Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village Tour

A volcano view drives this full-day loop. You get a Kintamani highland day with Ubud culture stops built in, all handled by a private driver through the winding hills. Two big wins for me: the Mt. Batur lunch-view meal at Kintamani, and the chance to see Balinese ritual at Tirta Empul without racing to fit it all yourself.

I also like that this day is structured like a proper circuit. You start with the Barong and Keris performance, then hit the Ubud highlights (Monkey Forest and Tegalalang), and only after that do the sacred springs and craft village. The result feels efficient, not random, especially because there’s no real public transport option for this route.

One consideration: it’s a long day, about 10 hours, and a few stops are timed like a sampler platter. If you want hours at just one place, you might feel the pace. Still, for a first visit, it’s a practical way to cover a lot.

Key things to know before you go

• Barong and Keris Dance: a traditional story of good vs evil with a trance-dance style performance.
• Ubud Monkey Forest: a temple sanctuary with monkeys plus classic Ubud scenery.
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces: one hour to enjoy the view and photo angles before you move on.
• Kintamani lunch with Mt. Batur: buffet lunch timed for the highland scenery.
• Tirta Empul sacred springs: you’ll see the holy-spring temple used for purification rituals.
• Celuk gold and silver village: craft shopping with an easy, one-hour stop.

Why this private Ubud–Kintamani day makes sense

This tour is built around a simple problem: getting around Ubud and the Kintamani highlands on your own can be slow and stressful. Public transport for these countryside roads just isn’t practical, and the drives can be narrow and winding. A private car with A/C fixes the main issue—time—and keeps you comfortable while you climb.

The format is also smart for first-timers. You’re not just going to one “big ticket” spot. You’re mixing culture (dance, temple), scenery (rice terraces, highland views), and daily life (handicrafts in Celuk). And since it’s a private tour with only your group, you’re less likely to feel like you’re herded into a schedule that doesn’t match your pace.

Barong and Keris in Sila Culture: a good-vs-evil story on stage

Your day starts with the Barong and Keris Dance Performance at Sila Culture. This show is based on a Balinese traditional story about the fight between good and evil. In the mythology of Bali, Barong is the king of the spirits, and that idea drives the whole performance.

What I like about starting here is that it gives you a mental framework for what you’ll see later. Bali’s temples and purification traditions don’t feel random after you’ve watched a story about spiritual forces play out right in front of you.

Practical note: this stop runs about one hour, and admission is included. So you don’t need to manage separate tickets or timing stress before you head into the next part of the day.

Monkey Forest sanctuary: temple grounds plus monkey chaos potential

Next comes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud (about one hour, admission included). The full name is Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which hints at what it is: a nature-reserve temple complex.

This stop works best if you enjoy seeing how wildlife and sacred spaces coexist. You’ll walk through temple grounds where monkeys are part of the experience, not a side show. It’s a classic Ubud stop for a reason, but it can also feel busy depending on timing.

How to think about it: treat it like a walk-through nature-and-temple mix, not a quiet garden. You’ll want to stay alert and keep your valuables secure while you look around.

Tegalalang rice terraces: the iconic view, with a one-hour window

Then you’ll head to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace area for about one hour (admission included). This is one of those places where the scenery does the work. Terraced rice fields drop across the hills, and the views are the main attraction.

A one-hour slot is enough for photos and a slow browse, especially if you’re hopping between multiple highlights in one day. The tradeoff is that you won’t have time to explore far off the main viewpoint areas. If you’re the type who likes wandering for hours, you might leave wanting more.

Still, for this itinerary, it’s a good balance: you get the famous look, then you move on before the day turns into one long traffic-and-wait loop.

Kintamani highlands: the cool air stop, then straight to lunch

After Ubud’s scenes, you’ll switch into highland mode at Kintamani. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes at Kintamani Village (admission included). Expect a short break in the day that’s more about location and atmosphere than a deep dive.

This is where the highland setting shows up. The information you’re given notes Kintamani sits around 1,500 meters up, with cool daytime air and colder nights. Even if you’re there in the day (and not for a night visit), the air and the wide views usually feel like a reset.

Buffet lunch at The Amora Bali with Mt. Batur views

Lunch is at The Amora Bali in Kintamani, about one hour, and the buffet Indonesian food is included. One of the strongest reasons to book this tour is the pairing: you’re not just eating—you’re eating while looking at Mt. Batur.

That matters more than it sounds. On many tours, lunch is a quick fuel stop. Here, it’s scheduled as part of the scenery. If you care about getting a meal that feels tied to where you are, this is a plus.

Food-wise, you’ll get an Indonesian buffet, and vegetarian food is available on request. Mineral water is also included (one bottle per person), which helps keep the day simple—no hunting for drinks mid-drive.

Tirta Empul Temple: sacred springs and purification rituals

Next up is Tirta Empul Temple (about one hour, admission included). Tirta Empul—also called the Holy Spring Temple—is in Tampak Siring. For thousands of years, Balinese worshippers have come here for holy water used to purify the body.

This stop is less about taking in a single dramatic view and more about understanding a living religious practice. You’ll be in a place where water and ritual are central. Even if you don’t know the details of the ceremonies, the setting makes the purpose clear.

One practical thing: because it’s a temple site, expect rules and respectful behavior. The tour includes the visit time, but you’ll want to dress and act appropriately once you arrive.

Celuk village for gold and silver crafts: shopping, but with context

To round out the day, you’ll visit Celuk Village, famous for gold and silver handicrafts. It’s about one hour, and the stop cost includes that time (admission is listed as free).

This is the “take home something” part of the itinerary. The information you’re given notes the area offers gold and silver craft items at lower prices, which is a big reason people include Celuk in their Bali route. It’s also a chance to see how everyday trade connects to Bali’s cultural identity.

How to handle it: go in with a mindset of browsing and comparing rather than shopping under pressure. A one-hour stop is enough to look, ask prices, and decide if anything fits your budget—without turning the whole day into retail.

Time, comfort, and the reality of a 10-hour loop

This tour runs about 10 hours and starts at 8:00 am. That early start is key because you want to beat the worst crowds at the busy Ubud attractions and keep travel time reasonable.

You’ll spend the day in a private car with good A/C, with an English-speaking driver. Petrol is included, plus tax and services, which keeps the day from turning into surprise add-ons. Pickup is offered from many south Bali and Ubud hotels, and drop-off returns you to the same kind of area.

Because roads in this region can be narrow and winding, the private driver part matters. The tour isn’t just about convenience; it’s about reducing fatigue. And if your driver-guide is strong, the time passes faster.

Names you may hear along the way include Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, and Oka. These are examples of driver-guides people associate with friendly, professional explanations and smooth driving.

Price and value: is $65 per person fair?

At $65 per person for a full-day private tour, the value depends on what you’d do if you were organizing it yourself. You’re effectively bundling:

• Seven planned stops (dance, Monkey Forest, rice terraces, Kintamani, lunch, Tirta Empul, Celuk)
• Entrance fees for the stops listed with admission included
• A buffet lunch with Mt. Batur views
• A private A/C car and an English-speaking driver
• Mineral water (one bottle per person)

If you tried to DIY this route, you’d pay for transportation and you’d still need to manage tickets and timing between scattered locations. The biggest financial “win” is the lunch-with-view setup plus included entrances. The biggest convenience win is that you don’t have to solve the transport puzzle for narrow, winding rural roads.

The main tradeoff is the pace. You don’t have long, slow time at every site. But you do get a balanced day that hits the major Ubud and Kintamani icons, plus a temple experience.

Who should book this tour

This fits best if you want a lot of highlights in one day and you like your cultural stops to be meaningful, not just scenic.

It’s especially good for:

• First-time visitors to Ubud and Kintamani
• People who prefer a private car over dealing with transfers
• Anyone who wants a guided-feeling day with explanations in English
• Food lovers who care where lunch happens

If you want deep time at a single place (for example, only Ubud or only Tirta Empul), you may prefer splitting into two shorter days. This one is a best-of route.

Should you book? My take

Yes, if you like structured sightseeing and you’re okay with a full schedule. The Mt. Batur lunch view, the Barong and Keris performance start, and the Tirta Empul purification temple visit are a strong combo.

If you’re sensitive to crowds at Monkey Forest, or you hate rushing between stops, you might feel the pace. But given the transport challenges in this region, the private driver approach is a clear advantage.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the driver collects and drops at most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What stops are included in the day?

You’ll visit Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland, a buffet lunch at The Amora Bali, Tirta Empul Temple, and Celuk Village.

Is lunch included, and what kind is it?

Yes. Lunch is included as a buffet of Indonesian food at The Amora Bali, and vegetarian food is available on request.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees are included for the stops listed with admission included.

What about drinks?

Mineral water is included (1 bottle per person).

What is not included in the price?

Personal expenses are not included.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.