Bali’s best day trips are often about flow. This private Ubud Kintamani tour strings together classic Ubud culture (Barong dance, gold and silver craft, painting) with famous scenery like Tegallalang Rice Terrace and the Mt Batur overlook in Kintamani. Two things I like a lot here are the pickup + AC ride with an English-speaking driver and the clear structure that still allows schedule flexibility. One thing to consider: traffic can change how many stops you actually fit, even though the full plan lists up to six.

I also like that the tour balances performance and making things, so you are not just driving between photo spots. You get a storytelling dance (Barong & Kris), then real craft villages like Celuk (gold and silver) and Batuan (painting), before shifting to nature at the monkey forest and the highland viewpoint. The main drawback is time at each stop is short, so if you want long meanders or lots of shopping, you may feel a bit rushed.

If you pick this tour style, go in with the right expectation: it is a private day built around efficient touring, not a slow spiritual retreat. With the right driver, the day feels calm rather than hectic, and that matters in Bali.

Key highlights that make this day work

• Private, just your group: no waiting for other hotel pickups, and you can move at your pace within the day
• English-speaking driver with local know-how: the service is consistently praised, including drivers named Ketut (and Ketut Legawa)
• A mix of art and panorama: dance + craft villages + rice terrace + Kintamani highlands in one sweep
• Admissions are mostly handled: several stops list tickets included, which saves you time and hassle
• Flexible stop count due to traffic: you usually manage up to four places on longer days, depending on road conditions

How the private format shapes your day

A private tour is more than a buzzword in Bali. It changes the feel of the day immediately: fewer stops where you feel like you are herding cats, and less time waiting on other people’s schedules. In this one, you also get an air-conditioned car or bus plus an English-speaking driver, so even if your itinerary timing tightens, you are not stuck guessing what is next.

Price is set at $70 per person for an 8 to 10 hour day, and extra time is charged at 10% of the full-day price. That pricing structure actually makes sense for a day like this, because Bali traffic can turn a “quick hop” into a long sit. If you want more time at the rice terrace or linger at the view in Kintamani, you are not stuck with a hard cutoff—you can extend.

One more practical note: the tour offers pickup and includes petrol/gasoline and all fees and taxes. Food and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to plan for lunch (or snacks) yourself. That can be a good thing. You get to choose what fits your taste and budget instead of being locked into a single meal option.

The big picture route: art, animals, then Mt Batur views

This day trip is basically a three-act story.

Act one is performance and creative culture in and around Ubud—Barong & Kris Dance, plus visits to Celuk Village and Batuan Village for gold, silver, and painting. Act two shifts to famous Ubud icons—Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegallalang Rice Terrace. Act three is the payoff: Kintamani, where you get a panorama view toward the active volcano of Mount Batur and the wide lake area.

The schedule lists six stops, but here is the reality you should plan for. The tour says the total number of destinations depends on traffic, and you can usually fit up to four places on a 10-hour day. Translation: if the roads get slow, you might skip one of the later stops or shorten time at a site. That is not a failure—it is Bali road life. The private format helps because your driver can adjust, rather than forcing a rigid group timetable.

Barong & Kris Dance: the storytelling opener

You start with the Barong Dance Performance, about 40 minutes, with an admission ticket included. If you only know Bali from beaches and temples, this performance gives you a key to the culture. The Barong story is built around the classic fight between good and evil, and it is told through movement and character roles—so even if you do not catch every detail, the action makes it easy to follow.

What I like about starting here is momentum. You are mentally in a culture mindset early, before you go into craft villages and then the big scenic viewpoint. Also, 40 minutes is short enough that you do not lose the rest of the day.

What to watch for: this kind of show can feel best when you are paying attention to the characters and rhythm, not just taking quick photos. If your main goal is scenery photos, you might be tempted to treat it like a checklist. Give it a little focus and you’ll get more out of it.

Celuk Village and Batuan: seeing craft up close

Next comes two very different creative stops that both feel hands-on.

Celuk Village for gold and silver

You spend about 30 minutes at Celuk Village for Gold & Silver Art, and admission is included. Celuk is famous for metalwork, and this stop is valuable because you get a real-world sense of how skilled craft is made and sold locally. Even if you are not buying, watching the process is better than just looking at finished souvenirs.

The time is brief, so don’t expect a long museum-style explanation. Instead, treat it like a focused peek into Balinese craftsmanship and what the village is known for.

Batuan Village for painting art

Then you go to Batuan Village for Painting Art for about 30 minutes. Admission is free here based on the tour details. Batuan is tied to Ubud’s broader art evolution, with painting that historically expressed religious and mythological ideas.

Why this pairing works: Celuk gives you craft in metal, and Batuan gives you craft in paint. Together they show that Ubud’s art scene is not only about galleries—it’s also village-based making.

Practical tip: if you do want to buy art or small metal pieces, look at quality and finish before you pay. Short visit time means you should shop with your eyes open, not on emotion alone.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace: famous for a reason, but be smart with your time

The schedule includes Tegallalang Rice Terrace for about 30 minutes, with admission included. This is one of those places where the photos are real—terraced rice fields really do look like that. The main thing is to not let the fame ruin your experience.

A half hour is enough for a decent walk, a viewpoint stop, and a few photos. It’s not enough for a long wander and coffee stop unless you get lucky with timing. If you want to linger, you’ll have to decide fast: either take the quicker viewpoint path or accept that you might rush your way out.

What I’d do: arrive focused on angles and light. Midday can be harsh. If clouds roll in, it can look even better. Since your whole day depends on traffic, you won’t always control lighting, so prioritize composition over perfect conditions.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: magic plus the usual monkey reality

Next is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary for about 30 minutes, with admission included. This stop is convenient because it sits right in central Ubud, about an hour from Denpasar by road, so it fits well into a day tour.

The big thing to understand: this is not a zoo where you stand behind glass. It is a sanctuary with monkeys that act like monkeys. They can be cheeky, and you’ll want to follow local behavior rules your driver likely emphasizes. Your best move is to keep belongings secure and avoid reaching toward monkeys for photos.

This stop works best if you go in expecting motion. If you treat it like a quiet temple walk, you might feel distracted. If you treat it like an encounter with an active wildlife area, it becomes memorable fast.

Kintamani Highland: the viewpoint that makes the drive worth it

Finally, you reach Kintamani Highland for about 1 hour, and admission is included. This is where you get the classic payoff: panorama toward Mount Batur, described as an active volcano, plus a wide view over the lake area.

In a one-day structure, one hour is the right length. You get time for a viewpoint stop, breathing room for photos, and a chance to relax rather than speed-walking through another attraction. It’s also a good place to ask your driver questions—this is where your English-speaking guide can explain what you are seeing and how the area fits into Bali’s geography.

The only downside is weather. If fog or cloud cover rolls in, views can fade. You can’t control that, but you can control how you handle it: enjoy the scenery still in front of you and don’t get stuck wanting a perfect volcano postcard.

What you actually get from the driver (and why names show up)

The reviews around this type of tour consistently mention drivers who are punctual, helpful, and calm company. In this case, Ketut and Ketut Legawa come up by name, and that matters. It suggests the operator relies on drivers who know how to keep a day running smoothly—especially important when traffic changes your plan.

A good driver also helps you make tradeoffs. If you have limited time, you don’t want to spend it at the wrong stop or miss the best moment at Tegallalang or Kintamani because everyone got delayed earlier. A strong guide can shift priorities on the fly—still within the tour framework—so you end up with a full-feeling day.

Also, having someone English-speaking is not just about translation. It’s about confidence. You can ask what you should see now, what can wait, and what you might skip if the road slows.

Price and value: why $70 can be fair here

At $70 per person for an 8 to 10 hour private day, the value depends on two things: convenience and what is included.

Here, you get:

• Pickup offered
• AC transport
• English-speaking driver
• Petrol/gasoline
• All fees and taxes
• Ticket coverage at multiple stops (as listed)

Since food and drinks are not included, your main cost outside the tour is your own meals and personal spending. That keeps the tour price straightforward and avoids surprise add-ons for entrance fees.

The value also improves if you’re traveling in a small group. Private pricing is often where you either feel like you overpaid or like you made a smart choice. This one leans toward smart if you want an efficient day with admissions handled and someone driving.

One more value angle: the itinerary includes both culture and scenery. If you tried to DIY every stop, you’d spend time figuring out timing, tickets, and transport between scattered areas. This tour compresses that into a single ride day.

Who this tour suits best

This is a good match if you:

• Want a private day without the stress of arranging transport between Ubud and Kintamani
• Like a blend of culture and viewpoints, not just one type of attraction
• Prefer a guided flow, especially when traffic can mess up timing
• Don’t need long stays at each site and you enjoy a “see a lot, savor the best parts” rhythm

It may not be ideal if you want:

• Slow, long walks at every stop
• A tour with no photo time pressure
• A day that guarantees all six listed destinations regardless of traffic

The key is expectations: you are buying access and efficiency, with room for adjustment.

Should you book the Ubud–Kintamani private tour?

I’d book it if you want an easy, structured Bali day that still feels personal. The combination of Barong dance, Celuk and Batuan art stops, Tegallalang rice terrace, Monkey Forest, and then the Kintamani Mt Batur viewpoint gives you a wide slice of what people come to Bali for.

If you are the type who hates rushing, build your mindset around shorter stop times and potential traffic changes. If you’re flexible and want someone to handle the driving and admissions, this tour is a practical choice.

If you have a tight schedule, this one-day sweep can be your best use of time. If you have multiple days in Ubud, you might still choose it for Kintamani specifically, but then let your other day(s) be slower and more spontaneous.

In short: book it for the mix, and pick a driver you trust. In Bali, that’s half the trip.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud Kintamani private tour?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours. The tour notes that additional time can be added, and extra hours are charged at 10% of the full-day tour price.

Is pickup included?

Yes. The tour offers pickup.

Is this a private tour or shared group?

It is private. Only your group participates.

What stops are included in the tour?

The plan includes Barong & Kris Dance, Celuk Village (gold and silver art), Batuan Village (painting art), Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Monkey Forest, and Kintamani.

Does the tour include admission tickets?

Admissions are included for several stops based on the tour details. Barong & Kris Dance and Tegallalang Rice Terrace list admission included, and Monkey Forest and Kintamani list admission included. Batuan Village lists admission as free, and Celuk lists admission included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What is included in the tour price besides the vehicle?

The price includes air-conditioned car/bus, an English-speaking driver, petrol/gasoline, and all fees and taxes.

Can the number of destinations change?

Yes. The tour states the total destinations depend on traffic, and it usually allows up to 4 places on a 10-hour day.

Are children charged?

The tour notes that children under 2 years have free entrance.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.