Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple

Review · BALINESE TEMPLE TRIPS FROM KUTA

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple

5.0 · 7 reviews From $72 Operated by Bali 4U Tours · Bookable on Viator
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One full day in Bali, and you hit temples, terraces, and volcano views. I like how this private tour strings together big highlights without feeling rushed, and I really appreciate that entrance fees are included so you can focus on the sights. The main thing to consider is that you’ll be on the road most of the day, since the route covers several different parts of the island.

If you want a smooth, guided route with minimal planning, this fits. There’s also a tea and coffee tasting at a Balinese plantation, including Luwak (civet) coffee options, which adds a fun local flavor beyond the temples and scenery. Just keep expectations realistic, one or two viewpoints and short temple visits means you’ll see a lot, not linger forever.

Key things I’d plan around

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Key things I’d plan around

  • Private vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide for a calmer day and better context at each stop
  • All entrance fees included, plus parking and petrol, so the $72 price feels more predictable
  • Tegenungan Waterfall gives you both a photo spot view and the option to go closer via steps
  • Tirta Empul is a real-life purification temple where you can see local Hindu practices
  • Kintamani viewpoint plus lunch timing works well if you like volcano views with a meal nearby
  • Besakih Temple is a major temple on the slopes of Mount Agung, not just a quick stop

Private comfort from Ubud and beyond, with a 9:00am start

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Private comfort from Ubud and beyond, with a 9:00am start
This is built as a true private day: your group rides in a dedicated air-conditioned vehicle and you get your own English-speaking driver-guide to manage the route. The tour starts at 9:00am, and pickup is offered from a long list of areas, including Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

That matters because Bali traffic can be unpredictable. A guide who knows how to sequence stops helps you spend more time at the sights and less time staring at your phone while you wait. Also, being private means you can shape the pace a bit, especially if you want more photos at a viewpoint or need a slower walk at a crowded temple area.

The tradeoff is distance. An 8-hour day that visits waterfall, multiple temples, rice terraces, and a volcano viewpoint will feel like a packed sampler. If you’re the type who wants long hangs, plan for a quieter evening after.

Price and value: what you actually get for $72

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Price and value: what you actually get for $72
At $72 per person for about 8 hours, what makes this feel like good value is what’s included. You get:

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Pickup and drop-off
  • Entry and admission fees
  • Parking fees
  • Gas/petrol
  • Mobile ticket

For Bali, those “extras” add up fast if you plan sites on your own. Here, the tour price covers the normal costs that tend to surprise people once they start checking tickets and paying parking at each stop.

What’s not included is also clear. Food and drink are available for purchase, and gratuities are optional. So if you’re budget planning, bring cash or a card for lunch and drinks, and treat tips as a personal choice based on how your guide and driver handle the day.

Also note: you’ll get a confirmation at booking and 24/7 customer service, but the practical takeaway is to be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby for pickup at the scheduled time.

Tegenungan Waterfall: the jungle view, plus steps if you want closer

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Tegenungan Waterfall: the jungle view, plus steps if you want closer
Tegenungan Waterfall is one of those Bali stops that instantly feels “real,” not staged. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and you can enjoy the waterfall from a designated photo spot. If you want the closer view, there are steps that let you get nearer to the falls.

This is a great first or early mid-morning stop because the area around the falls is lush and green, and you get a strong visual payoff early in the day. It also gives you something active without being exhausting. The option to stay at the photo area is helpful if your knees, balance, or energy level are limited.

The main consideration is that waterfalls attract crowds and photographers. If you care about calmer photo moments, aim to move a little with the flow, rather than planting in one spot for long. And wear shoes with decent grip, since wet surfaces are common around waterfall areas.

Tirta Empul Temple: watch purification rituals with respect

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Tirta Empul Temple: watch purification rituals with respect
Next up is Tirta Empul Temple, a temple known for purification rituals. It’s described as an 11th-century site, and it’s widely recognized as a place where local Hindus go for purification.

You’ll have about 1 hour here, which is enough time to understand what you’re looking at, watch the rhythm of the ritual area, and still take in the architecture without feeling like you’re rushing. The key is attitude. This is an active religious site, not a theme park. Go in ready to be quiet, observant, and respectful about where you stand and when you take photos.

A good guide makes a difference at Tirta Empul. In the kind of guiding described for this tour, you’re not just getting directions, you’re getting context about why the purification is important and how it fits into daily life. That makes the temple feel more meaningful and less like a stop on a checklist.

The same day, just yours

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: short time, strong scenery

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Tegalalang Rice Terrace: short time, strong scenery
The Tegalalang Rice Terrace stop is about 45 minutes, and that short time is actually a strength. The terraces are photogenic in every direction, and you also get coconut trees and classic north Ubud greenery in the mix.

With just under an hour, you can do a quick walk for viewpoints, take a few photos, and grab a snack or drink if something is available nearby. Since the time box is tight, I recommend you decide your priorities fast, either scenic overlooks or a bit of walking down toward better angles. Trying to do everything can make the stop feel cramped.

One practical thing: rice terraces can mean uneven ground. Wear comfortable shoes and keep an eye on where you step. Also, if you’re sensitive to crowds, you might want to keep your pace moving as tour groups cycle through.

Mount Batur and the Kintamani viewpoint: volcano views with lunch timing

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Mount Batur and the Kintamani viewpoint: volcano views with lunch timing
This is the part of the day most people remember: the viewpoint for Mount Batur and its lake area, in the Kintamani region. You’ll spend about 1 hour here.

The tour description calls it a prime lunch spot, which is smart. It means you’re not eating in transit, you’re pairing a meal moment with the big view. That can turn a “just okay” lunch into something you actually enjoy.

What should you expect at the viewpoint? Big volcanic scenery, open sky views, and a chance to see the lake and the volcano in one frame. The best advice is simple: check the sky conditions around your arrival. If the air is clear, you’ll get sharper views. If clouds are around, you can still enjoy the mood, but the mountain details might be softer.

This is also where your guide’s timing helps. A good sequence means you arrive when the light is decent and when the viewpoint isn’t at its most chaotic. If you care about photos, plan to step aside from the busiest areas and give yourself 5 to 10 minutes to find your angle.

Besakih Temple: Bali’s biggest temple on Mount Agung slopes

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Besakih Temple: Bali’s biggest temple on Mount Agung slopes
Besakih Temple rounds out the cultural side of the day. It’s described as the biggest temple in Bali, located in east Bali on the slope of Mount Agung, and your visit is about 1 hour.

This stop is worth it if you want a temple experience that feels expansive and important. Besakih is not a small stop, so the time box is helpful. You’ll have enough time to see major temple areas and get a sense of the site’s scale, without needing a full day to explore every corner.

Like Tirta Empul, this is a religious place. Dress and behavior matter. Even if the tour includes entry fees, you still need to show the usual respect: keep your voice down, follow guidance from your driver-guide, and be careful about where you walk and stand.

The one consideration is that the temple setting can involve hillsides and walking. If you have mobility limits, go slowly, take your time, and let your guide know early that you want gentler pacing.

Coffee plantation tea tasting and Luwak options: a fun local add-on

Private Bali Tour: Kintamani Volcano and Besakih Temple - Coffee plantation tea tasting and Luwak options: a fun local add-on
Between the temples and the volcano area, you’ll stop at a Kintamani Coffee Plantation. This is where the tour adds a taste of Balinese food culture to the day.

You get tea and coffee tasting, and you can try Luwak, also known as civet coffee, if that’s offered during your visit. This is not just about caffeine. It’s a chance to understand how island coffee culture works and why certain processing methods are so discussed.

If you’re curious, it’s a good use of time, especially on a private tour where you’re not waiting around for strangers to finish their purchases. If you’re not interested in coffee tasting, you still benefit from the cultural context, but you might spend less time on the tasting portion and more time asking questions about local agriculture.

Quick practical tip: coffee and tea tastings can make you less likely to want drinks later, so if you have a strict hydration plan, factor that in during the lunch hour.

Guide quality is the difference maker, especially on a full day

The stops on this tour are strong on paper. The real value comes from the guide who connects the dots.

In the experiences associated with this tour, Chris is highlighted for sharing Bali history in a way that makes the sites feel less random. Another guide, Yasmika, is described as punctual and helpful, and that matters more than it sounds on a day with many locations. When pickup is on time and explanations are clear, you actually feel like the day is working for you, not against you.

So when you book, I suggest you send a simple request in advance: ask your driver-guide to point out what’s most important to notice at each temple and which parts are best for photos without blocking others. Most guides will happily tailor the flow.

Who this tour is best for, and who it might not fit

This private Bali tour makes a lot of sense if you want:

  • A one-day hit list of waterfall, temples, rice terraces, and Kintamani volcano views
  • Less planning stress, since pickup, entry fees, parking, and driving are handled
  • Context from an English-speaking driver-guide, not just a ride from stop to stop
  • A little cultural variety, with coffee tasting added in

It might be less ideal if you prefer slow travel, long museum-style pacing, or days with fewer locations. Because it’s a full route, the rhythm is more “see and move” than “settle in.”

If you’re traveling with a child, this can still work well, as long as you keep expectations aligned with the 45 to 60 minute time blocks. A private day is often easier for families because you can slow down when needed.

Should you book this Kintamani and Besakih private tour?

I’d book it if you want maximum Bali variety in a single day, and you like the idea that entrance fees and key costs are included. At $72, the real win is predictability: you’re not piecing together tickets and parking costs site by site while trying to manage timing and transport.

I’d think twice if you hate being in a vehicle for long stretches or if you want deep, unhurried exploration at just one or two places. This is a sampler day, not a slow-travel marathon.

If you’re deciding, consider this simple checklist: Do you want Tirta Empul and Besakih for real temple experiences? Do you want Tegenungan waterfall and Tegalalang terraces for iconic visuals? If yes, this private route is a strong match.

FAQ

What is the start time for this private tour?

The tour start time is 9:00am.

Where does pickup happen for this Bali tour?

Pickup is offered from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

What stops are included in the day?

The included stops are Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Mount Batur viewpoint, and Besakih Temple.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

Yes. Entry and admission fees are included, along with parking fees and gas/petrol.

Is food included?

No. Food and drink are not included, but you can buy them during the day.

Is the guide English-speaking?

Yes. You’ll have an English-speaking driver/guide.

Is this a private tour or a shared group?

It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

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