A full day in Bali, neatly stitched together. This private tour is built for easy pacing: you get round-trip hotel pickup, a comfortable air-conditioned car, and included admissions so you spend more time looking than bargaining. I especially like the combo of Goa Gajah + Tirta Empul for big cultural impact, and the volcano lunch stop in Kintamani with views over Mount Batur. The only real drawback is simple: it’s a long 9-hour day with plenty of driving, so you’ll want to pack a slower mindset (and snacks for between stops).

If you book far enough ahead, you’re likely to lock in a smooth start, and feedback points to guides like Mudana being patient and good at explaining what you’re seeing. A private setup also helps when you want flexibility—slow down at a temple, linger at a view, or move on quickly if you’re done taking photos. Just note that the schedule is structured: the stops have set time blocks, so customization is mostly about pacing, not removing major sights.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

• Private air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off across Bali beach and city areas
• Included entrance fees so your day doesn’t turn into surprise ticket math
• Balinese buffet lunch in Kintamani with Mount Batur views
• Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul in one day for maximum culture-per-hour
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces (Ceking) for the classic Bali green-field photo moment
• A traditional Batuan compound and art-village time for a less-touristy feel than temple-only days

Why This Kintamani Route Works So Well from Ubud

This day trip is popular for a reason: it concentrates Bali’s most-asked-for sights into one logical loop. You start in the Ubud area, then work your way toward the central highlands and back, so you’re not bouncing around the island like a pinball.

What I like most is that the tour doesn’t just name famous places. It gives you enough time at each stop to actually notice details—carvings at Goa Gajah, water rituals at Tirta Empul, and the crater-and-lake views associated with Mount Batur. When admissions are included, you also avoid one of the most annoying parts of independent touring: chasing tickets, lines, and exact entrances while you’re already hungry or hot.

The “private” part matters too. Even though you’re following a route, you’re doing it on your own schedule for that day, with an English-speaking driver/guide handling navigation and timing. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates feeling rushed, that peace of mind is real.

Pickup and the Pace: What 9 Hours Really Means

You’re picked up around 8:30am from many areas, including Ubud, Sanur, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar. The total duration is about 9 hours, which is long enough to feel like a real adventure but not so long that it turns into an all-day grind.

Most of your energy will go into two things: sitting comfortably in air-conditioning during the drives, and keeping your attention switched on during short, dense stops. Expect a “watch, walk, learn a bit, then move” rhythm. The times listed at each stop are helpful because they tell you this isn’t an all-day temple crawl where you forget what day it is.

Here’s my practical advice: wear shoes you can move in without thinking, and bring something small for hydration since drinks aren’t included. The tour includes admission fees, lunch, and transport, but not the extras people usually reach for on the road.

Batuan Traditional House: A Small Stop with Big Meaning

The day begins with Batuan, a traditional Balinese house setting often described as a vernacular compound with nine buildings, each serving different functions. This is the kind of stop that’s easy to skip if you’re only chasing iconic scenery. Don’t.

You’ll get a quick window into how Balinese domestic life is organized. Even if you only catch the highlights, seeing multiple buildings with different roles helps you understand why temples, shrines, and daily rituals are so intertwined on the island.

One nice detail for your budget: the admission ticket here is free, so it’s a low-pressure way to start the day with context before you jump into the sacred sites.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): Carvings, Sanctuary Energy, and Quiet Attention

Next comes Goa Gajah, also known as Elephant Cave, located near Ubud. This site dates back to the 11th century and was used as a sanctuary, which gives the whole place a deeper feel than a quick photo stop.

At around 1 hour, you’ll have enough time to walk through the main areas and take in the stonework. If you care about symbolism, this is one of the spots where your guide’s explanations can really change the experience—things that look like random carvings start making sense when someone connects them to the sanctuary’s purpose.

A practical tip: treat this stop like a slow stroll, not a sprint. The lighting and stone textures reward staying a bit longer, especially if you like noticing the little details people usually miss while rushing to the next landmark.

Tirta Empul Temple: Water Gushing from the Earth

Then you move to Tirta Empul Temple, whose name translates loosely to water gushing from the earth. The key idea is simple: it’s known as a holy spring, and the water element is central to why the temple matters.

You’ll have about 1 hour here, which is enough time to see the site and understand what people come to do around the springs. This is also where respectful behavior matters most. Keep your voice down, follow any instructions from your guide, and expect that you may have to pause and wait as people perform their rituals.

If Goa Gajah is the carved-stone sanctuary vibe, Tirta Empul is more about living practice. It’s one of those stops that makes Bali feel less like a sightseeing list and more like a place with ongoing traditions.

Mount Batur and Kintamani Lunch: The Volcano-View Payoff

After Tirta Empul, the route shifts toward the highlands. First up is Mount Batur, listed as about 45 minutes at the stop. This is described as a great spot for climbing, with rewards that include views into the crater and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Batur.

You won’t spend hours here, so think of it as the “get the view, catch the feeling” part of the day. Even if you don’t push hard on the climbing component, the stop is designed to give you a sense of scale—this is the kind of place where the landscape changes how you see Bali’s geography.

Then comes the highlight lunch in Kintamani Highland. You get an Indonesian gourmet-style buffet lunch with many food options, plus a volcano view over Batur. The lunch stop is listed at about 1 hour, which is usually the sweet spot: long enough to eat without stress, short enough that you don’t feel trapped when the afternoon light starts shifting.

Why this lunch is good value: it’s not just food. It’s food with a built-in reason to slow down. Many Bali tours cram lunch into a non-descript spot; here the whole point is that you eat while you’re looking at the volcano view.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces (Ceking): Classic Green Fields with Real Time to Look

Your final major stop is Tegalalang Rice Terraces, also known as Ceking Rice Terrace. This is one of Bali’s iconic scenes: long green rice slopes, layered in the jungle atmosphere, with that famous look you’ve likely seen in photos.

The listed time here is about 45 minutes, and that’s enough time to walk a bit, find a viewpoint, and understand the terrace layout without turning it into a long hike. It’s also a great place for your last wave of photos because the scenery holds up well from multiple angles.

A quick practical note: this is a popular area, so expect some foot traffic. Keep your pace steady and step carefully on uneven ground, especially if it’s humid or recently wet.

Included Tickets and the $70 Price: Where the Value Comes From

At $70 per person, this tour sits in the “serious day-trip” range, but the price makes more sense when you line up what’s included. You’re getting:

• a private air-conditioned vehicle with round-trip pickup and drop-off
• an English-speaking driver/guide
• entry/admission fees for the stops
• Indonesian buffet lunch
• parking fees, gas/petrol
• a mobile ticket

That admission-fee inclusion is the big hidden value. If you tried to stitch this day together yourself, you’d likely pay similar totals in tickets plus the hassle of transport and finding exact entrances. Here, someone else handles that part.

What’s not included is also straightforward: drinks are available for purchase, and gratuities are optional. So if you’re watching costs, bring a plan for water and anything else you like to drink on the move.

Also, booking tends to be fairly popular—on average it’s booked about 32 days in advance. If you have a tight schedule or specific dates, earlier booking can help you secure the slot you want.

Who This Private Bali Tour Suits Best

This tour fits you well if you want a well-structured day that mixes temples, heritage, and highland views without the stress of coordinating multiple parts on your own.

It’s especially good for:

• first-time Bali visitors who want a strong “best of” day
• couples or small groups who like private pacing over big bus crowds
• travelers who enjoy seeing how places work, not just collecting landmark photos
• people who want lunch handled in a scenic setting

You might want to think twice if you dislike long car days. At about 9 hours, you’re committing to a lot of movement. The upside is that it’s all done in an air-conditioned vehicle with included logistics, but the time investment is real.

Should You Book This Bali Kintamani Tour with Lunch?

Yes—if you want a single day that covers major Bali anchors without the usual planning headache, this tour makes a strong case. The mix is smart: Goa Gajah’s 11th-century sanctuary feel, Tirta Empul’s holy spring water focus, then a volcano lunch in Kintamani, ending with the famous Tegalalang terraces.

Book it if you value included admissions and want a private, guide-supported route that keeps the day moving at a human pace. Skip it (or choose a shorter option) if your ideal Bali day is mostly slow, low-transport time.

If you do book, aim to be ready for pickup on time, wear comfortable shoes, and keep expectations realistic: you’ll see a lot, and you’ll likely wish you had even more time at your favorite stop. That’s the trade. In this case, it’s a trade you’re getting a good deal for.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 8:30am.

How long is the Bali Kintamani day trip with lunch?

The duration is listed as 9 hours (approx.).

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup & drop-off are included for Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included items are private air-conditioned vehicle, English speaking driver/guide, entry/admission fees, Indonesian gourmet buffet lunch, parking fees, and gas/petrol.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are available for purchase, but they are not included.

Is this tour really private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Can I add optional attractions?

There are optional attractions that may be added if there is time available, and they’re on request only.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before the start time isn’t refundable.