Volcano views and temple rituals in one day. This full-day Kintamani and Ubud tour strings together the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul Holy Spring Temple, plus the Barong and Keris traditional dance. I especially like the highland lunch with a view of Mt. Batur, and the chance to browse gold and silver handiwork at Celuk. The main drawback is simple: the highlands mean long driving hours on narrow, winding roads, so you’ll feel it more than on a city-only day.

I also like that you get hotel pickup and drop-off at many south Bali and Ubud hotels, which removes a big chunk of stress in a place with limited public transport. The car is air-conditioned, the driver speaks English, and entrance fees plus a buffet lunch with water are included. If you want a totally hands-off day with zero cultural stops or shopping, this route may feel a bit busy, even though it’s all good stuff.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• Barong and Keris trance dance: a Balinese good-vs-evil story performed like a traditional trance dance.
• A full Ubud nature-and-temple stop at the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace timing: a focused, one-hour visit to see the terraces without trying to cram your whole day there.
• Lunch in Kintamani with Mt. Batur views: buffet Indonesian specialties with mineral water included.
• Tirta Empul Temple’s holy spring ritual: visit the sacred springs where people come for purification.
• Celuk craft village browsing: gold and silver handicrafts in a village known for affordable-looking local work.

Why This Route Works: Ubud, Kintamani Highlands, Then Back

This tour is built around the classic Ubud-to-Kintamani rhythm: culture first, then countryside viewpoints, then sacred springs, and finally a craft stop before you head back down. The value here is that you don’t have to coordinate separate tickets, transfers, or figuring out what comes first when the roads start climbing.

The highlands around Ubud are stunning, but they’re also the reason a private driver matters. Public transport isn’t really set up for this part of Bali, and the roads can be tight and winding. So yes, the day feels like a real “one-day itinerary”—but it’s also smoother than trying to piece it together yourself.

Morning Start at Barong and Keris Dance: Good vs Evil, Bali Style

You kick off with the Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture, a Balinese tradition that tells a story about the fight between good and evil. Barong—described in the tour materials as a character from Balinese mythology and the king of the spirits—anchors the performance.

This is one of those stops that can set the tone for the entire day. After the show, you’ll move through temples and sacred places with more context for what you’re seeing. The timing also helps: the performance is about an hour, and it’s an efficient use of morning hours before the driving gets more intense.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Nature + Temple Complex

Next up is Ubud Monkey Forest, officially listed as the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It’s not just a zoo-like stop—it’s a nature reserve temple complex. The tour gives you about an hour here, with admission included.

I like this stop because it’s a change of pace from temples and viewpoints. You’re spending time in a protected sanctuary area that’s tied directly to religious space, not just scenery. That said, you’ll want to be prepared for the fact that it’s a popular attraction, so the visit may feel more “tour-focused” than quiet and private.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: A Photogenic Stop With Clear Boundaries

After monkey forest, you head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Bali’s most famous terrace views. You get about one hour on this stop, and entrance is included.

The practical upside is that the time box helps you actually enjoy it. You’re not stuck there all day, and you’re not trying to squeeze it between longer meals or temple time. You can walk a bit, take in the terraced layout, and still make it to the Kintamani highlands with enough energy.

The Highlands and Kintamani Village: Cool Air, Big Views

Then comes the Kintamani Highland stretch. The tour includes a short stop at Kintamani Village (about 30 minutes), located at around 1500 meters high. That altitude detail matters: it’s described as having cool air during the day and colder conditions at night.

Even if you only get a brief window, this is where the day starts to feel like “Bali outside the city.” You’re likely to get a stronger sense of space and elevation, and the timing sets you up for the highlight lunch stop next.

Buffet Lunch in Kintamani: Mt. Batur Views and a Real Break

Lunch is at The Amora Bali, where you enjoy an Indonesian buffet. Vegetarian food is available on request, and you also get mineral water (one bottle per person). The lunch slot is about an hour, and the big selling point is the view—Mt. Batur volcano and the valley below are part of the experience.

This is where the price starts to make sense. For $65 per person, you’re not only buying transport and multiple entrances—you’re also getting a full buffet lunch included in the package. In a place like Bali, where solo meal costs can add up fast, this is one of the clearest “value” moments on the day.

A small practical note: because the highlands can get cool, I’d treat lunch as the part of the day where you settle in and dress in layers, not just eat quickly and go.

Tirta Empul Temple: Holy Spring Purification at Tampak Siring

Next is Tirta Empul Temple (Tampak Siring), often called the Holy Spring Temple. The tour describes it as a place where Balinese worshippers have come for thousands of years to use holy water to purify the body.

This stop is about more than photos. Tirta Empul has a strong spiritual purpose, and even a one-hour visit gives you time to see the sacred springs in action. It’s also a nice contrast after rice terraces: less “scenery stop,” more “ritual stop,” where you’re watching how people connect to the space.

Celuk Village Craft Stop: Gold and Silver Handicrafts

Celuk is a traditional craft village known for gold and silver handicrafts, and the tour describes the items as available for very low prices. You get about one hour here, with this stop listed as free admission.

I like Celuk as a break before heading back. It’s hands-on in a way that temples and terraces aren’t—you can browse, compare styles, and ask questions directly to people in the craft community. The only caution: because it’s tied to shopping, you’ll move at shopping pace. If you hate being pushed into browsing, this part may feel like time you didn’t plan for. If you like crafts and want souvenirs that feel local, it’s one of the better uses of the day.

Driver, Timing, and the Hidden Advantage of a Private Car

A private driver is the real backbone of this day. The tour includes an English-speaking driver, a private car with good air-conditioning, petrol, and entrance fees, plus pickup and drop-off at most south Bali and Ubud hotels. That’s a lot of “logistics solved” in one package.

And from what I’ve learned about the operator’s guide team, the human factor matters. Names like Teddy, Arsa, Naya, Ayu, Dirga, Putu Lencong, Koming, and Heri show up as drivers who are friendly, professional, and strong at explaining what you’re seeing. Some guides are especially attentive—helping you with extra wishes during the day and even taking photos that come out looking like they were done carefully, not rushed.

The day is about 10 hours starting at 8:00 am, so you’ll want to treat it like a full outing, not a quick tour. Comfortable clothes, a good breakfast, and an easy mindset go a long way.

What You’ll Walk Away With (In Real Terms)

By the end of this day, you’re collecting three different types of Bali experiences:

1) Culture performed (Barong and Keris dance)

2) Sacred places with meaning (Monkey Forest as sanctuary temple complex, Tirta Empul holy springs)

3) Landscape and craft (Tegalalang terraces, Kintamani highlands lunch views, Celuk gold and silver work)

If that sounds like your kind of day—active, scenic, and cultural—this tour fits neatly. If you prefer fewer stops and longer time in just one area, you might feel it’s packed.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This tour is a great match if you:

• Want to see Ubud and Kintamani highlights without wrestling with transport.
• Like a steady rhythm of culture + landscape in one day.
• Care about having entrance fees and lunch handled for you.
• Prefer an English-speaking guide who can explain what you’re walking into.

It’s less ideal if you:

• Want a very slow pace with minimal stops.
• Strongly dislike shopping stops (Celuk is part of the day).
• Get exhausted by long car days and narrow mountain roads.

Also, the tour notes that most travelers can participate, which makes it a reasonable choice for a wide range of ages and comfort levels—as long as you’re fine with a full-day schedule.

Should You Book This Kintamani and Ubud Day Tour?

I’d book it if you’re the type who wants maximum variety in a single day: a trance dance, a sacred temple complex, rice terraces, a volcano-view lunch, holy springs, and a craft village—all tied together by a private car.

For me, the clinchers are the included buffet lunch with Mt. Batur views and the fact that entrance fees are handled. That combination turns the $65 price into a pretty fair deal versus trying to buy everything separately and hiring transport piecemeal.

If you’re deciding between options, choose this one when you want an organized day with a strong guide-and-driver experience. Keep it in mind if you can handle long driving hours and a schedule that stays active from morning onward.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

It starts at 8:00 am and runs for about 10 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Private driver pickup and drop-off are included at most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a private A/C car, an English-speaking driver, petrol, entrance fees, a buffet lunch with mineral water (1 bottle per person), and tax and services.

Can I get vegetarian food at lunch?

Vegetarian food is available on request for the buffet lunch.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity, with only your group participating.

Are there tickets or access fees I need to pay separately?

Entrance fees are included for the listed attractions, and you also receive a mobile ticket.

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