My Day on the 2025 Bali Ubud & Kintamani Volcano Tour
You know, the morning air in Bali has a special kind of warmth that really gets you going. We were, sort of, feeling really excited for the day we had planned out. Actually, the ‘Ubud & Kintamani Volcano Tour’ is pretty much a standard trip for a lot of people who visit the island for the first time. So, we really wanted to see for ourselves what this all-inclusive day was honestly like and if it lived up to what everyone says. At the end of the day, it’s about seeing as much as you can and making some really good memories, right? We just hoped it would be as good as the pictures we had seen online.
The Day’s Kick-off & A Peek into Balinese Art
Basically, our driver showed up right on time at our hotel, which was obviously a pretty great start to the day. His car was, you know, extremely clean and the air conditioning was working very well, which is frankly a big relief in the Bali heat. He was, kind of, really friendly and welcoming right from the start, explaining some local things as we started to drive. Our first stops were, in a way, at these little villages that are famous for their crafts and talented people. For example, we saw skilled individuals working with silver in a village named Celuk, and it was actually amazing to watch them up close. Honestly, the incredible level of small detail they manage to put into each earring and necklace is just something you have to see for yourself. Then, you know, we went to another spot in Mas village, where they were masters of woodcarving, and the huge statues they could create from a single block of wood were, sort of, completely unbelievable. It’s pretty clear why this area has such a name for art.
Refreshing Falls and Sacred Waters
Next on our list, we were, more or less, heading off to see Tegenungan Waterfall. As a matter of fact, one of the first things you notice is that you can hear the roaring water long before you actually lay eyes on it, which is a really cool little bit of anticipation. It’s a powerful sound that, you know, sort of pulls you forward. Walking down the many steps was, frankly, a bit of an exercise on the legs, but finally seeing the powerful curtain of water up close was totally worth the effort. The fine mist coming from the falls, you know, feels really nice and refreshing on your hot skin. After drying off and getting back to the car, we went to Tirta Empul, which is basically a famous holy water temple. You see, the whole feeling there is just very calm and quiet. Lots of local people come there to do a cleansing ritual for themselves in the sacred spring water, and actually, just watching the ancient ceremonies is a very moving experience. Our guide, sort of, quietly explained the meaning behind the different rituals, which helped us appreciate it all a lot more, you know. It felt very genuine.
Lunch with a Seriously Big View
By this time, we were definitely starting to get a bit hungry, to be honest. So, the long drive up into the mountains to Kintamani was timed just about perfectly for lunchtime. I mean, the air gets noticeably cooler and fresher as you go up higher, which is a really welcome change from the coast. The restaurant for lunch is, you know, positioned very specifically for the amazing view. And honestly, that view is the main reason you are there. You are literally looking right out over the dark caldera of Mount Batur and the huge, shining lake that sits beside it. It’s pretty much one of those moments that looks like a perfect postcard. The lunch itself was a big buffet with a lot of different Indonesian foods to try, so you could sample a little bit of everything and find what you liked. As a matter of fact, just sitting there and eating with that kind of incredible backdrop is something that you don’t forget easily. We probably took way too many pictures.
An Aromatic Stop for Coffee Lovers
Alright, after our big lunch, we made a stop that was all about a different kind of local product: coffee. We were taken to a small, family-run coffee farm, which was, you know, a really interesting and low-key part of the tour. They showed us all the different things they grow, like robusta and arabica coffee beans and all kinds of spices, right there on their property. Of course, the best part is that they let you try a whole bunch of different kinds of teas and flavored coffees for free. It was, kind of, like a tasting menu, but for hot drinks, all lined up in little cups. They also explain the whole strange process of ‘Kopi Luwak’, which is that very famous and expensive coffee. Actually, it’s a very unique story and you can decide for yourself if you want to pay a little extra to try a cup. Anyway, it was a really relaxed and nice-smelling part of the day, a good way to chill after lunch.
The Famous Green Steps of Tegalalang
Okay, so our last big official stop was the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, which you’ve probably seen in, like, a million pictures of Bali. But seriously, seeing them in person is something completely different. The way the rice paddies are carved into the deep sides of the valley is, sort of, a stunning work of natural art that has been around for ages. The color is this really intense, almost glowing green, you know, especially if the sun is out. You can, basically, walk down some paths into the terraces and explore a bit, but you need to be careful. This area is also where you find those now-famous Bali swings. As a matter of fact, paying to go on a swing that sends you out over the green valley is a pretty wild feeling and it definitely makes for some amazing photos. Still, even if you don’t do the swing, just looking at the view is pretty great on its own. It’s just a classic Bali view.
So, What’s the Real Deal?
To be honest, this particular tour packs a whole lot of stuff into one single day. You will definitely feel like you’ve seen a huge part of what makes this specific area of Bali so well-known. From the local art to the amazing nature and the spiritual places, it’s basically a highlights package. It is a very long day, so you really need to be ready for that and get a good night’s sleep. But at the end of the day, having someone else handle all the driving on Bali’s busy roads and the logistics of tickets and timing is a massive plus. You just get to sit back and look out the window.
Honestly, having a private guide who can, you know, answer all your random questions in real-time makes a huge difference. You just learn so much more about the culture that way, instead of just looking at things.
- You really do cover a lot of Bali’s most famous spots in a single, pretty well-organized day.
- The tour is private, so basically, you can ask the driver to spend as much or as little time at each stop as you feel like.
- The lunch with the amazing volcano view is, actually, just as good as it sounds in all the descriptions.
- You should be prepared for a very full day of activity; it is a bit of a marathon, not a quick sprint, you know.
- Having everything included, like entrance fees and the meal, sort of, makes the whole day go very smoothly without any stress.
Read our full review: [2025 Bali Ubud & Kintamani Volcano Tour Review Full Review and Details]
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Ubud & Kintamani Volcano Tour])
