Bali: Water Temples & Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/20

Duration10h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

UNESCO rice terraces, floating temples and sunset at Tanah Lot

You’ll wander floating temples on Lake Beratan, taste fresh mountain air at Batukaru Temple, walk among UNESCO-listed rice terraces at Jatiluwih, and watch sunset colors spill over Tanah Lot. With hotel pickup and a local guide handling every detail, you just soak up Bali’s spirit—muddy shoes included.

10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Bali's temples and rice terraces

Drive 2 hours to Ulun Danu Temple
Visit Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Beratan
Drive 40-60 minutes to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Explore Jatiluwih Rice Terraces UNESCO site
Drive 40-50 minutes to Luhur Batukaru Temple
Visit peaceful Luhur Batukaru Temple
Drive 1 hour to Tanah Lot Temple
See sunset at Tanah Lot Temple
Drive back to hotel (about 1 hour)

The Experience

We almost missed our pickup because I forgot my hat upstairs — the driver just grinned when I rushed out, hair still wet from a quick shower. The air was already thick with that earthy Bali smell, a bit sweet and smoky from incense somewhere nearby. Our guide, Wayan, had this gentle way of explaining things without making it feel like a lecture. He handed us bottled water and said something about "Dewi Danu" before we even left Ubud — I nodded like I understood but honestly had no idea who she was until later.

The drive to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple took longer than I thought (maybe two hours?), but watching the mist slide over the lake made me forget about time. The temple itself looked like it was floating — there were kids feeding koi by the shore and a woman selling tiny marigold offerings. Wayan showed us how to sprinkle a little water on our heads for luck. My shirt stuck to my back from the humidity, but I didn’t really care. Lunch came after wandering through Jatiluwih’s endless green — those rice terraces really do go on forever, and the only sound was wind in the stalks and someone laughing far off in Balinese (I wish I knew what was funny).

By the time we reached Batukaru Temple, clouds hung low around Mount Batukaru and everything felt quieter — maybe because there weren’t many people around. Wayan told us about old kings hiding here (or maybe praying? My memory’s fuzzy). The mossy stones were cool under my hands; incense drifted through the air again. We lingered longer than planned because it just felt peaceful.

Tanah Lot was crowded but somehow still magical at sunset — all those silhouettes against orange sky. You can only get close if the tide is right; we weren’t lucky this time but standing back with everyone else felt communal in its own way. On the drive home, I realized my feet were muddy and my phone nearly dead but it didn’t matter much. There’s something about seeing these places with someone who knows their stories that sticks with you long after you leave.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan, bottled water along the way, entry fees if you pick “All Inclusive”, a private driver/guide who shares stories as you go, plus lunch if selected—so you don’t have to think about anything except which view to look at next.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Hire Bali Driver