Mt. Batur in a single day? Yes, please. I like how this trip strings together Ubud’s big sights (Monkey Forest and Tegalalang rice terraces) with the more spiritual stop at Tirta Empul Temple, all with a private A/C driver who handles the winding mountain roads that public transport can’t. You’ll also get a highland lunch with a volcano view, which is the kind of payoff that makes the long day feel worth it. One drawback to plan for: it’s a full 10 hours with multiple ticketed stops, so you’ll want comfortable shoes and a calm pace.

If you book with Bali Golden Tour, you’re looking at an English-speaking driver, hotel pickup in most south Bali and Ubud areas, and entrance fees included along the way. In the same spirit, the guide quality seems consistently strong in names like Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Oka, Koming, and Heri, so you can expect explanations rather than just a drive-by tour.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Dance with a story: Barong and Keris is a Balinese trance-dance performance focused on good vs evil
• A real nature-temple complex: Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary is more than a walk-through zoo
• Tegalalang rice terraces stop: a classic Kintamani route photo and viewing break
• Mt. Batur lunch views: buffet Indonesian food at The Amora Bali with the volcano in sight
• Tirta Empul purification springs: a holy-water temple visit with deep cultural meaning
• Celuk craft village shopping: gold and silver handicrafts, with prices positioned as low

A Smooth Day Around Ubud and Kintamani (Without the Headache)

This is the kind of tour that works because Bali’s highlands can be a pain to DIY. Around Ubud and Kintamani, roads are narrow and winding, and there’s no good public transport option to stitch the sights together. With a private car and good A/C, you’re spared the stress of transfers and timing mismatches.

Pickup runs from most south Bali and Ubud hotels, with an 8:00 am start. That early departure matters. You get more usable daylight for the volcano-view lunch and you’re not arriving at popular stops when everyone else is already packed in.

This is also set up as a private tour, meaning it’s only your group in the car for the day. That’s a big deal if you want the driver to adjust pace, answer questions, or spend an extra few minutes at viewpoints.

Barong and Keris Dance: Good vs Evil, Performed Live

Your day starts with the Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture. This performance is a traditional Balinese story built around a fight between good and evil. Barong is a mythological character, described as the king of the spirits, and the show is tied to the trance-dance tradition.

What I like about kicking off here is that it gives you a mental frame for what you’ll see later. Bali isn’t just temples and terraces. It’s also belief, symbolism, and performance. Even if you don’t speak the language, the story structure is easy to follow: forces clash, characters embody roles, and the audience watches the outcome.

The main thing to consider is time. You’re committing about an hour, and performances don’t pause for latecomers. Arrive ready, take your seat, and treat it like a cultural event, not a quick stop.

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary: A Temple-Nature Mix

Next up is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, known locally by its longer name: Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana. This isn’t marketed as just a scenic spot. It’s described as a nature reserve temple complex, which changes the vibe.

Expect about an hour here, and use it as a slow walk rather than a sprint. Since the sanctuary is both nature and temple space, you’ll get a more grounded feel than you do at purely ornamental gardens. Also, the setting makes the forest feel cooler and more atmospheric compared with the open rice terrace lookouts.

Practical tip: bring a respectful mindset. You’re entering a protected sanctuary space where people come for cultural and spiritual reasons, too. Keep your attention on signs and pathways, and you’ll have a calmer, better experience.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: The Iconic Stop on the Kintamani Route

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of those places that became famous for a reason. It’s listed as a famous tourist attraction, and the route logic is clear: many people traveling to and from Kintamani stop here to see the terraced fields.

You get about an hour. That’s enough time to view from the main areas, take photos, and still avoid turning it into a rushed checklist. The terraces are known for their layered shapes and dramatic angles, so if you care about pictures, you’ll want to spend those first minutes picking your viewpoints.

A consideration: this is a high-visibility stop. Expect crowds on a normal day. The fix is simple: slow down for a specific angle, then move on rather than trying to stand in the busiest spot the whole time.

Kintamani Highland: Quick Highlands Time at About 1,500 Meters

Then you head to Kintamani Highland, with about 30 minutes allocated. Kintamani is described as being around 1,500 meters high, with cool daytime air and colder conditions at night. Even though you’re not staying overnight, the altitude can still make the air feel different from lower Ubud.

In a half-hour, you’re not going to do a deep hike or settle in for a long nature session. Instead, you use this time to get your bearings and transition into the big highlight: the lunch with Mount Batur views.

If weather is cloudy, don’t panic. Mountain viewpoints can shift during the day. The fact that lunch happens at a restaurant set up for the view is a good backup plan.

The Amora Bali Lunch Buffet: Where the Volcano View Actually Happens

Lunch is at The Amora Bali, and it’s one of the best value pieces of the day. You’ll enjoy an Indonesian buffet with a view of Mt. Batur volcano and the surrounding valley. The tour notes vegetarian food is available on request, which is a meaningful inclusion for a group day.

You get about an hour here, which is ideal. It’s long enough to eat comfortably, refill water, and still have time for a second look at the scenery after you’ve settled in.

Why I consider this a value win: in a lot of Bali day tours, you either get a quick meal with no view or a view stop that eats most of your time. Here, the schedule is built so the volcano payoff is part of lunch, not an extra detour.

Also note the included mineral water: one bottle per person. It doesn’t sound huge, but in a 10-hour day it helps keep you from paying for every refill.

Tirta Empul Temple: The Holy Springs of Purification

After lunch, the tour turns spiritual at Tirta Empul Temple in Tampak Siring. Tirta Empul is described as the Holy Spring Temple, and for thousands of years Balinese worshippers have come to use the holy water to purify the body.

You’ll spend about an hour at the temple. This is the kind of stop where your experience improves if you treat it as cultural context, not just scenery. Even if you’re only here for a short visit, it’s worth paying attention to what the springs mean and why people return.

A practical consideration: temple environments can be active and guided by local traditions. Dress and behavior matter, but since specific dress rules aren’t listed here, I’d stick to simple, respectful clothing and follow any on-site guidance.

Celuk Village: Gold and Silver Handicrafts With Price-Friendly Energy

Finally, you visit Celuk Village, known for gold and silver handicrafts. The description emphasizes that handicrafts are available around this area for very low prices, and the village is described as feeling like you’ve stepped into a craft-focused neighborhood.

You’ll have about an hour here, and entrance is free. That matters because it keeps the day’s costs tied to what you already paid, while still giving you a chance to browse and buy if you want.

What to do in Celuk if you’re price-aware: treat it like shopping in any craft center. Don’t rush. Pick a small item first if you’re testing quality, then decide if you want something larger. If you’re buying gifts, use that hour to compare styles rather than grabbing the first thing you like.

Price and Value: Why $65 Can Feel Fair (For This Mix)

At $65 per person for an approximate 10-hour private tour, the value comes from what’s included, not just the headline cost.

You get:

• Private car with good A/C
• English-speaking driver
• Petrol
• Entrance fees
• Indonesian buffet lunch
• Mineral water (one bottle per person)
• Tax and services

That inclusion list is the real reason the price can make sense. You’re paying for transport in a region where DIY is annoying, plus tickets and lunch. If you were to price these pieces separately, you’d likely end up spending more for a comparable day.

Also, the tour is described as offering pickup and drop-off at most south Bali and Ubud hotels. That door-to-door service is another value lever. In Bali, time saved from figuring out logistics can be the difference between enjoying the day and feeling tired before you even reach Kintamani.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Feel Rushed)

This tour fits best if you want a lot of meaningful stops in one day without planning your own route. You’ll enjoy it if you like a mix of:

• culture (the dance performance),
• nature (Monkey Forest),
• classic Bali scenery (Tegalalang terraces),
• spiritual sites (Tirta Empul),
• and a practical shopping stop (Celuk).

It might feel rushed if you love long stays, lots of hiking, or unhurried time in one location. With multiple stops back-to-back, the day is efficient. It’s built for seeing, not for disappearing into one place for half a day.

If you’re traveling as a couple, solo, or small group, the private-car format usually feels especially good. You’re not stuck with a larger group’s timing, and the driver can explain what you’re seeing.

Should You Book This Kintamani and Ubud Tour?

I’d book it if you want one strong day that hits both Ubud culture and the Kintamani highlands, with the Mt. Batur lunch view as the centerpiece. The route makes sense for a first Bali visit or a short stay, because you’re getting variety without the hassle of coordinating transport between far-flung sights.

I’d hesitate if you’re sensitive to long drives or you dislike rotating through several ticketed attractions in one day. In that case, you might prefer fewer stops and more time per place.

If you want a day that feels structured, explanation-heavy, and payoff-driven, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the full tour?

It runs for about 10 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $65.00 per person.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and drop-off is provided at most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a private A/C car, an English-speaking driver, petrol, entrance fees, a buffet Indonesian lunch, and mineral water (1 bottle/person), plus tax and services.

Is lunch vegetarian-friendly?

Vegetarian food is available on request for the buffet lunch.

Where do the stops go during the day?

You’ll visit a Barong and Keris dance performance, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland, Tirta Empul Temple, and Celuk Village.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.