Best Bali Private Full Day Tour to Visit Ubud Village – Kintamani Batur Volcano

Bali feels like it was made for full-day plans. This private route strings together Ubud culture and the Kintamani volcanic views, with a schedule that actually makes sense in one day. I really like the private, air-conditioned car for long drives, plus an English-speaking guide-driver who can explain what you are seeing as you go.

My second big win is the mix of stops: a real Balinese performance at Barong & Kris Dance, a spiritual stop at Tirta Empul, and then that big wow factor at Mount Batur before you head back through Ubud. One consideration, though, is that some entrances are not included, so you should expect extra costs for certain temples and performances, on top of lunch.

Key highlights at a glance

• Barong & Kris Dance shows the classic good versus evil story, with Balinese beliefs around protection
• Tirta Empul centers on spring water and the melukat bathing ritual on special days
• Mount Batur viewpoint area in Kintamani puts you in range of the best Batur and Batur Lake views
• Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation covers coffee processing plus tasting options like ginger tea
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces gives you postcard views, with nearby craft shopping
• Puri Saren Palace and the Ubud palace area add the royal-family setting and dance atmosphere

Why this Ubud to Kintamani day trip works

The big idea here is variety without rushing you through everything. You start in Seminyak, move toward Ubud, then go up into the Kintamani area for Mount Batur views, and end back in the Ubud orbit for more culture. It is a classic “Bali greatest hits” route, but the pacing is laid out in blocks, not nonstop chaos.

I also like that this is a true private tour for up to 5 people. That matters in Bali, where traffic and timing can swing depending on the day. With your own vehicle and guide-driver, you can stick close to the plan and still have the flexibility to linger at the spots that are most meaningful to you.

Still, this is an all-day commitment. You are looking at about 8 hours, and you will spend a chunk of that on the road between regions. If you prefer a super light day, you might find you want fewer stops or shorter time at each one.

Getting there from Seminyak: private comfort and a smart start

This tour starts at 8:00 am, which is a gift in Bali. Early timing generally helps you catch places before the crowds build, and it gives you more daylight for the Kintamani viewpoints. You also get pickup offered (from the Seminyak area), plus an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation.

Your guide-driver is English-speaking, and that is more useful than it sounds. At these stops, a quick explanation can turn “I see a statue” into “I understand why people are gathering here,” especially at a spiritual site like Tirta Empul. It also helps at performance events, where story details matter.

One more practical plus: the tour uses a mobile ticket, so you are not juggling paper receipts. If you are traveling with a small group, splitting the cost is straightforward since the price is $90 per group (up to 5).

Stop 1: Barong & Kris Dance, good versus evil made physical

The day begins with Barong & Kris Dance, a theatrical performance rooted in Balinese storytelling. The core concept is an eternal fight between good and evil spirits. In the story, Barong represents the good spirit, while Rangda is the evil one.

What makes this stop more than just a show is the cultural layer around it. Balinese people believe the Barong acts as a protector. The performance also connects to the different Barong forms, including variations like cat-faced Barong, Barong Landung, Barong with tiger face, and Barong celeng (pig face). That gives you context even if you are not fluent in the details.

Keep in mind: the performance time is about 1 hour, and the admission ticket is not included. So if you want smooth logistics, plan a little extra budget for this part. If you love live storytelling, this is one of the best ways to get oriented fast to Balinese beliefs.

Stop 2: Tirta Empul Temple and the melukat water ritual

Next up is Tirta Empul Temple, also called the Spring Water Temple, in the Tampaksiring region near Gunung Kawi Temple. The setting is built around springs and bathing pools. Water bubbles up into enclosed rectangular pools, with a sediment layer of black sand involved in the setup.

This stop is special because it is not just about the temple buildings, it is about the water and the belief system surrounding it. In Balinese legend, the spring water was created by Indra, who fought the Mayadenawa King. Today, it becomes a place where people come for ritual bathing, especially on the secret day for the special ritual known as melukat.

You should expect it can get crowded around these special ritual bath days. The upside is that it feels alive and purposeful, not staged for tourists. The downside is that your time can feel tighter if the site is busy.

The visit is about 1 hour, and again, admission is not included. Plan to arrive ready to slow down and observe. This is one of those places where quiet attention pays off.

Stop 3: Mount Batur viewpoints in Kintamani, active volcano energy

Then comes the big visual payoff: Mount Batur in the Kintamani District. The tour notes Penelokan Village as the best viewing area for Batur Mountain and Batur Lake. This is the moment most people remember when they think about Bali’s volcano days.

Even if you are not doing a hike, you still get the scale and character of Batur. Mount Batur is still active and tends to be smoking. That makes the view feel more immediate than a “dead volcano postcard.” The area also has lunch built into the experience. Restaurants are set up around the crater area, especially for lunchtime.

You get a short piece of geological context too. The biggest eruption in 1926 destroyed Batur Village, which was near the lake, and the village relocated higher up afterward. Another eruption in 1974 left black lava. It is not history for history’s sake, it helps you understand why the present-day settlements and viewpoints look the way they do.

This stop is about 1 hour, and admission is not included. If you plan to eat there, treat lunch as part of your viewing time, not a separate task. That keeps your day feeling like one flowing experience.

Stop 4: Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation for processing and tasting

After volcano views, the tour shifts gears to something hands-on: Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation. This is one of those stops that can either feel like a quick shop stop or a real learning moment, depending on how you approach it. Here, you get the chance to see coffee processing and farming, plus explanations about different crops.

The plantation includes coffee arabica and coffee robusta, and it also highlights Bali Coffee Luwak, made from civet cat coffee. You will also see other plants, including pineapple, salak (Balinese snake fruit), plain Balinese potatoes, star fruit, cacao, jack fruit, and durian trees.

If you like tasting, this is where the value shows. The tour notes that you can try the best of Balinese coffee and also ginger tea with green river valley views. It is also where you can buy products like coffee and herb oils.

This stop is about 1 hour, and the admission ticket is free. That free admission matters because the day already has a few non-included entrances. It helps balance the cost later.

Stop 5: Tegalalang Rice Terraces and the craft-shop streets

Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace in Tegalalang Village. It is a classic Ubud-area scene: rice terraces with coconut trees and a smaller river valley view. Even when the area is busy, the geometry of terraces does something to your eye. It is just that good at showing how farming shapes a landscape.

What I like here is that it is not only about the view. The tour notes Tegalalang as a village known for handicrafts and craft centers. Along the road you will find shops selling painted woodcarvings, with options for wholesale and export, plus retail. You might also notice many items are made from very light wood, and prices can feel more reasonable than you might expect if you are comparing to tourist-heavy markets.

The visit is about 30 minutes, and admission is not included. With such a short window, treat it like a photo and stroll stop. If you want a longer look at the terraces or the craft lanes, you will probably want to budget extra time on your own, either before or after the tour.

Stop 6: Ubud palace area, markets, and dance in the open yard

The final cultural stop includes the Puri Saren Palace area and the adjacent market environment. This part of the day feels more “Ubud” in the everyday sense, not just a temple and view schedule.

First, there is the market layout. The tour notes two different sides: a traditional market in the west of the arts market, selling daily food and opening earlier, and an arts market with handicrafts, arts, and textiles.

Next to it is Ubud Saren Palace, where the royal family lives. In the evening, the palace outside yard is used by a local group dance program, including Legong Dance, Barong Dance, Ramayana Ballet, and Mahabrata Ballet. Even if you catch only part of that energy, the setting makes it feel like you are standing in the background of Balinese arts, not only reading about them.

This stop is about 1 hour, and admission is free. That is another cost saver after the non-included tickets earlier in the day.

Price and value: what $90 covers, and what it does not

At $90 per group (up to 5), the price can be a strong value, especially if you are traveling with family or a small circle of friends. The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, parking fees, and an English-speaking guide-driver. Those are the items that usually eat up your budget when you try to piece the day together yourself.

What is not included is the typical reality of Bali tours: lunch and entrance fees. The itinerary explicitly lists admission not included for the Barong & Kris Dance, Tirta Empul Temple, Mount Batur, and Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Coffee plantation and the palace market area are listed as free admission, which helps balance the total.

One thing you should take from the tour setup is that it is designed to deliver variety. If you want only one viewpoint, this is probably more than you need. But if you want culture plus a volcano view plus rice terraces without the stress of planning transport and timing, the value lands.

Also, a private guide-driver is not just about driving. In practice, the guide support matters at places like Tirta Empul, where understanding the spring water story and the melukat ritual gives you something real to hold onto.

Who this tour suits best, and who should rethink it

This tour is ideal for you if you want a full day that covers a lot of ground without turning into a checklist nightmare. It is especially good if you care about Balinese culture, because you have a performance stop and a major temple stop, not just scenery.

It is also a good fit for small groups. The “up to 5” format makes it easier to split the cost and keep the day comfortable in one car. If you are staying in Seminyak, the pickup-and-go format is convenient.

If you are the type who hates long days or gets tired in the car, consider whether you want to skip one of the stops, because the route from Ubud to Kintamani back to Ubud-area sites is built for an all-in schedule.

And if you are traveling on a tight budget, start thinking now about entrance fees for the stops that are not included, plus lunch. The tour is transparent about it, but it can still surprise you if you assumed everything would be covered.

Should you book this Ubud to Kintamani private tour?

I think you should book it if you want the practical magic of one day in Bali: dance and temples in the morning, volcano views in the middle, and Ubud culture back at the end. The private format helps, and the stop choices line up well with how first-time visitors actually want to experience Bali.

I would pass or adjust your plan if you are sensitive to extra ticket costs, or if you want fewer stops and more downtime. This is not a slow wandering tour. It is designed to get you from Seminyak into Ubud, then up to Kintamani, and back again within about 8 hours.

If you do book, treat entrance fees and lunch as part of your plan, not an afterthought. Then you will end the day with that balanced mix of art, ritual, and volcano views that makes Bali feel like Bali.

FAQ

How long is the Bali Private Full Day Tour to Ubud and Kintamani?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

Where does the tour start and what time does it begin?

It starts from Seminyak, with a start time of 8:00 am.

Is this tour private or shared?

It is private, and only your group participates.

How many people are included in the group price?

The price is $90 per group for up to 5 people.

What is included in the price?

Included are an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, parking fees, and an English-speaking guide-driver. Pickup is offered, and you receive a mobile ticket.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch at a local restaurant is not included.

Are entrance tickets included for all stops?

No. Entrance fees are not included in general. Some stops have free admission, while others do not.

Which stops have free admission?

Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation has admission ticket free, and Puri Saren Palace has admission ticket free.

What entrance fees are not included?

The itinerary lists admission ticket not included for Barong & Kris Dance, Tirta Empul Temple, Mount Batur, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.