REVIEW · 1-DAY TOURS
Private Ubud and Volcano Day Trip
Book on Viator →Operated by Bali Ubud Tour · Bookable on Viator
One volcano day, no rental scooter stress. This private Ubud and volcano outing links Tegenungan Waterfall and the ancient rock-cut shrines at Gunung Kawi into one full day, with 2-way transfers from Ubud and many south Bali hotels. I like how it keeps your stops simple and photo-friendly, and I like that the tour includes bottled water, an air-conditioned car, and a sarong for the temple visit. The only real catch: entrance fees and lunch are not included, so you’ll want a bit of cash and a plan.
From the start time (9:00 am) to the final rice-terrace viewpoint, you’re looking at about 9 hours of Bali’s interior highlights in a private vehicle. You’ll hit Tegenungan Waterfall, the Gunung Kawi Temple complex (Pura Gunung Kawi), the Kintamani highlands for Mt. Batur and Lake Batur views, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace, with a Bali swing stop offered as optional.
This is an excellent fit if you want the “classic” Ubud-to-volcano route without worrying about navigation, parking, or driving between sites. Just remember it’s a full-day schedule, so if you’re chasing a slow, late-morning vibe, you may find it a bit packed.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Private Ubud and Kintamani: what makes this route work
- Price and what you actually get for $38.47 per person
- Tegenungan Waterfall: swimming-friendly, but plan for the vibe
- Gunung Kawi Temple (Pura Gunung Kawi): ancient rock-cut shrines and rules to follow
- Kintamani highlands: Mt. Batur and Lake Batur without the self-drive headache
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: subak irrigation views with a 1-hour focus
- Bali swing is optional: when it makes sense
- How to keep a 9-hour day feeling easy
- Should you book this Ubud and Volcano day trip?
- FAQ
- What’s the duration of the Private Ubud and Volcano Day Trip?
- What time does the tour start?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Is this a private tour?
- Are entrance fees included in the price?
- Is lunch included?
- What’s included with the tour besides transportation?
- Does the itinerary include Mt. Batur and Lake Batur?
- Is the Bali swing included?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things to know before you go

- Private, car-based day: You won’t self-drive between scattered sights.
- Included comforts: Bottled water, AC, and an English-speaking driver.
- Temple prep handled: Sarong is provided for the Gunung Kawi visit.
- Volcano caldera viewpoints: Kintamani puts you near Mt. Batur and Lake Batur views.
- Optional Bali swing: You can decide once you’re there.
Private Ubud and Kintamani: what makes this route work

This tour is built around an easy logic: start in south/central Ubud area, then move outward to waterfalls, then temples, then the volcano caldera, then finish back in the Ubud rice-terrace zone. That order matters because you’re not hopping back and forth across Bali’s interior traffic patterns.
You get four major “wow” moments spread through the day:
- a waterfall with a feel-good chance to swim,
- a temple complex carved into rock,
- highland views connected to Mt. Batur and Lake Batur,
- and Tegalalang’s iconic rice terraces.
Because it’s private, you’re also not stuck watching the same slow line of people file past at each stop. You can focus on photos and time at the places that matter most to you. And the tour is designed for convenience: pickup is offered from Ubud and many south Bali hotels, so you’re not spending the morning arranging a ride.
One more point I appreciate: the itinerary is “one driver, one vehicle.” That reduces stress at the exact moments when stress is most common—getting into/out of parking lots, figuring out directions, and syncing timing between multiple sightseeing locations.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Ubud
Price and what you actually get for $38.47 per person
At $38.47 per person, this is a budget-friendly way to buy a private day’s worth of driving and guiding. The value comes from what’s included: air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking driver, and sarong for the temple visit.
What you should plan for separately:
- Entrance fees (not included)
- Lunch (not included)
- Personal expenses
That last part matters. If you budget entrance fees and a solid lunch, the total cost usually still stays reasonable for a private day covering multiple sites. If you don’t budget ahead, you’ll feel it later.
Also look at the booking timing: it’s commonly booked about 6 days in advance. That suggests the route is popular, so if your dates are fixed, booking sooner can give you better odds of getting the time you want.
The tour also notes group discounts. If you’re traveling with friends or family, it can make the per-person cost even more attractive than a more “expensive-feeling” private setup.
Tegenungan Waterfall: swimming-friendly, but plan for the vibe

Tegenungan Waterfall is first on the list, and it’s a popular choice for a reason: it’s connected to the sacred Petanu River area, with sharp drops and a setting that feels lively. The tour description also flags it as fun to visit and nice for swimming.
That’s the good news. The practical part is this: waterfalls usually mean wet surfaces, shaded spots, and changing light. If you want photos, you’ll want to arrive ready to move—camera up, lens clean, and shoes that won’t punish you on slick rock.
For your day-planning, the stop is about 1 hour. That’s long enough to get a solid look, take photos, and decide whether you want to swim. It’s not long enough to hang out for hours, so if swimming is your priority, bring what you need (swimwear, a towel) and keep the time efficient.
A private car helps here too. Waterfall visits can create unpredictable delays, but having your transport and driver ready keeps the rest of your day on track.
Gunung Kawi Temple (Pura Gunung Kawi): ancient rock-cut shrines and rules to follow

Next up is Gunung Kawi Temple, locally referred to as Pura Gunung Kawi. This is not just another temple stop. It’s known for archaeological value, with a collection of ancient shrine reliefs carved into the face of a rock.
Why that matters for you: when you’re at a rock-cut site, you’re often dealing with uneven stone, close-in viewing angles, and details that reward slow attention. An hour is a reasonable window if you want to take photos without feeling rushed, but it also pushes you to decide what you care about most—wide views, relief details, or just soaking up the atmosphere.
Temple etiquette is handled in a helpful way: the tour includes a sarong for your temple visit. That’s a real convenience because it saves you from scrambling for one on the spot.
A small consideration: temples typically mean you’ll be doing some walking on uneven ground. You don’t need special gear, but comfortable footwear is the smart move. Also, bring patience—quiet sites still have a rhythm, even when you’re on a private day.
Kintamani highlands: Mt. Batur and Lake Batur without the self-drive headache

Kintamani is the part of the route that most people associate with Bali’s interior volcano scenery. The highlands are centered on the Mount Batur caldera area, which includes places like Penelokan, Toya Bungkah, Batur, Kedisan, Abung, Songan, and Kintamani villages.
That list isn’t just trivia—it tells you you’re in a broader region, not one single spot. In practice, you’ll be stopping in the caldera viewpoint zone to take in Mt. Batur and Lake Batur views, then moving on.
Your scheduled time here is about 1 hour. For scenery, that’s usually enough if your expectations are realistic:
- You can get photos in different angles,
- you can enjoy the view without treating it like a full hiking day,
- and you can keep the rest of your route on schedule.
This is also where having an English-speaking driver helps. Even without “tourist talk overload,” a driver who knows the route can reduce the time spent searching for the best pull-off spots and timing the day so you don’t lose the best light.
One consideration: weather can change how “wow” the volcano looks. Cloud cover or mist can soften the scene. Still, the caldera region has a strong visual identity even when it’s not crystal clear.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: subak irrigation views with a 1-hour focus

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the Ubud-area stop that delivers the classic green-step photos. It’s famous for rice fields shaped through subak, the traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system. The tour notes that the system is passed down through revered traditions, which is one reason the terraces aren’t just pretty—they connect to how communities manage water.
The stop is about 1 hour, which is a good match for a place like this. You’ll likely want time to:
- walk viewpoints along the terrace edges,
- find an angle that works for photos,
- and avoid spending too long in one spot if you want variety.
If you want better photos, go slow rather than rushing. The terrace “look” changes with your position, and the light can shift quickly. Comfortable shoes help here too—terraces often mean uneven paths and stairs.
Also remember: entrance fees aren’t included, so budget for them. It’s one of those places where paying upfront and moving quickly is easier than trying to figure it out mid-walk.
Bali swing is optional: when it makes sense

The tour mentions a Bali swing stop as optional. The best way to think about it: it’s a “bonus” add-on that can be worth it if you like playful, staged photo moments and you don’t mind trading a chunk of your schedule for that experience.
Because your main day is already structured around waterfall, temple, caldera views, and rice terraces, the swing is only a good use of time if you’re genuinely excited about it. If you’re more into natural views and cultural sites, you may prefer to spend that time staying longer at Tegalalang or taking extra photos at Kintamani.
How to keep a 9-hour day feeling easy

Even with private transportation, a full day can feel long. You can make it easier with a few practical moves:
- Bring a bit of cash for entrance fees you’ll pay at sites, since tickets are not included.
- Pack for water and dry time at Tegenungan if you plan to swim (swimsuit, quick-dry towel).
- Wear shoes that handle uneven ground, especially for temples and terrace paths.
- Use the included sarong for the temple visit so you don’t waste time looking for one.
- Eat lunch strategically. Lunch isn’t included, so pick a place that doesn’t add extra hassle if you can.
The included bottled water and AC are more than perks. They help you recover between stops, so you arrive at the next sight ready to enjoy it instead of just surviving it.
One thing I’d watch: the itinerary has four scheduled 1-hour stops, which means the driving time is what fills the rest of the ~9 hours. That’s normal, but it’s why your day works best when you keep your expectations flexible on timing.
Should you book this Ubud and Volcano day trip?
Book it if you want an organized private route through Ubud’s must-sees plus Kintamani’s Mt. Batur caldera area, without self-driving stress. The included comforts (AC vehicle, bottled water, English-speaking driver, sarong for the temple) make it easier to focus on the sights instead of logistics.
Skip or rethink it if:
- you hate full-day schedules,
- you want lunch included in the price,
- or you’re looking for a deep, long-form temple or hiking experience. This day is paced for highlights, not all-day roaming.
If your goal is a smooth, efficient day that covers waterfall, ancient rock-cut shrines, volcano-area views, and iconic rice terraces, this one is a strong choice.
FAQ
What’s the duration of the Private Ubud and Volcano Day Trip?
It runs for about 9 hours.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 9:00 am.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup is offered from Ubud and many south Bali hotels.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s private, so only your group participates.
Are entrance fees included in the price?
No. Entrance fees are excluded.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
What’s included with the tour besides transportation?
Included items are bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver, and a sarong for the temple visit.
Does the itinerary include Mt. Batur and Lake Batur?
Yes. The Kintamani highland portion is associated with the Mt. Batur caldera area and Lake Batur views.
Is the Bali swing included?
It’s listed as optional.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.












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