REVIEW · SEMINYAK
Discover Ubud: 2 Days Ubud Private Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Hire Bali Driver · Bookable on Viator
Two days in Ubud, no time wasted. This private route strings together classic Balinese culture and nature stops, then ends with a real spiritual moment at Tirta Empul. You get a full, well-paced sampler—dance, temples, rice terraces, waterfalls, and Kintamani viewpoints—without having to plan each leg yourself.
What I like most is the order of the days: culture first, then scenery and rituals. I also like that the tour handles the hard parts for you, including tickets and two lunches along the way, so you can focus on the places instead of chasing details.
One thing to consider: this is a busy two-day schedule with a moderate fitness level, and you’ll be on your feet at several stops (especially around the waterfalls and temple sites).
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll actually feel
- From Seminyak to Ubud: how the two-day rhythm plays out
- Day 1 at Ubud: Barong dance, Monkey Forest, and Tegalalang photos with meaning
- Lunch with a jungle view, plus the swing stop you’ll remember
- Gunung Kawi Sebatu: a quieter temple setting with bathing pools
- Day 2 waterfalls: Kanto Lampo first, then Tukad Cepung’s sunbeams
- Kintamani Highland: Mount Batur and Lake Batur views that justify the driving time
- Tirta Empul Temple: the purification ritual and how to be respectful
- Price and value: what $130 covers and why it can add up fast
- Guide quality matters: Kiut’s role in making it feel smooth
- Practical tips for a two-day private Ubud plan
- Who should book this tour (and who might want something else)
- Should you book this 2-Day Ubud Private Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Discover Ubud 2 Days Ubud Private Tour?
- Where does the tour pick up, and is pickup included?
- What is the price per person?
- Is this a private tour or a shared group tour?
- Are meals included?
- Are entrance fees included for the main stops?
- What about drinks—are alcoholic beverages included?
- What fitness level do I need?
- Is there free cancellation?
Key highlights you’ll actually feel

- Batubulan Barong and Keris dance: a good-vs-evil performance that sets the tone for the whole trip
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: hours of tropical forest and hundreds of long-tailed macaques
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces: iconic step-by-step views with time to look and take photos
- Gunung Kawi Sebatu: older shrines and bathing pools in a quieter temple setting
- Kintamani Mount Batur viewpoint: a big, dramatic payoff with Mount Batur and Lake Batur views
- Tirta Empul purification ritual: a holy spring-water experience with purifying and healing meaning
From Seminyak to Ubud: how the two-day rhythm plays out
Even though the tour is listed for Seminyak, the real action is in the Ubud area and beyond. The day starts with pickup from your hotel, then you head to the first cultural stop—about one hour to Batubulan. That timing matters because it means you’re not burning your first morning trying to figure out local transport.
The overall rhythm is smart: you get Day 1 as a cultural and spiritual intro, then Day 2 as a nature-and-views day that culminates at Tirta Empul. If you’ve been worried about seeing too many “photo stops” with no context, this route avoids that by mixing performances, temples, and scenery in a logical arc.
Because it’s a private tour, it’s only your group in the car. You’ll still be moving from stop to stop, but you won’t be squeezed into a shared ride with strangers trying to manage their own plans.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Seminyak
Day 1 at Ubud: Barong dance, Monkey Forest, and Tegalalang photos with meaning

Day 1 begins with Batubulan and the Barong and Keris dance, which is essentially a Balinese story-play about good versus evil. This is the kind of stop that changes how you read the rest of Bali you’ll see afterward. Once you understand the theme—protective forces versus destructive ones—you start noticing the symbolic language woven into temple design and ritual life.
From Batubulan, you head to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which runs about 27 acres and is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaque monkeys. This is both nature time and a cultural landmark in one. Expect a lot of green shade, winding paths, and that classic Ubud feel of forest meeting temple atmosphere.
Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This is the place you’ve likely seen in photos, but on-site it hits differently because you can see the terraces cascading down and follow the irrigation lines. You’ll have about one hour here, which is just enough to get your bearings, enjoy the view, and take photos without feeling like you’ve missed everything.
A practical note: the Monkey Forest and Tegalalang are both high-visibility stops. Even with a private tour, they can feel “mainstream.” If you hate crowds, go in with the right expectations—use the time for photos and scenery, then keep moving.
Lunch with a jungle view, plus the swing stop you’ll remember

After Tegalalang, you’ll have lunch at D Alas Warung Restaurant, a local Indonesian lunch spot with jungle-and-rice-terrace views. The itinerary gives you about two hours here, which is a big part of why the day feels enjoyable instead of rushed.
This is also where you’ll encounter the jungle swing experience. If you’re the type who likes playful, scenic activities, this is a fun break from temples and walking paths. If you’re not into swings, you can still enjoy the view and use the time to slow down before the next stop.
One downside to a lunch stop with extra activities: it can stretch the day. But honestly, that’s part of the value. A solid meal with a beautiful setting keeps Day 1 from turning into a strict checklist.
Gunung Kawi Sebatu: a quieter temple setting with bathing pools
The last stop on Day 1 is Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, a temple complex described as lesser-known and set in a lush jungle area near Tegallalang. Here, you’re looking for atmosphere rather than just scenery. The standout features are the ancient shrines and the bathing pools used as part of temple life and rituals.
This stop works well after your rice terrace and lunch, because it shifts you from agriculture back to spirituality without repeating the same kind of visit. You’re still in a gorgeously atmospheric area, but the mood is calmer.
The only real consideration: temple sites can involve slippery or uneven ground, and you’ll likely need to move at a slower pace. With a moderate fitness level requirement listed, it’s a good reminder to wear footwear that handles tropical conditions.
Day 2 waterfalls: Kanto Lampo first, then Tukad Cepung’s sunbeams

Day 2 starts with Kanto Lampo Waterfall, a popular photography stop known for splashy water. You’ll get around one hour, and that timing is useful because you can focus on photos and enjoying the spray without losing the rest of the day to long waits.
Then you head to Tukad Cepung Waterfall, described as tucked away near the village of Tembuku, inside a jungle gorge. The highlight here is the way sunlight filters in, creating dramatic light effects in the cave-like setting. Even when you’re not a photo fanatic, this one has a “how is this place here” feeling.
Waterfall stops can be physically demanding because you may need to step carefully around slick rock and water. The itinerary keeps both waterfall visits to about one hour each, which helps manage the effort. Still, if you’re sensitive to slippery surfaces, take your time and don’t rush.
Also, plan to stay flexible. Waterfalls are weather-dependent by nature, so bring the mindset that you’re visiting a natural site, not a controlled attraction.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Seminyak
Kintamani Highland: Mount Batur and Lake Batur views that justify the driving time

After waterfalls, you’ll make your way to Kintamani Highland, where the views are the main event. You’ll have about two hours and 30 minutes, and that longer window is key. It’s not just a quick stop to look once—it gives you time to find a viewpoint angle you like and settle in.
The big names here are Mount Batur (an active volcano) and Lake Batur, described as the largest lake on the island. This is the part of the tour that tends to feel like a payoff: you go from water and forest into a wide open horizon.
If you want a simple strategy, use the extra time to slow down. Let the views hit, then come back for one last look before you move on. That keeps Kintamani from becoming just another “stand-and-photo” moment.
Tirta Empul Temple: the purification ritual and how to be respectful
The final stop is Tirta Empul Temple, one of Bali’s best-known sacred Hindu temples for visitors and pilgrims. It’s centered on holy spring water, believed to have purifying and healing properties, and the itinerary includes time for a purification ritual.
This stop is different from the rest of the itinerary because it’s not about sight-seeing first. It’s about participating in a spiritual tradition, and that means you’ll want to approach it with respect and quiet focus.
Even if you’re not sure what you’ll do during the ritual portion, you’ll be in a place with clear sacred rules and local meaning. The best move is to watch first, follow the guidance of your group, and keep your behavior gentle and mindful.
Because it’s your last stop, Tirta Empul also serves as a kind of emotional “closing chapter.” After temples and nature, it brings the theme back to purification and renewal—good, evil, and balance all in one trip arc.
Price and value: what $130 covers and why it can add up fast
At $130 per person, this tour sits in the category where value depends on what’s included. The good news is that it includes a lot of the pieces that usually make DIY days more expensive or stressful.
You get an air-conditioned vehicle, private tour, pickup offered, bottled water, all fees and taxes, and lunch (2). Entrance fees are also listed as included for key stops like the Monkey Forest, rice terraces, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, both waterfalls, Kintamani, and Tirta Empul.
So you’re not paying again and again for each entrance ticket, and you’re not trying to coordinate schedules across multiple vendors. If your travel style is more “I want the day planned, not pieced together,” that’s where the $130 makes sense.
The only clear gap is alcoholic drinks, which aren’t included. If that matters to your budget, plan to bring your own plan for drinks outside the tour meal times.
One small extra value angle: the tour listing notes group discounts and a mobile ticket. If you’re traveling as a pair or small group, it’s worth checking whether those discounts apply to your booking.
Guide quality matters: Kiut’s role in making it feel smooth
This is the part that shows up strongly in the feedback: the experience is much better when the guide makes it flow. In the reviews, the driver named Kiut is called out as excellent, with strong local knowledge and great hospitality.
That matters on a two-day itinerary like this because you’re juggling different kinds of places—performances, wildlife forest paths, rice terrace viewpoints, waterfall timing, and a sacred water temple. A good guide helps you keep momentum without making you feel like you’re being rushed.
If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys understanding what you’re seeing (even briefly), having a guide who can explain context is a real quality boost. It’s also one reason why this tour rating stays high.
Practical tips for a two-day private Ubud plan
Wear footwear that works on uneven surfaces. Temple areas and waterfall zones can mean slick patches and rock that doesn’t look dangerous until you step on it.
Plan for a moderate fitness level. The itinerary includes multiple stops across forests and temples, so build in the mindset that you’ll walk some and stand for views. The schedule is tight enough that you should move steadily but not sprint from stop to stop.
Bring what you need for sun and moisture: water is included, but you still want personal comfort items. Since bottled water is part of the deal, you don’t need to buy water at every stop, which saves money and time.
Finally, keep your expectations aligned with a packed program. This is a two-day route designed to hit the highlights: culture, nature, and purification. If you want a slow, lingering vacation pace, you might feel the intensity. But if you want a high-value “best of Ubud plus Kintamani” style plan, it fits.
Who should book this tour (and who might want something else)
This tour is a great match if you want a private way to see Ubud’s classics in two days, especially if you’re short on time and don’t want to research tickets, timing, and transport between distant stops.
It’s also a good fit if you like a mix of things: a dance performance, nature walks, rice terrace views, waterfall photo time, volcano-country scenery, and a meaningful temple ritual.
If you dislike structured schedules or you want lots of downtime, this might feel too packed. The moderate fitness requirement and repeated walking across different sites means it’s better for people who can handle a full day of movement.
Should you book this 2-Day Ubud Private Tour?
Book it if you want an efficient, well-rounded plan that covers culture, scenery, and spirituality in one go—plus tickets, lunches, and transport are handled. The route also has a strong “guide factor,” with Kiut highlighted for making the days feel smooth and enjoyable.
Consider another option if you want a slower pace or fewer moving parts. This is made for visitors who want their two days to count, not for people who want to linger for half a day at one viewpoint.
If you’re nodding yes to a full itinerary and you’re ready for temple and waterfall walking, you’ll likely love the way the day themes connect from Barong and Keris to Tirta Empul.
FAQ
How long is the Discover Ubud 2 Days Ubud Private Tour?
It runs for about 2 days.
Where does the tour pick up, and is pickup included?
Pickup is offered from your hotel.
What is the price per person?
The price is $130.00 per person.
Is this a private tour or a shared group tour?
This is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.
Are meals included?
Yes. Lunch is included twice.
Are entrance fees included for the main stops?
Yes. Entrance tickets are marked as included for the Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, both waterfalls, Kintamani Highland, and Tirta Empul Temple.
What about drinks—are alcoholic beverages included?
Alcoholic drinks are not included.
What fitness level do I need?
A moderate physical fitness level is recommended.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.
































