Ubud & Mount Batur: Private Day Trip with Rice Terraces

Driving into Ubud's highlands: four stops, one guide, no schedule but your own

You're driven through Ubud's highlands to four major stops: a waterfall you can swim in, an ancient cliff temple, a volcanic viewpoint with lunch included, and the famous rice terraces of Tegalalang. Your private guide handles all the navigation and cultural context, sarongs are provided for temple entry, and the air-conditioned vehicle means you're comfortable between stops. The whole day is built around your pace, not a group schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Tegenungan Waterfall1h
2. Kintamani1h
3. Tegalalang Rice Terrace1h

Explore Ubud and Volcano Highlights

• Visit Tegenungan Waterfall
• Explore Gunung Kawi Temple
• Lunch with Mount Batur view
• See Tegalalang Rice Terrace

The experience

Turning out of your hotel, the driver heads north toward the highlands, and you settle in knowing the whole day is yours alone: no group waiting, no fixed pace except what you want. The route climbs from the coast into Ubud's interior, passing through villages where the landscape shifts from beach palms to terraced rice fields that drop away on both sides of the road. Your first stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, where the Petanu River cuts a sharp drop through jungle and stone. The water pools at the base, green and cool, surrounded by the kind of dense vegetation that makes you feel like you've stepped off the main island entirely. You can wade in if you want, or just stand there and let the spray hit your face while your guide waits with the car.

From there you drive to Gunung Kawi Temple, a complex carved directly into a rock cliff face above the sacred Pakerisan River. The shrine reliefs are old, carved centuries ago, and the courtyard on the far bank holds Hindu shrines in a quieter, more contemporary style. Your guide explains the layout and the history, but there's no rush. You ask questions, take photos from angles other groups miss, move at your own rhythm. The sarong they provide for temple entry is included, so you're covered for the cultural protocol without having to figure it out yourself. After that, the drive climbs higher into the Kintamani region, where the air cools and the views open up. You stop at a restaurant perched on the rim of the Batur caldera, about 1,500 meters above sea level, and eat lunch while looking down at Mount Batur and Lake Batur spread out below you like a map someone drew just for this moment.

The last major stop is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, the UNESCO site that looks like someone stacked green geometry across the hillside. The terraces follow the subak system, a traditional Balinese irrigation method that's been in place since the eighth century, and the roadside vantage point is high enough and breezy enough that you can see the whole pattern without fighting crowds. Your driver knows the best angles for photos and where to stand so the light hits right. Bottled water is in the car the whole time, and the air conditioning means you're not melting between stops. The day runs long, it's a full circuit, but because it's private, you're not watching the clock or waiting for stragglers. You decide when to linger and when to move on.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking driver for the full day.
• bottled water.
• sarongs provided for temple visits.
• lunch at a restaurant in Kintamani with views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur.
• entry to Tegenungan Waterfall, Gunung Kawi Temple, Kintamani viewpoint, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (11 to 60 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bali Ubud Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Ubud's main highlands attractions in one day without arranging transport, timing stops, or navigating between sites yourself. The private format means you move at your own pace and your guide handles all the logistics and cultural details.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

How long is the full day trip?

The itinerary covers a full day of driving and stops across Ubud and the Kintamani highlands. Exact duration depends on your pace at each location and traffic, but plan for most of your daylight hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You stop at a restaurant in the Kintamani area with views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur, where you can eat while overlooking the volcano and caldera.

Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?

Yes, the waterfall has a pool at its base where swimming is possible. The water is fed by the Petanu River and is surrounded by jungle vegetation.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation, bottled water, an English-speaking driver, an air-conditioned vehicle, and sarongs for temple visits are all included.

Do I need to wear a sarong at the temples?

Yes, sarongs are required for temple entry as a cultural protocol. They're provided as part of the tour, so you don't need to bring your own.

What is Tegalalang Rice Terrace?

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ubud known for its terraced rice paddies that follow the traditional subak irrigation system. The roadside location offers views across the entire valley of stacked green terraces.

Will the driver speak English?

Yes, your driver is English-speaking and can answer questions about the sites and local culture throughout the day.