Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces

Reviewed · RICE TERRACES OF TEGALALANG & JATILUWIH

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces

5.0 · 18 reviews From $30 Operated by East Bali Tour · Bookable on Viator
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This day is a nonstop hit of temples and views. You start early, ride in comfort, and end with Tanah Lot in the most photo-friendly light of the day. I like that hotel pickup and return transfers are included, so you’re not doing the annoying half-day taxi math.

I also love how the route mixes spirituality with big scenery: Taman Ayun’s royal-era temple vibe, then Ulun Danu Bratan by the crater lake, then Jatiluwih rice terraces, and finally the iconic offshore shrine at Tanah Lot. One thing to keep in mind: all the main temple/gate stops have separate admission fees, so the advertised price is just part of the total day cost.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

  • Private tour setup means it’s just your group, not a bus shuffle with strangers
  • Early start (07:00–08:00 pickup) helps you catch better light and avoid some of the worst crowds
  • Ulun Danu Bratan’s lake setting gives you that misty, crater-edge temple mood
  • Wanagiri Hidden Hills is built for views—especially toward Buyan Lake for photos
  • Tanah Lot’s offshore shrine is the star stop, timed for sunset backdrops
  • English-speaking driver/guide support keeps the day smoother and more understandable

First Light Pickup And A Tight North Bali Route

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - First Light Pickup And A Tight North Bali Route
This is an all-day North Bali run, clocking in at about 8 to 10 hours. Pickup happens between 07:00 and 08:00 from hotels in Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Sanur, and also the Uluwatu area (no additional cost listed).

The practical win here is simple: you’re not planning parking, route timing, or ticket pickup windows. You’re also using a private, air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water, which matters when you’re starting early and stacking multiple stops.

Taman Ayun Temple: A Royal Family Temple Stop That Feels Specific

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Taman Ayun Temple: A Royal Family Temple Stop That Feels Specific
Taman Ayun Temple is a 17th-century temple connected to the Mengwi Empire, originally built as a family temple for royals. It’s one of the more visited temples in Bali, but it still works well as a calm early anchor before the day gets busier.

Plan to spend about 1 hour here. Admission isn’t included, so you’ll pay on top of the tour price—still, it’s a straightforward, low-effort stop that gives you a very “Bali temple” first impression.

What I like about this stop is that it’s not just a pretty photo courtyard. The family-temple context helps you notice the design choices and the way temple spaces are organized—so you don’t just walk through on autopilot.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: Lake-Goddess Vibes At the Edge of a Crater

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: Lake-Goddess Vibes At the Edge of a Crater
Next up is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, dedicated to Ida Batari Dewi Ulun Danu, the goddess of the lake. The temple sits on the edge of a huge crater, overlooking a massive lake setting that can make everything feel cooler and more atmospheric.

You’ll get around 1 hour at this stop. Admission is not included, and you’ll pay $5 per person based on the provided info.

This is the kind of place where the setting does a lot of the storytelling. Even if you don’t know the exact terms, you’ll feel the logic: shrines and pagoda-like structures oriented toward water, worship tied to the lake’s importance, and an overall sense of reverence that matches the scenery.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills: Buyan Lake Views For Easy, Fast Photos

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Wanagiri Hidden Hills: Buyan Lake Views For Easy, Fast Photos
Wanagiri Hidden Hills is mainly a viewpoint stop. Think photo time, wide angles, and the kind of “look at that” scenery that you can enjoy without needing a long trek.

You’ll have about 1 hour, and admission is not included. The entry fee listed is $10 per person.

Why this stop is worth including: it breaks up the temple pacing with a perspective change. After sacred spaces, you get a classic Bali high-view moment—especially toward Buyan Lake, which is specifically mentioned as a photo highlight.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: The Stop That Makes You Slow Down

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: The Stop That Makes You Slow Down
Rice terraces are one of those Bali experiences that can go two ways. Either you rush through them with tunnel-vision photos, or you actually enjoy the view from multiple angles. Jatiluwih is the second option waiting to happen.

This tour includes Bali Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, described as a favorite destination in Bali where the terraces unfold from the mountain area down toward the coastal side. It’s known for panoramic views that stretch out beyond a single viewpoint.

The good news is that you don’t need a complicated plan to enjoy it—you can spend time simply looking, photographing, and soaking in the scale. The tradeoff is that it’s one of the stops where you’ll want decent footwear and a little patience, because the ground and paths can be uneven depending on the area and conditions.

Handara Iconic Gate: A Photo Stop With a Resort-Fee Reality

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Handara Iconic Gate: A Photo Stop With a Resort-Fee Reality
Handara Iconic Gate is the main entrance of Handara Golf & Resort Bali. It’s famous as a simple, striking photo location—an “I’ve made it here” kind of stop.

Expect about 1 hour for this leg. Admission for this gate stop is not included, listed at $6 per person.

This is also the one stop where you should calibrate expectations. You’re not going to spend all day here like a full attraction. It’s more of a timed break and a photogenic marker in the middle of a long North Bali itinerary. If you’re the type who hates rushed photo stops, you may want to focus on getting your best angles quickly, then enjoy the surrounding grounds at a slower pace.

Tanah Lot Temple At Sunset: The Big Finish (Weather Matters)

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Tanah Lot Temple At Sunset: The Big Finish (Weather Matters)
Tanah Lot Temple is the headline stop, famous for its unique offshore setting. It’s an ancient Hindu shrine perched on an outcrop with waves crashing around it—so the whole place feels dramatic even before sunset.

You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is exactly the right amount of time to find a viewpoint, watch the light shift, and still have time for a careful look around. Admission isn’t included, and the fee listed is $6 per person.

One key thing: this portion of the day depends on conditions. The experience notes that it requires good weather. If conditions are poor, there’s an option to switch dates or receive a full refund per the policy details. Practically, that means you should be flexible with your expectations: if clouds roll in, you’ll still see Tanah Lot, but the classic sunset magic may be muted.

Price and Logistics: Where Your Total Day Cost Lands

Ultimate North Bali Tour – Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu & Rice Terraces - Price and Logistics: Where Your Total Day Cost Lands
At $30 per person, this tour is priced like a value day trip—especially because pickup and return transfers are included. But the important part is that most of the major stops are ticketed separately.

Here are the admission fees listed as not included:

  • Ulun Danu Temple: $5 per person
  • Taman Ayun Temple: $3 per person
  • Wanagiri Hidden Hills: $10 per person
  • Handara gate: $6 per person
  • Tanah Lot Temple: $6 per person

Add those up and you’re looking at $30 in admissions on top of the tour price. So your rough all-in cost for the day is about $60 per person, assuming you go to every paid stop.

This still can be good value because the day includes private air-conditioned transport, bottled water, and an English-speaking driver/guide setup. It also saves you the mental workload of figuring out separate routes and time windows between widely spaced North Bali sights.

The Driver Factor: Real-World Guidance Makes the Temples Easier

The tour uses an English-speaking driver, and that matters when you’re moving through temple spaces and viewpoints across multiple regions. In past trips, guides/drivers have been praised for friendly help and explanations—names like Widi, Agung, and Wayan show up in standout feedback.

You can expect the day to feel smoother if your guide gives you context at each stop. Even short explanations can help you understand what you’re looking at—especially at Ulun Danu Bratan, where the dedication to the lake goddess and the shrine setup are part of the experience, not just decoration.

Who Should Book This North Bali Tour?

This is a strong match if you:

  • Want a single-day North Bali route without arranging transport and timing yourself
  • Enjoy temples plus viewpoints in one day, rather than choosing only one theme
  • Like a plan that starts early and ends with a sunset-focused finale

It may be less ideal if you:

  • Hate paying add-on admissions at multiple stops
  • Prefer slow travel with fewer stops and more unstructured time

Because it’s a private tour, it also works well for couples and small groups who want to move together at a comfortable pace.

Should You Book Ultimate North Bali Tour?

If you want a day where you see the classic spiritual and scenic highlights of North Bali without doing logistics, this makes sense. The early pickup, private air-conditioned transport, and English-speaking driver support are real value, not fluff.

Just go in with a clear budget: the $30 tour price plus about $30 in admissions is the math that keeps the day fair and predictable. If you can handle that and you’re okay with a schedule that moves stop to stop, you’ll likely come away feeling like you used your Bali day well.

FAQ

What time does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is scheduled between 07:00 and 08:00 from your hotel.

Where are hotel pickups offered?

Pickup is available for hotels in the Ubud area, Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Sanur, and in the Uluwatu area (no additional cost listed).

Is this tour private or shared?

It’s private. Only your group will participate.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 8 to 10 hours.

What’s included in the $30 price?

Included are hotel pickup and return transfers, an English-speaking driver, private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water.

What admission fees are not included?

Admission fees not included are: Ulun Danu Temple ($5 per person), Taman Ayun Temple ($3 per person), Wanagiri Hidden Hills ($10 per person), Handara gate ($6 per person), and Tanah Lot Temple ($6 per person).

Do I need to buy tickets on the day?

The admission fees are listed as not included, so you should expect to pay those fees separately.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, mobile ticket is mentioned as part of the experience.

Does weather affect the schedule?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

How does cancellation work?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid won’t be refunded.