Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch

East Bali hits the big sights in one day. This private tour links waterfalls, a sacred water temple, volcano views, and Ubud culture with pickup and included entry fees.

I like how straightforward it is: you get a clear route with a driver/guide and you’re back to your hotel afterward. I also like the comfort of an air-conditioned minivan for the long drives between stops.

One thing to think about: it’s a full 10 to 12 hours with multiple sights, so you’ll move at a steady pace instead of lingering for hours in one place.

Key things I’d circle on your plan

Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch - Key things I’d circle on your plan

  • Entrance fees included, so you’re not doing surprise math at each ticket booth
  • AC hotel pickup and drop-off, which matters on a hot island day
  • Water temple + waterfall stops, two very different ways to experience Bali in one loop
  • Kintamani’s Mount Batur view break, plus time to take in the cooler highlands
  • Ubud time with both a market and a palace, so you get art shopping and architecture
  • Dewa shows up in the feedback for good explanations and flexible pacing when timing gets tricky

The East Bali loop that fits 10 to 12 hours

This is the kind of day trip that works when you want a lot of Bali without spending your whole trip figuring out buses, scooters, and where to park. The tour is built like a loop: you start in Kuta, head into the east for big nature and temples, then finish in Ubud for art and a palace visit. You also get hotel/port pickup and drop-off, so your morning doesn’t start with a scavenger hunt.

The stops are also a smart mix. You get one major waterfall (Tegenungan), then a water temple (Tirta Empul) where the focus is ritual and holy springs. After that comes Kintamani highlands for wide views toward Mount Batur and Lake Batur, then you shift to the more “make it pretty” side of Bali with rice terraces in Tegalalang and Ubud’s art market and palace.

Because it’s private, your group sets the tone. And because it’s timed in set blocks (many stops are about 30 to 60 minutes), you’ll see the key sights even if you’re not a “spend the whole day on one bench” type.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Kuta.

Price and logistics: what your $65 includes

Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch - Price and logistics: what your $65 includes
At $65, the big value is what you don’t have to pay separately. The tour info explicitly says entrance fees are included, and you can see that reflected in the stops where admissions are listed as included (waterfall, water temple, Kintamani highland, rice terrace, and palace). That’s a real plus in Bali, where ticket prices can add up fast once you start hopping between sites.

You also get:

  • transport in an air-conditioned minivan
  • a buffet lunch
  • a driver/guide
  • taxes

A nice detail here is the tour uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not stuck printing documents. And because it’s private, you only have your own group in the vehicle—less waiting around for strangers to show up late.

Possible drawback: when a tour includes so much, you’re trading deep, slow time for variety. If you hate time limits, this might feel like a schedule. If you like checklists done well, it’s a strong setup.

Hotel pickup to Tegenungan Waterfall: a safe stair-and-view kind of walk

Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch - Hotel pickup to Tegenungan Waterfall: a safe stair-and-view kind of walk
Tegenungan Waterfall is one of those Bali sights that’s easy to understand quickly: you go down to the falls, look at the water, and you can get classic photos without needing special gear. The tour time here is about 45 minutes, with admission included.

What I like about this stop is how the path is described. The pathway is well maintained and very safe to explore, with a short walk down concrete steps. There are safety rails that lead you all the way down to the pit of the falls. Translation: this is not a “climb for hours” experience. You can do it even if you’re not an athlete.

Practical tip for your day: wear footwear you trust for steps. Even on a well-kept path, it’s still a waterfall area with wet ground. Keep your camera strap short so you don’t swing it around near the edge.

If you’re traveling with anyone who dislikes stairs, this is the point to think about first. You’ll be okay if you can handle a stair descent, and the time block is short enough that you don’t feel stuck.

Tirta Empul Temple: holy springs and a serious water ritual stop

Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch - Tirta Empul Temple: holy springs and a serious water ritual stop
Next up is Tirta Empul Temple, with about 45 minutes on the clock and admission included. This is a sacred water temple for Balinese Hindu practice, and it’s known for being one of the busiest water temples in Indonesia.

The key thing here is the holy springs. The tour info notes that the springs are said to have been created by the God Indra and are believed to be blessed. That matters because this isn’t just a pretty monument with a fountain view. People come here for ritual cleansing, and the water is the heart of the place.

What you’ll experience depends on what’s going on at the temple during your visit, but even with simple sightseeing, you’ll feel the atmosphere shift from “vacation photos” to “pay attention” space. Dress and behavior matter at temples, so keep shoulders and knees covered and follow any on-site guidance from your driver/guide.

A consideration: because it’s described as busy, you won’t have endless quiet. Go in expecting energy, lines of sight, and lots of movement around the water areas.

Kintamani highlands: Mount Batur and Lake Batur views with time to breathe

Then you head to Kintamani highland for about an hour. Admission is included, and the whole point of this stop is the panorama: you get views from Kintamani toward Mount Batur (an active volcano) and the wide Lake of Batur in the valley.

I like Kintamani for a simple reason: it’s a break from close-up crowds and tight spaces. Even if you only get about an hour, the highlands give you enough time to look, take a few photos, and enjoy the weather shift. The tour description even calls out that you can relax in the cold, which tells you the temperature can feel different from the coast.

Practical tip: plan for changing conditions. If it feels cooler up here, bring a light layer you can pull on without thinking.

If you’re a volcano-view person, this is your “check the box” stop. If you’re not into views, you might feel restless because the time is mostly scenery and photos. Still, it’s hard to beat seeing Bali’s dramatic geography in one frame.

Tegalalang rice terraces: quick time at cliffside views

Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch - Tegalalang rice terraces: quick time at cliffside views
After Kintamani, you’ll go to Tegalalang Rice Terrace in Tegalalang Village, north of Ubud. It’s about 30 minutes, with admission included.

This stop is built for one big visual: the rice terraces set on a cliff line. The tour info highlights how famous it is, and that fame is justified. Even in a short time, you can walk to a viewpoint or two and get the layers-of-green effect the region is known for.

Because you only have 30 minutes, treat it like a guided “pick your best angle” experience. If you love wandering slowly, you might wish you had more time. But if you want one signature Ubud-area landscape view without turning your day into a half-day hike, this time window is workable.

Safety and comfort note: you’re on terrace areas, so look down where you step. Stick to stable paths and avoid edges that look sketchy.

Ubud art market plus Puri Saren Palace: shopping and culture in one wrap-up

Private Tour: Waterfall, Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Tour with Lunch - Ubud art market plus Puri Saren Palace: shopping and culture in one wrap-up
The tour finishes with Ubud time, which is a smart move. Many Bali trips can feel all temples or all beaches. This gives you both, plus a cultural “inside the craft” finale.

Ubud Traditional Art Market (free admission, about 1 hour)

You’ll stop at the Ubud art market for about an hour, and it’s listed as free. This is where you’ll see handmade and colorful stuff: silk scarves, lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets, hats, statues, and even kites.

I like markets like this on a scheduled tour day because the guide can help you focus. You’re not wandering for hours without a plan. You can set a budget, find what you came for, and then move on to the palace.

A quick practical note: keep cash small and ready for small purchases. And don’t buy the first thing that catches your eye. Prices can vary, and you might find the exact same item elsewhere.

Puri Saren Palace (about 30 minutes, admission included)

Next is Puri Saren Palace, also referred to as Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung). You get about 30 minutes with admission included.

This stop is shorter than a full guided heritage tour, but it’s still worth it if you want to see the traditional architecture and the “why people love this area” feel. The tour info notes the palace is very beautiful, with artistic traditional buildings and a high aesthetic value.

What I like here is the balance: you get a culture stop without it eating the whole afternoon. You’ll also be in Ubud timing, so the palace feels like a natural wrap-up after the market.

Lunch buffet and the day’s pacing: where comfort matters

Lunch is a buffet provided to all travelers, and it’s included in the price. That’s a big deal on a long day like this. When you’re moving through multiple sights, having a planned meal removes a lot of stress.

The tour timing suggests a steady rhythm: short stops at each key location, then drive, then short stop again. That’s great for covering ground, and it also means you should think about energy management.

My practical advice:

  • Eat your lunch even if you’re not starving. You’ll want the fuel for walking down steps and terrace areas.
  • Keep water handy if you can.
  • Use bathroom breaks when you can. Temple and market stops can be crowded, and bathroom options might vary.

Also, the private setup helps. Your driver/guide can adjust pacing to your group’s comfort level within the overall time blocks.

Guide quality is a big part of why this tour works

The best version of this kind of day trip depends on the person behind the wheel and on how the schedule is handled. In the feedback you’ll see names like Dewa and Dewa Gunawan, with consistent praise for being informative and accommodating.

One standout theme: guides who make the day feel personal, not rigid. Dewa is noted for being flexible and gracious, including handling timing hiccups. When someone was late to the lobby, Dewa was understanding and did what he could to compensate, then still explained details at each location.

That matters because the itinerary has several “meaningful” stops (especially Tirta Empul and the palace). A good guide can help you understand what you’re looking at without turning it into a lecture.

If you book, ask your guide a simple question at the start: what should we focus on most today? You’ll get a better day right away.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This is a great fit if you want:

  • a private day out with hotel pickup and drop-off
  • a tight set of major sights without ticket hassles
  • a mix of nature, temples, views, and Ubud culture
  • a planned lunch instead of hunting for food between stops

You might think twice if:

  • you dislike stairs and terrace walking, even if the waterfall path is described as safe and well maintained
  • you want long, slow time in just one place
  • you’re hoping for lots of free time at every stop (this is scheduled)

It also says most people can participate. So if you’re generally mobile, you should be fine. If your group has mobility limits, you’ll want to communicate that early—especially for the waterfall’s concrete steps.

Should you book this tour?

Yes, if you want a high-sight “one day East Bali + Ubud culture” plan that already includes the stuff that usually costs extra: entrance fees, a buffet lunch, and transport in an AC minivan. This is the kind of itinerary that makes sense when you only have one full day to spend and you don’t want the logistics headache.

I’d book it especially if you care about Tirta Empul’s sacred water experience and you also want the volcano-area panorama at Kintamani. Those two stops alone give you a lot of variety.

But if your ideal Bali day is slow and wide open, with minimal structure, you might feel rushed here. In that case, pick fewer stops and give yourself time to repeat what you love.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 10 to 12 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

You’ll be picked up from your hotel (or port) and dropped back afterward.

What’s included in the price?

You get hotel/port pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned minivan, a buffet lunch, a driver/guide, and taxes. Entrance fees are included as well.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A buffet lunch is provided to all travelers.

Which sights are included?

You’ll visit Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Kintamani Highland, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Traditional Art Market, and Puri Saren Palace.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. The tour lists admission tickets included for the waterfall, Tirta Empul, Kintamani Highland, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Puri Saren Palace.

Is the Ubud art market admission free?

Yes. Ubud Traditional Art Market is listed as free.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group will participate.

How do tickets work?

A mobile ticket is provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

When will I get confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

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