Private Ubud Day Tour: Rice Terraces, Temples & Waterfalls

Summary

Ubud Private Tour with Local Guide: Rice Fields, Temples & More

You’ll get to wander through lush rice fields, try out Bali’s iconic swing, explore ancient temples with real local stories, and cool off by a waterfall—all in one day with someone who knows every shortcut and secret spot.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Ubud always feels a bit cooler than down by the coast. We left the hotel just after 9am—our driver was already waiting, big smile and all. By 10, we were winding through narrow roads lined with coconut palms and tiny warungs selling sweet black coffee. The first stop: those famous rice terraces. I’d seen photos before, but standing there, you actually hear water trickling between the paddies and see farmers in wide hats working quietly. It’s peaceful—except for the occasional rooster crowing nearby.

Next up was the swing—yeah, that one you see all over Instagram. I’ll admit, my heart thumped a bit as I got strapped in. The view is wild: green everywhere and the wind rushing past your face. Our guide snapped photos (he knew all the best angles). Around noon we reached Gunung Kawi Temple. You have to wear a sarong here—they gave us one at the entrance—and walk down a bunch of stone steps shaded by banyan trees. Incense hangs in the air and you can hear chanting from inside the shrines.

After that, we drove up to Kintamani for lunch with a view of Mount Batur and its smoky crater. If you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll see clouds rolling over the volcano’s edge—pretty surreal. Later on, we stopped at Tirta Empul (the holy water temple). Locals were lining up for purification rituals; our guide explained what each fountain meant. Last stop was Tegenungan Waterfall just before sunset—the sound of water crashing is louder than you’d think! We headed back to the hotel around 7pm, tired but honestly happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ubud Full Day Tour

• Hotel pickup
• Visit rice terrace
• Experience Ubud swing
• Explore Gunung Kawi temple
• Visit Kintamani volcano
• Tour holy water temple
• See Tegenungan waterfall
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is this Ubud tour suitable for kids or elderly travelers?

The tour involves some walking and stairs (especially at Gunung Kawi), so it may be tough for those with mobility issues or very young kids.

What should I wear or bring along?

Light clothes are best—it gets warm midday. A sarong is provided for temple visits. Bring sunscreen and maybe a change if you want to get close to the waterfall.

Can I customize stops or spend more time at certain places?

Absolutely! Just let your driver know your preferences—they’re flexible and happy to adjust timing where possible.

What’s included

Your ride comes with bottled water, WiFi onboard (handy for sharing photos right away), sarongs for temple visits, plus all donation fees covered—so no surprise costs along the way.