Private Shore Excursion: Customized Best of Bali Tour

Bali, but on your schedule. This private shore excursion around Ubud lets you pick the sights that fit your day, not the other way around, with door-to-door transport timed to your port.

I really like the custom itinerary concept: you work with your English-speaking driver/guide to build a practical route and control how long you linger. The other big win is how this format helps you handle Bali’s traffic and timing pressure without being stuck in a big group. The one thing to watch: entrance fees and most temple tickets aren’t included, and two top stops depend on timing (sunset at Uluwatu and low-tide access at Tanah Lot).

Key things to know before you go

• Pick-your-own day plan: your driver helps you choose which stops fit your time window
• Port-to-door convenience: round-trip transport from the Port of Benoa, designed for ship schedules
• Timing-dependent temples: Uluwatu can be set for sunset; Tanah Lot access is low-tide only
• Ubud highlights packaged together: monkey forest, rice terraces, art market, and palace time
• Temple prep is handled: sarongs are included for temple entry
• Expect extra spending for tickets: all entrance fees (and lunch) are separate

A Private Bali Day Built Around Your Stops

If you’ve only got one shore day in Bali, the best approach is simple: don’t “tour” the island. Pick a handful of places that match your mood—temples, views, animals, markets, waterfalls—and string them together smartly.

This experience is set up for that exact style of travel. You’re not locked into a fixed route. Instead, you build your own lineup with your driver/guide, and the plan is adjusted to your time framing (6 to 10 hours, depending on what you choose and how the day moves). That matters because Bali isn’t just about sights—it’s about getting between them without wasting half the day.

Two parts also feel especially practical. First, pickup and drop-off are included, with transportation timed for your ship schedule. Second, you get an English-speaking driver/guide who can keep the day flowing and answer questions as you go. In the end, you’re buying time, not just transportation.

Price and Value for a Full-Day Private Shore Excursion

At $45 per person, this is priced like a “value private day,” especially because you’re getting port-area pickup and drop-off, parking fees, bottled water, and an English-speaking driver/guide. The real trick is understanding what’s included versus what’s extra.

Entrance fees are not included. That means your total cost rises if you stack multiple temples or add-ticket experiences. You’ll also need to plan for lunch (not included) and any donations (not included). The good news is that many of the most popular stops here are straightforward to price out once you know how many you plan to enter.

Here’s how to think about value: if you use the private format to hit 4–7 “musts” without stress, the day can work out to a strong deal compared with booking separate things one by one. If you only want a couple of quick stops, you may still enjoy the ease of private transport, but the entrance fees can make it feel more expensive than it first appears.

How the Custom Itinerary Works With Your Driver/Guide

The biggest advantage of this tour is control. You don’t just select from a menu—you shape the day while you’re in transit. Your guide helps sequence stops into one feasible route so you’re not zig-zagging across the island just because something sounds cool.

A smart way to plan is to group similar energy in the same block. For example:

• Morning temples + midday views works well if you want Ubud and rice terraces without rushing.
• Afternoon ocean cliffs can pair nicely with Uluwatu sunset timing.
• Waterfall + art + market fits a slower pace if you like walking and browsing.

In real life, a good driver is also a timing expert. Some guides on this route are praised for managing Bali traffic without turning the day into a slow crawl. People also mention flexibility when ships run late, which is huge on shore days. The tour can be designed together with you, so if your arrival is delayed, you’re not automatically doomed to miss the best timing.

Your Ubud Core: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, and Market Time

Most people use Ubud as the heart of their Bali day, and this plan gives you several classic Ubud choices—plus a couple of ways to slow down.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Ubud)

This is the animal stop: a sanctuary with 700+ long-tailed macaques. Plan for it to feel lively. You’ll walk through paths where the monkeys are part of the environment rather than staged entertainment. It’s a great stop if you like nature plus a little chaos (the playful kind).

A drawback: because it’s a sanctuary with lots of macaques, you should expect some unpredictability. Build in buffer time and keep your camera ready. If you’re not a fan of animals that get close, consider shortening this stop or swapping it out.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace

If you want Bali views that feel instantly recognizable, Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of them. The time here includes a short trek among the rice paddies, so it’s not just photo points. Expect a hill-and-steps rhythm: views, then a bit of walking, then more views.

The practical consideration is heat and footing. You’ll likely be outdoors for part of the trek, so wear shoes you trust. If you’re with anyone who dislikes stairs, ask your driver to keep the walk portion comfortable.

Ubud Traditional Art Market + Ubud Palace

These are your culture and browsing stops.

• The Ubud Traditional Art Market is a 30-minute hit for local art work and souvenirs, good if you want handmade items without turning it into a full shopping day.
• Ubud Palace is a quick 15-minute stop at the center of Ubud, a nice way to see the area’s pride and atmosphere.

The best way to enjoy these: treat them like palate cleansers. They’re not “must-see forever” stops, but they help break up temple-and-view intensity.

Temple Timing That Actually Makes a Difference

Bali temples aren’t all the same, and this itinerary lets you mix styles without forcing you into one type of visit.

Uluwatu Temple (choose sunset if it fits)

Uluwatu is set on a rock edge overlooking the Indian Ocean. You can choose this stop specifically for sunset, which is a popular way to get dramatic light and a calmer feel before the evening energy peaks. Admission isn’t included, so budget for entry.

What to know: cliff-top temples often mean steps and wind. If your group is tired, consider keeping the temple time tight and saving energy for the view.

Puseh Batuan Temple (community architecture and ceremonies)

Puseh Batuan Temple is described as a community temple where locals go for ceremony. The draw here is architecture—shrines and the Balinese design details you can miss if you only chase the headline temples. This is a shorter 35-minute stop, which helps you keep the day balanced.

Tirta Empul Temple (holy spring blessing)

At Tirta Empul, you’re visiting a holy spring temple where you can see how people take part in blessing rituals before they pray at the main temple. This is one of the stops that feels most “on the ground,” because it’s not just a backdrop—you’re observing active religious practice.

Plan for a respectful visit. You may be asked to follow rules inside the sacred areas. The good part: you’ll have sarongs provided for temple entry.

Taman Ayun Temple (Mengwi royal temple)

Taman Ayun Temple is tied to the Mengwi Empire and was built in 1634 as a family temple tied to a deified ancestor. It’s a 35-minute stop, giving you time to take in the grounds and appreciate the scale.

If you like temples that are more about setting than showy spectacle, this one tends to land well.

Tanah Lot Temple (low tide access changes the visit)

Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s famous ocean temples and you can access it only when it’s at low tide. That means the day timing matters. If you’re flexible and the schedule works, it’s a memorable coastal visit. If timing doesn’t line up, your guide can adjust the plan so you still get something meaningful.

Waterfalls and the Mount Batur View Decision

Two stops here are built around nature, but they play very differently.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall is a 35-minute stop. You’ll find a short walk option to get closer to the falls, or you can view from a hilltop area. It’s framed by a green, fresh-feeling environment.

The drawback is crowds and slippery spots depending on conditions. Keep an eye on footing. If anyone in your group doesn’t want to get near the water, choose the hill view and spend the time on photos and fresh air instead.

Mount Batur (buffet lunch with a view)

Mount Batur is offered with a buffet lunch and lake/mountain views, and this stop is about 1 hour. This is the “break” in the day: food, sit-down time, and a scenic reset after temples and walks.

A practical note: because it’s a buffet lunch stop, it’s the easiest place for your guide to build the day timing around. It can also give you a chance to take a breather before you move on to additional temples like Tanah Lot.

Some guests mention that their driver helped tailor the day with scenic back-road routing and made Mount Batur a highlight lunch moment, so this isn’t just a lunch stop—it can be a mood-lifter.

Transportation, Traffic, and Why Private Works on Shore Days

Bali traffic can be slow and chaotic. The reason this format works is that you’re not sharing your day with a packed bus. You’re also not losing time to group logistics like waiting for the last person to find the restroom.

In fact, the most praised part of this tour experience is how smoothly the day runs once the driver is at the wheel. Multiple drivers are singled out for being safe, friendly, and good at navigating traffic while still sharing info along the way. Names that show up in positive feedback include Putra, Nengah Kantun, Gede, Jay, Ari, Pit, Kadek, Aron, and Desna—each described as flexible and capable of handling the day’s real-world rhythm.

You’ll also appreciate the door-to-door element from the Port of Benoa area. One cruise guest noted that the car was waiting and that the driver made sure they were back in plenty of time for the tender. That’s the kind of pressure you want removed on a shore day.

Practical Tips to Make the Day Feel Smooth

Here’s how to get the most out of a 6 to 10 hour custom day without turning it into a checklist sprint.

1) Choose fewer priorities, but choose them well.

If you stack too many temples and too many walking spots, your day can feel rushed. Aim for a blend: one big ocean-view moment, one “nature walk,” one culture stop, and one market or palace-style break.

2) Budget for entrance fees and treat them as part of the plan.

Since tickets aren’t included, decide ahead of time which stops matter most. It’s better to pay for fewer, more meaningful entries than to just “collect” stamps.

3) Wear shoes you can walk in.

Monkey forest paths, rice terrace steps, and waterfall areas can all involve uneven ground. Closed-toe shoes make the day easier.

4) Plan timing around Uluwatu and Tanah Lot if those are top goals.

Uluwatu can be set for sunset. Tanah Lot depends on low tide. If you put those on your must-do list, tell your driver early so the route can be built around them.

5) Bring a little patience for heat.

This itinerary includes outdoor time at rice terraces, monkey forest, waterfalls, and coastal temples. Travel with water in mind (you’ll get bottled water, but you’ll still feel the sun).

Should You Book This Customized Best of Bali Tour?

I think this is a strong pick if you want one private, low-stress shore day that matches your interests—especially if you care about customizing and you’d rather avoid a one-size-fits-all bus schedule.

Book it if:

• you want door-to-door pickup from the Port of Benoa and a day designed around your ship timing
• you like building your own mix of Ubud highlights, temples, and nature stops
• you value a private driver who can manage traffic efficiently

Skip or reconsider if:

• you don’t want to deal with extra spending for entrance fees and lunch
• you’re uncomfortable with the timing needs of Uluwatu (sunset option) and Tanah Lot (low-tide access)
• you want a strictly fixed, no-thinking itinerary (this one is meant to be shaped by you)

If your goal is simply to see a lot but still feel in control, this tour’s structure is exactly the right kind of flexibility for Bali.

FAQ

What’s the meeting point for this tour?

The tour starts at the Port of Benoa, Jalan Dermaga II, Pedungan, Kuta Selatan, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.

What time does the tour start?

The start time listed is 9:00 am.

How long is the private shore excursion?

It runs about 6 to 10 hours, depending on your chosen route and timing.

Is this tour private or shared?

It’s private. Only your group participates.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Yes. You pick the Bali sights you want and create a custom itinerary with your private driver/guide.

What are some of the possible stops?

Stops include Uluwatu Temple, Puseh Batuan Temple, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Traditional Art Market, Ubud Palace, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Mount Batur, Taman Ayun Temple, and Tanah Lot Temple.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance tickets are not included for the listed sites.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch isn’t included.

Is the tour good for timing a sunset visit or low-tide access?

Uluwatu Temple can be chosen for sunset, and Tanah Lot Temple access depends on low tide.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Canceling within 24 hours isn’t refundable.