Bali Instagram: Gate of Heaven Tour with Lempuyang Temple

The Gateway to Heaven sits 600 meters up a mountainside, framed by Mount Agung and cloud.

A private 10-hour tour of eastern Bali's sacred sites and Instagram landmarks, departing from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur or Ubud with hotel pickup and an English-speaking driver who acts as guide and photographer. You visit the Gateway to Heaven temple at Mount Lempuyang, the 1.2-hectare Tirta Gangga Water Palace with its ponds and stepping stones, Tukad Cepung's hidden 15-meter waterfall inside a stone cave, and a swing overlooking rice terraces at Uma Ceking Resto. Lunch, bottled water, all fees and fuel are included. The driver navigates the early start and long drive required to reach the remote eastern region before dusk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Bali's iconic eastern landmarks

• Explore Gate of Heaven temple
• Visit Tirta Gangga Water Garden
• Relax at Hidden Treasure Karangasem
• Discover Tukad Cepung waterfall
• Enjoy swing at Uma Ceking Resto

The experience

If you have a free morning and want to chase the most photographed spots in Bali without arranging transport yourself, this tour handles the logistics. The eastern part of Bali holds the sacred temples and ancient kingdoms, and the distance from the southern resort areas means you need to leave early. The driver picks you up from your hotel in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur or Ubud and drives you inland to the hillside slopes of Mount Lempuyang, where the Gateway to Heaven temple sits 600 meters above sea level. The temple's stone gate frames Mount Agung in the background and the feeling of reaching toward the sky. Bring a shoulder cover, as it is required at the temple.

From there you move to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, built in 1948 by the last ruling King of Karangasem as a place for contemplation and rest. The 1.2-hectare palace mixes Balinese and Chinese architecture across ponds, plants and sculptures. You can swim in the holy pond, feed the fish and walk the stepping stones for photos. The tour also includes Tukad Cepung, a 15-meter waterfall hidden inside a stone cave rather than exposed to open air, and a stop at Uma Ceking Resto where a swing hangs above rice terraces: the main photo moment of the afternoon. Lunch is provided during the day, and the driver stays with you as both guide and photographer, narrating in English throughout.

The 10-hour day is built around the distance: the eastern region is remote and tranquil compared to the modernized south, but reaching it and returning before dusk requires an early departure and a long drive. The driver knows the route, handles all parking and toll fees, and the car has strong air conditioning for the journey. This works best if you can commit to a full day and don't mind an early start.

What’s included

• Bottled water and lunch.
• all entrance fees and taxes.
• fuel, parking fees and toll road charges.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur or Ubud.
• a private brand-new car with strong air conditioning.
• an experienced English-speaking driver who serves as your guide and photographer throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bali Trip Driver

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and stays with you as both narrator and photographer, so you follow the commentary comfortably and get photos without asking strangers. The early start and 10-hour commitment suit a traveler with a full day free and the stamina for a long drive to reach the remote eastern temples before dusk.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start and when does it end?

The tour runs for 10 hours total, with pickup from your hotel in the early morning to reach the eastern temples before the day advances. The driver collects you from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur or Ubud and returns you by late afternoon or early evening.

Can I swim at Tirta Gangga Water Palace?

Yes, you can swim in the pond at Tirta Gangga, which is regarded as holy water. You can also feed the fish and walk the stepping stones for photos.

What is the Gateway to Heaven and why is it so popular for photos?

The Gateway to Heaven is a mountain temple at Mount Lempuyang, located 600 meters above sea level on the hillside. It has become the top priority for photographers because the stone gate frames Mount Agung in the background and offers the feeling of reaching toward the sky through cloud.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

Bring a shoulder cover, as it is required at the Gateway to Heaven temple. The tour includes bottled water, and lunch is provided during the day. The car has air conditioning for the long drive to the eastern region.

Is Tukad Cepung waterfall different from other waterfalls in Bali?

Tukad Cepung is a 15-meter waterfall hidden inside a stone cave rather than exposed to open air like most other waterfalls, making it a unique spot on the tour.