Bali’s hot springs with a volcano view set the tone for the day. This private, door-to-door outing strings together the big-name Ubud sights plus a long soak at Batur-facing hot springs. I especially like the Mount Batur lake-and-volcano lunch stop, because it turns a sightseeing day into something that feels like a real break. The main downside to plan for is the schedule: it’s packed, and traffic can squeeze your time at later stops.

You also get the kind of comfort you expect from a true private tour: air-conditioned transport, a guide, mineral water, and pickup and drop-off across south, middle, and east Bali. If you’re not eager to figure out routes, toll roads, or parking, this is a nice way to spend your energy on photos and soaking instead of stress. One more consideration: entrance fees and lunch can involve extra day-of spending, so bring a little cash and don’t assume every single stop is fully included.

Key Things You’ll Appreciate Most

• Toya Devasya hot springs with big views over Lake Batur and the surrounding hills
• Lunch with a Mount Batur backdrop, served as a buffet so you can eat at your pace
• Ubud highlights in one day, including the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegalalang rice terraces
• Bali Swing at the rice terrace area, a fun add-on if you like iconic photo ops
• Tirta Empul and Tegenungan waterfall, two very different scenery hits that make the day feel complete

Hot Springs First: The Batur View That Makes the Day Worth It

This is the tour’s anchor. You start with a hot-springs experience at Toya Devasya Resort & Spa, and the point is exactly what it sounds like: warm water, volcanic scenery, and a viewpoint that feels cinematic without needing any special effort. The area is described as a natural healing hot spring and water park, with panoramic views toward Lake Batur and the Abang Hills. You’ll also get a full hour here, which matters because hot springs are best when you’re not watching the clock like it’s an airport gate.

What I like about putting the springs at the middle of the day plan is that you get a proper reset. You’re surrounded by water, the light is usually pleasant, and you can cool down after some temple-and-terrace walking. Several guides and drivers on similar tours are praised for pacing and making sure you get time to enjoy, not just pass through.

The one thing to keep in mind: 60 minutes can feel short if you’re the type who likes to linger. If you want a longer soak, build that expectation now and don’t be surprised if you end up wishing you had one more round in the water.

Price and What You Actually Get for $18.12

On paper, this is priced at $18.12 per person, which is what makes it tempting for a one-day “greatest hits” tour. But you’ll also want to look at value in layers, because the day can include extra, optional, or variable costs.

Here’s what the package includes:

• Private tour transport with air-conditioning (MPV/mini bus)
• Guide/driver and mineral water
• Pickup and drop-off coverage across south, middle, and east Bali
• Insurance
• Mobile ticket
• Group discounts (if you’re booking as part of a group)

Then there’s what may cost extra:

• Entrance tickets for attractions may be purchased on your travel date (listed around $18 total, depending on how things are handled)
• Lunch is not included as part of the package price; it’s mentioned as an extra expense (about $4 per person at a local restaurant)

So is it a deal? For most people, yes—because the included transport and door-to-door service can easily cost more than the sticker price once you add in a driver’s time and the mental load of self-driving. You’re paying for convenience and for someone else to handle routing and timing.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to pay one price and never think about money again, then the extra entrances and lunch are a small mismatch. If you’re fine with a little day-of budgeting, the overall value makes sense.

Door-to-Door Pickup: Why This Feels Easier Than Self-Driving

The tour explicitly offers pickup and drop-off based on your hotel location. That’s not just comfort. It changes the whole day.

First, Bali traffic is real, and Ubud is not close. A private driver means you’re not doing any map juggling on unfamiliar roads, and you don’t have to worry about where to park at each stop.

Second, it helps with timing. Temples, terraces, and waterfall areas each have their own flow—stairs, crowds, and short time windows. A guide can manage the order and keep you moving when you need to.

One practical detail: your schedule includes travel time in the overall time window (about 10 hours approx.), and the operator warns that you can be affected by real-world conditions. In the real Bali world, sometimes the day runs long. If you’re sensitive to late returns, keep your evening plan flexible.

Ubud in One Long Day: Your Stop-by-Stop Route

This is built to cover major Ubud sights plus a volcano-linked hot springs break and a famous waterfall finale. Expect a lot of changing scenery and a mix of indoor and outdoor time.

Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

You’ll begin at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Ubud. This is one of those places where you’re close enough to feel like you’re in a living environment. The big draw is the monkey habitat experience—tropical foliage, active wildlife, and the chance to watch macaques behaving like macaques (which is to say: fast, curious, and sometimes bold).

Admission is listed as free in the schedule, and there’s usually no special gear needed beyond your common sense.

My advice here: keep your pockets tight and avoid dangling food or loose items. If you go with camera in hand, do it deliberately. Monkeys love a moment that looks like it might turn into a snack.

Stops 2 and 3: Happy Swing Bali and Tegalalang Rice Terraces

From the monkey forest, you head toward the Tegalalang rice terrace area. The day includes:

• Happy Swing Bali at the popular terrace zone (a classic Bali swing-photo setting)
• A stop at Tegalalang itself with a simple trekking route guided by your driver

Even though admission is listed as free, the swing is usually the photo magnet, and the trek is the part where you stretch your legs and enjoy the views. The rice terrace area can involve stairs and uneven ground, so expect some walking, even if it’s not extreme.

One drawback: it’s easy to over-focus on the swing photos and then feel rushed on the terrace. If you want more time for photos and slower wandering, let your guide know early so the day’s pacing reflects what you care about most.

Stop 4: Tampaksiring Village and Farming Views

Next is Tampaksiring, described as a more authentic Bali village area with farming views and photo stops. This part is a breather. You’re not in a temple, you’re not on a big scenic lookout—just absorbing the everyday rural scenery that most people miss when they stay in cafes and resort pools.

It also gives you a chance to take pictures that don’t look like every other Ubud postcard.

Stop 5: Mount Batur Area and Buffet Lunch With a View

Then comes one of the most satisfying parts of the whole tour: lunch with views over Mount Batur and its lake. The meal is listed as Indonesian and Balinese cuisine served as a self-service buffet. Expect familiar items like spring rolls, nasi goreng, mie goreng, and chicken kare.

This is a big deal because it’s not just food. It’s a pause with scenery. After terraces and temples, you get a place where you can sit, eat, and recharge.

Practical note: if you’re the type who eats slowly, tell your guide early. A buffet works best when you’re not forced to wolf it down.

Stop 6: Batur Natural Hot Spring (Fun Volcanic Hot Spring)

After lunch, you move into the water again—this time at a Batur natural hot spring and water park setting. It’s described as facing the best panoramic view of Lake Batur and the Abang Hills. The listing also notes an Olympic-size swimming area, so this isn’t just a soak-and-go.

This stop is typically where the day becomes memorable in a different way: less “I saw it,” more “I felt it.” If you like swimming in warm water with scenery overhead, you’ll understand why the springs get such strong praise.

If you’re bringing essentials: wear swim clothes. You’ll also want sun protection, because even in a relaxing hot-springs setting, Bali sun can catch up with you.

Stop 7: Tirta Empul Temple for Purification Springs

Next up is Tirta Empul Temple, a sacred purification temple in north east Ubud. The description emphasizes the feeling you get at arrival at the gate, plus the temple’s surrounding scenery. Inside, you’ll see the spring water for purification practices.

Even if you don’t plan to participate fully, this is one of the most visually and emotionally engaging stops on the route. It’s also the kind of place where behaving respectfully matters—dress appropriately and follow your guide’s direction.

Pass By: Elephant Cave Temple

Your day includes passing by Elephant Cave Temple in east Ubud, tied to archa or statues linked to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. You won’t necessarily spend time inside here, and on a busy day, that means it’s best treated as a “see it from outside” moment rather than a must-enter site.

Stop 8: Tegenungan Waterfall

Finally, you end at Tegenungan Waterfall, billed as a favorite waterfall in Bali. It sits along the Petanu River in Kemenuh village. This is your big green-view finish—staged for selfies and surrounded by that classic waterfall jungle vibe.

But here’s the realistic part: this stop comes with stairs and a bit of hiking terrain. A solid pair of waterproof shoes is a smart move. One review-style tip that lines up with what you’ll likely experience: bring a towel or plan ahead for what’s available. The hot springs are the place where you might get towels, but the waterfall area is more uncertain.

Traffic and the Timing Reality Check (Your Only Real Risk)

The schedule is designed to fit a lot into a day. On a smooth day, it feels like a smart highlight tour. On a heavy traffic day, you’ll feel the squeeze at the end.

A few patterns show up:

• The day can run longer than the listed estimate.
• Later stops (especially the waterfall) can be shortened if you’re late back on schedule.
• Some stops can be skipped or replaced if timing gets tight.

This is why I’d book this tour with a flexible attitude about exact stop times. If you have a strict dinner reservation or a flight to catch, this is the wrong kind of tour to gamble on.

If you’re traveling as a couple, solo, or as a small family who wants a full day of sights without driving, it’s a strong match. If you’re the type who wants slow, unhurried time at every stop, look for a shorter or more specialized tour.

What to Pack: Swimwear, Shoes, and Photo-Ready Basics

You’ll get a much better day if you pack like this is part hot-springs, part outdoor walking, part temple respect.

Dress code and essentials listed:

• Swimming clothes
• Sunblock
• Money
• Camera
• Sandals
• Spare clothing

My added, practical advice based on common tour realities:

• Bring a towel. The hot-springs portion may provide one, but the waterfall walk and photos can leave you wet and needing something quick.
• Wear grippy footwear for the waterfall area. If there are wet rocks or steep steps, proper shoes beat flip-flops.
• Keep your bag simple at monkey forest and terraces—smaller is easier to manage.
• If you depend on Wi-Fi, don’t assume you’ll have it during the drive. If the car has a hotspot option, ask your driver about it once you’re in transit.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This tour works best for:

• You want door-to-door convenience and don’t want to navigate Bali traffic yourself.
• You like a mix of experiences: monkey forest, rice terraces, temples, hot springs, and a famous waterfall.
• You’re happy with a full-day plan and a bit of walking, plus some time in water.

It’s not ideal if:

• You want deep, slow time at only one or two places.
• You have tight evening plans.
• You get stressed by schedule compression (because this day is packed by design).

One nice thing: it’s described as a private tour, meaning it’s just your group. That tends to make it easier to adjust pace when you’re tired, wet, or just not feeling one of the photo stops.

Should You Book This Ubud Hot Springs and Waterfall Tour?

Book it if your dream Bali day includes warm water, big volcano views, and the top Ubud sights without driving. The hot springs-and-lunch pairing is the strongest reason to choose this, because it turns a busy route into a day with actual downtime.

Skip it or choose a lighter option if you’re the type who needs plenty of time at each stop and hates being rushed. With this many highlights packed into one day, traffic and practical timing can squeeze the later parts of your route.

If you do book: plan your day like it’s an all-day outing, bring swimwear plus a towel and good shoes, and keep a flexible evening schedule. Do that, and you’ll likely end the day with the kind of photos and calm that make the long ride feel worth it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 10 hours (approx.), including time spent traveling from and to your hotel.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered for hotels across south Bali, middle of Bali, and east Bali.

Is this a private tour?

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

Are entrance fees included?

The package mentions entrance tickets as part of an all-inclusive private tour, but it also notes that special private guided purchase ticket entrance for attractions may be needed on the travel date (around $18 total).

What about lunch?

Lunch is an additional personal expense. It’s listed as about $4 per person at a local restaurant.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear swimwear and bring sunblock, money, a camera, sandals, and spare clothing. A towel is also a smart idea since you’ll be at both hot springs and a waterfall.

Which main sights do you visit?

You’ll visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the Tegalalang rice terrace area (including the swing stop), Tampaksiring, the Mount Batur area for lunch, Batur natural hot springs, Tirta Empul Temple, and end at Tegenungan Waterfall (with an Elephant Cave pass-by).

What if I need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.