A scenic day trip in Bali’s highlands, thoughtfully planned. This private tour strings together the big-name stops around Ubud and the Kintamani viewpoint, with door-to-door pickup so you’re not living inside a traffic jam for half the day. You also get the practical bonus of all entrance fees included, so you can focus on the places, not the ticket math.

My two favorite parts are how smoothly it runs with your driver-guide and how much you get from the stops when you have someone like Ketut Suwenda handling the details and even your photos. One key consideration: women who are menstruating can’t enter Tirta Empul Temple.

Fast Take: Why This Private Ubud to Kintamani Tour Works

• Door-to-door private transfers keep the day calmer and easier to manage
• Entrance fees are included for every listed site, including Tirta Empul
• Monkey Forest meets temple + viewpoints in one efficient route
• Tirta Empul’s holy spring fountains add a meaningful stop beyond photos
• Ketut Suwenda’s pace-and-photo help makes the day feel more personal

Private Ubud-to-Highlands Route, Without the Headache

This is the kind of day trip that fits a real travel schedule. You start in Ubud, ride out to Bali’s central highlands, and come back without switching plans, hunting schedules, or coordinating anything with strangers. It’s built as a private tour for just your group, so your driver-guide can keep things moving while still letting the day breathe.

The itinerary is also designed for variety. You’re not only doing viewpoints. You’re pairing animals, rice terraces, a major purification temple, and a Kintamani overlook in a single long loop. That mix matters, because one strong stop can be great, but the best days in Bali give you a flow of different sides of the island.

Price and what you actually get for $63 per person

At $63 per person, this tour can feel like good value because it bundles the stuff that usually adds up: hotel pickup and drop-off, a driver-guide, fuel surcharge, and paid entry for the included sites. Lunch is not included, but you do know that up front, so you can plan a simple meal strategy rather than getting surprised mid-day.

Two practical value notes for you to consider:

• If you hate surprise costs, the entrance fees included setup is a big deal.
• If you’re visiting for the first time, this route saves time. You see multiple “top” highlights without arranging separate drivers and separate days.

Average booking is about 95 days in advance, so this one tends to get planned early. If you’re traveling in a busy season or you want a specific day, it’s worth reserving ahead.

Stop 1: Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary (10 hectares of macaque life)

Your first main stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It’s a 10-hectare area grown with various tropical trees, and it’s known for Balinese long-tailed monkeys. This is one of those places where the experience is mostly about being there—watching the monkeys in their natural-feeling environment and getting a sense of how the sanctuary functions as a sacred space, not just a zoo-style attraction.

The time slot is about 1 hour, which is enough to walk, look around, and settle into the vibe without dragging the day out. Admission is listed as free for this stop, and it’s included as part of the tour.

What to keep in mind: the sanctuary can be lively, so if you prefer a calmer pace, tell your driver-guide you want fewer photo stops and more walking time once you’re on site.

Stop 2: Tegalalang Rice Terrace for classic terrace views

Next up is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Ubud’s most famous rice terraces in the north area. The terraces form overlay patterns of rice paddies, stretching along the river bank. Even if you’ve seen rice terraces in photos before, seeing the layers in person makes the scale clearer.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here. That’s a short window, but it matches the tour’s goal: cover key highlights efficiently. If you love photography, this is one of the easiest stops to enjoy quickly because the views give you lots of angles without needing to explore deeply off-route.

Admission is listed as free for this stop, so you don’t have to add anything on top of the tour price. Just plan for the reality of a popular location: you’ll want to move with the flow and keep your camera ready.

Stop 3: Penelokan and Kintamani Highland for volcano viewpoints over Lake Batur

Then you head toward the highlands: Penelokan Kintamani is a famous village known for panoramic volcano views and green nature. The highlight here is the classic Kintamani viewpoint area, including views extending toward Lake Batur.

You’ll have about 30 minutes at this stop. That time can feel short, but it’s usually the right amount for a scenic overlook, especially if you want to keep the day balanced and make Tirta Empul feel un-rushed later.

Practical tip: if you care about photos, ask your driver-guide about the best side for the view when you arrive. A good driver-guide can also help you time the stop so you get the clearest moment available.

This is also where the tour earns its name. You’re not only doing Ubud. You’re crossing into the central highlands and letting the day shift from temple-and-culture mode to open-air volcano viewpoint mode.

Stop 4: Tirta Empul Temple and the holy spring purification fountains

Tirta Empul Temple is one of Bali’s older temple sites, described here as dating to 969. The big idea is the holy spring water temple: purification rituals and water blessings happen with water that runs into a set of fountains inside the temple.

You’ll spend about 1 hour at this stop, and admission is included. For me, this is the most grounded and meaningful part of the day because you’re watching a living religious practice tied to water, ritual, and worship.

Important note: women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter the temple. If this applies to you, you may need to reconsider this stop or arrange another plan for that part of the day.

If you’re someone who likes to understand what you’re seeing, this is also the kind of site where your driver-guide’s explanations can make a big difference. The best moment is usually not the first photo. It’s when you stop and observe how the ritual area works and why the water matters to the worship.

How the guide shapes the day (Ketut Suwenda’s strong points)

A private day tour succeeds or fails based on the guide, and this one tends to shine with Ketut Suwenda. Based on what I’ve learned from past experiences with guides like him, you should expect clear explanations and a style that helps the day feel organized, not just driven around.

You’ll also get photo help. In the best versions of this tour, Ketut doesn’t just point you toward a view—he helps with taking photos and makes sure you’re not missing the angles you actually care about. There’s also a sense of flexibility: the day can be adjusted to your pace and interests, and your guide may add extra areas if time allows.

One more detail that’s worth mentioning for your expectations: this type of route can feel more off the usual path. Even when you’re doing iconic places, you can still get a calmer, less hectic feel if the guide times things well and chooses how long to stay where.

Timing, pacing, and how to keep the day from feeling rushed

This is listed as 8 to 10 hours total. That’s a full day, but it’s not packed with dozens of stops. The structure is simple: Monkey Forest (1 hour), Tegalalang (30 minutes), Kintamani/Penelokan (30 minutes), Tirta Empul (1 hour), plus travel time connecting everything.

That pacing matters because it gives you a pattern:

• One hour for atmosphere (Monkey Forest)
• Short burst for a view (Tegalalang)
• Short burst for a bigger view (Kintamani highlands)
• One hour for a cultural center (Tirta Empul)

If you’re the type who needs time to slow down between places, tell your guide early. Ketut Suwenda’s style is described as customizing to your pace and interest, which is exactly what you want on a day trip that includes both animals and temples and viewpoints.

What’s included (and what you’ll need to plan yourself)

Here’s what the tour includes, based on the provided details:

• Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Fuel surcharge
• Entry for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
• Entry for Tirta Empul Temple
• Entry for Penelokan / Kintamani Highland
• Entry for Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Not included:

• Lunch
• Gratuities (optional)

So plan on eating on your own. Since the tour is a long day, you’ll want a simple strategy: pick a location near a stop if you can, or bring snacks and water so hunger doesn’t mess with your mood. Also, keep a little cash on hand for small purchases at the sites, even if the big-ticket items are already covered.

Who this private tour fits best

This tour makes sense if you want a “best of” style day without losing hours to coordination. It’s especially good for:

• First-timers in Bali who want Ubud highlights plus a Kintamani volcano-view day
• People who prefer a private setup over joining a larger group
• Anyone who wants temple context, not just sightseeing snapshots
• Travelers who value smooth door-to-door logistics and included entrance fees

If you’re traveling with mixed interests—someone who loves animals, someone who loves photos, and someone who wants temples—this route is one of the better matches because it balances all three.

Should you book this private Best of Ubud + Kintamani volcano view day?

I’d book it if you want a structured day that hits the key Ubud area highlights and still delivers the Kintamani volcano-view payoff. The entrance fees included detail reduces friction, and the private setup with an English-speaking guide like Ketut Suwenda makes the day feel thoughtful instead of rushed.

Skip it only if Tirta Empul’s restriction affects you, or if you strongly dislike full-day schedules. Otherwise, this is a practical way to see Bali’s central highlands from Ubud in one go, with enough context at each stop to feel like more than just a checklist.

FAQ

How long is the Best of Ubud – Kintamani Volcano View – Private Tour?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours.

What are the main stops on this private tour?

The tour includes Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Penelokan / Kintamani Highland, and Tirta Empul Temple.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

Yes. Entry/admission is included for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tirta Empul Temple, Penelokan / Kintamani Highland, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Do I get an English-speaking guide?

Yes. The tour includes an experienced English-speaking driver/guide.

Are there any restrictions for visiting Tirta Empul Temple?

Women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter the temple.

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, you won’t get a refund.