Full day · Ubud & east Bali
The Ubud classic: Tegalalang's rice terraces before the crowds, the purification springs at Tirta Empul, and the crater rim at Kintamani with Mount Batur and the lake below — with a coffee stop on the way down.
Pickup early and drive north past Ubud to Tegalalang while the terraces are in low light and nearly empty. On to Tirta Empul to watch — or join — the melukat purification in the spring-fed pools. Climb to Kintamani for lunch on the crater rim with Mount Batur and Lake Batur in front of you, then a coffee plantation on the way down. Your own car and driver, about eight hours.
If you have one day for central Bali, this is it — the terraces, the holy springs and the volcano are the three things people fly here to see, and they line up on one road. We drive it early so you meet the terraces and the springs before the coaches do.
The crater at lunchtime is the reward: cooler air and a view across the caldera. The coffee plantation afterwards is optional — say the word and we skip it.
A typical day. Times shift with traffic and how long you want at each stop.
Your driver messages you the evening before. Swimwear if you'd like to bathe at the springs.
The valley of terraces north of Ubud, in the low light before nine. Walk the path down and up; the swing is there if you want it.
The purification springs. Watch from the courtyard or change into a bathing sarong and go through the spouts with everyone else.
Lunch at a warung on the rim with Mount Batur, the black lava field and the lake below. Cooler up here — 1,500 metres.
A tasting of a dozen local coffees and teas on the road down. No pressure to buy; skip it if you'd rather.
About 8 hours after pickup, through Ubud if you'd like to be dropped there.
A sarong is required at Tirta Empul and provided; swimwear and a change if you'll bathe. Trainers for the terrace steps, sunscreen and a light layer for the crater.
From your hotel or villa in the south and centre of Bali, included. Far-away areas carry a surcharge we tell you before you confirm.
Yes, anyone can. Lockers and bathing sarongs are at the temple for a small fee; your driver explains the order of the spouts. Bring a towel and a change of clothes.
No — this is the crater rim by day, at lunchtime, with the same view and no 02:00 alarm. The sunrise trek is a separate early-morning day; ask us.
No. It's a pleasant tasting on the way down, but say so in the morning and your driver goes straight back — or adds Tegenungan waterfall instead.
Only after we confirm the date — by bank transfer, within 48 hours of our confirmation. Sending a request costs nothing.
Tell us as early as you can — we'd rather move a date than lose it. Refunds follow the tiers in our terms.
Guest reviews
first name, country and the month they travelled, published with permission.
Putu was at the hotel right on time. We had Banyumala with very few people around, then the twin lakes and a slow lunch looking over Jatiluwih. He read the weather and swapped two stops so the walk stayed dry. Exactly the day the page describes.
The solo price was explained clearly before I booked — no surprises. Ketut stopped whenever I asked for photos and knew which warung to pick for lunch. The ATV and rafting were booked through him so I only paid once.
Afternoon rain in the highlands, so our driver reordered the route and we did the temple first. Sarongs were in the car. Nothing felt rushed and we were back at the villa at the time he said.
Places you'll visit
Similar days
Make it more than a day
Guests who stay with us skip the pickup logistics: the car is outside the bungalow in the morning. Tick what you need in the booking form and we quote everything together.
Send a date and how many of you there are. If it's your first time in Bali, this is where we'd start.
