This day trip strings together Bali’s most photographed stops with just enough culture to feel like more than a checklist. You’ll start with the Barong and Kris dance in Batubulan, then move into craft at Celuk, scenic breaks at Tegalalang, and finish at Tegenungan Waterfall with late-day photo time.

What I like most is the way the schedule is built around key places (dance, silver, temple, waterfall) and you’re not stuck figuring things out yourself. I also like that the tour includes an English-speaking private guide plus AC transport, so you can focus on the sights. One thing to keep in mind: it’s a packed 10-hour route with multiple stops in one day, so you’ll want comfortable shoes and a flexible attitude.

What makes this itinerary work

The route balances big visual moments with quieter, more meaningful stops—especially Tirta Empul Temple, where holy water is part of the experience. You also get small, smart breaks: tea and coffee time in Tampaksiring, and lunch at a local warung-style restaurant where you choose from Balinese mains.

A possible drawback is timing. Some parts depend on daylight (especially for waterfall photos), and the provider notes the experience requires good weather—so your day can shift if conditions aren’t right.

Key things to know before you go

• Barong and Kris at Batubulan kicks off the day with a classic Balinese story told through dance and music.
• Celuk Silver Village gives you a close look at how jewelry is made, not just a showroom stop.
• Happy Swing Bali includes guided photo help and costume options for memorable pictures.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the big scenic moment in north Ubud—go ready for views and camera time.
• Tirta Empul Temple is a spiritual stop tied to holy water traditions, so keep your pace respectful.
• Tegenungan Waterfall lands late in the day, with photo support aimed toward sunset-direction lighting.

A 10-hour sampler of Ubud and north Bali highlights

This tour is built like a greatest-hits route, but it still feels organized because each stop has a clear purpose. It’s a private guided day, so you’re moving through the region together in an AC vehicle, with pickup and drop-off covering South, Middle, East, North, and West Bali.

Expect roughly a 10-hour day with a tight sequence: dance → silver village → swing → rice terrace → lunch → tea/coffee break → Tirta Empul → Tegenungan Waterfall. That order matters. Starting with performance early gives you cultural context before you spend the rest of the day in scenic and photo-heavy locations.

If your main goal is to see Ubud plus the north highlights without the hassle of planning drives, this structure is one of the best ways to do it.

Batubulan Barong and Kris dance: start with story, not just photos

You begin at Barong And Kris Dance in Batubulan. This is where Bali culture hits you fast: a sacred performance built around the battle between God and evil spirit, performed alongside traditional gamelan music.

Why this opening stop works: it sets a tone for the rest of your day. Later you’ll visit a temple tied to holy water traditions, so you’re not just hopping from attraction to attraction—you’re seeing why Bali’s spiritual and artistic traditions show up everywhere.

Practical tip: arrive ready to watch closely. Even if you only understand pieces, the rhythm and symbolism are what carry the experience.

Celuk Village for silver craft: watch the process up close

Next you head to Celuk Village, famous for Balinese silver jewelry. The point here isn’t shopping first—it’s seeing how the work gets made. You’ll see the process and the traditional artistic style used to produce items like rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

This is a smart stop for travelers who don’t want only scenic stops. It’s hands-on in a visual way: you get a clearer sense of why Balinese silver looks the way it does, and you can make better choices if you decide to buy.

A consideration: silver and jewelry can become a time sink if you start browsing without a plan. If you want to keep the day efficient, treat this as a process-focused visit first, and shop only if something truly catches your eye.

Happy Swing Bali: costume picks and guided photo moments

Your third stop is Happy Swing Bali, where you’ll get to do Bali Swing as an added highlight. You can wear a dress or Balinese costume, and the experience includes guided photo support from a professional local photographer.

This is one of the most “Instagram-famous” parts of the route, but it’s also a fun energy break after temples and craft. The best part is the photo setup: you’re not relying on strangers or shaky group shots. With a local photographer, your pictures are more likely to come out framed the way you want.

One caution: swing-type activities are physically active compared to temple watching or strolling. If you have mobility concerns, plan your comfort level ahead of time. Also, make sure you’re ready for the costume change moment—those extra steps can take longer than you expect.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: views you can’t rush

Then it’s on to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Bali’s most recognizable green landscapes. You’ll see the lush rice padi scenery in north Ubud, with long sightlines that can feel endless from certain viewpoints.

Why you’ll enjoy this stop: it’s not just a photo wall. When you slow down for a few minutes, the terraces make sense as part of a working landscape. Even if your only goal is pictures, the variety of angles here helps—you’ll get more than one good shot without needing to sprint to every corner.

A small practical note: the route gives you about an hour. That’s enough for photos, a short walk, and a breather, but it’s not enough for deep wandering. If you want longer time, you’d need an add-on or a separate visit.

Tebasari Resto for lunch: choose local mains without overthinking it

Lunch happens at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge. It’s described as a local restaurant or warung-style stop, with food cooked fresh from a hygienic kitchen. You’ll choose a main course from options like Crispy Duck or Steam Chicken (and more).

The key detail for value: lunch is not included in the tour price, and you should expect it to be an extra cost (noted as around $5 per person). That’s fairly standard for Bali day trips, but it’s still worth budgeting.

My advice: pick something that matches your travel day. After a dance show, craft, a swing, and rice terraces, you’ll likely want food that’s filling but not too heavy—so you can still enjoy the temple and waterfall later.

Tampaksiring tea and coffee gardens: a reset before Tirta Empul

Before the temple, you get a complimentary tea and coffee time in Tampaksiring at a green traditional garden. There’s also mention of a short walk and tea/coffee making process.

This is a valuable break in the itinerary. It’s not just a snack stop—it gives you a change of pace and a chance to sit down before you head into a spiritual site. It also helps break up the long drive and the back-to-back sightseeing rhythm.

One consideration: garden time can be relaxing, but you’re still on a schedule. Enjoy the slower pace, then stay ready to move when it’s time for Tirta Empul.

Tirta Empul Temple: holy water rituals with a respectful mindset

Next is Pura Tirta Empul Temple, also known as the Water Temple in north Ubud. This stop is your spiritual centerpiece, and it’s accompanied by a friendly professional guide.

The idea here is simple: you’re there for the holy water experience and the ritual setting. That means you’ll want to keep your behavior calm and respectful, and follow your guide’s lead on what’s appropriate.

A small heads-up: the tour notes a note for women (text is cut off in the info you provided), so it’s smart to ask your guide what you should wear or expect before you arrive at the temple area. Temple etiquette is where guides matter most.

Tegenungan Waterfall at late-day light: photo timing done for you

The last major stop is Tegenungan Waterfall. You’ll get time to capture photos with the waterfall’s green surrounding scenery, and there’s specific mention of light support aimed toward the sunset direction.

That detail is a big deal if you care about photos. Waterfalls are tricky—light shifts fast, and crowds can ruin angles. Here, the tour builds the timing so you have a better shot at that golden hour feeling.

What I’d watch for: even with photo support, water areas can be slippery. Wear footwear you’re comfortable in, and keep your attention on footing—not just framing.

Price and value: $20 is the headline, but check your entrance ticket option

On paper, this tour looks like standout value at $20 per person, especially with private guide, AC transport, pickup/drop-off across Bali, and water bottle included. Also, confirmation is handled at booking time, and the tour includes insurance, which is always a plus on longer day trips.

But there’s one important detail in the fine print you should read carefully: entrance tickets are included under the premium all-inclusive ticket option, while lunch is extra. There’s also mention that special private guided-only ticket costs may apply if you visit all attraction entries (noted around $20). In plain terms: your total cost should be close to the base price, but you should confirm what your ticket package covers.

If you’re cost-conscious, do this quick check before you go:

• Confirm whether entrance tickets for each listed stop are fully covered in your package.
• Budget separately for lunch.

This tour can be a bargain if everything is included as advertised. It becomes less of a bargain if you end up paying extra entrance fees on top of the base price.

Private guide support: when the driver doubles as a photo helper

This experience is a private guided day, meaning it’s just your group. That matters because the guide can adjust pacing and help with the flow between stops, especially when photo moments and changing light are involved.

One review specifically highlights a guide and driver named Kadek Nanda, praised for being excellent and for taking fantastic photos. That gives you a clue about what to expect when the guide is proactive: you’re not just sightseeing, you’re getting help creating better memories.

Even if you don’t have Kadek Nanda, the format suggests you’ll have an English-speaking guide who can keep the day running smoothly and help you make the most of the photo stops.

Who this tour is best for (and who should rethink it)

This is a great match if you:

• Want an efficient Ubud day that includes Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, and Tegenungan
• Prefer a private guide with pickup and AC transport
• Care about photos and want help at swing and waterfall stops

You might consider a different plan if you:

• Hate long full days with multiple stops
• Want a slower pace for deep shopping or long walks (this itinerary is timed)
• Are very sensitive to weather changes, since the tour notes it requires good weather and can be rescheduled or refunded if conditions are poor

Should you book this Best Of Ubud full day private tour?

I’d book it if your goal is clear: hit the region’s signature cultural and scenic highlights in one day with a guide steering the schedule. The mix of Barong and Kris dance, Celuk silver craft, Bali Swing, rice terrace, Tirta Empul, and Tegenungan Waterfall is a strong combination, and the private format keeps it from feeling chaotic.

If you do book, plan smart:

• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Confirm what entrance fees are covered in your package.
• Budget for lunch separately.
• Keep your expectations flexible on timing if the weather turns.

If those boxes work for you, this is an efficient, photo-friendly way to experience more of Bali than just central Ubud.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour besides the stops?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off in Bali, an English-speaking private guide, private air-conditioned transportation, entrance tickets (with the premium all-inclusive ticket option), water bottle, mobile ticket, insurance, and tea/coffee refreshments at Tampaksiring.

How long is the Best Of Ubud scenic full day private guided tour?

It runs for about 10 hours (approx.).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included and you’ll pay for it separately at the local restaurant.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes with the premium all-inclusive ticket option. There is also a note that special private guided-only entrance ticket costs may apply if you visit all attraction entries, so it’s worth checking your ticket package details.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

What if the weather is bad?

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