REVIEW · UBUD
Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple
Book on Viator →Operated by Bali 4U Tours · Bookable on Viator
Eight hours of Bali, ticketed and private. This tour strings together major sacred sites and scenic countryside in one smooth day, with pickup, an English-speaking driver/guide, and entrance fees handled for you. You’ll hit Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, the Mount Batur/Kintamani viewpoint, and Besakih Temple.
I love that the day is built for convenience: a private air-conditioned vehicle and included admission tickets means fewer headaches and less waiting around. I also like the human touch—based on past trips, guides like Chris bring solid context on Bali’s history, and your driver (for example, Yasmika) tends to keep things on time with quick updates.
One thing to consider: it’s a full-day circuit, with short visits (many stops are about an hour). If you prefer slow travel, you may feel the schedule is tight—especially with optional add-ons only if time remains.
In This Review
- Quick Key Points Before You Go
- How the Day Flows: Pickup at 9:00am and an 8-Hour Plan
- Tegenungan Waterfall: What You’ll See in One Hour
- Tirta Empul Temple: Purification Rituals and a Real Sense of Purpose
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces: A Fast, Scenic Hit in North Ubud
- Kintamani Viewpoint + Mount Batur: The Best Big-View Moment
- Besakih Temple on Mount Agung’s Slopes: Bali’s Biggest Temple
- Coffee Plantation + Luwak Tasting: A Fun Cultural Detour
- Price and Logistics: Is $72 Good Value for This Route?
- What You’ll Like Most (Based on Strongest Feedback)
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
- Book It or Skip It: My Decision Guide
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- Where is pickup offered?
- Is this tour private?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are entrance fees included for each stop?
- Is food or drinks included?
- Which places are included in the main itinerary?
- How long is the tour?
- Is there free cancellation?
Quick Key Points Before You Go

- All entrance fees included so you don’t have to calculate ticket costs on the fly
- Private, air-conditioned transport with pickup from many Bali areas
- A well-paced mix of waterfall, temples, rice terraces, volcano views, and coffee tasting
- Tirta Empul is a living purification temple—not just a photo stop
- Mt. Batur viewpoint + lunch-time views gives you a “wow” moment without hiking
- Expect an organized day with English guidance and parking handled
How the Day Flows: Pickup at 9:00am and an 8-Hour Plan

This is designed as a true private day: only your group rides together in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The experience starts at 9:00am, so it’s the kind of trip that works best if you like beating the day’s heat and crowds.
Pickup is offered from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar. That matters because Bali traffic can be unpredictable; having a planned pickup window helps you avoid wasting time searching for transport once you’re already tired.
The tour runs about 8 hours. Most stops are scheduled for 45 to 60 minutes, so you’ll get meaningful time at each place without turning the day into a marathon. There are also optional attractions that may be added on request if the day has slack—so if you want to adjust your route, it helps to ask early.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Ubud
Tegenungan Waterfall: What You’ll See in One Hour

Tegenungan Waterfall is your first major nature hit, set in lush jungle surroundings. Plan on about 1 hour here, with time to enjoy it from the designated photo spot. If you want to get closer, the route includes steps—great for photos, but it does mean you should wear shoes with grip.
This stop is a good opener for the day because it’s visually dramatic without requiring technical climbing. You get that classic Bali feel right away: greenery, rushing water, and a sense of place outside the temple circuit.
Practical tip: if you’re the type who hates “one more stair set,” choose the photo spot and save your energy for the temples and volcano viewpoint later. The day still delivers without pushing it.
Tirta Empul Temple: Purification Rituals and a Real Sense of Purpose
Next up is Tirta Empul Temple, built in the 11th century. It’s known as a purification temple, and the big difference here is that it’s not purely a tourist-style attraction. Local Hindus visit to perform purification rituals, which makes the atmosphere feel more grounded and less like a staged stop.
You’ll have about 1 hour at Tirta Empul. That’s usually enough time to understand what you’re seeing, take photos where appropriate, and appreciate why the site matters to practicing families.
Because this is a sacred working temple, it helps to move respectfully and follow your guide’s lead on where to stand and how to behave. An English-speaking guide can be especially useful here, since you’re not just looking at architecture—you’re watching a living tradition.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces: A Fast, Scenic Hit in North Ubud

After Tirta Empul, you’ll head toward Tegalalang Rice Terrace in north Ubud. You’re scheduled for about 45 minutes, so think of this as a scenic palate cleanser between temple and volcano views.
What you’ll notice quickly is the classic terraced pattern across the hillside, with coconut trees adding to the postcard look. This is one of those places where short time still works, because once you find a good viewpoint, the view does most of the work.
Since your time is limited, arrive ready to pick one or two viewpoints rather than trying to roam everywhere. If you like walking, you’ll still find plenty to photograph, but don’t plan on a long nature hike.
Kintamani Viewpoint + Mount Batur: The Best Big-View Moment

This is the moment many people save the trip for: the Kintamani Batur Volcano viewpoint. You’ll get views of Mt. Batur and the lake below it, with about 1 hour here.
The tour is also set up so this can be your lunch-time view stop. In other words, you’re not rushing through a viewpoint while your stomach is protesting. You can enjoy the scenery and then settle in for a meal when you feel ready (food is available for purchase, not included).
Practical note: volcano viewpoints can shift with weather and cloud cover. If you arrive and visibility looks uncertain, don’t automatically assume the day is ruined—your best view often comes from simply waiting a few moments while the clouds move.
If you’re traveling with someone who wants “Bali scenery” without hours of trekking, this is the sweet spot: a big view with a manageable time commitment.
Besakih Temple on Mount Agung’s Slopes: Bali’s Biggest Temple

To round out the cultural side, you’ll visit Besakih Temple, described as the biggest temple in Bali. It sits in east Bali on the slope of Mount Agung, which gives it a dramatic setting and an easy sense of scale.
You’ll have about 1 hour here. That length is helpful because Besakih is more than one courtyard—you may want time to absorb the setting and keep your bearings, especially if you’re new to Balinese Hindu temple layouts.
This stop balances well with Tirta Empul: one is focused on purification rituals, and the other gives you a broader look at Bali’s temple grandeur. With an English-speaking guide, you’re more likely to understand what you’re looking at rather than just collecting photos.
Coffee Plantation + Luwak Tasting: A Fun Cultural Detour

One of the more light-hearted parts of the day is the Kintamani coffee plantation stop. You’ll taste tea and coffee at the plantation, and you can also try Luwak (civet) coffee—the coffee that people associate with Bali’s distinctive brewing lore.
This is a good break from temples and viewpoints, and it gives your day a “treat” moment. It’s also typically easier than you’d expect: your guide brings you in, you taste, and you move on—no long lesson required.
Worth knowing for budget: food and drink are not included in the tour price (though tastings at the plantation are part of the experience). If you’re sensitive to spending, plan ahead for drinks outside that included tasting and keep an eye out for any paid add-ons.
Price and Logistics: Is $72 Good Value for This Route?

At $72.00 per person, this tour can be good value—mainly because it wraps a lot of the usual add-ons into one price. You’re getting:
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Pickup & drop-off from multiple Bali areas (including Ubud and beach zones like Seminyak and Sanur)
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Entry/admission fees
- Parking fees
- Gas/petrol
What’s not included is straightforward: food and drink you buy along the way, plus gratuities (optional). So your main “extra” costs will likely be meals, snacks, and any shopping at stops like the coffee plantation.
The best value logic is simple: if you’d otherwise pay separate admission tickets and figure out transport on your own, bundling it into a private day often ends up feeling fair. Also, based on the strongest feedback, the fact that tickets and parking are handled makes the day feel smoother and more predictable.
What You’ll Like Most (Based on Strongest Feedback)
The most praised side of this tour is how it feels organized and handled. People have highlighted a great guide, plus the relief of having tickets and parking all included. That matters because it reduces decision fatigue. You can spend your energy on what you came for: the waterfall, the temples, and that Mt. Batur viewpoint.
Another repeated win is the balance of activity levels—enough variety to feel like you got a lot done, without turning the day into nonstop walking. With a private setup, it also tends to feel more flexible inside the route, especially when your guide knows how to manage time.
If you’re hoping for a cultural day that doesn’t drag, this tour leans that way by pairing major temple stops with scenic breaks.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
This tour is a strong fit if you want:
- A first-time-friendly Bali sampler that still hits meaningful sites
- A private day with an English-speaking guide
- A route that mixes nature (waterfall, rice terrace) with culture (Tirta Empul, Besakih)
- A volcano viewpoint without committing to a dawn hike
You might think twice if you prefer slow travel and long stays. With 45–60 minutes at many stops, it’s efficient rather than leisurely. Also, since optional attractions are only added if time allows, don’t count on extra time for side quests.
Book It or Skip It: My Decision Guide
Book this tour if you want a well-run private day that includes the stuff that usually causes friction—entrance tickets, parking, and transport—and you’re happy with a packed-but-manageable schedule. It’s especially appealing if Mt. Batur and Besakih are on your must-see list and you’d rather spend effort enjoying them than coordinating logistics.
Skip it (or consider a different format) if you dislike tight timing or you want a more relaxed pace at fewer locations. In that case, you might prefer a shorter route with fewer stops, so you can linger.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour start time is 9:00am.
Where is pickup offered?
Pickup is available from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
What’s included in the price?
Included are a private air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver/guide, entry/admission fees, parking fees, and gas/petrol.
Are entrance fees included for each stop?
Yes. All entrance fees are included in the tour price.
Is food or drinks included?
No. Food and drink are not included and are available for purchase.
Which places are included in the main itinerary?
The main stops are Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Mount Batur/Kintamani viewpoint, Besakih Temple, and a Kintamani Coffee Plantation stop for tea/coffee tasting.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 8 hours.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.




























