Wake up to Bali’s best cliff views.

This Ubud–Kintamani–Waterfall loop is a smart way to pack in the island’s classic sights without juggling rentals. I like that it’s built around time-saving order—Ubud in the morning, then Kintamani, then rice terraces, then the waterfall—so you’re not bouncing around all day. I also like the people part: the tour includes an English-speaking driver in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle, and the guidance I’ve seen highlighted (like Darma, Nyoman Budi, and Putu Irwan) focuses on friendly, calm pacing and safety. One possible drawback is simple: it’s a full day. If you hate long car time, this might feel like too much.

For the price, you’re not just paying for seats—you’re paying for entrance tickets and lunch to major stops. And yes, it’s private (only your group), but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s slow; you’ll still be on the move for about 10 hours starting at 8:00am. The main consideration: some activities at the rice terraces (like tracking/swing/zip lining) can add extra costs, and there’s mention of a donation for tracking that isn’t included.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private for your group with hotel pickup and drop-off
• Ubud highlights in one morning: Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, and the Art Market
• Kintamani volcano views with Lake Batur from a high vantage point and lunch nearby
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces where you can walk or pay for optional activities
• Tegenungan Waterfall as a satisfying final stop after sightseeing
• English-speaking, safety-minded drivers (I keep seeing names like Darma, Nyoman Budi, and Putu Irwan)

First Things First: What You Actually Get for $70

At $70 per person for a roughly 10-hour private day tour, the value comes from the bundle. You’re paying for transportation, an English-speaking driver, all entrance tickets, and lunch—not just “someone to take you places.” That matters in Bali, because ticket costs and the cost of getting between Ubud and the Kintamani area add up fast if you plan it all yourself.

Timing is another value piece. The day starts at 8:00am from your hotel and finishes after the waterfall stop, so you get the best of the morning and avoid turning the day into a rushed grab-bag of half-visited sites. It also means you’re usually not stuck sitting in traffic for the whole day without a plan. The route is linear: Ubud first, then Kintamani, then rice terraces, then Tegenungan Waterfall.

The private format is also more than a marketing line. With only your group in the vehicle, you’re more likely to get an efficient flow through each stop—especially at places like Monkey Forest or markets where you’d rather not feel wedged into other groups’ schedules. Reviews consistently mention drivers who are friendly and calm and who seem to give helpful attention, not just windshield time.

The one trade-off is that “private” doesn’t mean “short.” This is still an active, sightseeing-heavy day. If you want a relaxed afternoon only, you might feel worn out. If you like seeing multiple highlights in one go—this is a good match.

Morning in Ubud: Monkey Forest, Palace, and the Art Market

This tour gives you a classic Ubud morning sequence, and it works because each stop has a different vibe.

Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Monkey Forest is both a nature reserve and a religious temple complex, and it’s known for its resident crab-eating macque monkeys (about 340 are mentioned). That mix—temple grounds + wild-ish animals—creates a place that feels more layered than a simple zoo stop.

Practical tip: expect you’ll be walking through an active environment. Keep an eye on your belongings and stay mindful around the monkeys. Even if you’re not thinking about them, the environment is. This is one of those stops where you get more from paying attention than from trying to “beat the crowd” with speed.

Stop 2: Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace is brief on the clock—about 15 minutes—but it’s located right in central Ubud. The point here isn’t a long museum-style visit. It’s a quick, easy cultural stop that helps you understand the town’s royal-era center and why Ubud has always leaned into art and ceremony.

Stop 3: Ubud Traditional Art Market

Then you hit the Art Market for about 1 hour. This is where you’ll see souvenirs in real volume: silver jewelry, precious stones, batiks, t-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags. If you like bargaining, you’ll be in the right place. If you don’t, you can still enjoy browsing—because even without buying, the variety tells you a lot about what visitors and locals value.

How I’d use this hour: set a quick goal before you start. Decide whether you want one “nice” item (like batik or jewelry) or just browsing. Markets can balloon your spending fast if you let “maybe” turn into “why not?”

Kintamani Highland: Volcano and Lake Batur Views at Lunch Time

After Ubud, you drive up to Kintamani, the home base for those famous volcano vistas. You’ll spend about 1 hour at the Kintamani highland viewing area.

The hook is the view: you’re looking at Mount and Lake Batur from a distance, with the viewpoint area sitting around 900 m above sea level. That height matters. It can feel cooler than Ubud, and it often changes the way the day feels—more open, more dramatic, and less “tight streets, lots of shops.”

Why the lunch stop is the smart move

This tour makes lunch part of the experience, not an afterthought. It notes that there are restaurants nearby with “amazing view” of the volcano, and it calls out lunch here as the best choice.

So what’s the payoff? Instead of racing through Kintamani and then eating wherever you can find food, you get to park your day for a bit and watch the scenery while you eat. It’s one of those small planning wins that can make a big difference in how the day feels. A lunch stop with views turns “we saw the volcano” into “we got a moment with it.”

Reality check: views at volcano destinations are weather-dependent. You can’t control clouds. But even when the view is partly blocked, the area still gives you a sense of scale—big caldera geography and the feel of the highlands.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Walking Viewpoints and Optional Extras

Next up is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, about 1 hour. This is one of Bali’s most photographed rice terrace areas, and the tour focuses on what you can do there: the classic viewpoint spread and optional activities.

The description gives you the feel: the terraces slope down into the valley, and the roadside spot is cool and breezy. That’s a comfort detail that matters because it can reduce the “hot and sticky” effect many people hate in Bali.

What you can do here

You can do tracking, plus optional paid activities mentioned in the plan: swing and zip lining. The tour also notes that a donation for tracking at the rice terrace isn’t included.

So plan your budget mindset:

• If you just want walking views and photos, you’ll likely only deal with any tracking donation.
• If you want the swing or zip line, expect extra spending on the spot (the tour doesn’t include it).

My advice: if you’re sensitive to heights or crowds, choose your activity carefully. Tegalalang can get busy. Going with a calm pace and picking the best viewpoints first usually feels better than rushing into activities immediately.

Tegenungan Waterfall: The Day’s Reset Button

The final stop is Tegenungan Waterfall. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and it’s positioned as an easy nature stop for people staying around Ubud and Sukawati.

This is the day’s reset—after temples, markets, and viewpoints. Waterfall time gives you a change of scenery and a break from the “look at this, now move” rhythm. It’s also usually a good moment to slow down and let your eyes refocus after the bright, highland sun.

A practical note: wear footwear you can trust. Even if you’re not planning to do anything extreme, the area around waterfalls can be slick. You’ll have a much better time if you aren’t worrying about your footing for the whole hour.

The Driver Matters: Friendly, Calm, Safety-First Guidance

This is the part I think you should treat as more than a nice-to-have. Several guide names pop up in the information you provided, and the common thread is how the day is handled.

• Darma is mentioned as a fantastic driver/guide—friendly, kind, calm, and very knowledgeable, with generous time.
• Nyoman Budi is described as not only an excellent driver but also an excellent tour guide—helpful and friendly.
• Putu Irwan is specifically linked to a safety-first style and respect, with a focus on putting your safety first.

That matters because Bali road conditions and traffic patterns can turn a “10-hour plan” into a stressful day if the driver isn’t confident and smooth. A calm driver doesn’t just get you there; they help you feel okay while you’re there.

Also: the tour includes an English-speaking driver, and the vehicle is described as clean and air-conditioned. On a day with heat and multiple outdoor stops, that comfort isn’t a luxury—it’s how you make it through without feeling wrecked halfway through.

Logistics That Affect Your Comfort (Not Just the Route)

Here’s how to think about the “when” and “how” part.

Start time and pacing

You depart at 8:00am, which is early enough to get better light for photos and cooler morning temperatures. The order also makes sense: Monkey Forest and palace first (morning energy), then the highland view (late morning into midday), then rice terraces (afternoon), then the waterfall (final unwind).

If you tend to get tired quickly, this morning start can be a lifesaver. If you’re a late sleeper, set your alarm firmly.

What’s included vs. what’s on you

Included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• All entrance tickets
• Lunch
• Private tour service
• English-speaking driver
• Service and government tax

Not included:

• Donation for tracking at the rice terraces
• Any optional activities not covered (the plan names swing and zip lining, but doesn’t say they’re included)

What to pack (simple and practical)

Because this is mostly outdoors:

• Sun protection (hat/sunglasses)
• Light layers for cooler highland air
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A small snack or water buffer, even though lunch is included

This tour gives you a lot of stops, so your comfort gear pays off.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour is a good fit if you want:

• A private day that hits the major Ubud/Kintamani sights
• A plan that includes tickets and lunch, so you’re not budgeting every small item
• A driver who can handle long road time smoothly and keep things organized

It’s especially attractive for couples and small families who want independence but still want the “someone else handles it” ease. If you’re traveling solo and still want a private experience, it can also work well—just know you’re paying for that convenience.

If you’re someone who likes slow travel—one or two places per day—this might feel like too many boxes checked.

Should You Book This Central Bali Day Trip?

If you’re weighing whether it’s worth it, I’d make the decision like this:

Book it if you want the classic Bali day in a neat order—Ubud’s cultural stops, Kintamani’s volcano views, Tegalalang rice terraces, and Tegenungan Waterfall—with entrance tickets and lunch included. For $70, that bundle pricing is the big reason this makes sense.

Skip or look for a shorter alternative if you know you hate long days or you want lots of free time to wander without moving on. This is designed to be efficient. That’s a feature for most people, but not everyone.

And one more thing: when a tour consistently gets credit for driver personalities—like Darma, Nyoman Budi, and Putu Irwan—it’s usually a sign the day will feel smoother, not just “technically completed.” For a full-day circuit, that’s exactly what you want.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included.

Is this a private tour?

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

What’s included in the price?

Included are private tour service, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, all entrance tickets, lunch, and service & government tax.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Free cancellation is available.

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