A forgotten hotel is your next photo stop.

This private Bali day trip links spooky local legend to classic scenic hits: Bedugul’s abandoned hotel, a lakeside temple, and waterfall + viewpoint breaks. You also get your own driver/guide in an air-conditioned van, plus an included lunch and bottled water.

I really liked two things. The guide quality stands out, with names like Radi, Dekwi, and Benik showing up for their friendly, funny, English-speaking presence. I also loved how the day is built around set-piece photo moments, from Ulun Danu Bratan to the Wanagiri swings and the Bedugul ghost palace.

One thing to consider: it’s a long 10-hour outing, and there’s some walking at the waterfalls. If you prefer totally flat sightseeing, plan for a slower pace and comfortable shoes.

Key highlights worth waking up for

• Bedugul’s ghost palace: the biggest abandoned hotel in the area and the stories people attach to it
• Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on the lake: the kind of scene that makes your camera roll start on day one
• Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: time for photos and a chance to swim, plus a bit of walking
• Wanagiri Hidden Hills: swings and bird-nest photo spots with Buyan Lake in the background
• Private tour feel with pickup/drop-off: your schedule, your pace, in a minivan
• Lunch included: one less meal headache across a long day

Why Bali’s Bedugul abandoned hotel hits harder than a normal ruin

Ghost tours work best when the place feels local, not just cinematic. Here, Bedugul’s abandoned hotel—often called a ghost palace by locals—is tied to the area’s history and atmosphere. It’s the main stop, and you’ll spend a full hour there, which matters. You’re not just snapping a quick exterior photo and racing off.

The hotel itself is described as a massive property built around the 1990s to be the biggest hotel in that area. That scale is part of the feeling: it doesn’t read like a small, forgotten building. It feels like a decision that went sideways—perfect material for the eerie stories people keep alive.

And yes, it’s also a photo magnet. Even if you’re not chasing Instagram, you’ll find yourself photographing reflections, textures, and the odd contrast of a grand structure sitting quietly while the surrounding countryside keeps moving.

The morning run: Ubud pickup, a full 10-hour schedule, and a practical pace

Tours like this succeed or fail on pacing. This one is designed as a long, packed day—about 10 hours starting around 8:00 am—so you’re likely to see multiple locations without long gaps.

You’ll get:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan
• Bottled water
• Lunch
• A private setup (only your group)

That combination is great value in Bali, where traffic can turn a “quick hop” into a time sink. Having a dedicated vehicle and guide helps you keep the day moving without constantly asking where to go next.

Real talk: it’s still a full day. You’ll want to treat it like a small adventure day, not a slow morning stroll. The upside is you get variety—temple, hotel, waterfall, viewpoints, lunch—so you don’t end up feeling like you repeated the same view five times.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: a lake-temple scene before the spooky stuff

Your first major stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, set on the lakeshore (on the Lake Beratan side). This is a strong warm-up: it’s visually calm before the abandoned-building weirdness.

You’ll get about 1 hour here, and admission is included. What makes it worth your time is the way the temple sits against the water and hills. It’s the kind of setting where even if you’re not into temples, you’ll still appreciate the views and the peaceful rhythm.

Photo-wise, this is an easy win because the background does the work for you. If you’ve had trouble getting good shots in busy tourist spots, this often feels more open and scenic.

One practical note: temples usually mean respectful dress and slower movement. Even if you don’t love religious sites, you’ll likely enjoy this stop more than you expect because it resets the day’s energy.

Bedugul’s abandoned hotel: the ghost palace stop you’ll remember

Now for the headline: Bedugul’s abandoned hotel, billed as the biggest abandoned hotel in Bali. You’ll spend around 1 hour inside the site area, and the ticket is free for this stop.

This is where the tour earns its name. The building is known locally as a ghost palace, and you’ll learn the history behind it—built around the 1990s, intended to be the biggest hotel in the area, then left behind. That story explains why the place feels both grand and sad, rather than just spooky for fun.

What I like about giving this stop its own full hour: you can actually look, not just rush. You’ll have time to:

• walk around and take photos from multiple angles
• focus on the details (big empty spaces feel different when you can linger)
• hear the story without your guide talking over you as the van waits

Also, the experience is built around “Instagram opportunities,” and you’ll see why. The contrast of old luxury vibes with nature nearby creates strong images quickly.

Consideration: abandoned buildings aren’t theme parks. Surfaces can be uneven or slippery depending on conditions. Wear shoes you trust, and keep your movements steady—especially if it’s humid or there’s moisture.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: swimming option, plus a bit of walking

After the hotel, you pivot to nature at Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. Expect about 1 hour here, and entrance is included.

This is described as Bali’s most beautiful waterfall in the area, and the important part for your day is practical:

• You’ll get time for photos
• There’s some walking
• Swimming is possible, assuming conditions allow

The walking isn’t described as extreme, but it’s not zero. If you have moderate physical fitness, you should be fine—just don’t plan on wearing fragile sandals and rushing between spots.

What makes Banyumala feel different from some other waterfalls is that it supports both a “stand back and shoot” style and a more involved “get close” approach. The tour gives enough time that you can decide how wet and adventurous you want to be.

Tip for value: if you want to swim, treat it like a short outing within the outing. Bring something you can rinse off after, and plan for the fact you’ll still have the rest of the day’s viewpoints afterward.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills: swings, bird-nest photos, and Buyan Lake views

To close the sightseeing loop, you head to Wanagiri Hidden Hills, another stop built for views and photos. You’ll get about 1 hour, with admission included.

This is where the tour shifts into fun-photo mode:

• a chance to ride a swing
• picture time at a bird nest spot
• scenic views with Buyan Lake in the background

If you’ve ever felt like Bali’s viewpoints blur together, this one helps because it mixes “scenery” with “specific photo structures.” That means you’re not only photographing the same type of horizon view; you’re photographing you in the view.

The only downside is the same one that comes with all viewpoint attractions: it can feel busy and you may wait a moment for a turn. The one-hour window helps keep it from dragging too long.

If you’re a photographer, this stop is a great place to slow down. With the lake behind you, you’ll get more satisfying shots if you take time with angles instead of shooting from the first spot you reach.

Price and value: what $61.54 buys you in real-world terms

At about $61.54 per person for a 10-hour private tour, the value depends on what you’d otherwise pay for in Bali.

Here’s what’s included:

• Private tour (not a shared minibus experience)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned minivan transport
• Lunch
• Bottled water
• Entrance fees for listed stops (Ulun Danu Bratan, Banyumala, Wanagiri, with the Bedugul hotel ticket free)
• Taxes and fees

If you’d otherwise need to hire a driver for the day, plus buy tickets, plus figure out lunch, that total often adds up fast. What I like about this tour is that it bundles the day into one predictable cost with fewer “surprise” expenses.

Alcohol isn’t included. If you want a drink, plan on paying for it yourself.

One more value angle: the tour is often booked about 29 days in advance on average. That suggests demand—so if you’re traveling in a busy season, you’ll likely have better options by booking earlier.

What makes the guide matter here (and why you should care)

This itinerary needs more than directions. It needs someone to connect the dots between stops—especially at the abandoned hotel, where the story is a big part of the point.

The guide experiences from the people I’ve seen highlighted focus on three things:

• friendly, attentive service
• strong English communication
• and a good sense of timing so you don’t feel rushed

Names like Radi, Dekwi, and Benik come up for being personable and capable with photos. I’d treat that as a signal: the company clearly emphasizes guide experience, not just driving from A to B.

If you like travel days where someone keeps the mood light but still explains what you’re looking at, this kind of private tour suits you well.

What to pack and how to handle the day comfortably

You’re doing temples, a large abandoned property, waterfalls, and viewpoint swings in one day. Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Comfortable shoes (especially for waterfall walking and uneven areas at the hotel stop)
• A light rain layer (Bali weather can shift quickly)
• Swim option gear if you plan to get in at Banyumala
• A small bag for water and essentials
• Your camera setup (you’ll use it more than once)

For comfort, remember it’s 10 hours. Bring a refillable water container if you like, but bottled water is already included. Also, plan for sun—most of these spots are outdoor and photo-driven.

Who this tour fits best

This Bali ghost tour is a good match if you:

• want the abandoned hotel experience but still want a full day of real scenery
• like photo stops with built-in moments (swing, bird nest, lakeside temple angles)
• prefer a private setup so you don’t feel stuck in a rigid group pace
• can handle some walking at the waterfall stop

It may be less ideal if you:

• want a short outing (this one is a long day)
• hate any walking at all
• are uncomfortable around abandoned sites (take it slow, stay aware, and wear proper footwear)

Should you book this Bali ghost tour?

Book it if you want one day that combines story and scenery—not just one or the other. The Bedugul ghost palace stop is the headline, but the itinerary supports it with a lakeside temple and two different nature/viewpoint finales.

Skip or rethink it if you’re looking for a light, mostly indoor tour. This day is outdoors-heavy and designed to keep moving.

If you do book, show up ready for a full day: bring good shoes, expect a bit of walking, and let your guide set the pace. You’ll come away with both the spooky highlight and the classic Bali shots that make the trip feel complete.

FAQ

How long is the Bali Ghost Tour to Bedugul?

The tour runs about 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes bottled water, air-conditioned minivan transport, an Indonesian lunch, and entrance tickets for the listed stops (Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and the other sightseeing stops). The abandoned Bedugul Hotel stop is listed as free.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour, meaning only your group participates.

Do I need to be physically fit?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. There is some walking at the Banyumala waterfalls stop.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

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