Private Trunyan Village Tour from Ubud: Bali's Open Cemetery

Walk through Trunyan Village and stand at the open cemetery where bodies rest above ground in ritual practice.

A private guided tour from Ubud to Trunyan Village, a Bali Aga settlement known for its open cemetery where the local community places corpses above ground in ceremonial practice rather than burying them. The tour runs 8 to 10 hours with round-trip transfer, a private guide in English or French, lunch at a local restaurant, and stops at temples, waterfalls and rice terraces across Bali's interior. Children from age 3 are welcome. The pace suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kintamani1h 30m · entry included
2. Mount Baturpassing by
3. Tirta Empul Templepassing by
4. Tegalalang Rice Terracepassing by
5. Ubud Palacepassing by
6. Ubud Art Marketpassing by
7. Campuhan Ridge Walkpassing by
8. Elephant Cavepassing by
9. Tegenungan Waterfallpassing by
10. Besakih Templepassing by

Explore Trunyan Village and Surroundings

• Visit Bali Aga Village and Open Cemetery
• Lunch at Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant
• Afternoon tea and taste Coffee Luwak

The experience

The tour picks you up from your Ubud accommodation and heads to Trunyan Village, where you'll see the open cemetery and learn how the Bali Aga people, one of Bali's indigenous groups, treat their dead. Instead of underground burial, bodies are placed above ground and left to decompose naturally, a practice tied to their spiritual beliefs about returning to the earth. Your guide explains the ritual and the village's place in Balinese culture as you walk the grounds.

After Trunyan, the day moves through Bali's interior temples and natural sites. You'll visit Tirta Empul Temple, the water temple where spring-fed pools feed ritual bathing areas, and stop at Tegalalang Rice Terrace to see the stacked paddies that define the landscape. Lunch happens at Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant in Kintamani, where you can order Balinese, Indonesian, Asian or Western food. After eating, you'll taste Luwak coffee, the famously expensive variety, at a local coffee plantation that sources beans from across Indonesia.

The afternoon includes Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah), a temple carved into rock in central Ubud, and Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Bali's most visited cascades. If your option includes Besakih Temple, you'll also visit Bali's mother temple, the island's most important spiritual site. The driver handles all transport in an air-conditioned minivan, and bottled water comes with you throughout the day. You return to your hotel by late afternoon or early evening.

What’s included

• Round-trip private transfer from your Ubud hotel.
• private guide in English or French.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• afternoon tea or coffee with Luwak coffee tasting at a plantation.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned minivan transport between all stops.

Options for this experience

8 options

With Hot SpringGuide in English or French · 6 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:30Hot Spring: Bathe in the famous natural hot spring before heading to Trunyan Village. Pickup is included

Private tour to Trunyan Village, known as the "Skull Island of Bali"Guide in English or French · Available from 29 Mar 2027Pickup is included

Sunrise and Trunyan tour by jeepGuide in English or French · 04:00Jeep Sunrise Tour: Ride up and hike the famous Mount Batur by jeep, and experience the sensation of watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Batur. Pickup is included

See 5 more options

With Penglipuran VillageGuide in English or French · 08:00 and 08:30With Penglipuran Village: This option includes a visit to Penglipuran, one of the most beautiful ancient villages in Bali. Includes pickup

Includes the Water Temple Tirta EmpulGuide in English or French · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00With Water Temple Tirta Empul: The Tirta Empul water temple is renowned for its water cleansing ritual, which Balinese people and foreign tourists often take part in. Pickup is included

With Waterfall VisitGuide in English or French · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00With Waterfall Visit: Optional stop to visit one of the best waterfalls in the nearby area. Pickup is included

Includes Besakih Mother TempleGuide in English or French · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00With Besakih Mother Temple: Visit Besakih Mother Temple, the biggest Hindu temple in Bali. Pickup is included

Includes 2 additional stopsGuide in English or French · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00With 2 Extra Stops: Choose 2 additional stops or visits on the way back to your hotel. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 09:00

AgesAdult (17 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bali Private Tour Id

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to move beyond Ubud's main attractions and see how a Balinese community practices ritual differently: the open cemetery and the guide's explanation of it are what set this apart from standard temple-and-waterfall itineraries. The private format and included lunch mean you're not coordinating meals or managing a group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 16 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the open cemetery in Trunyan Village and why do people leave bodies above ground?

Trunyan Village is a Bali Aga settlement where the local community practices an open-air burial ritual tied to their spiritual beliefs. Bodies are placed above ground in a separate cemetery location near the village and left to decompose naturally, a practice the community sees as a return to the earth rather than confinement underground. Your guide walks you through the cemetery and explains the ritual's cultural and spiritual meaning.

Does the tour include entry to all the temples and sites listed?

The base tour includes Trunyan Village, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Elephant Cave, and Tegenungan Waterfall. Besakih Temple (Bali's mother temple) is included only if you choose the option that adds it. Other options let you swap stops for sites like Penglipuran Village, a hot spring, or additional attractions. You pick your preferred option at checkout.

What's included in the lunch, and are there options for dietary preferences?

Lunch is served at Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant in Kintamani, which offers Balinese, Indonesian, Asian and Western food, so you can choose a dish that suits your preferences. The meal is included in the tour price.

How long is the tour, and what time does it start and end?

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours total. Your guide will confirm the pickup time when you book. The day typically ends by late afternoon or early evening when you return to your Ubud hotel.