Batur views make the whole day worth it. This private-style Ubud and Kintamani tour strings together temples, waterfalls, rice terraces, and Ubud’s macaque sanctuary, with a buffet lunch overlooking Mt. Batur and Lake Batur. You’re in control of the pace thanks to a private local driver/guide and door-to-door pickup from many areas.

I love two things most: first, the private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver/guide, which makes the long driving days feel organized instead of chaotic. Second, the lunch stop is built around the scenery—an Indonesian buffet at Grand Puncak Sari with Mt. Batur and Lake Batur as your backdrop for photos.

The main thing to consider is that this is a full-day 9-hour itinerary with multiple stops, including a short walk at the waterfall. If you prefer slow, one-place-at-a-time sightseeing, you may find the schedule a bit packed.

Key things to know before you go

• Mt. Batur photo lunch: Indonesian buffet at Grand Puncak Sari with Mt. Batur and Lake Batur views
• Private pickup and drop-off: from Ubud plus parts of south Bali (including Sanur, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and more)
• Temple entry cloth included: Batuan temple requires a sash and waist cloth, and it’s included
• Tegenungan Waterfall timing: around 1 hour total with a 10-minute walk to the main falls
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace viewpoints: cliffside terraces with coconut trees and active farming areas
• Monkey Forest sanctuary access: see long-tailed macaques in their natural habitat (about 1 hour)

A 9-Hour Ubud to Kintamani Plan That Moves Fast (In a Good Way)

This tour is designed for people who want the “big hits” of Bali’s interior without stress. You start at 8:00 am and you’re typically looking at about 9 hours total, so you’ll be doing real sightseeing, not just lounging in the car. The payoff is that you get multiple ecosystems in one day: temple life in a village setting, a jungle waterfall, volcanic highlands over Lake Batur, rice terrace farming, and the Ubud Monkey Forest.

The pacing is also practical. Most stops are 45 minutes to an hour, which is long enough to see the main points and take photos, but short enough that the day doesn’t drag. Between stops, you’ll be chauffeured in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the itinerary includes admission tickets so you’re not juggling payments at every point.

Just remember: it’s a day with travel time. If you’re the type who gets cranky after sitting in traffic for a while, pack patience—and choose comfy shoes.

Price, Private Transfers, and What You Really Get for $77

At $77 per person, the value here comes from what’s bundled. You’re paying for a private air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver/guide, parking fees, gas/petrol, admission tickets, and an Indonesian buffet lunch. Drink costs are separate, but the core meal and entry costs are handled.

It’s also good that pickup coverage is broad. You can be collected from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar. That matters because some tours only work well if you’re already near the action. This one tries to meet you where you’re staying.

One more useful perk: you’ll get a mobile ticket, and there’s an option for an additional stop near your hotel. That can be helpful if you want to top off the day with something close to home instead of ending abruptly at drop-off.

Batuan Temple: Waist Cloth Included and a 45-Minute Culture Pause

Your first stop is Pura Puseh Desa Batuan in the village of Batuan. This is an 11th-century temple, and it feels more like a local religious space than a staged tourist site. The key practical detail: entry includes a compulsory sash and cloth around your waist. You don’t have to track down rental clothing or figure out what to wear last minute.

Plan for about 45 minutes here. That’s enough time to cross into the main temple area, look around respectfully, and still move on before the schedule tightens. If you like architecture and how Balinese worship spaces work, this is the kind of stop that gives your day more meaning than just viewpoints.

The drawback? Temple visits can require a bit of patience with timing and expectations—especially when clothing is required. The good news is that the required waist cloth setup is included, so you’re not stuck improvising.

Tegenungan Waterfall: Short Walk, Big Views, Sensible Timing

Next up is Tegenungan Waterfall. You get a viewing point near the entrance, and then there’s a walk—about 10 minutes—down to the main waterfall viewing area. The tour gives you around 1 hour total time at the stop, which is enough for the descent, photos at the main viewpoint, and a slow return without rushing.

What I like about this design is that you’re not stuck only at the entrance overlook. You get both: an initial look at the falls and jungle, then the closer view where the waterfall dominates your frame. It’s a classic photo setup, but it’s also a nice sensory break from temples and road time.

Bring practical expectations: waterfalls are famous for slippery ground and wet spray in general, so wear shoes you trust. Beyond that, you’ll be fine as long as you’re comfortable with a short walk.

Kintamani Highlands and Grand Puncak Sari Lunch With Mt. Batur

Then the day shifts into volcanic highland mode with Kintamani. The viewpoint time is about 45 minutes, and you’re set up for views of active Mount Batur and serene Lake Batur. This highland area sits at roughly 1,500 meters above sea level, which often means the air feels different from Ubud lower down. Even if you’re not chasing weather changes, the altitude helps make the scenery feel open and dramatic.

The tour’s most “worth-the-drive” moment is lunch. At Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant, you get about 1 hour for an Indonesian gourmet buffet while overlooking Mt. Batur and Lake Batur. This is not just eating in a restaurant. It’s eating with the volcano as your background, which makes it easier to relax. You can build your photos here too, with a natural line of sight back toward the mountain.

Value note: because entry tickets and lunch are included, you don’t have to do a separate budget calculation mid-day. You’ll just want to remember that drinks are available for purchase, not included.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace at Farmer Level

After the highland views, you head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a place many people know by name but still enjoy when you see it in person. You’ll have about 45 minutes here to soak in the green (and the working rhythm) of the terraces. The tour highlights the cliff-covered rice fields and coconut trees growing around the farming area.

This stop works especially well if you like landscapes with human scale—farmers, pathways, and terrace edges close enough to feel real. It’s also one of those stops where the time feels right. Too short and you miss the best angles. Too long and you’re just circling the same viewpoints.

One consideration: rice terraces are photo-friendly and busy at peak times. If you’re aiming for calmer shots, keep your expectations realistic and plan to move with the flow rather than fight it.

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Macaques Up Close, Rules You’ll Want

Your final major stop in Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. You’ll spend about 1 hour exploring the sanctuary and seeing the long-tailed macaques in their natural habitat. This is the classic Ubud animal encounter, and what makes it different is that it’s not a zoo setup. It’s a protected sanctuary environment where monkeys live around paths and forest areas.

A useful way to think about it: pair this with the rest of your day. You’ve gone from temple rules (cloth required), to waterfall footing (short walk), to volcanic views (altitude and open space). Now it becomes about observing wildlife behavior in a real habitat.

Since the tour includes admission, you can focus on the experience instead of ticket lines. Just keep your day’s energy in mind. After a full run of sightseeing, one hour with macaques can be a perfect wind-down—if you’re ready for the lively atmosphere that comes with monkeys around.

Who This Tour Fits Best and What to Bring

This tour is ideal if you want a balanced “best of” day: culture at a historic temple, nature at a waterfall, big views at Kintamani, and iconic Bali scenery at rice terraces and Monkey Forest. It’s also a smart choice for first-timers who don’t want to stitch together multiple tickets and separate drivers.

It may be less ideal if:

• You don’t like packed schedules and long driving stretches.
• You want just one or two stops with lots of free time.
• You’re sensitive to walking, even if it’s relatively short (like the 10-minute approach at Tegenungan).

What to bring, based on the stops: comfortable walking shoes for the waterfall descent, something respectful for temple spaces (the waist cloth is included at Batuan, but you’ll still want to dress sensibly), and a plan for the one thing not included—drinks at lunch and along the way.

If you’re traveling in a group, you might also like that there can be group discounts depending on how you book. And since it’s private, your group controls the tempo more than on bus-style tours.

Should You Book Bali Iconic Tour With Buffet Lunch and Tickets?

If your goal is one efficient day that hits Ubud and Kintamani highlights, I’d lean yes. The strongest reasons are practical: you get private transfers, admission fees, and a Mt. Batur-view buffet lunch that turns the midday break into a scenery moment, not just a necessity.

I would only hesitate if you strongly prefer slow travel or if you want downtime more than checklists. The day is structured, and the stops are all “main attraction” style. For most visitors, that’s a feature, not a flaw.

One last smart move: when you confirm pickup, make sure you’re ready and waiting in your hotel lobby around the scheduled time. That keeps the day running smoothly from the start.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the Bali Iconic Tour?

It runs for about 9 hours (approx.).

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a private air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver/guide, entry/admission fees, Indonesian buffet lunch, parking fees, and gas/petrol. Pickup and drop-off are also included.

Is the buffet lunch included, and are drinks included too?

Yes, the Indonesian gourmet buffet lunch is included. Drinks are not included and are available for purchase.

Do I need to pay any attraction tickets separately?

No. Admission fees are included for the listed stops.

What happens at the Batuan Temple?

You’ll need to wear a compulsory sash and cloth around your waist for entry, and that is included with the stop.

Can I add an extra stop near my hotel?

Yes. There’s an option for an additional stop near your hotel.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.