Bali’s highlands and holy springs in one long day. This private 10-hour tour strings together Barong and Keris dance, Ubud’s Monkey Forest, Tegalalang rice terraces, sacred Tirta Empul, Kintamani viewpoints, and Celuk gold-and-silver shopping—then caps it with a Mt. Batur–view buffet lunch.

I like that it’s built around the reality of Bali traffic: no stress renting a scooter for winding highland roads, since you’re in a car with A/C and a driver from the start. I also like the pacing balance: big cultural stops (dance, temple) paired with the practical stuff you’d want anyway (entrances included, lunch with water). One drawback to plan for is the day is packed—expect shorter time blocks at each highlight, not a slow wander all day.

Key points I’d plan around

• English-speaking driver + private car makes the highlands easier when roads get narrow and there’s no real public transport.
• Mt. Batur buffet lunch at Kintamani is where the view payoff happens, not just another quick stop.
• Tirta Empul gives you the sacred-springs experience in a structured, included time slot.
• Monkey Forest + rice terraces cover two of Ubud’s most popular sights without you coordinating buses.
• Celuk Village shopping is the craft-village add-on that’s easy to enjoy (or skip if you want).
• If you want a smoother day, lean into the included entrance fees and come ready to move.

Why This Private Kintamani and Ubud Route Works

This tour is smart for Bali geography. Ubud and Kintamani sit in the hills, where public transport is limited and roads can be narrow and winding. Having a private driver does two things for you: it saves energy and it keeps you from spending time figuring out what bus goes where.

You start early (8:00 am) and you’re out about 10 hours, so treat it like a full-day “highlights + culture” ticket. Since you’re picked up from most south Bali and Ubud hotels, you can stay in your usual area and let the schedule carry you.

Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture

The day kicks off with the Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture. This is the traditional story of good versus evil, with Barong as a central mythological character. It’s a trance-style performance, so it’s not just dancing for aesthetics—you get a sense of Balinese storytelling through movement and drama.

You’ll get about one hour here, with the admission ticket included. That hour is long enough to settle in and follow what’s going on, especially if your driver/guide explains context as you go between stops (this is where English-speaking support really matters).

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temple Grounds and Real Wildlife

Next up is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. It’s described as a nature reserve temple complex (so it’s not a zoo, and it’s not just a park). You’ll have about one hour, and the admission ticket is included.

Here’s how to make this stop enjoyable: keep your expectations grounded. This place is about a shared habitat, so you’re visiting where monkeys live. That also means you should stay aware—don’t reach for things, keep belongings controlled, and follow the guidance on-site.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace Stop for Views and Photo Breaks

Then you’ll head to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. It’s one of the best-known terrace areas near Ubud, and you’ll spend about one hour there with admission included.

This is a classic “walk a bit, look around, take photos, move on” stop. Because the day is scheduled tightly, I’d plan to enjoy the terrace viewpoints quickly and then be ready for the next leg. If you want long, slow photo sessions, you might find yourself wanting more time than the itinerary allows.

Kintamani Highlands: A Quick Taste of the Cool

At Kintamani, the tour gives you a focused highland break (about 30 minutes). The area sits around 1,500 meters high, and the description notes cooler air during the day and colder conditions at night. Even if you’re only there briefly, it’s a good reminder to dress in layers for the highlands.

This isn’t a long stay, so use the time for what the tour does best: the view moment. Then you’ll roll into the lunch stop where Kintamani’s scenery is part of the experience in a more comfortable setting.

The Amora Bali Lunch Buffet With Mt. Batur Views

Lunch is at The Amora Bali, and it’s a real highlight. You get a buffet of Indonesian specialties, and the Mt. Batur view is part of why this stop is worth the schedule. The itinerary also notes water with lunch, and there’s about one hour here.

If you need vegetarian food, you can request it. That matters because a day like this can go sideways when lunch options are limited. With lunch and water included, you don’t have to waste time hunting for food in the highlands.

Tirta Empul Temple: Sacred Springs You Can Witness

After lunch, you’ll visit Tirta Empul Temple, also known as the Holy Spring Temple in Tampak Siring. It’s described as a place where Balinese worshippers have come for thousands of years to use the holy water to purify the body.

You’ll spend about one hour here, with admission included. The value of Tirta Empul on a tour like this is that it’s not just a quick photo stop—you get enough time to understand why the springs matter to visitors and to Bali’s living religious practice.

Celuk Village Craft Shopping: Gold and Silver at Local Prices

The last major stop is Celuk Village, known for gold and silver handicrafts. You’ll have about one hour, and the craft village admission is listed as free.

This is where you can slow down or keep it short. The tour frames it as an area with incredible metalwork and items available at lower prices, and it’s easy to spend your time browsing shops without needing local guidance for “where to go.” If shopping isn’t your thing, treat it as a cultural stop: watch how the craft is presented, then decide whether you want anything.

Price and Logistics: Is $65 Worth It?

At $65 per person, the big question is what you’re actually paying for. For this price, you get a private car with A/C, an English-speaking driver, petrol, entrance fees, and a buffet lunch with water. You’re also getting a full-day route that would be hard to replicate with public transport in the highlands.

In practical terms, you’re buying time and reduced hassle. The highland roads and the spacing between Ubud sights and Kintamani make private transport feel less like a luxury and more like the efficient way to do it. Add in mineral water and tax/services, and it’s a tidy package for a one-day highlights run.

A helpful note: guides and drivers are part of the experience here. Names like Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, and Oka show up as examples of the friendly, professional service people appreciate. You can’t control the exact person, but you can ask your operator for an English-speaking driver if that matters to you, and then enjoy the explanations as you move.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This fits you if you want a structured day that covers a lot of Bali’s “greatest hits” without logistics work. It also fits families and couples who don’t want to handle scooters on winding roads or manage multiple tickets.

It’s less ideal if you hate being on the move. Since the itinerary gives around 30–60 minutes at most stops, you won’t have “all afternoon” in any single place. If you prefer slow museum-style pacing, you might want fewer stops or a tour focused only on Ubud (or only on Kintamani).

Should You Book This Tour?

I think you should book it if you’re doing Bali for the first time and you want cultural stops plus view time, with lunch handled and entrance fees included. The private car and highland route make it feel efficient, not stressful, and the Mt. Batur lunch is a strong payoff point.

Skip or adjust if you’re the type who needs long, unhurried time at each attraction. This day is designed to check boxes, not to linger all day. If you can handle a full itinerary and you’re excited by a mix of dance, temples, terraces, and crafts, this is a solid value play.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour price?

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

How long is the tour, and what time does it start?

It runs about 10 hours and starts at 8:00 am.

What stops are included during the day?

You’ll visit Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland, The Amora Bali for lunch, Tirta Empul Temple, and Celuk Village.

Is lunch included, and can they do vegetarian?

Yes. Lunch is included as a buffet at The Amora Bali, and vegetarian food is available on request.

Are entrance fees included for the attractions?

Yes. Entrance fees are included in the tour.

Do you get hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup is offered from most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund.