Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple

Reviewed · HOLY SPRINGS & TEMPLE TRAILS

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple

4.0 · 12 reviews From $60 Operated by Gusti Bali Tours - Private Bali Tour Driver Guide · Bookable on Viator
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A temple day, but with control. This private car from Kuta is built for pacing yourself through Bali’s key sites, with a driver you can work with and the practical comfort of onboard Wi-Fi and bottled water.

You’ll also get the cultural “extra stops” that make a temple day feel like more than photos: a Balinese dance performance and time included for a coffee plantation visit. The big names are here too, including Besakih, the island’s famous Mother Temple.

One thing to plan for: entrance fees and activity or performance fees are not included. Also, while the day is private, you should confirm your priorities early, because small itinerary changes can happen when your driver finds better timing or routes.

Key things to know before you go

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Key things to know before you go

  • Private charter, up to 5 people: your group stays together, no swapping seats with strangers.
  • Besakih is the anchor: a serious temple highlight, built on the slope of Mount Agung.
  • Tirta Empul includes a purification moment: you’ll have time at the holy spring water site.
  • Barong and Keris dance stop: a full cultural performance component, not just temple time.
  • Kintamani and Mount Batur views: paired with lunch at a local restaurant window.
  • Extra costs are real: entrance tickets and performance/activity fees are paid on the day.

A private driver makes temple touring feel sane

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - A private driver makes temple touring feel sane
Bali’s temples are spread out, and the day can go sideways fast if you’re relying on public transport or trying to stitch together rides on the fly. This tour solves that with your own air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking driver, starting from Kuta around 8:30 am and running about 8 to 10 hours.

For me, the value here is simple. You’re paying mainly for transport and a driver who can keep the day moving while still giving you time where it counts. If you want to slow down at a particular shrine, take a longer look at a view, or ask questions as you go, this setup actually allows it.

Also, the included touches matter more than they sound. Cool bottled water, parking fees, and onboard Wi-Fi turn a long temple day into something you can tolerate without feeling like you’re stuck in a cramped sweat box.

Price and what it really buys (up to 5 people)

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Price and what it really buys (up to 5 people)
The price is $60 per group up to 5. That means the cost per person can drop nicely if you’re traveling with friends or family.

  • If you go as 2 people, you’re effectively around $30 each.
  • As 4 or 5 people, it can feel more like “shared taxi” pricing, but with an English-speaking driver and air-conditioning.

What’s included is the big stuff: private transportation, fuel surcharge, parking, bottled water, and English support. What’s not included is the part that often surprises people on Bali temple days: entrance fees and activity/performance fees, plus lunch/dinner.

So the honest way to budget is: think of the $60 as your transport and planning base, then plan extra cash for tickets and any on-site costs.

Your day plan starts in Kuta and aims for variety

The schedule is organized around a strong temple core, then added cultural moments so you don’t end up with five hours of only stone and stairs. The tour structure looks like this:

  • A Balinese dance performance stop (Barong and Keris)
  • A quieter village temple moment (Puseh Batuan)
  • Tirta Empul and its holy spring water purification ceremony time
  • A Mount Batur / Kintamani viewpoint stop with lunch time
  • Besakih Temple, Bali’s Mother Temple

Separately, the overall tour design also includes a coffee plantation visit. It will be worked into the day around the other stops, so the timing can vary depending on pacing.

If you want your day to match your interests, message ahead or set expectations at the start. One guide experience shared by others noted flexibility, but another person felt the day didn’t match their exact expectations. The practical fix is straightforward: tell your driver what you most want to protect (for example, Besakih time, the dance performance, or Tirta Empul).

Stop 1: Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Stop 1: Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture
Your first major cultural stop is the Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture. This is not just background entertainment. It’s part of Bali’s living performance traditions, and it works well early in the day because it puts you in the right mindset before temples.

Expect this to take about 1 hour. The performance ticket is not included, so you’ll pay on site.

Practical tips for this stop:

  • Wear something comfortable enough for sitting and standing.
  • Keep your phone ready, but also take a moment to watch without filming. These performances move with rhythm, and quick video bursts can miss the story.

If you care about culture beyond architecture, this dance stop is one of the reasons this itinerary feels more complete than a pure temple checklist.

Stop 2: Puseh Batuan Temple, a one-village temple feel

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Stop 2: Puseh Batuan Temple, a one-village temple feel
Next up is Puseh Batuan Temple, described as a temple known for one village. You’ll have around 30 minutes here.

This shorter stop is useful. It breaks up the day so you’re not only hitting the big-ticket “main event” sites. Smaller, village-centered temples often feel more personal because they’re part of everyday community life, not only tourism traffic.

What to expect:

  • You’ll likely spend time looking around the grounds and taking in the ceremonial feel.
  • Entrance fees are not included, so plan to pay your ticket on the day.

If you’re the type who likes quieter moments and doesn’t need every stop to be a wow-at-first-sight panorama, this one can be a highlight.

Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the purification ceremony time

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the purification ceremony time
The itinerary then heads to Tirta Empul Temple in Tampaksiring. This stop includes time for purification using holy spring water.

You’ll have about 1 hour here. This can be one of the most meaningful parts of the day because it’s tied to a real spiritual practice, not just a tourist photo spot. The tour description explicitly mentions cleaning your body and soul.

A few practical considerations:

  • The purification ritual involves water, so plan for getting wet.
  • Dress modestly and be respectful of the ceremony.
  • Don’t assume you’ll be able to participate the way you want without guidance. If you’re unsure, watch first, then follow the flow.

Entrance fees aren’t included, so bring cash or a way to pay your ticket on site.

Stop 4: Mount Batur and Kintamani views, with lunch at a local place

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Stop 4: Mount Batur and Kintamani views, with lunch at a local place
After temples, the day turns toward views. You’ll stop at Mount Batur / Kintamani, with time for scenery of the volcano and Lake Batur, and then lunch at a local restaurant.

This portion is about 1 hour in the plan. Lunch is not included, so this is where you’ll factor in your food budget.

What makes this stop worth it (even if you’re not a “volcano person”):

  • It gives your eyes a break from temple details.
  • It resets your energy before Besakih.
  • It changes the tone of the day from spiritual intensity to wide-open wonder.

Tip: If you want the best viewing time, prioritize being ready for the view when you arrive rather than treating it like a quick drive-by.

Stop 5: Besakih Temple, the Mother Temple on Mount Agung’s slopes

Private Chartered Car to Bali Temples With Besakih Temple - Stop 5: Besakih Temple, the Mother Temple on Mount Agung’s slopes
Finally, you reach Besakih Temple, the biggest temple built in Bali on the 8th century and known as the Mother Temple. It sits on the slope of Mount Agung. You’ll have about 1 hour for this stop.

If you only pick one Bali temple day highlight, this is the one. The sense here is scale and significance. You’re not just visiting a single shrine; you’re stepping into the idea of Bali’s religious center.

Practical notes:

  • Entrance fees are not included, so pay on the day.
  • This stop is likely the most emotionally intense and visually crowded, so pace yourself. Take a slow walk, then go back to the places that feel most meaningful to you.

This is also the moment where a flexible driver helps. People have shared experiences with guides like Wayan and Gusti/Gutsi—both praised for being friendly, informative, and willing to accommodate wishes. Even in a private tour, that kind of attitude can turn a rushed hour into a calmer, more satisfying visit.

The coffee plantation visit: why it’s worth the detour

The tour description includes time for a coffee plantation visit. Even though the itinerary doesn’t list a dedicated time slot in the same way as the temples, it’s part of the overall plan.

Why it’s a good add-on:

  • It breaks up repetitive temple scenery.
  • It gives you a chance to see how Bali turns a local product into a visitor experience.
  • It’s an easy cultural stop when you want something practical and light, not another sacred site.

What you should do while you’re there (without overthinking it):

  • Ask basic questions about the process and what they’re known for.
  • If there’s a tasting or shopping component, treat it like optional. You can participate at your comfort level.

If you’re sensitive to sales pressure, set boundaries politely and stick to your plan.

Tickets, attire, and small logistics that matter

Here’s what you should know so you don’t end up scrambling mid-day:

  • Admission and performance/activity fees are not included. You pay directly on the day.
  • You’re given a mobile ticket (helpful for keeping everything in one place).
  • Your day includes an English-speaking driver, but you may still want to be your own advocate by asking for clarity at each stop.

For attire and respect, Bali temples generally reward simple preparation. Bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and plan for potential water involvement at Tirta Empul. You’ll also want comfortable shoes because you’ll be on uneven ground and walking between areas.

Also, one small admin detail: confirmation may require passport name, number, expiry, and country at booking. If that’s a hassle for your group, gather those details early.

How flexible is this tour, really?

In a perfect world, you tell your driver your priorities and everything flows. In the real world, road timing and on-site conditions can shape the day. Your best strategy is to be clear from the start.

What works well:

  • You’re in a private vehicle, so you can usually slow down, ask questions, and adjust where the day’s focus lands.
  • People have shared positive experiences with drivers being friendly, on time, and flexible about what stops matter most.

What can go wrong:

  • If you don’t explicitly confirm what you want included and in what order, your driver might swap timing or trade minor elements to keep the day efficient.

So don’t be shy about stating your must-dos. If you truly care about the dance performance, Tirta Empul, or having full Besakih time, say so early.

Who this tour suits best

This is a great fit if you:

  • Want private, door-to-stop comfort instead of juggling buses.
  • Prefer a day that mixes temples with culture (dance) and a light, local-food type stop (coffee plantation).
  • Travel in a group of up to 5 and want solid value.

It may not be ideal if you:

  • Expect every ticket to be included in the price.
  • Want a highly fixed, minute-by-minute itinerary with no adjustments at all.

Should you book this private car to Bali temples with Besakih?

I’d book it if you want a practical temple day with transport handled, comfort included, and time set aside for the big spiritual stops. Besakih plus Tirta Empul is a strong pairing, and the dance performance adds a layer of Bali culture that many temple-only days lack.

I’d pass or choose a different plan if you’re on a strict budget that can’t handle extra entrance fees and performance/activity costs, or if you strongly need a fixed schedule with zero changes.

If you do book, send a quick note about your priorities before the morning starts. And when you meet your driver, be direct: what you want the most time on, what you can skip, and whether coffee plantation time works for your group. That simple approach is how you turn a good private day into a really satisfying one.

FAQ

What’s included in the private charter?

The price includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver, bottled water, fuel surcharge, and parking fees.

What isn’t included?

Entrance fees, activity or performance fees, and lunch/dinner are not included. Entrance and tickets are paid directly on the day.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Where does the tour start and what time?

Pickup is offered, and the start time is 8:30 am.

Which temples and stops are included?

The plan includes visits to Besakih Temple, Puseh Batuan Temple, and Tirta Empul Temple, plus a Barong and Keris dance performance stop, time at Mount Batur/Kintamani for views and lunch, and a coffee plantation visit.

Is this a private group tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates, up to 5 people.

Do I need to provide passport details?

Yes. Passport name, number, expiry, and country are required at booking for all participants.