Bali: Kintamani Volcano, Ubud Rice Terraces & Sacred Springs Day Trip

Summary

Kintamani volcano views, Ubud monkeys, temple springs and rice terraces in a day

You’ll feel Bali come alive on this Kintamani volcano & Ubud day trip: from watching masked dancers tell old stories to wandering rice terraces and sacred springs, plus lunch overlooking Mount Batur. Expect laughter, quiet moments, and plenty of small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much before 10am. Our driver Wayan picked us up right on time (the car was freezing inside — I guess that’s Bali A/C for you), and we headed out of Ubud. The first stop was the Barong & Keris dance. I’ll be honest, I usually zone out at performances, but this one had these wild masks and even wilder music — gongs that rattled in my chest. Wayan explained the story as we watched: good vs evil, but with jokes thrown in. At one point, a dancer winked at me from behind his lion mask. That stuck with me.

After that we wandered through the Ubud Monkey Forest. You can smell the damp leaves before you even see the monkeys — kind of earthy and sweet at the same time. I kept my bag zipped tight because those little guys are fast (one tried to grab a water bottle from someone’s backpack). It’s busy but not overwhelming; there’s something calming about all the green around you. Then came Tegalalang Rice Terrace — honestly, it looks just like those photos you see everywhere except there’s more noise: birds, scooters below, people laughing over coconuts. We stopped for a quick lunch buffet up in Kintamani village with a view of Mount Batur. The air felt cooler here — almost chilly for Bali — and I kept staring at the black lava fields next to the lake while eating spicy tempeh.

The Tirta Empul temple was quieter than I expected. Locals were lining up for purification in the holy spring pools; our guide explained how people come here to wash away bad luck (I thought about joining in but chickened out last minute). The smell of incense mixed with wet stone is still stuck in my nose days later. On the way back we made a quick stop in Celuk Village to watch silver jewelry being made by hand — tiny hammers tapping away while someone’s uncle offered us tea that tasted faintly metallic (not bad though). My friend tried on a ring she couldn’t afford and laughed it off.

It was a long day trip from Ubud but never felt rushed — maybe because Wayan kept telling stories between stops or maybe because every place felt so different from the last. There’s something about seeing Mount Batur rising above everything that makes you feel small but lucky at the same time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kintamani and Ubud Village Tour

• Watch Barong and Keris dance
• Visit Ubud Monkey Forest
• Explore Tegalalang Rice Terrace
• Visit Kintamani Village viewpoint
• Enjoy lunch with Mt. Batur view
• Visit Tirta Empul Holy Spring Temple
• Tour Celuk Village handicrafts

Top questions

How long does the Kintamani volcano & Ubud tour take?

The tour lasts a full day with several stops including lunch; expect around 8–10 hours total depending on traffic.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, an Indonesian buffet lunch is included at a restaurant overlooking Mount Batur in Kintamani village.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees are included in your booking—no extra charges at each site.

Is pickup available from hotels in Ubud?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for guests staying in or near Ubud.

Can vegetarians eat at the included lunch?

Vegetarian options are available at the buffet restaurant during lunch.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels; walking is moderate and wheelchair access is possible at several stops.

What should I wear to Tirta Empul temple?

You’ll need to wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees; sarongs are usually provided if needed.

Will there be opportunities to buy local crafts?

You can shop for silver jewelry in Celuk Village during your visit; purchases are optional.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by private car with air conditioning, all entrance fees covered for each site visited (Barong dance performance, Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani viewpoint, Tirta Empul temple), an Indonesian buffet lunch overlooking Mount Batur with vegetarian options available, mineral water throughout the trip, and guidance from an English-speaking driver before returning you safely back to your hotel.