Private Bali Car Charter: Temples, Besakih & Kecak Fire Dance

Summary

Bali Private Driver Tour: Tohpati, Besakih & Kecak Dance

You’ll get your own car and local driver to explore Bali’s temples at your pace—see batik makers in Tohpati, visit Besakih Mother Temple on Mount Agung, wander historic Kerta Gosa, then end with an unforgettable Kecak Fire Dance performance as night falls.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off our day in Tohpati Village, where the air smelled faintly of dye and hot wax from all the batik workshops. You can actually see women chatting as they work, hands moving fast over cloth. Our driver, Pak Made, explained how each pattern tells a story—he even pointed out his cousin’s shop tucked behind a warung selling sweet black coffee.

Next up was a quick stop at a traditional Balinese house. The gatehouse is tiny—only one person fits through at a time—and you’ll notice the roof’s made from grass and clay tiles. It’s quiet inside, just birds and someone chopping chilies for lunch nearby. Batuan Temple came after; it’s not huge but there’s something peaceful about the mossy stones and old carvings. Locals still come here to pray every day.

Driving up towards Mount Agung, clouds started rolling in but we could still see Besakih Temple stretching across the hillside. It’s called the “Mother Temple” for a reason—there are shrines everywhere and you’ll probably hear bells ringing or smell incense drifting by. Our guide shared stories about ceremonies that fill the place with color and music during festival days.

Kerta Gosa in Klungkung was next—a bit quieter than I expected, but you can walk right under painted ceilings showing old court scenes from centuries ago. There’s a pond outside full of lazy fish and school kids on field trips.

The last stop was the Kecak Fire Dance. We sat on stone steps as dusk fell; suddenly fifty men started chanting “cak-cak-cak” in circles around a torch. The energy is wild—at one point the dancer walked barefoot across burning coals like it was nothing. It gets crowded so arriving early helps if you want a good spot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bali Temples and Cultural Dance

• Visit Tohpati Village for batik and weaving
• Explore authentic Balinese house features
• Visit Batuan Temple
• Visit Besakih Temple, Bali's Mother Temple
• See Kerta Gosa, 18th-century court of justice
• Watch Kecak Fire Dance Ramayana ballet

Top questions

Are entrance fees included in this tour?

No, entrance fees aren’t included—you’ll pay those directly at each site on the day.

Is there an English-speaking driver?

Yes! Your driver speaks English and knows all the stops well.

Can I bring my infant or toddler?

Infants are welcome—they’ll need to sit on your lap or use an infant seat (just let us know ahead).

How long does the tour take?

This is a full-day trip; usually around 8–10 hours depending on how long you spend at each place.

What’s included

Your private car with air conditioning comes with an English-speaking driver who knows Bali well. Bottled water is provided for everyone. Fuel and parking are covered too—just bring cash for entrance tickets and anything extra you want along the way!