Two days in Ubud can feel like a week. The Barong and Keris dance in Batubulan sets a big, emotional tone for the whole trip, and you get it with the kind of smooth driving that lets you actually enjoy the stops. In my experience, our driver Kiut helped keep the day moving without feeling rushed.

What I really liked is the mix: classic Balinese performance and spiritual stops that make the scenery feel connected, not random. Tirta Empul is a standout, and the Mount Batur viewpoint in Kintamani gives you that wide-open, head-clearing break between temples and waterfalls.

One thing to keep in mind: it is a packed two days. You’ll do plenty of walking and standing in warm, humid conditions, and some roads between sites take time—so it’s best if you’re okay with an active schedule.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private, air-conditioned transport with hotel pickup: you ride in comfort between far-flung sights.
• Barong and Keris dance in Batubulan: a must-see Balinese good-versus-evil story performed in a traditional setting.
• Monkey Forest plus Tegalalang rice terraces on Day 1: culture first, then big views while the light is still good.
• Lunch at D Alas Warung with jungle-and-terrace views: a restful pause that still keeps you close to the action.
• Two different waterfalls: Kanto Lampo for splashy photos and Tukad Cepung for that canyon light effect.
• Tirta Empul purification ritual after Kintamani views: spiritual practice paired with a volcano-and-lake panorama.

Why This Two-Day Ubud Plan Makes Sense

This tour works because it groups experiences that naturally belong together. Day 1 leans into Balinese culture and iconic Ubud visuals—dance, monkeys, and the famous terraced rice farms—then it slows down with lunch and a more quiet temple stop. Day 2 flips the pace to water and viewpoints: waterfalls first, then a highland break for Mount Batur, and finally a temple ritual with real spiritual meaning.

You also get a private setup. That matters more than people think, especially around Ubud where traffic and timing can be unpredictable. With your own group, your guide and driver can plan the day around what you want to see, and you’re not stuck waiting on a larger crowd.

The tour includes bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle, plus two lunches. For a multi-stop day, that’s a practical win. You’re less likely to turn cranky halfway through the afternoon when heat and hunger hit.

Day 1 in Ubud: Batubulan Dance, Monkey Forest, and Tegalalang Views

Day 1 starts with Batubulan, one of Bali’s best-known places for traditional dance performances. You’ll go from hotel pickup to Batubulan in about an hour, then step into a story that’s core Balinese mythology: the battle between good and evil.

Batubulan: Barong and Keris

The Barong and Keris dance is staged as a theatrical clash—mythical characters, intense movements, and a clear emotional arc. Even if you don’t know the mythology ahead of time, the performance communicates the theme fast: protection, balance, and the struggle that never fully leaves human life.

I like this opening because it gives you a cultural lens for everything that comes next. Later on, when you see temples and purification rituals, it feels less like a checklist item and more like part of the same worldview.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Next comes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a nature reserve and sanctuary in the heart of Ubud that covers about 27 acres and is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques. The idea here is simple: walk through a green forest setting where monkeys are more than just background.

Here’s the practical consideration: this is still a wildlife environment. Keep your distance, watch where you step, and be smart about belongings. If you keep your hands busy and your eyes on the path, you’ll enjoy it as nature plus a dose of comedy.

This stop also works as a reset from the dance theater. You go from controlled performance to open forest, with time to look around and take in the details.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

After monkeys, you head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of the most photographed rice terrace areas in Ubud. You’re looking at terraced paddies that cascade down the hillsides, with intricate irrigation shaping how the fields hold water.

The value here is timing and variety. You’re not just collecting photos—you’re seeing a working agricultural system. And because this is a famous spot, it’s easier to understand what people mean when they say Ubud feels layered: farm life, spirituality, and art all show up close together.

If you get warm easily, plan for shade breaks. The terraces can be a lot of open exposure, and the day moves onward after this.

D Alas Warung Lunch: A Jungle-View Break (With a Swing Option)

Lunch is at D Alas Warung Restaurant, and it’s scheduled as a longer stop, about two hours. That’s intentional. You get local Indonesian food, and the best part is the setting: you’re looking over the jungle and the rice terraces while you eat.

This pause is one of the tour’s smartest decisions. After dance, monkeys, and terraces, you deserve a moment where you can slow down, hydrate, and let the heat drop a notch. If you’re the type who tends to skip lunch because you’re hungry but you want more photos, this is your fix.

You’ll also find a jungle swing available at the restaurant area. The tour doesn’t spell out whether you pay extra for it, so I’d treat it as optional. Still, even watching others go can be fun, and it fits the overall feel of a day that mixes culture with playful scenery.

Gunung Kawi Sebatu: Temple Quiet, Bathing Pools, and Old Shrines

Day 1 ends at Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, a lesser-known temple complex tucked in a lush jungle setting near Tegallalang. This stop is distinct because it’s less about crowds and more about atmosphere.

Here’s what makes it special: the complex is known for ancient shrines and bathing pools used for visitors’ worship and bathing. That gives you a different perspective than many more famous temples. Instead of only seeing structures from the outside, you get a sense of how the sacred space is tied to water and personal ritual.

It’s also a reminder that Ubud isn’t only about scenic viewpoints. It’s about lived spirituality, in real locations where locals have reasons to come back again and again.

The consideration is the same as most temple visits: be mindful of how you behave in a sacred space. Dress appropriately, keep your voice low, and follow any guidance you’re given on how to move around.

Day 2 Waterfall Morning: Kanto Lampo to Tukad Cepung

Day 2 is built around nature, starting with waterfalls—two in completely different settings and moods.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Splashy Photo Time

First up is Kanto Lampo Waterfall, known for great photo opportunities thanks to the splash. It’s a relatively quick, focused stop at about one hour, which is perfect when you want the payoff without blowing up the whole day’s timing.

A tip for waterfall photos: expect changing light. The best shots often come when you move a bit closer, not when you stay frozen at one angle. Just keep your footing secure.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall: Canyon Light Effect

Next is Tukad Cepung Waterfall, tucked away near Tembuku and famous for how sunlight filters through a narrow canyon opening. This is the kind of place where you look up and notice how nature shapes the light.

This stop tends to feel more special than the first waterfall because it’s more contained. You’re in a gorge-like environment with a different atmosphere—cooler, more sheltered, and more dramatic visually than a standard waterfall viewpoint.

Given the tour’s moderate fitness note, I’d plan for uneven paths and the possibility of wet surfaces. Wear something you’re comfortable walking in, and keep your phone safely protected.

Kintamani Highland: The Mount Batur and Lake Batur Pause

After waterfalls, the tour heads to Kintamani, a highland region known for views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. This is where the day slows down again, because you’re spending about 2.5 hours here.

Why this matters: waterfalls can be loud and fast. Kintamani gives you space to absorb the bigger geography—active volcano presence, a wide lake view, and a cooler feeling compared to the lowlands (even if you still feel the sun).

Also, this is a smart pacing choice. It buffers you before Tirta Empul, which is both a spiritual space and a place with a lot happening around water and people’s routines.

If you’re the type who enjoys landscapes literally, this portion is your payoff. If you prefer culture over scenery, you’ll still appreciate it because it connects to how people understand the island—water, earth, and sacred patterns.

Tirta Empul Temple: Purification Ritual With Real Meaning

The final stop is Tirta Empul Temple, a sacred Hindu site known for a holy spring water believed to purify and heal. People come for the purification ritual, and it’s respected as a pilgrimage-style experience.

This is where the tour becomes more than scenic. The earlier stops give you Balinese storytelling and visible culture; Tirta Empul shows you how spirituality is practiced through water. If you’re curious about how religion shows up in daily life, this is the moment to pay attention.

A practical note: purification rituals tend to involve specific behaviors and personal preparation. So go in with a calm mindset, follow instructions, and don’t treat it like a photo-only attraction. Even if you’re not participating fully, you can still observe respectfully and learn by watching.

By the end of Day 2, you’ll likely feel that the tour did something hard to do well: it connected nature to meaning, instead of separating them into two unrelated days.

Price and Logistics: What You’re Actually Paying For

At $130 per person for a two-day private tour, the price feels reasonable if you value convenience. You’re paying for a private vehicle with air-conditioning, pickup support, entrance fees and taxes handled for the listed stops, and two included lunches plus bottled water.

Could you do this cheaper on your own? Yes, especially if you’re experienced at arranging drivers and timing. But for many people, the cost isn’t the main issue—time and coordination are. Bali driving between Ubud-area sites, waterfalls, and Kintamani can be tiring, and the tour removes that mental load.

Also, the tour has details that usually matter for real-world comfort: private-only group, mobile ticket, and group discounts. The private setup is especially valuable when you want flexibility around pace. One day packed too tightly can ruin your photos and your mood; a private driver plan helps prevent that.

What’s not included is just an alcoholic drink, which is typical and easy to manage. Bring your own snacks only if you know your schedule needs it, since lunch is provided twice.

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

This tour suits you if you want a structured two-day run through the Ubud classics plus the surrounding nature highlights. It’s a good choice for couples, friends, or small groups who like the “see a lot, but in a sensible order” style.

It’s also ideal if you care about Balinese culture beyond temples—because the day includes Barong and Keris in Batubulan and a proper purification ritual at Tirta Empul.

You might want to choose something else if you prefer a slow, unplanned vacation. This schedule is active, with several stops each day and time spent moving between regions. If you want long, lazy afternoons, you’ll feel it here.

Finally, if you have limited mobility, double-check the moderate fitness note. The tour includes waterfalls, forest paths, and temple areas, so you should be comfortable with walking in warm conditions.

Should You Book This Two-Day Ubud Tour?

If you’re aiming to cover Ubud’s big highlights without losing time to planning, I think it’s a smart booking. The best part is the rhythm: culture on Day 1, water and volcano views on Day 2, and a strong spiritual finish at Tirta Empul. In my mind, that mix is what makes it feel worth doing as a connected two-day plan.

The other big plus is the human factor. The feedback I’ve seen around this kind of tour consistently points to the driver—here specifically Kiut—being a major reason the days felt smooth and enjoyable. When the transport is solid, the whole trip feels better.

So: book it if you want maximum value from your time in Bali and you’re okay with a full schedule. Skip it if you want zero rushing and you plan to spend most of the trip hanging around one neighborhood.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Discover Ubud 2 Days Private Tour?

It runs for about 2 days.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What’s included in the price?

All fees and taxes, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, private tour service, and lunch (2) are included.

Are tickets to attractions included?

Yes. Admission tickets are listed as included for several stops, and the package includes all fees and taxes overall.

What food is provided?

Lunch is included twice during the two days.

What is not included?

Alcoholic drinks are not included.

How does the itinerary split across the two days?

Day 1 focuses on Batubulan (dance), Monkey Forest, Tegalalang rice terraces, lunch at D Alas Warung, and Gunung Kawi Sebatu. Day 2 covers Kanto Lampo waterfall, Tukad Cepung waterfall, Kintamani (Mount Batur views), and Tirta Empul Temple.

What kind of fitness level is needed?

The tour lists moderate physical fitness as a requirement, which usually means you should be comfortable with some walking and time outdoors.

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 amount paid is not refunded.