A full-day loop around Ubud and Kintamani feels like Bali on fast-forward. You start with a traditional Barong and Keris dance (good vs evil, with trance-style drama), then move through Ubud Monkey Forest, the famous Tegalalang rice terraces, and the sacred purification pools at Tirta Empul. The highlands give you the cool-air break, and lunch is timed for views toward Mt. Batur.

Two things I especially like: this is set up with a private, A/C car and English-speaking driver, which matters because south Bali and the Ubud–highlands roads are narrow and there’s no easy public-transport option. And the day includes a real meal—an Indonesian buffet in Kintamani with water provided (not just a snack stop).

One consideration: it’s a packed 10-hour schedule. If you like slow wandering and extra time at each site, you may find the stops a bit time-tight, especially at the rice terraces and temple.

Key highlights to look for

• Dance + meaning first: the Barong and Keris performance sets up a Balinese view of good, evil, and spiritual power.
• Monkeys are real: Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary-temple complex, so treat it like a place with rules, not a petting zoo.
• Tegalalang’s photo spots come with crowds: you get about an hour—enough to enjoy, but don’t expect unlimited time.
• Tirta Empul is active: you’re visiting a working temple for purification at the holy springs.
• Kintamani lunch with Mt. Batur views: a buffet meal plus the highland air makes the drive feel worth it.
• Celuk crafts without the stress: Celuk is focused on gold and silver handicrafts, and the stop is free of admission fees.

How the day is stitched together (and why it works)

This tour is basically two worlds in one: Ubud’s culture and everyday rituals, then Kintamani’s volcanic highlands. The route makes practical sense because you’re going from one major zone to another, and Bali’s hill roads can be slow, windy, and traffic-prone. With a private driver doing the navigating, you don’t waste energy on buses that don’t serve highland stops well.

You’ll also feel the pacing choices. The itinerary is structured around timed visits—about an hour each for Monkey Forest, rice terraces, the dance, lunch, and Tirta Empul—then a shorter Kintamani village stop. That adds up to a day that’s full, but not chaotic. It’s the kind of plan that works best when you’re okay with seeing the highlights and moving on, rather than staying to watch everything unfold.

Start time 8:00 am: the value of being early

Starting at 8:00 am is a quiet win. You beat the day’s worst heat in many areas and you’re more likely to get comfortable driving conditions before roads get heavier. Since the tour covers both Ubud and the Kintamani highlands, your morning timing helps you enjoy the sites instead of rushing through them.

Also, the included A/C private car is more than comfort—it’s how you survive a long day in Bali humidity. You’re not stuck waiting around for shared transport, and you can usually adjust on the fly with a driver who knows the best timing.

Barong and Keris dance at Sila Culture: what to watch for

Your first stop is the Barong and Keris Dance at Sila Culture. This isn’t just entertainment. It’s the Balinese story of a fight between good and evil, with Barong as a mythological character that represents protection and spiritual power.

Even if you don’t speak the language, you’ll pick up a lot from what the performance is built around:

• The costumes and makeup do heavy lifting, showing character roles fast.
• The rhythm and staging create the emotional arc—calm, tension, then release.
• The trance-style element (as the tour describes it) is meant to show spiritual intensity, not random chaos.

Practical tip: arrive with a plan for your phone. The lighting inside can be uneven, so I’d set your expectations for photos early, then focus on watching.

Ubud Monkey Forest sanctuary: enjoy it, but respect it

The next big stop is Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary, officially the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This matters because it’s a sanctuary-temple complex, not a zoo attraction. You’ll be walking in an area where wildlife and sacred spaces overlap.

Here’s the practical mindset that helps:

• Keep bags zipped and phones secured.
• Avoid teasing behavior, even accidentally (eye contact and sudden movement can trigger attention).
• Watch your footing—some paths are slick, shaded, and uneven.

You get about an hour, which is enough time to see the temple feel of the place and take photos without losing your whole day to slow browsing. If you want a longer, calmer experience, you can always return later—this stop is sized for a full-day itinerary.

Tegalalang rice terraces: how to make the most of one hour

Then it’s Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This spot is famous for a reason: the terraces create layered views that look different as you move and as light changes.

With only about an hour, I’d do two things fast:

1) Walk to one or two key viewpoints where you can see multiple terrace levels.

2) Stop long enough to understand the angles—terraces can look flat from one position and dramatic from another.

You’ll likely feel the crowd energy here, especially around the main photo areas. Don’t fight it. Use the flow: step aside when it gets packed, and look for moments where the terraces frame temple details or palms in the background.

Tip for comfort: bring something light for sun protection. The tour includes water at lunch, but nothing here is guaranteed beyond what you bring yourself.

Kintamani highland village stop: a quick cool-air moment

At Kintamani Highland, you get roughly 30 minutes. That’s short, but it has one job: give you a taste of the highland village setting and the cool-air break.

The information provided notes Kintamani sits around 1,500 meters. That means daytime can feel cooler than the coast—and nights can be cold—so you might want a light layer if you run warm less comfortably than you think.

Because this stop is brief, don’t treat it like a full village exploration. Think of it as a transition point: you’re connecting the cultural sites of Ubud with the volcanic view and lunch in Kintamani.

Amora Bali lunch buffet: where the Mt. Batur view matters

Lunch is at The Amora Bali, and it’s an Indonesian buffet. The buffet format is ideal here because everyone can find something, and the tour notes vegetarian food is available on request. You also get mineral water (1 bottle per person), which is a genuinely useful inclusion on a full day.

The best part is timing: while you eat, you get amazing views of Mt. Batur and the valley below (as described). This isn’t a random restaurant stop. It’s chosen to make the long ride feel like more than driving.

What to do during lunch:

• Look up first, eat second. You’ll remember the view more if you see it before your plate disappears.
• Don’t pack too much food early—give yourself time to linger if the weather cooperates.

If clouds roll in, the view can change fast. That’s normal in volcanic areas. Still, the combination of buffet + highland setting is a strong value moment.

Tirta Empul temple: the holy spring purification ritual

Next is Tirta Empul Temple in Tampak Siring. This is described as the Holy Spring Temple, where for thousands of years worshippers have come for holy water purification.

Even without a detailed background, you can see what makes it special: people use the water channels and pools as part of a ritual tied to purification. It’s active, meaningful, and not staged like a performance.

A few practical points that help you be respectful:

• Dress modestly. If your clothing is too revealing, you might be asked to adjust before entering.
• Move slowly in the bathing areas. Don’t squeeze through crowds if you can avoid it.
• Bring a calm attitude. This is about process and ritual, not just sightseeing.

You have about one hour, which works well: long enough to see what’s happening and take in the setting, short enough to keep the day moving.

Celuk Village for gold and silver: shopping without a wasted stop

Finally, you go to Celuk Village, known for gold and silver handicrafts. The tour describes it as a traditional village where these items are available at what it calls very low prices. The big value of this stop is that it’s focused. You’re not wandering a giant mall maze; you’re in a craft zone.

The stop is listed as about one hour, and it’s free of admission fees. That means it’s mainly about browsing and negotiation, not paying extra to enter.

If you like shopping, this is a sensible place to do it because:

• You can compare styles in a concentrated area.
• You’re seeing how the craft identity of the place shapes what’s sold.

If you don’t shop much, you can still enjoy watching work in progress—just keep your expectations realistic. Handcrafted metal items can take time, and pricing depends on style and finishing.

Private driver quality: names you may meet

A big part of the success of a tour like this is the person behind the wheel and the voice explaining what you’re seeing. This provider has a track record of friendly, professional drivers and guides—names that come up include Teddy, Arsa, Dirga, Naya, Ayu, Putu Lencong, Koming, Heri, and Oka.

I like that trend because it suggests you’re not just getting transportation—you’re getting local context. With a good driver, you’ll also get faster problem-solving: finding the best timing for viewpoints, keeping the day smooth, and adjusting when roads slow down.

Price and value: what $65 buys you

At $65 per person for an approximately 10-hour day, the value is strongest if you want a do-it-all route with entry fees handled. The tour includes:

• Private car with good A/C
• English-speaking driver
• Petrol
• Entrance fees
• Lunch buffet Indonesian food (plus vegetarian on request)
• Mineral water (1 bottle per person)
• Tax and services

That matters because Bali entrance fees and a driver for a full-day loop add up fast when you try to assemble it yourself. Here, you’re paying for time and convenience—especially the A/C car and the structured visit order.

One more value point: the tour also lists pickup and drop-off at most south Bali and Ubud hotels. That saves you the headache of figuring out where the day starts and ends.

Who should book this tour

This tour fits best if you want:

• A single-day hit list: dance, Ubud sights, Tirta Empul, Kintamani highlands, then crafts.
• A private vehicle to handle hill driving without stress.
• A meal included that’s more than a token snack.

It’s not ideal if you’re the type who needs hours of quiet at each location, or if you hate time-pressured itineraries. Still, even then, it can work as a highlights tour, as long as you accept the pacing.

Should you book Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village?

Yes—if you want maximum highlights with minimum hassle. The combination of Ubud culture (dance, Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul) plus Kintamani’s Mt. Batur lunch view makes it a day that feels like it earns its long hours. The private A/C driver is the real glue here, especially given the highland-road situation.

Skip it or consider a different plan if you want slow travel, deep time at a single site, or you’re very sensitive to crowds in popular photo areas like Tegalalang.

If you’re comfortable with a busy day and you like seeing multiple sides of Bali in one go, this is a smart buy.

FAQ

How long is the Full Day Kintamani Volcano View and Ubud Village Tour?

It runs about 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup starts at 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour notes the driver collects and drops at most south Bali and Ubud hotels.

What main sights are included?

You’ll visit Barong and Keris dance at Sila Culture, Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland, Tirta Empul Temple, and Celuk Village.

Is lunch included, and can it be vegetarian?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet of Indonesian specialties, and vegetarian options are available on request.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, entrance fees are included.

Is water provided during the tour?

Yes. You get mineral water (1 bottle per person).

What is the price per person?

The price is $65.00 per person.

Is it cancelable if plans change?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund.