Bali rewards you for leaving Ubud. This Central Bali tour strings together Monkey Forest, Ubud art stops, Kintamani’s Batur volcano viewpoint, rice terraces, and Tegenungan Waterfall into one smooth day.

I really like the mix of places with actual variety: you get big-ticket nature views at Kintamani Highland plus classic Ubud culture stops like the Ubud Traditional Art Market.

One thing to consider: it’s a full 10-hour day with short time slices at a few sites (like the 15-minute palace stop), so it helps if you’re okay with moving at a steady pace.

Key points before you go

• Private tour setup means it’s just your group, not a crowded bus herd.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off saves you time and stress in central Bali.
• English-speaking driver plus an air-conditioned vehicle keeps the day comfortable.
• All entrance tickets included, including Monkey Forest and the main viewpoints/attractions.
• Lunch is planned in the Kintamani area with volcano-and-lake views.
• Time is managed tightly, so the best results come from wearing good walking shoes.

Ubud to Kintamani in One Day: How the Route Feels

This is a classic Central Bali circuit: start in Ubud at 08:00, work through Ubud’s highlights, then head outward to the volcano country, and finish with a waterfall stop. The pacing is the main story. You’ll spend about an hour at Monkey Forest, an hour at the art market, about an hour up at Kintamani, and another hour at each of the rice terrace and waterfall. That’s six active blocks, plus drive time.

The good news is that the order makes sense. You do the busier Ubud sights earlier, when everyone’s fresh. Then you climb toward Kintamani for the scenic viewpoint and lunch, when the morning tends to be clearer. After that, you descend for Tegalalang Rice Terrace and end at Tegenungan Waterfall—very doable if you keep your expectations realistic.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Plan for Monkeys and Shade

The day starts at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, described as both a nature reserve and a religious temple complex. It’s home to around 340 crab-eating macaques, so this isn’t a quiet stroll. You’ll likely see monkeys at close range—sometimes on the path, sometimes perched higher up, and always acting like they own the place.

You get about 1 hour here, and that time window is important. One hour is enough to see the temple setting, get a feel for how the reserve works, and snap photos without feeling rushed. But it’s not enough to “slow-travel” every corner. If you want calmer wandering, you’ll want to stay aware of where you place your hands and your belongings.

Also, this stop comes with an admission ticket included. That helps you feel less like you’re doing paperwork and more like you’re just enjoying the place.

Ubud Palace and Ubud Traditional Art Market: Two Quick Cultural Stops

Next up is Ubud Palace, also tied to Puri Saren. Your time here is short—about 15 minutes—but it’s positioned right in central Ubud, so you get the cultural context without losing half a day. Think of it as a “check the box” moment: see the palace grounds, get the feel for the royal/ceremonial setting, and then move on.

Then comes Ubud Traditional Art Market, scheduled for about 1 hour. This is one of the most practical parts of the tour if you like souvenirs you can actually shop for on foot. The market sells a wide range: silver jewelry, precious stones, batiks, T-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags.

Here’s how I’d use that hour:

• Pick one type of item you genuinely want (for example, jewelry or batik) and compare prices quickly.
• Don’t feel obligated to browse everything. The stalls are packed and it’s easy to get decision fatigue.
• If you spot something special early, consider buying before you drift toward harder-to-resist impulse buys.

Entrance tickets are included for this stop too, so your time stays focused on choosing what you’ll take home.

Kintamani Highland: The Mount and Lake Batur View Stop

Kintamani Highland is the big “wow” moment on this route. It’s set in the village of Batur, at around 900 m above sea level, and your time here is about 1 hour. The goal is the view: Mount and Lake Batur from a distance, plus the comfort of stopping long enough to actually enjoy it.

Lunch is a key part of making this stop worthwhile. The tour includes lunch, and the plan places you in the area with restaurants built around views of the volcano. This is the best use of your lunch time because it turns food into part of the scenery, not just a break from it.

This stop is included with admission too. So you’re not juggling extra payments while you’re trying to line up the best photo angle.

Practical tip: Kintamani can feel cooler than Ubud. Bring a light layer even if the morning starts warm.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Walking Views, Swings, and Zip Lining

After Kintamani, you head down to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, with about 1 hour scheduled. This is one of Bali’s most photographed rice landscapes, described as sweeping down before you toward the valley. The roadside vantage point is said to be cool and breezy—exactly what you want after a morning of driving.

What makes this stop more than just scenery is that the terraces offer activities like tracking (walking/trails), plus options such as swinging and zip lining. The tour includes the attraction admission, but one cost note matters: donation for tracking is not included.

How to plan the hour:

• If you want photos and a calm walk, treat the activities as optional and prioritize viewpoint time.
• If you’re into the adrenaline side (swing/zip lining), decide early so you’re not scrambling once you’re already halfway across the terrace paths.

Either way, wear shoes with grip. You’ll be on uneven ground, and a good foot step makes everything easier.

Tegenungan Waterfall: A Natural Finish Between Ubud and Bali South

Your last major stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, scheduled for about 1 hour. The description frames it as a great nature stop if you’re staying around Ubud or nearby Sukawati—and that’s exactly how this tour is positioned.

Tegenungan is a convenient finishing point, halfway between Ubud and Bali’s south areas. That convenience matters because it keeps the day from turning into a long backtrack. You’re already descending from the rice terrace area, and the waterfall acts like a final “release valve” after a day of scenic stops.

Entrance tickets are included, so your one-hour focus stays on timing and comfort: water always makes things slippery, and being near a waterfall usually means you’ll want to keep your phone protected and your plan simple.

Private Pickup, Air-Conditioned Vehicle, and an English-Speaking Driver

The tour runs as a private experience. That means it’s your group only, not strangers sharing your schedule. The vehicle is described as clean and air-conditioned, and pickup and drop-off are included—huge for a day that’s already packed.

A lot of the praise in guide quality revolves around friendliness, calm driving, and taking care of passengers. For example, reviews specifically mention Darma as a fantastic driver/guide, with a calm, generous way of sharing time. Another review highlights Nyoman Budi as both an excellent driver and tour guide, friendly and helpful. Putu Irwan (Eco Bali Tours) is praised for safety-first thinking, respect, and helpfulness. And in related Eco Bali Tours experiences, names like Made, Aria, and Robert come up as drivers who helped trips run smoothly.

You don’t need to memorize guide names to enjoy the tour, but those reviews are useful signals: the company seems to staff people who handle driving well and communicate clearly in English.

Price and What $70 Buys You in Real Value

At $70.00 per person, this tour is priced like a full day that avoids nickel-and-diming. Here’s what’s included: private service, hotel pickup/drop-off, an English-speaking driver, all entrance tickets, lunch, and service/government tax.

That combination is the value driver. If you tried to piece this together yourself—Monkey Forest admission, market time, Kintamani viewpoint transport, lunch in the right area, rice terrace entry, and a waterfall visit—your total would likely climb fast once you account for driving time and the “right places at the right time” problem.

One more value angle: the tour includes a mobile ticket and is set up with confirmation at booking time. You’re not chasing paperwork right before you want to leave.

If you’re traveling as a couple or small group, a private day like this often becomes a practical bargain, because you’re paying for convenience plus admissions plus lunch, not just for a car.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This tour fits best if you want a one-day sampler that covers Ubud culture and Bali’s nature highlights. You’ll enjoy it if you like:

• photo-heavy sightseeing that still includes real shopping time in Ubud
• volcano views without needing to plan a separate overnight trip
• a “done for you” day where lunch is already built into the route

You might rethink it if you:

• hate tight schedules and prefer long, slow stays at each place
• need lots of unbroken downtime (this tour doesn’t really do that)
• want extensive time at palace grounds or deep museum-style stops (the palace is only 15 minutes)

Should You Book This Central Bali Tour?

Yes, I’d book it if you want an efficient, comfortable day that hits Ubud, Kintamani, rice terraces, and a waterfall. The strongest reasons are simple: entrance tickets and lunch are included, the vehicle is described as air-conditioned and clean, and guide quality shows up in multiple names and comments—calm, friendly, safety-minded.

If you’re deciding between skipping one of the stops to save time, don’t. The route is built so each segment adds a different mood: temple-monkey energy, Ubud art-and-shopping, volcano-and-lunch views, rice terrace walking, then waterfall cooling off.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the Central Bali tour start?

It starts at 8:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel are included.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entrance tickets for the listed stops are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it’s planned in the Kintamani area.

Is the tour cancellation refundable?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.