2025 Bali VW Tour: Gates of Heaven Review & Tips

Okay, so you’ve seen the pictures, right? You know the ones. People are standing between these incredibly grand Balinese gates, with a perfect, watery reflection beneath them and a volcano, just kind of chilling in the background. It honestly looks like a postcard from a place that is too good to be true. We’d been looking at Bali trips for ages, and, frankly, we were getting a little tired of seeing the same old tour packages in generic air-conditioned minivans. So, when we stumbled upon the idea of a 2025 ‘Gates of Heaven Tour’ in a classic, open-top Volkswagen, we were pretty much sold right away. It just felt different, you know? Actually getting out there, with the wind doing its thing, and really seeing the island from a more grounded point of view—that was basically the dream for us. This whole review is, in a way, about whether that dream actually matched up with the real thing.

What’s the Vibe? Riding in a Classic VW Convertible

First things first, let’s talk about the ride itself. So, when they say “classic car,” they really mean it. This isn’t some retro-styled modern machine; it is actually a vintage Volkswagen Type 181, often called the “Thing.” It’s a bit of a quirky, boxy-looking vehicle that was, you know, originally designed for military use, so luxury is not its middle name. You will absolutely feel every bump in the road. The engine, of course, has that classic VW grumble that is sort of loud but in a very charming way. There’s no fancy sound system, just the sounds of Bali passing by, which is frankly way better. Our car was painted a really cheerful yellow and the top was rolled back all day, which was obviously the whole point.

Our driver, a super friendly guy named Wayan, was more or less our personal guide for the day. He clearly knew the island like the back of his hand, sharing little stories about the villages we passed and the traditions he grew up with. Riding in that car created such a different dynamic, you know? People in the villages would literally smile and wave as we chugged past. You just don’t get that when you’re sealed inside a tinted-window tourist bus. You are, in a way, part of the scenery rather than just watching it. We felt completely connected to everything around us—the warm air, the smells of clove cigarettes and incense, the sounds of roosters. It’s a pretty multi-sensory kind of experience, and at the end of the day, that was something we were really looking for.

The Main Event: Pura Lempuyang and the Gates of Heaven

Anyway, the drive up to Pura Lempuyang is pretty much a show in itself. The roads get steeper and windier as you climb higher into the mountains of East Bali. The VW handled it like a champ, you know, just taking its time. Pura Lempuyang is not just one temple but actually a whole collection of them, scattered up the side of Mount Lempuyang. It’s a very sacred place for the Balinese people, one of the island’s most important spiritual locations, so it’s a good idea to show respect. As a matter of fact, you have to wear a sarong to enter, which they provide for a small donation right at the entrance. The air up there is just a little bit cooler and crisper, and the views as you ascend are absolutely incredible. On a clear day, the sight of Mount Agung standing so majestically in the distance is pretty much unforgettable.

The main attraction, of course, is the set of gates at the first and lowest temple, Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang. This is the spot, you know, from all those Instagram photos. When we got there, there was, as we expected, a bit of a line. Apparently, everyone wants that one specific shot looking through the gates towards the volcano. The atmosphere, however, is still pretty amazing. There’s a sort of quiet energy to the place, even with all the people waiting around. You are surrounded by these wonderfully ornate carvings and the ever-present, sweet smell of offerings. Honestly, it’s a sight that’s beautiful on its own, with or without a camera.

A Little Tip for That Famous Photo

Okay, so we have to be honest about the famous reflection picture. It’s a clever little trick. There is not, in fact, a serene lake in front of the Gates of Heaven. What happens is that one of the local guys there has a small mirror that he holds up just under your phone’s camera lens. It’s kind of a genius bit of on-the-spot creativity, and the effect is admittedly pretty cool. He’ll take the photo for you for a small tip. Just know that going in, so you’re not disappointed. In a way, we sort of liked the view without the mirror trick even more. It felt more real, just the ancient stone gates perfectly framing the sky and the great volcano in the distance.

More Than Just a Temple: Tirta Gangga Water Palace

After the spiritual heights of Pura Lempuyang, the next stop was literally a breath of fresh, watery air. Tirta Gangga, which means “Water from the Ganges,” is a former royal water palace, and it’s just incredibly beautiful. You walk in, and you’re greeted by this really stunning layout of pools, fountains, and stone carvings. The whole place is pretty much a garden filled with water. The main attraction is a large pond filled with these hexagon-shaped stepping stones that you can actually walk across. It feels sort of like you’re walking on water, you know?

The water is filled with these massive, brightly colored koi fish that swim right up to you, practically begging for the fish food you can buy at the entrance. Seriously, feeding them was so much fun; they splash around and create this really lively scene. Unlike the solemn quiet of the temple, this place has a more playful, relaxed feeling. We spent a good while just wandering around the gardens, crossing the stone bridges, and admiring the many statues of gods and mythical creatures. It’s a spot that is just as photogenic as the Gates of Heaven but in a completely different, more interactive sort of way. You could really see why the local royals would choose this spot to relax.

A Taste of Local Life: Rice Paddies and a Balinese Lunch

A really special part of this tour was that it wasn’t just about hopping from one major site to another. The spaces in between were just as interesting, to be honest. Cruising through the countryside in the open-air VW meant we saw and smelled rural Bali in a way we just wouldn’t have otherwise. We drove past seemingly endless terraces of rice paddies, painted in every shade of green you can possibly think of. It’s just a little hypnotic watching the farmers at work, their conical hats bobbing in the fields. You could see tiny villages where life seemed to move at a much slower, more peaceful rhythm.

For lunch, Wayan took us to a small, family-run warung, which is basically a local eatery. It had this amazing view over one of the valleys we’d just driven through. The meal itself was simple but so delicious. We had Nasi Campur, which is a bit of a sampler platter—you get a scoop of rice surrounded by small portions of different dishes. For instance, we had some grilled sate skewers, some spiced vegetables, a little bit of chicken, and some crispy fried tempeh. Everything was clearly fresh and packed with flavor. Eating authentic local food while looking out at the green landscape we were exploring was, in some respects, one of the highlights of the entire day.

Is This Bali VW Tour Right for You?

So, at the end of the day, deciding if this tour is for you really comes down to what you are looking for in a Bali experience. It is absolutely not your standard, polished tour. It’s a bit rugged, a bit noisy, and totally open to the elements. For us, that was precisely the appeal. We wanted something that felt more like a real adventure, not just a shuttle service between photo ops. You will definitely end the day with wind-tangled hair, slightly pink from the sun, and maybe just a little dusty.

Honestly, we felt like we didn’t just see East Bali; we actually experienced it with all our senses.

To help you decide, here’s a quick breakdown of who might really click with this kind of day trip. This is just our take, of course.

• People who love photography: Seriously, the unique angles from the open car and the iconic spots make for amazing pictures.
• Adventurous spirits: If you think a bumpy ride and getting a bit of sun is part of the fun, you will pretty much love this.
• Culture seekers: Having a personal driver-guide and seeing the rural areas up close offers a really nice glimpse into local life.
• On the other hand, you might want to skip it if: You really need air conditioning to be comfortable, you have back issues that make bumpy rides a problem, or you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing day of travel.

Read our full review: [2025 Bali Volkswagen Classic Car: The Gates of Heaven Tour Full Review and Details]

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