Bali looks best when you pick the route. This custom private shore excursion lets you match temples, culture, and scenery to your timing, with door-to-door transport from the Benoa cruise port. I love that you are not stuck with a fixed circuit, and you can shape the day around what you actually want to see. One thing to note: entrance fees are not included, so your final budget depends on which stops you choose.

I also like the pacing. You can plan a full day that still feels human, with time per stop and the option to swap in or out key sights. A possible drawback is that popular areas can take longer in real traffic, so your plan should stay a bit flexible, especially if you want a sunset visit.

Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

• 100 percent customizable itinerary built with your private English speaking guide, so your route fits your interests
• Door-to-door round-trip transfers timed for your cruise schedule, starting from the Port of Benoa
• Ubud focus options like Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, the art market, and Ubud Palace
• Temple choices across the island, including Uluwatu at sunset, Tirta Empul, Taman Ayun, and Tanah Lot
• Optional nature breaks such as Tegenungan Waterfall and a Mount Batur buffet lunch with views
• What you get included: bottled water, parking fees, sarong for temple entry, plus pickup and drop-off

Why This Private Bali Shore Day Works from Benoa

If your cruise day in Bali feels short, this kind of shore excursion can be a lifesaver. You start at the Port of Benoa (meeting point by Jalan Dermaga II), and your driver brings you back to the same meeting point. That door-to-door rhythm matters because Bali’s roads can eat time fast, and you do not want to spend your best daylight playing taxi roulette.

The other big reason this works is control. Instead of a one-size-fits-all group day, you choose the sights and build a route that makes sense for your schedule. You might string together Ubud culture in the morning, temple time mid-day, and then add a sunset option if your timing holds. Even the day length is flexible at 6 to 10 hours, so you can go lighter or pack it in.

One of the most praised parts of the experience is how smoothly the day can run. Drivers mentioned in past trips, like Jay, Putra, Gede, Ari, Pit, Kadek, Aron, and Desna, were repeatedly singled out for handling traffic and staying flexible while answering questions. You are paying for the ability to keep moving without losing the plot.

Price and What You Actually Pay for

At $45 per person, the cost is positioned as good value for a private day, especially because you get more than just a seat in a van. You get hotel or port pickup and drop-off, parking fees, bottled water, and an English speaking driver/guide. You also get a sarong for temple entry, which can save you from last-minute purchases.

What you should plan for is the part not included. Entrance fees are listed as not included for the sites where tickets apply, and the same goes for lunch and donations. There is also a performance ticket category that is not included if you decide to add a dance show or similar program. Translation: your total day cost depends on which of the paid-entry stops you pick.

In practice, you can reduce surprises by choosing a mix of free stops and paid ones. For example, Ubud’s art market and Ubud Palace are marked as admission ticket free, while other highlights like Uluwatu, Monkey Forest, and Tegenungan are marked as not included. That gives you an easy way to steer spending without losing the best sights.

How the Custom Itinerary Really Changes Your Day

The tour is built around your choices, not a checklist. That means your day can feel either focused or wide-ranging, based on what you want more of: temples, Ubud culture, rice terraces, waterfalls, or mountain views.

Here is how the schedule tends to play out based on the available stops and their time blocks:

• You start at 9:00 am from the port area, then the driver/guide helps design a route that fits your ship’s framing.
• Each stop has an estimated time, so you can protect your priorities and avoid getting rushed.
• You can choose to visit Uluwatu during sunset, which usually works best if the rest of your day does not run late.

The practical advantage is flexibility. If you want to linger at a temple or you want a shorter stop at a market, your driver can adjust within reason. Past guests praised how guides kept time fair and helped them see exactly what they asked for, instead of forcing a rigid order.

The main consideration is route logic. The tour notes that places should be chosen in one route for feasibility. So you will get the best experience if you group nearby sights together, like Ubud area stops in one stretch, rather than scattering across the island.

Uluwatu at Sunset, Plus Four Temple Stops You Can Mix

Bali’s temples can be the headline of your day, and this excursion gives you multiple options so you are not stuck with just one style of worship or scenery.

Uluwatu Temple (sunset option)

Uluwatu Temple is timed at about 1 hour, and you can choose it for a sunset visit. The payoff here is the setting: a beautiful temple on the edge of a rock overlooking the Indian Ocean. If you are the type who wants one big wow moment, this is the most obvious anchor.

A consideration: sunset adds pressure to timing. If the day runs behind, you may have to make choices elsewhere to keep this option on track.

Puseh Batuan Temple (local ceremony feel)

Puseh Batuan Temple runs about 35 minutes. This one is described as a community temple where locals go for ceremony, with unique Balinese architecture among shrines. If you want temples that feel less tourist-like and more rooted in daily life, this is a strong pick.

Tirta Empul Temple (holy spring and blessings)

Tirta Empul is about 1 hour. It is a holy spring temple, and you can see how Balinese people do a holy blessing before they pray at the main temple. This is a meaningful stop when you want a closer look at ritual and tradition, not just scenery.

Taman Ayun Temple (royal temple of Mengwi)

Taman Ayun Temple is about 35 minutes. It is described as the royal temple of the Mengwi Empire, built in 1634 as a family temple to deified ancestor. If you like temples with a clear historical framing, this fits the bill.

Tanah Lot Temple (ocean temple at low tide)

Tanah Lot Temple is about 1 hour and has one key twist: you can access it only when it is in low tide. It is an ocean temple and is noted as one of Bali’s most important temples, dating to the 11th century.

The practical point is simple. Because access depends on tide, you want your driver to plan around timing so you do not arrive at an awkward moment.

Entering Ubud: Monkey Forest and Rice Terraces You Can Time to Your Comfort

If your ideal Bali day includes Ubud, this excursion is set up for it. You can stack multiple Ubud stops without turning the day into a blur.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Ubud highlight)

This stop is about 1 hour. It is built around walking through the monkey forest to see a natural habitat with more than 700 long tailed macaques. This is one of those sights where the environment is the experience. You get a real feel for the place, not just a photo stop.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace (short trek view)

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is about 45 minutes. The big draw is the view over rice paddies across the hills around Ubud. There is also a short trek, so you get a bit more than looking from one spot.

A small drawback to watch for: if you have a limited walking tolerance, the short trek might still be enough to slow you down. That is where your ability to customize matters.

Ubud Traditional Art Market and Ubud Palace (quick hits)

These are both shorter stops with admission noted as free:

• Ubud Traditional Art Market: about 30 minutes, a traditional market in central Ubud for traditional arts works.
• Ubud Palace: about 15 minutes, described as central and tied to pride of Ubud.

These two are good for shaping the day without heavy time cost. You can use them as breaks between longer sightseeing stops.

Tegenungan Waterfall and Mount Batur Lunch with Big Views

Not every great Bali day is temples all day. This excursion gives you two nature-and-food anchors you can swap in depending on your mood.

Tegenungan Waterfall (green surroundings and a closer walk)

Tegenungan Waterfall is about 35 minutes. You get the waterfall with beautiful green surroundings, plus the option to take a short walk closer or just view from the top hill.

This is a nice counterbalance to temple time. The downside is that if your day is already running tight, you might treat it as a “view and move” stop rather than a long hangout.

Mount Batur with a buffet lunch overlooking lake and mountain

Mount Batur is about 1 hour, and you can have buffet lunch with a view overlooking Mount Batur and the lake. The description specifically calls out the restaurant spot as offering a stunning outlook, with fresh air and surrounding mountains.

Even if you choose only one “big view” stop, this is one of the more satisfying options. It also gives you a chance to sit down and reset before heading back toward Ubud or toward another temple.

Driver Craft, Traffic Skills, and Why English Help Matters

On paper, Bali tours look simple: drive, stop, see the sight. In reality, the road time can be the biggest variable in your day.

The strong theme from highly rated experiences is how well the driver handled traffic and still delivered the itinerary you wanted. You will see names like Gede, Jay, Ari, Pit, Kadek, Aron, and Desna connected to praise for getting through traffic, giving helpful information, and adjusting when plans needed to change.

English speaking matters for more than comfort. It helps you understand what you are looking at, and it makes the customization process smoother. When you are asking to pick the best mix of temples, rice terraces, and markets, having clear communication can turn a good day into a really satisfying one.

Small Details That Make Temple Visits Easier

A handful of practical items can reduce stress during a full-day shore outing.

First, you get a sarong to enter the temple. That matters because many temple visits come with dress expectations, and this inclusion helps you avoid a scramble.

Second, some locations have ticket requirements while others are free. For example, the art market and Ubud Palace are marked as admission ticket free, which makes them low-cost time fillers. In contrast, Uluwatu, Monkey Forest, and other major sights are marked as not included for admissions, so you should be ready with cash or card where applicable.

Third, timing is partly about sunsets and tides. Uluwatu can be done at sunset, and Tanah Lot access is tied to low tide. This is exactly where a good driver earns their keep.

Should You Book This Customized Best of Bali Tour?

I think you should book this if your priorities are:

• You want a private driver who can shape the day around your interests
• You are in Bali for a short window from Benoa and want door-to-door planning
• You want to mix Ubud culture with temple stops and one or two scenic breaks like rice terraces, waterfalls, or Mount Batur lunch

You might skip it if you want everything included at a fixed price. Because entrance fees and lunch are not included, your final cost depends on your choices.

My practical call: if you want control, this is one of the easier ways to get it. And if you choose your stops thoughtfully, you can create a day that feels like it was built for you, not like it was built for the clock.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Port of Benoa, at Jalan Dermaga II, Pedungan, Kuta Selatan, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is approximately 6 to 10 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel/port pickup and drop-off are included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour, and only your group participates.

Can you customize the itinerary?

Yes. It is customized, and you pick and choose the Bali sights you want to include in one route.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the stops are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What is included for temple visits?

Bottled water, parking fees, an English speaking driver/guide, and a sarong for temple entry are included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.