REVIEW · BALI
Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours
Book on Viator →Operated by Giri Dara Bali Tours · Bookable on Viator
A full Ubud-to-Kintamani day with built-in culture and views. This private tour packs Balinese performance, gold-and-silver craft, painting, and classic sightseeing into one long ride with pickup and an English-speaking driver from Giri Dara Bali Tours. I love the way the stops blend storytelling (Barong & Kris) with hands-on local arts (Celuk and Batuan), and how the day is structured around major “can’t miss” sights like Tegallalang Rice Terrace and Ubud Monkey Forest. You’ll also benefit from service-level guidance shown in past trips, including drivers like Ketut Legawa being praised for punctuality and friendly support.
One thing to plan around: the exact number of destinations can shift with Bali traffic, so you might not fit every listed stop in the 8–10 hour window.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Private Tour, Real-World Value: What You’re Paying For
- How the 8–10 Hour Day Actually Works (and Why Stops May Change)
- Barong & Kris Dance: The Story of Good vs Evil
- Celuk Village (Gold & Silver): Craft You Can See Up Close
- Batuan Painting Art: A Different Kind of Ubud Creativity
- Tegallalang Rice Terrace: The Scenic Stop With Extra Texture
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: A Central Ubud Classic
- Kintamani Highland: The Batur-Volcano Panorama Hour
- Price and Logistics: Is $70 Worth It?
- Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book the Private Ubud Kintamani Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours?
- Is pickup included?
- Is this tour private or shared?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are entrance tickets included for the stops?
- Is food included?
- How many destinations will we visit?
- What happens if we want extra time?
- Are children allowed?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights at a glance

- Private group only for a calmer day and less waiting around
- English-speaking driver + AC vehicle to keep things comfortable across long distances
- Ticketed time at the big sights like Barong & Kris, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Monkey Forest, and Kintamani
- Art-village stops at Celuk (gold/silver) and Batuan (painting) for a more local feel
- Kintamani’s Batur-area panorama as the scenic payoff stop near the end
- Flexible routing based on traffic, since the tour adapts during the day
Private Tour, Real-World Value: What You’re Paying For

At $70 per person for a full day up to 10 hours, this is one of those Bali tours that can feel like a bargain—mostly because transportation and admission-style fees are built into the package. You’re not just being dropped at random spots and told to figure it out. You get an air-conditioned car or bus, an English-speaking driver, and fuel covered.
What makes it good value is the mix of categories in one day: performance, craft, scenic viewpoints, and a major nature-themed attraction. If you’re staying in Ubud (or nearby), it’s an efficient way to knock out several “headline” experiences without juggling multiple tickets or transfers.
There are two practical notes to keep you grounded. First, food and drinks are not included, so plan on budgeting for a meal. Second, the schedule can flex—your final stop count depends on traffic.
Other Kintamani volcano tours at Mount Batur & Bali highlands
How the 8–10 Hour Day Actually Works (and Why Stops May Change)

The itinerary lists six stops, but it also notes that the total number of destinations depends on traffic. Usually, you can expect up to 4 places when the day stretches to around 10 hours.
Here’s the timing skeleton you can use to understand what you’ll likely experience:
- Barong & Kris dance: about 40 minutes (ticket included)
- Celuk gold & silver craft village: about 30 minutes (ticket included)
- Batuan painting village: about 30 minutes (admission-free noted)
- Tegallalang Rice Terrace: about 30 minutes (ticket included)
- Ubud Monkey Forest: about 30 minutes (ticket included)
- Kintamani: about 1 hour (ticket included)
In other words, you’re not doing one long “sit down and relax” block. You’re doing shorter timed visits plus driving time between them. That’s why the tour’s private format matters: your driver can manage pacing better than a rigid group schedule.
Barong & Kris Dance: The Story of Good vs Evil
The day starts with Barong & Kris Dance, a classic Balinese performance known for its storytelling. This is one of the better early stops because you’re fresh, still in “tour mode,” and the performance gives context for a lot of the spiritual imagery you’ll see later around Ubud.
Expect it to be more than a quick show-and-leave. The performance narrates a fight between good and evil, using dramatic costumes and movement. You get about 40 minutes, and the admission ticket is included, so you’re not handling extra logistics at the door.
If you care about culture beyond photos, this is the anchor. Many Bali “culture days” skip the performance side—here, it’s front and center. Just remember: after the show, you’ll move right into village and sightseeing stops, so keep your energy for the rest of the day.
Celuk Village (Gold & Silver): Craft You Can See Up Close
Next comes Celuk Village, famous for gold and silver crafting. This is a good stop if you like watching skill in action and want to see how Balinese artisans turn metalwork into something personal and detailed.
You’ll typically get about 30 minutes here, with the admission ticket included. What I like about including Celuk is that it shifts the day from “watching” to “looking closely.” Even if you don’t buy anything, you can see how the craft is integrated into daily life.
One practical consideration: craft villages can be shopping-heavy by nature. If you’re not in the mood to browse, treat this as a short inspiration stop—look at the work, ask questions, and then move on.
Batuan Painting Art: A Different Kind of Ubud Creativity
Then you head to Batuan, a painting-focused village. Ubud’s art story isn’t only about galleries and souvenirs. Batuan is tied to traditional expression, including religious and mythological ideas—later evolving into the painting culture visitors see today.
You’ll have about 30 minutes. Admission is noted as free for this stop, which is a nice detail when you’re trying to keep the day’s costs predictable. This stop also gives you a change of rhythm from metal craft: instead of focusing on technique in metal, you focus on scenes, style, and how myth and everyday life can mix in the same artwork.
If your photography style is more about small details than wide shots, Batuan can be a satisfying stop. It’s also a helpful contrast next to the big scenic breaks.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace: The Scenic Stop With Extra Texture
Tegallalang Rice Terrace is one of those Bali sights that almost always earns a camera roll. You get about 30 minutes, and the admission ticket is included.
This stop also has an extra layer beyond the rice terraces themselves. The area is described as having lots of woodcarvings nearby—colorful designs of flowers, animals, and other patterns. That matters because it means you’re not only looking at terraces from one angle. You can spend your time mixing terrace views with browsing the craft details around the area.
A practical thought: 30 minutes goes fast when you’re trying to do photos, look around, and actually enjoy what you’re seeing. If you want the best experience, treat this as a focused stop rather than a long wander.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: A Central Ubud Classic
Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary comes next, with about 30 minutes and an admission ticket included. The key advantage here is location: it’s described as being in the heart of Ubud, so you’re not spending huge chunks of the day just getting there and back.
This stop also works well as a breather between cultural villages and the later viewpoint at Kintamani. Even when you only have limited time, being able to add a nature-and-temple style attraction helps round out the day.
Keep expectations realistic: with only half an hour, you’re not seeing everything. You’re choosing the highlights you want most, and then you’re moving on.
Kintamani Highland: The Batur-Volcano Panorama Hour
The final anchor stop is Kintamani, around 1 hour with an admission ticket included. This is where the day earns its name as a “volcano day,” because the views reach toward the active volcano of Mount Batur and the wide lake area.
I like putting Kintamani near the end of the circuit because it becomes your reward. Earlier stops are hands-on or performance-based. Kintamani is the payoff: fewer tasks, more time looking out, and a chance to appreciate why people plan a day trip to this part of Bali.
One more real-world note: since routing can change with traffic, Kintamani may be the stop that gets protected. It’s the big view. In many tours like this, that matters for how you plan your photo schedule.
Price and Logistics: Is $70 Worth It?
Let’s talk value, not just cost. At $70 per person, you’re paying for:
- air-conditioned transport (car or bus)
- an English-speaking driver
- fuel
- and admission-style inclusions for multiple stops, plus all fees and taxes
When you add up what you’d normally pay separately—transport, driver time, and multiple paid attractions—this structure often makes sense, especially if you want a private day rather than piecing things together yourself.
What keeps it from being “perfect for everyone” is also clear:
- food and drinks are not included
- the exact number of stops can vary with traffic
- the visit durations are timed, so you’re not lingering for hours at any one place
If you’re the type of traveler who likes an organized day and hates the mental load of planning, this works well. If you want lots of free time at each location, you might find the pace a bit tight.
Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)
This is a strong match if you:
- want a private driver for an efficient Ubud-to-Kintamani route
- like mixing culture (dance + art) with scenery in one day
- care about not handling tickets and fees at multiple stops
- value a calm, stress-reduced experience, which fits the way drivers like Ketut Legawa were described in past feedback (punctual, polite, helpful, and supportive with planning)
You might think twice if:
- you prefer to control every minute without time limits
- you expect “the full list of all stops” no matter what, since traffic affects the final set
- you’re traveling with very specific interests that require deeper time at one location
In short: it’s best for a “see the highlights, but still keep it local” day.
Should You Book the Private Ubud Kintamani Tour?
I’d book it if you’re trying to pack a meaningful Ubud experience into one day without turning it into a logistics project. The ticket coverage and private AC transport make it feel more complete than many bargain tours, and the mix of Barong & Kris, Celuk, Batuan, Tegallalang, Monkey Forest, and Kintamani gives you a balanced snapshot of the region.
Before you hit confirm, do one thing: mentally accept that traffic may cut the number of stops. If Kintamani and the rice terrace are your top priorities, you’re likely in the right place.
If you want, tell me your travel dates and where you’re staying (Ubud area or elsewhere). I can help you choose which stops to prioritize when the day needs to flex.
FAQ
How long is the Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours?
It runs for about 8 to 10 hours, depending on the schedule and traffic.
Is pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered.
Is this tour private or shared?
It’s private, meaning only your group participates.
What’s included in the price?
You get an air-conditioned car or bus, an English-speaking driver, petrol/gasoline, and all fees and taxes.
Are entrance tickets included for the stops?
Admissions are included for several stops listed (Barong & Kris, Celuk, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Monkey Forest, and Kintamani). Batuan is noted as free.
Is food included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
How many destinations will we visit?
That depends on traffic. Usually, you can fit up to 4 places during the full day.
What happens if we want extra time?
Extra hours are charged at 10% of the full-day tour price.
Are children allowed?
Children under 2 years are free for entrance.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Free cancellation is offered.







