Kintamani Volcano Tour: Ubud, Rice Terraces & Sacred Temples

Summary

Full-Day Bali Itinerary: Volcano Views, Art Villages & Ancient Temples

You’ll explore Bali’s creative heart in Ubud, watch legendary dances, meet silversmiths in Celuk Village, sip mountain coffee near Kintamani volcano, walk sacred temple grounds at Tirta Empul, and wander through lush rice terraces—all with local stories guiding each stop.

What’s the experience like?

The day kicked off with the Barong and Keris dance—honestly, I didn’t expect to get so drawn in. The music was loud and a bit chaotic at first, but after a few minutes you start to follow the story. Our guide explained how Barong is this guardian spirit for Balinese villages, always fighting off Rangda the witch. The costumes are wild—huge masks, thick fur—and you can hear the dancers’ bells even from the back row. If you’re into mythology or just want to see something truly local, this is it.

Afterwards we headed toward Ubud. The air felt cooler up here compared to Denpasar—maybe it was just the shade from all those trees lining the road. We stopped at a small art gallery tucked behind a warung (I think it was called “Dewi Art Space”). Inside, paintings ranged from dreamy landscapes to scenes of daily Balinese life. Our guide mentioned that Ubud’s artists were influenced by Europeans like Spies and Blanco who lived here decades ago. You’ll notice some paintings are bright and open, while others—especially from Batuan village—are packed with detail and have these almost spooky creatures hiding in corners.

We made a quick detour through Celuk Village next. This place is famous for silversmiths; you can actually watch people hammering out jewelry in tiny workshops right along the main street. I tried on a ring that still smelled faintly of metal polish—it’s that fresh. They offer short jewelry-making classes if you want to try your hand at it (I didn’t have time but maybe next trip).

The drive up to Kintamani itself winds through hills and small villages where kids wave as you pass by. When we finally reached Penelokan viewpoint, the air turned noticeably crisp—even in midday sun I needed my light jacket. There’s this moment when Mount Batur suddenly appears between clouds, black lava fields stretching down toward Lake Batur below. A couple of street vendors were selling hot ginger tea; honestly, it hit the spot with that mountain chill.

On our way back down we stopped at a coffee plantation—not just any coffee though, they had luwak coffee (the one made from beans eaten by civets). You can smell roasting beans before you even step inside. They let us sample different blends; some were sweet, others earthy.

Tirta Empul Temple came next—a place locals visit for ritual bathing in spring water pools fed by twelve stone spouts. The scent of incense hangs heavy here and koi fish swim lazily in the main pool. Our guide explained how people come for blessings or just to cool off on hot afternoons.

Last stop: Tegallalang rice terraces. The late afternoon sun made everything glow green-gold as we walked narrow paths between paddies. You’ll hear frogs croaking if you pause long enough—and sometimes farmers call out greetings as they work their fields barefoot.

If there’s time left before heading back, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is worth a look too—carved faces stare out from mossy stone walls and there’s an old bathing pool rediscovered only last century.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bali Cultural and Nature Tour

• Watch Barong and Keris Dance
• Visit Ubud Art Galleries
• Explore Celuk Silver Village
• Walk Tegallalang Rice Terraces
• View Mount Batur from Kintamani Village
• Visit Coffee Luwak Plantation
• Tour Tirta Empul Temple
• Visit Goa Gajah Temple
• Explore Ubud Art Market

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! Just keep in mind infants need to sit on an adult’s lap during transport. Most stops are family-friendly but some paths (like Tegallalang) can be uneven.

Can I request a tour guide who speaks another language?

The standard driver speaks English but you can request a dedicated tour guide—just let us know your preferred language ahead of time.

How long does the whole tour take?

This is a full-day experience—expect around 8–10 hours depending on traffic and how much time you spend at each site.

Is lunch included?

No set lunch is included but your driver can recommend good places along the route—there are plenty of local cafés near Kintamani with volcano views.

I have mobility issues—is this tour accessible?

Some sites have steps or uneven ground (like temples and rice terraces). Let us know your needs so we can help plan accordingly or suggest alternatives.

What’s included

Your private car or minibus comes with petrol and an English-speaking driver who knows all the best routes (and shortcuts). It’s just your group—no strangers tagging along unless you invite them! If you’d like a dedicated tour guide for deeper insights or another language, just ask ahead of time so we can arrange it for you.