REVIEW · BALI
Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours
Book on Viator →Operated by Giri Dara Bali Tours · Bookable on Viator
One day, many Bali contrasts. This private Ubud Kintamani tour stacks culture and scenery into an 8 to 10 hour day, with an English speaking driver doing the driving so you can focus on the sights. I love how it mixes performing arts (the Barong & Kris Dance) with real-world crafts (Celuk gold and silver, Batuan painting). I also like the payoff at the end: Kintamani’s highland views toward Mount Batur and the lake. One thing to consider: the exact number of stops can shift with traffic, and the tour is not built around meals.
If you’re worried about wasting time in transit, this is built for you. You get pickup, a mobile ticket, and an air-conditioned car or bus with petrol/gas included. The price is $70 per person, and it can be good value because many entry fees and taxes are covered—just don’t expect lunch or drinks to be included.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel
- The Big Picture: How This Ubud–Kintamani Day Works
- Price and Value: What $70 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)
- Getting There Comfortably: Pickup, Air-Conditioning, and Timing
- Stop-by-Stop Breakdown: What Each Place Is Really For
- Barong & Kris Dance: Good vs. Evil, Bali Style
- Celuk Village: Gold & Silver Craft You Can Actually See
- Batuan Painting Art: A Quick Look at Ubud’s Art Side
- Tegallalang Rice Terrace: Views, Photo Ops, and Practical Crowds
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Close Encounters, Set Expectations
- Kintamani Highland: Volcano Views That Make the Drive Worth It
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)
- The Driver Factor: Why People Keep Mentioning Ketut
- Practical Tips to Make Your Day Feel Easier
- Should You Book Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours?
- What does the tour price include?
- Is food or drinks included?
- Do I need to buy tickets for the attractions?
- Is pickup included?
- Will I see all the destinations listed?
- What happens if we need extra hours?
- Is cancellation free?
- Are children charged?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

- Private, only-your-group format that keeps the day calm and flexible
- English speaking driver + air-conditioned car/bus for the long island drives
- Barong & Kris Dance as storytelling, not just watching
- Ubud + Kintamani mix: terraces, monkeys, art villages, then volcano views
- Most admissions covered (with Batuan notably free)
- Stops depend on traffic, so timing matters more than checklists
The Big Picture: How This Ubud–Kintamani Day Works

This is a full-day circuit built around the Ubud area first, then pushing up into the Kintamani highlands for that classic volcano-and-lake panorama. You’re not bouncing between far-flung towns all day. Instead, you’re moving through a tight cluster of Bali experiences where the “why” is easier to understand as the hours pass.
Because it’s private, you should feel less rushed than on a group bus. The flip side: you’ll still be dealing with Bali traffic. The tour notes that the number of destinations can vary with the road conditions, and in a 10-hour day you can usually expect up to four places if timing gets tight. When the schedule allows, you may fit more.
Also, plan your energy like this: culture and art in the morning, then viewpoints and wildlife mid-day, with the Kintamani highland stop as your scenic reward.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Bali
Price and Value: What $70 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)
At $70 per person for an 8 to 10 hour tour, the smart way to judge value is by what’s included in your day. This one includes an air-conditioned car/bus, an English speaking driver, and petrol/gasoline. It also lists that all fees and taxes are included.
That matters in Bali, where entrance costs can add up fast when you’re stacking multiple attractions. It’s not a tour that forces you to keep digging out your wallet every time you step through a gate—though you should still budget for personal spending since food and drinks are not included.
The other cost detail: if you extend past the full-day plan, extra hours are charged at 10% of the full day tour price. If you want a sunset add-on, ask early. In practice, you’ll be deciding based on traffic and daylight, not just enthusiasm.
Getting There Comfortably: Pickup, Air-Conditioning, and Timing
This tour offers pickup, and you’ll ride in an air-conditioned car or bus. That sounds basic, but for an island full of stops, AC is not a luxury—it’s the difference between arriving fresh and arriving sweaty.
Timing is also part of the experience design. Most stops are around 30 minutes, with one longer performance slot (40 minutes) and Kintamani taking about an hour. In other words, you’re getting a taste at each place. If you want long museum-style wandering, this isn’t that kind of day.
Your day will also be shaped by road conditions, since the tour route depends on traffic. If you’re the type who loves “exact schedule or nothing,” this may test your patience. If you’re flexible, it’s smooth.
Stop-by-Stop Breakdown: What Each Place Is Really For
Barong & Kris Dance: Good vs. Evil, Bali Style
The day opens with the Barong & Kris Dance, a famous performance that tells a story through dance and dramatic character work. The key idea is the fight between good and evil, acted out with Balinese storytelling style. It’s not just movement. There’s a narrative arc, and you’ll likely understand more than you expect even if you don’t speak the language.
Expect about 40 minutes. That’s long enough to get pulled in, short enough that you’re not burned out before lunch. If you’re even slightly interested in why Bali’s arts are tied to belief and tradition, this is a strong first stop.
Practical tip: arrive a bit early so you’re settled before the performance starts. The schedule is short, and you’ll want your seat.
Celuk Village: Gold & Silver Craft You Can Actually See
Next is Celuk Village, known for gold and silver craftsmanship. This is the kind of place where you can see skill in motion—metalwork traditions carried by local makers rather than theme-park selling.
You’re there for around 30 minutes, which means you won’t tour the craft world in depth, but you’ll get the gist fast: how the work looks, how detailed it is, and what makes Celuk known.
Entry is included, and the time block is designed to keep the day flowing. If you like shopping, this is one of the better stops—because it’s tied to real craft, not just generic souvenirs.
Batuan Painting Art: A Quick Look at Ubud’s Art Side
Then comes Batuan Village for painting art, about 30 minutes. Ubud’s art scene didn’t appear out of thin air. Here, you’re seeing how painting has been used traditionally to express religious and mythological ideas, and how the style has evolved over time.
The tour info lists admission ticket free for Batuan, which is a nice bonus. For you, it means more of your budget stays focused on the drive and the performance and less on another “pay at the door” stop.
This stop is ideal if you want a cultural palate cleanser between crafts and scenic viewpoints. You’ll get context without losing half the day.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace: Views, Photo Ops, and Practical Crowds
No Ubud day tour feels complete without the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. You get about 30 minutes here, and the goal is simple: see the rice terraces and take in the scenery from the viewpoints along the area.
This is also a place for shopping, too—woodcarvings are common in Tegallalang and nearby areas, with colorful designs like flowers and animals. That’s not automatically a bad thing. It just means you should shop with intent: pick what you genuinely like, compare if you want, and remember bargaining norms vary by seller.
One consideration: terraces attract people. If you hate crowds, plan your expectations. The good news is that the stop is time-boxed, so you’re not stuck there all day.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Close Encounters, Set Expectations
Next is the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary, about 30 minutes. This is located in the heart of Ubud, so you’re not fighting distance. The tour notes it’s about 1 hour drive from Denpasar Town, which gives you a sense of how reachable it is.
Here’s the reality: you’re going into a place where monkeys are part of the environment. That means you’ll want to keep your phone and belongings secure and stay aware of your surroundings. Don’t act like you’re in a zoo exhibit. You’re sharing space with wild animals in a sanctuary.
Admission ticket is included. The time is short, so focus on walking calmly and spotting behaviors rather than trying to “check every corner.”
Kintamani Highland: Volcano Views That Make the Drive Worth It
Finally, you hit Kintamani, the highland area known for sweeping views. You’re there for about 1 hour, which is enough time to take photos, breathe in the mountain air, and watch the landscape change as clouds drift.
The highlight is the view toward the active volcano Mount Batur and a wide lake stretching out below. This stop is the reason many people plan Ubud days like this: the cultural first half keeps you interested, and the final panorama gives you that wow factor.
Admission ticket is included here too. That matters because it’s the kind of viewpoint where you’ll feel more satisfied when you’re not paying again just to look.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)
This tour suits you best if you want a balanced sampler day: one performance, a couple of craft stops, one art stop, a famous terrace, a wildlife sanctuary, and then a highland volcano view. It’s also a good match if you’d rather hire a private driver and let someone else handle the route and timing.
It’s less ideal if you:
- want long, unhurried time at every site
- prefer a purely off-the-beaten-path itinerary (this route hits the big highlights)
- plan to eat out at each stop without building in buffer time (food is not included, and timing moves fast)
If you’re traveling with family, it can work well because the attractions are known and accessible within a single day. Also, the tour notes that children under 2 are free for entrance, which can be a helpful detail when you’re budgeting.
The Driver Factor: Why People Keep Mentioning Ketut
One of the strongest themes from the experience is the quality of the driving and guiding. Multiple bookings highlight Ketut (Ketut Legawa) as punctual, polite, professional, and genuinely good company for the day. People also mention that he helps with planning and suggests what makes sense—while still respecting that you may want to go where you want.
That’s exactly what you should look for in Bali transportation. A good driver doesn’t just move the car. They help you avoid wasted time and point you toward the practical choices that make a day feel smoother.
If your tour ends up with Ketut, you’re in the sweet spot: calm driving, clear communication, and a guide who can handle logistics like bookings and itinerary flow.
Practical Tips to Make Your Day Feel Easier
- Eat before you’re too hungry. Food isn’t included, so decide on a simple plan: snack early, then aim for an actual meal later.
- Bring water and basic sun protection. You’ll be outdoors at terraces and likely walking during other stops.
- Keep expectations realistic about time. Short stops (mostly 30 minutes) mean you’ll enjoy the highlights, not master the entire subject.
- Be ready for traffic shifts. The tour notes destinations depend on traffic. Keep one flexible mindset and your day stays fun.
- Pack for monkeys. Keep phones secure and don’t dangle anything tempting.
Should You Book Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours?
Book it if you want the big Ubud hits plus Kintamani in one day, with private comfort and English communication, and you’re happy with short, well-paced visits instead of all-day wandering.
Don’t book it if you hate crowds, need long time at each site, or want food and drinks included (you’ll plan meals yourself). Also think twice if you want a perfectly fixed itinerary down to the minute—traffic can change what fits.
If you’re weighing this against a cheaper option, the real differentiator is the “day setup”: the air-conditioned ride, English speaking driver, and the fact that many admissions and taxes are handled. That’s what turns a messy multi-stop day into something you can actually enjoy.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the Private Tour – Ubud Kintamani Tours?
It runs up to about 10 hours, sometimes closer to 8 to 10 hours depending on timing and traffic.
What does the tour price include?
The price includes an air-conditioned car/bus, an English speaking driver, petrol/gasoline, and it lists that all fees and taxes are included.
Is food or drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
Do I need to buy tickets for the attractions?
Most admissions are included in the tour, and tickets are listed as included for several stops. Batuan Village is listed as free admission.
Is pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered.
Will I see all the destinations listed?
The tour notes that the total number of destinations depends on traffic. In a 10-hour day, destinations can usually be up to about four places.
What happens if we need extra hours?
Extra hours are charged at 10% of the full day tour price.
Is cancellation free?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Are children charged?
Children under 2 years have free entrance.
If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you prefer more art, more nature, or more wildlife—I can suggest how to prioritize the stops when traffic tightens the schedule.


























