubud art village circuit, with two craft-focused stops. First is Tohpati village, known for batik processing and hand weaving. You get about 30 minutes here, which is enough time to see how the process works and pick up something small without turning the day into a shopping marathon.
Next comes Celuk, famous for gold and silver work, also about 30 minutes. I like that this isn’t one craft stop repeated twice. Batik and weaving show material craft and pattern thinking, while silver work shows metal shaping and finishing. Together, it gives you a more complete picture of what “Balinese crafts” means in daily life.
Tip: bring cash for small purchases and entrance fees you encounter along the way. The tour runs on time, and having payment ready keeps things smooth.
Batuan Temple: A Short Stop That Adds Context
After the craft time, you’ll pause at Batuan Temple, a unique village temple stop with about 30 minutes. This is one of those stops that can be easy to underestimate when you’re excited about the big scenery later.
But it does a helpful job. It reminds you that in Bali, religion and daily routine are braided together. You’re not only watching dances and seeing crafts; you’re seeing the spiritual “why” behind a lot of the cultural forms.
Because the visit is short, treat it like a moment of orientation. Look for how people move through the space, and how offerings and temple details are part of the everyday rhythm.
Entrance fees here are not included, so again, be ready to pay on the day.
Kintamani and Mount Batur Views: When Weather Changes the Day

This is the part you came for: the Kintamani area and Mount Batur. The plan is built around a viewing experience of Mount Batur and Lake Batur, with about 1 hour set aside at the viewpoint area.
Here’s the practical truth: Bali weather can shift fast. If it’s misty, your volcano and lake views may be partly obscured. I’d plan for that possibility. Still, the area can feel dramatic even with cloud cover—just don’t anchor your hopes on a perfectly clear postcard shot.
During this stop, you’ll have time for lunch at a local restaurant in Kintamani—and this is a key detail: lunch is not included. The day description includes the chance to eat there, but you’ll pay for your own meal.
Based on what people have experienced, the viewing restaurant can be hit-or-miss on food quality. My advice: eat, but keep expectations realistic. If you care a lot about lunch, consider having a snack earlier so you’re not stuck feeling hungry if the meal isn’t great.
Also, bring a light layer. Kintamani can feel cooler than the coast, especially around morning-to-midday transitions, and you’ll appreciate it while you wait for the view.
Elephant Cave, Kehen Temple, and Tirta Empul: Sacred Stops You Can Feel

The tour also includes several sacred experiences that add depth beyond the scenery and crafts. These include Elephant Cave, Kehen Temple, and a chance to take part in a purification ceremony at Tirta Empul Temple.
A quick note: the exact sequence can vary in how it’s timed during the day, but these sites are part of the overall plan. What you’re buying here is access to the sites plus interpretation from your guide, not just car transport.
Why this matters for you: Kintamani and Penglipuran are about place, but Tirta Empul and the other temples are about meaning. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes learning what you’re seeing (without making it heavy), this portion gives the day a spiritual spine.
Practical tip: temple stops usually mean you should dress respectfully. If you’re unsure, bring a scarf or sarong-style wrap just in case, so you’re not stuck improvising.
Also remember: entrance fees for these activities are paid directly on the day, so keep a budget cushion for the spiritual stops as well as the dance/performance fee earlier.
Other private tours in Kuta
Kopi Luwak Coffee: The Included Coffee Moment (Not Guaranteed for Everyone)

One of the selling points is a chance to sample Kopi Luwak. The tour includes that tasting opportunity, which can be fun if you like trying famous foods and drinks.
At the same time, this is one of those “you’ll either love it or feel unsure” activities depending on your tastes and curiosity. Since the tour data doesn’t spell out tasting format or portions, I’d treat it as a short included experience, not a long coffee education session. If coffee tasting isn’t your thing, you may just use the time to regroup before the final village stop.
Penglipuran Village: Beautiful Village Life, With a Caveat

The day ends with Penglipuran Village, about 1 hour. Penglipuran is known for a traditional countryside feel and distinctive village life—where social spaces, routines, and architecture work together as a coherent whole.
It’s also a village you’ll likely notice is designed for visitors. People have described it as extremely beautiful but a little contrived, with many houses having small shops. That doesn’t ruin it, but it does change the vibe from pure “live-and-work only” to a mixed-use cultural experience.
Here’s how to make the hour work in your favor:
- Go slowly. Use the walk to observe how the village layout supports community life.
- If you like photos, shoot thoughtfully but don’t treat it like an amusement stop.
- If you want to buy crafts, keep it small and fair—this is where the village turns your interest into income.
The good news is that the visit is long enough to feel like more than a quick roadside stop. You’re given time to actually experience the rhythm.
Price and Logistics: What $65 Includes—and What You’ll Pay On the Day

The price is $65 per group (up to 5) and includes the practical stuff that makes a private day enjoyable: an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, bottled water, fuel surcharge, parking fees, and an English-speaking driver. You’ll also get a mobile ticket.
What’s not included is just as important: entrance fees and activity/performance fees, plus lunch/dinner. The tour is explicit that it’s basically car + driver, and then you pay for on-site costs directly.
How to think about value:
- If you split with others up to 5, this can come out as a very workable per-person private day.
- If you’re traveling as a smaller group or solo, it’s still a solid private option because you’re paying for time efficiency—getting from Ubud-area culture stops to Kintamani and then Penglipuran without transit stress.
Another detail that can affect your planning: for booking, you need each participant’s passport details (name, number, expiry, country). If your group is missing info, it can slow things down, so grab that early.
Cancellation is offered with free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time, which gives you flexibility if weather changes your plans.
Who This Tour Fits (and Who Should Skip It)
This is a great fit if you want:
- Private pacing in an air-conditioned car
- A day that mixes dance, craft villages, and sacred temple experiences
- To see Mount Batur and Lake Batur even if weather isn’t perfect
- A cultural ending at Penglipuran Village with a full hour on site
- The chance to try Kopi Luwak
I’d be more cautious if:
- You only want a perfectly clear volcano view. Mist happens, and the day plan can’t guarantee a cloud-free outcome.
- You’re picky about lunch. Lunch isn’t included, and the viewpoint restaurant experience can vary.
If you’re traveling with friends or family and can fill the group size, this tour is often the sweet spot for private value.
Should You Book This Private Kintamani and Penglipuran Car Tour?
If your goal is a one-day Central Bali hit—Ubud culture in the morning, Kintamani views midday, and Penglipuran village life to finish—then yes, book it. The private car setup is the right foundation for a full day without feeling rushed.
But go in with two smart expectations:
1) Bring flexibility for the weather around Mount Batur and Lake Batur.
2) Budget for entrances and lunch, because that’s where costs land.
If you like learning from a guide who clearly explains what you’re seeing—people specifically mention Gusti as a key part of the experience—this is the kind of tour where that attention adds real value, not just transportation.
FAQ
How long is the Full Day Kintamani and Penglipuran tour?
It runs for about 9 hours.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 8:30 am.
Is pickup included?
Pickup is offered, and the tour provides private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
What does the $65 price include?
The price covers car and driver, including an English-speaking driver, bottled water, fuel surcharge, parking fees, and private transportation. You also get a mobile ticket.
Are entrance fees and performance costs included?
No. Entrance fees and activity or performance fees are not included and must be paid directly on the day.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
Lunch isn’t included. There’s time after Mount Batur sightseeing to have lunch at a local restaurant in Kintamani, but you pay for it yourself.
What craft villages will we visit in Ubud?
You’ll visit Tohpati for batik processing and hand weaving, and Celuk for gold and silver works.
Which sacred sites are part of the overall plan?
The tour description includes Elephant Cave, Kehen Temple, and a purification ceremony at Tirta Empul Temple, plus a stop at Batuan Temple.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates. The pricing is per group for up to 5 people.
























