Bali: UNESCO Rice Terraces, Ulun Danu Temple & Private Day Trip

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/19

Duration8h–10h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Jatiluwih rice fields, Ulun Danu temple and Nungnung waterfall in a day

You’ll start early with pickup from your hotel before wandering through Jatiluwih’s UNESCO-listed rice terraces and feeling cool mountain air on your face. Step into Ulun Danu Beratan Temple by misty Lake Beratan, enjoy lunch with local flavors, then descend to Nungnung Waterfall where spray fills the air—ending your day tired but oddly peaceful.

8h–10h

Step-by-step itinerary

The Experience

We were already winding up the mountain roads when I realized how much cooler the air felt—almost chilly for Bali. Our driver, Putu, grinned in the rearview mirror and told us “Jatiluwih means ‘truly beautiful’,” which sounded like something you’d put on a postcard, but then we stepped out and it actually made sense. The rice terraces just kept rolling down the hills, green in a way that almost hurts your eyes. There was this faint smell of wet earth and wood smoke from somewhere nearby. We walked along the narrow mud paths while an old woman in a conical hat waved at us—her laugh was louder than I expected.

After that, we drove to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. It sits right on the edge of Lake Beratan, with mist curling off the water so you can’t always tell where the lake ends and sky begins. Our guide explained about Dewi Danu—the water goddess—and pointed out shrines for different gods. I tried to pronounce one of their names; Putu laughed (gently) and said I was close enough. There were school kids on a field trip taking selfies by the carved gates, giggling whenever a breeze knocked their hats askew. The temple bells echoed across the lake—soft but somehow everywhere at once.

Lunch came next—nasi campur with spicy sambal that made my nose run (in a good way). The restaurant overlooked some kind of valley; honestly I don’t remember what I ate as much as how it felt just sitting there watching clouds drift by. Then we stopped at Handara Gate for those classic photos—there’s always someone posing dramatically there—and Wanagiri Hidden Hill for views over twin lakes that looked unreal through all the morning haze.

The last stop was Nungnung Waterfall. Getting down meant hundreds of steep steps (I lost count after 50), but every few turns there were little gazebos where you could catch your breath and listen to frogs or maybe just your own heart pounding. When we finally reached the bottom, the sound of water crashing drowned everything else out—it was almost hypnotic standing there in spray so fine it felt like cool mist on your skin. I still think about that moment sometimes, just standing quietly while everyone else took photos or yelled over the noise.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Bali, all entry fees to sites like Jatiluwih Rice Terrace and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, bottled water and wet napkins along the way, plus a traditional Balinese lunch before heading back in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by ForeverVacation Bali