Ubud Kintamani Tour

Ubud plus Kintamani is a great pairing because you get both Balinese stagecraft and big highland views in one day. I really like how the plan mixes culture (Barong and Kris) with scenery you can actually photograph (Tegenungan Waterfall and Tegalalang Rice Terrace). You also get a proper volcano stop at Mt. Batur, so the day does not feel like a string of quick roadside pauses.

Two more things I like: the tour is set up to reduce hassle, with 2-way transfers and entrance fees handled, and the pace is built around short, focused time at each hit. The one drawback to keep in mind is that the central highlands roads can be challenging, so if you get carsick, plan for that.

Key highlights you should care about

• Barong and Kris dance: the good-versus-bad story, including the shaggy monster figure squaring off with a witch
• Tegenungan Waterfall: a popular Bali waterfall stop with admission included and a compact time window
• Mt. Batur and Kintamani: a highland viewpoint with lunch overlooking the volcano area
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace: photo-friendly paddies tied to Balinese subak irrigation
• Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary: a 45-minute stop near Ubud Palace with admission included
• Value packaging: lunch, bottled water, entrance fees, and transfers bundled into one price

Ubud Kintamani in One Day: The Route and What It Feels Like

This is the kind of day plan that works when you want variety without spending half your time coordinating rides and tickets. Starting around Ubud, you bounce from a cultural performance into nature stops, then end back in Ubud for the Monkey Forest. It is a tight loop, but the timing is built for quick, satisfying visits.

The big theme is contrast. You go from a traditional dance theater setting, to a waterfall drop, to Kintamani’s volcano country, then to rice terraces shaped by generations of irrigation practice, and finally to a forest sanctuary full of grey macaques. If you like your Bali days to feel like a highlight reel you can walk through, this route delivers.

One practical reality: Ubud and Kintamani are not close to each other in a straight line, and the highland roads can be winding. Your day may feel more like a moving day than a slow stroll day, even with stops that are short and sweet.

Price and Value: Turning a $60 Ticket Into Entrance Fees and Transfers

The listed price is $60 for an approximately 10-hour private tour, and that matters because this is not just sightseeing, it is logistics. You get pickup offered, 2-way transfers, lunch, bottled mineral water, a Bali map, and all entrance fees for the listed stops. When you add up typical costs for admission plus transportationplus food on your own, this kind of bundling can make a day trip feel much less stressful.

What is not included is personal expenses. That usually means snacks, drinks beyond the included bottled water, souvenirs, and anything you choose to buy separately. If you keep it simple and eat at the included lunch stop, you should have fewer surprises.

Also, this is private. That tends to be a better deal when you are traveling as a small group and want your own timing, rather than sharing a vehicle and being herded through each stop on someone else’s schedule. If you are the type who hates feeling rushed, private transfers can turn a crowded itinerary into something calmer.

Getting There From Seminyak: Pickup, Transfers, and Highland Road Reality

The tour location is Seminyak, and pickup is offered, with transfers included both ways. That is a big deal because Seminyak is not the easiest place to self-coordinate day trips from, especially when you are trying to hit multiple stops spread across Ubud and Kintamani.

Still, do not ignore the road note. Bali’s central highlands can mean traffic and winding routes, and the day’s total time is long enough that you will feel the time in the car. If you are sensitive to motion, bring the usual travel aids you rely on for curvy roads.

On the plus side, having transfers handled means you do not have to track multiple ticket booths or negotiate parking across several attractions. You also get a mobile ticket, which keeps things smoother on arrival.

Barong and Kris Dance: Good vs Bad, With the Shaggy Monster

Your first stop is the Barong and Kris dance, about one hour with an admission ticket included. This is traditional Balinese sacred dance in story form. The Barong figure is described as a strange creature with four legs, often associated with a lion or tiger look, and it is performed by two men as part of the staging.

The story theme is clear: a mythological fight between good and bad. In the highlights, it is also described as the shaggy monster battling a witch, which is the kind of visual conflict that makes this performance memorable even if you do not catch every detail of the narrative.

Why this stop is worth it, even if you are not usually a dance person:

• You are seeing a living tradition, not a museum version of culture
• It sets the tone for the whole day, because the rest of your route is very connected to what people value in Bali, nature and belief systems together

The tradeoff is time. It is about one hour, so you will still have a full day ahead, but this is not the kind of stop you can skim. If you enjoy performances, you will feel the value right away. If you are purely sightseeing-driven, you might still appreciate it, because it gives context for everything else you see later.

Tegenungan Waterfall Stop: Photo Time and Getting Your Bearings

Next up is Tegenungan Waterfall, about 45 minutes with admission included. This waterfall is located in the Tegenungan area within Kemenuh village, in Gianyar regency, and it is close to Ubud’s artist village area. The info also calls it relatively isolated, yet popular with visitors.

That combination is useful to know. Popular does not always mean chaotic, and isolated does not always mean empty. In practice, plan for some crowd energy at peak hours, and focus on your timing for the best angles and photo moments.

If your camera roll is your main goal, this is one of the easiest places to come away happy. Waterfalls give you natural framing and motion, and a 45-minute window is long enough to take pictures, then step back and just watch.

One consideration: this is a water stop, so the area can be slippery or damp. The good news is that you are only there for a relatively short time. Still, wear footwear you trust on uneven ground and take your time if surfaces are wet.

Mt. Batur and Kintamani: Lunch With Volcano Views

After the waterfall, the day shifts to Kintamani, centered on Mt. Batur and its crater lake. Your time here is about 45 minutes with admission included. Mt. Batur is described as a semi active volcano, and Kintamani is presented as one of Bali’s most beautiful destinations in the central highlands.

What really sells this stop is the viewpoint connection to your lunch. The overview notes lunch overlooking Mt. Batur volcano, which means you are not just standing in a scenic spot for a few minutes. You get to eat while looking at the highland panorama, which is often the difference between a quick photo stop and a true break in your day.

The surrounding area is also described as being around cauldron lake, with six ancient villages nearby. Even if you do not visit those villages on this tour, the point is that this is not random scenery. It is a culturally anchored volcanic region, and your stop gives you the big picture.

Possible drawback: a volcano viewpoint is weather-dependent. If the air is hazy or clouds roll in, the dramatic crater views can be muted. The tour’s requirement for good weather matters here.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Subak Irrigation and a Short Scenic Walk

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is a 30-minute stop with admission included, and it is one of Bali’s most recognizable rice paddies. The famous ingredient here is the subak system, a traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation setup. The terraces are shaped not just by nature, but by community-managed water flow.

This matters because it changes how you look at the place. You are not just looking at pretty steps of green. You are looking at a working system that has been sustained through cooperation. That is part of why the terraces photograph so well: the patterns are not accidental.

Why I think the 30 minutes works:

• It keeps the day moving, especially with a 10-hour plan overall
• It is long enough to get a few angles and walk a bit if the ground is friendly

The only downside is you cannot treat this like a full half-day hike. If you want a slow, deep exploration, this stop might feel short. But if your goal is classic Bali views and photos, it is a solid, efficient time slot.

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Wanara Wana and Up-Close Grey Macaques

The final major stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, about 45 minutes with admission included. It is not far from Ubud Palace, located in the southern part of central Ubud around Padang Tegal village. The info also gives the local name, Wanara Wana.

This is your up-close animal encounter moment. The overview highlights getting close with grey macaques at the sanctuary, and that is exactly what this stop is about: the chance to watch macaques in a protected setting and see how naturally visitors share space with them.

Practical note, without going too far beyond the facts: animal areas can be unpredictable. Keep a relaxed mindset and follow the on-site rules, especially around feeding or getting too close for photos. The best experience usually comes when you respect the space and let the macaques move at their own pace.

The location near Ubud Palace also makes this a smoother landing for the day. You finish in the heart of Ubud instead of in some remote corner.

Pickup, Mobile Tickets, and Private Comfort From Seminyak

This tour is private, meaning only your group participates. That helps with the whole feel of the day. You are not negotiating group timing, and your driver and guide can handle the route with less friction.

You also get a pickup offered and mobile ticket. Mobile tickets can save time at arrival, and pickup plus transfers can save energy because you do not have to figure out where to meet or how to get from stop to stop.

One review summary from a previous guest praised the guide and driver as polite, friendly, and considerate. That kind of attitude matters on a day trip because the logistics are tight. When the people driving you are calm and thoughtful, you spend less of your day worrying and more of it watching, photographing, and enjoying.

Who This Ubud Kintamani Tour Is Best For (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is a great fit if you want a single-day loop that hits big-name Ubud sights plus the iconic Kintamani volcano region. It is also ideal if you value having entrance fees and lunch handled, rather than assembling the day piece by piece.

You will probably be happiest with this tour if:

• You like both culture and nature, not just one side of Bali
• You want a guided flow so you do not have to plan timing between stops
• You prefer private comfort, especially for longer time in the car from Seminyak

You might want to skip or consider a different style if:

• You are very sensitive to winding roads and long drives through the highlands
• You need a slow, unhurried exploration at one site, because the stop durations are intentionally focused and short

Should You Book the Ubud Kintamani Tour?

If you want a day that feels efficient, varied, and well organized, this one makes sense. The strongest reason to book is the bundling: transfers, lunch, bottled water, admission fees, and a set itinerary that covers Barong and Kris dance, Tegenungan Waterfall, Mt. Batur and Kintamani, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Ubud Monkey Forest.

The one reason to pause is the road and weather reality. Highlands roads can be tough, and the tour requires good weather, which directly impacts volcano viewing.

My call: book it if you want a classic Ubud plus Kintamani sampler in one day with minimal planning stress. If you prefer to linger, you may find some stops feel short, but you will still come away with a balanced, photo-ready lineup.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud Kintamani tour?

It runs for approximately 10 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour is listed with location in Seminyak, Indonesia.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes transfers (2-way transfers).

What is included in the price?

Entrance fees for every listed stop, lunch, bottle mineral water, and a Bali map are included. A mobile ticket is also provided.

What are the main stops during the tour?

You visit a Barong and Kris dance, Tegenungan Waterfall, Mount Batur in Kintamani, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group will participate.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free 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. The tour also depends on good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.