Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village Tour

One long day, big Bali variety. You get a tight circuit through Ubud’s icons and the Kintamani highlands, with a private driver handling the windy roads so you can focus on the sights. I especially liked the Mt. Batur lunch view and the way the English-speaking driver/guide can explain what you’re seeing, not just where to stand. The main trade-off: it’s a full 10 hours, and one of the stops is built around shopping for gold and silver crafts.

Because there’s no reliable public transport in this part of Bali, the day works best as a door-to-door plan. You start around 8:00 am, ride in a good A/C car, and get picked up from most south Bali and Ubud hotels, with drop-off after the last temple stop. It’s also set up as a private tour—your group only—so the pace feels less chaotic than hopping between buses.

What you’ll actually do runs like a greatest-hits reel: trance-style storytelling at a traditional dance performance, a walk through Monkey Forest, a photo stop at Tegalalang’s terraces, a highland look at Kintamani, lunch with a volcano backdrop, the sacred spring ritual at Tirta Empul, then craft browsing in Celuk. Lunch is a buffet of Indonesian specialties, and you can request vegetarian.

Quick take: what makes this day tour worth your time

• Barong and Keris dance with a trance-style story: a classic Balinese good-vs-evil tale you can watch in about an hour.
• Ubud Monkey Forest (Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana): temple grounds plus monkeys, with admission included.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace photo value: a focused visit to one of Bali’s most recognizable terrace scenes.
• Kintamani highlands + Mt. Batur lunch: one of the day’s best “wow” moments, served buffet-style at Amora Bali.
• Tirta Empul Holy Spring Temple: a culturally serious stop where purification rituals are the point, not just scenery.
• Celuk craft village: built-in time to shop for gold and silver handicrafts.

Why a private driver is the real luxury in Kintamani

On Bali, the views are often easiest to reach by car, not by bus. The roads around Ubud and the Kintamani highlands can be narrow and curvy, and public transport doesn’t really make this kind of full-day circuit painless. That’s why the private car matters: you spend energy on the experience, not on transfers, waiting, and route guesswork.

This tour includes a private vehicle with good A/C plus petrol, an English-speaking driver, and mineral water (one bottle per person). For a day that starts early and runs about 10 hours, those “small” inclusions add up—especially the water and the fact that entrance fees are covered for the sites you visit.

Barong and Keris dance at Sila Culture: good vs evil in motion

Your morning begins with Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture, often described as a trance dance with a Balinese story about the fight between good and evil. Barong is a mythical figure from Bali’s mythology—think of it as the character representing protection and harmony—while the keris is tied to the intense, dramatic side of the performance.

Why this stop is useful: it gives you context for Bali’s spiritual storytelling before you move into temples and ritual sites later in the day. When you watch the performance first, Tirta Empul lands differently, because you’re already tuned to the idea that Balinese culture blends art, belief, and community life.

Practical note: it’s about an hour, so treat it like a focused cultural show, not a long wandering museum visit. Comfortable clothes help, and you’ll likely want your camera ready—but don’t be surprised if some moments feel best left to watching closely rather than filming.

Ubud Monkey Forest: a temple sanctuary with rules

Next up is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, also known by its longer official name: Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It’s a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, and the experience is equal parts greenery, shrines, and monkey behavior.

I like this stop because it’s not just about spotting animals. The place is structured like a sanctuary—there are temple grounds and pathways—so you get a sense of why this site exists beyond tourism. With admission included, you’re not juggling another ticket line.

A consideration: monkeys are monkeys. Keep bags zipped, avoid feeding, and be ready for the possibility of quick, curious moments near you. You’ll have about an hour, so if you’re chasing photos, prioritize one or two “best angle” areas rather than trying to cover every corner at once.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: what to notice in a one-hour visit

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of those places where the first view is almost automatic—terraced fields stepping down the hillside. But your hour here is better if you notice the details beyond the postcard shot.

Watch how the terraces are carved and layered, and take a look at how water and farming are visually organized. Even if you’re not a farming expert, you can often see the logic in how the fields step down and how the plants are arranged. With this stop scheduled for about an hour, you’ll get enough time to walk a bit, pause for photos, and then get back on the road.

Small tip: go slow. The paths can be uneven and crowded around the most photographed spots. If you take your time, you’ll get better light angles and less stress than rushing to match every view you see online.

Kintamani highlands and lunch at Amora Bali with Mt. Batur

Then comes Kintamani, the highland area around Kintamani Village, sitting at about 1500 meters high. The day cools down as you rise, and nights in the area can get cold—but on your daytime visit, it’s usually more comfortable than the coast.

Your time here is short, around 30 minutes, so think of it as a scenic reset rather than a full sightseeing day. The best payoff is tied to lunch: you stop at The Amora Bali for a buffet Indonesian lunch while taking in the amazing view of Mt. Batur and the valley below.

This is one of the reasons I’d recommend this tour. A volcano view isn’t just a backdrop here—it’s attached to a proper meal. Vegetarian food is available on request, which is a real value add when so many day trips ignore dietary needs. You also get mineral water included, so you can pace yourself before the next temple stop.

Tirta Empul Temple: sacred springs and respectful participation

After lunch, you’ll visit Tirta Empul Temple, also known as the Holy Spring Temple in Tampak Siring. This is a place where Balinese worshippers have come for thousands of years for purification using holy spring water.

Why this stop is meaningful: it’s not a casual viewpoint. It’s a functioning sacred site with a ritual purpose. Plan to move calmly and respectfully, and follow what’s expected in the area you’re in. If you’re not sure about how to participate, watching respectfully is still part of the experience.

Time here is about an hour. That’s usually enough to understand the setting, observe the ritual spaces, and take in the atmosphere without feeling rushed. Entrance is included, so you can spend your mental bandwidth on what the place is doing, not on logistics.

Celuk craft village: gold and silver shopping without losing your mind

Celuk Village is famous for gold and silver handicrafts, and the stop is designed for you to look around and shop. You’ll spend about an hour here, and while entrance is free, your purchases are, of course, personal expenses.

I like Celuk as a cultural add-on because you’re seeing craft work in a village context, not only in a city showroom. You get a sense of how metalwork is treated as craft tradition. If you’re curious about the difference between basic and detailed pieces, this is one of the practical places on the route to compare.

A consideration: a shopping stop can feel like filler if you’re not interested in buying. If you are curious but not ready to spend, treat it like a browsing workshop—look, compare, ask questions, and set a mental price ceiling before you get swept into the excitement.

Time, pace, and the “full day” reality

This tour runs about 10 hours, starting at 8:00 am, and it’s built as a multi-stop day rather than a slow cultural stroll. That matters because it changes how you should pack your expectations.

You’re not here for lingering half-days. You’re here for high-impact moments: a dance performance, a sanctuary walk, one iconic terrace view, a quick Kintamani look, lunch with volcano scenery, a temple ritual stop, then craft browsing. It’s a lot—so I suggest you plan to keep snacks light (lunch is provided) and save big photo editing for later.

The good news is that transport and admissions are handled, and you’re traveling in a private A/C car. The less good news is that you’ll be sitting in the car for big chunks of the day, especially when you’re moving between Ubud and the Kintamani area.

Price and value: $65 is not just for driving

At $65 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled. You’re paying for:

• private car with A/C
• an English-speaking driver
• petrol
• entrance fees for the included sites
• buffet lunch with Indonesian dishes
• mineral water
• taxes and services

If you tried to piece this together on your own, the cost can creep up fast once you include entrance fees and a private driver for a full day. The buffet lunch with a Mt. Batur view at Amora Bali is also a big part of why the total works—most standalone restaurant meals don’t include the rest of the itinerary and site access.

Where the math is less favorable: if you already planned to skip one or two of these stops (for example, if you don’t want the dance performance or you’re not into shopping at Celuk). In that case, you’re paying for the whole circuit.

The human touch: drivers who explain, not just drive

One reason this kind of day tour succeeds is the guide energy. The operator’s driver-guide style tends to be friendly and professional, and you’ll see names like Teddy, Arsa, and Naya connected with that approach. Several driver names—Dirga, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, Oka—show up in the same theme: safe driving, helpful explanations, and attention to what the group needs.

Even if your driver isn’t turning every minute into a lecture, the best part is how the day becomes more understandable. When someone can point out why Tirta Empul matters or how the dance story fits Balinese belief, you stop treating stops like checkboxes.

Should you book this Kintamani and Ubud day tour?

Book it if you want a full-day sweep of Bali’s most recognizable cultural stops, with the convenience of a private car and admissions already handled. I’d especially recommend it if this is your first time around Ubud and you want a smart way to hit Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, and Tirta Empul without the stress of arranging everything separately.

Skip it or adjust your expectations if you hate long days or you’re not interested in a craft-shopping stop at Celuk. This is a circuit tour—great for variety, less great if you want slow pacing and lots of free time.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to learn while you move—dance, temples, farming terraces, and highland views—this day fits nicely. You’ll come home tired, yes, but you’ll also have a lot of Bali in one go.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and how long is it?

The tour starts at 8:00 am and runs for about 10 hours (approximately).

Will I be picked up from my hotel?

Yes. A private driver collects and drops off at most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

Is this tour private?

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

Is lunch included, and is vegetarian available?

Yes. Lunch is included as a buffet of Indonesian food, and vegetarian options are available on request.

What entrance fees are covered?

Entrance fees are included for the listed stops, including the dance performance, Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland, Tirta Empul Temple, and Celuk Village.

What’s included in the price besides the tour stops?

The price includes the private car with good A/C, an English-speaking driver, petrol, mineral water (1 bottle per person), and taxes and services.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time. Changes less than 24 hours before start time aren’t accepted.