A ghost palace hunt with lake views sounds unreal. This private Bali day trip strings together a temple on water, two waterfall breaks, and the biggest abandoned hotel in Bedugul, with photo stops built in.

I love that it runs with round-trip transfers and an included lunch, so you are not wasting time figuring out transport or meals. Another thing I like is the whole plan is structured around “look, walk a bit, shoot photos, repeat,” which makes the day feel busy in a good way.

The one drawback to plan for is the long day, about 10 hours, plus some walking at the waterfalls, so comfortable shoes matter.

Key things to know before you go

• Private driver and guide time means you move as a group, not with strangers from one side of Bali to the other.
• Bedugul’s abandoned hotel stop is the main event, including a full hour at the site.
• Photo-heavy timing is built into every break, including swings and lookout spots at Wanagiri Hidden Hills.
• Lunch plus bottled water are included, which keeps the day smoother.
• Some walking is part of it at Banyumala, so moderate fitness helps.

A private ghost day trip from Ubud with a photo-heavy route

This is a long, all-day outing that uses Ubud as the base. You start at 8:00 am and plan for roughly 10 hours, which is ideal if you want one big day instead of spreading the same sights across multiple trips.

The best part of the format is that the day is designed for both story and visuals. You get the spiritual Bali setting for ghost lore, but you also get the kind of stops where you can actually get photos that look good on your phone without racing the clock.

You are also not dealing with the usual group-tour friction. Since it is private, you can keep your pace and timing more realistic, especially if you want extra minutes for photos or a slower walk at the waterfall.

Bedugul’s ghost palace: the abandoned hotel stop that drives the whole tour

The star is the abandoned Bedugul Hotel, widely known locally as a ghost palace. It was built around the 1990s to become the biggest hotel in the area, and now it sits as a major curiosity point for anyone drawn to eerie stories and urban legends.

You spend about 1 hour here, and the admission ticket is free. That hour matters. Too-short ruin stops can feel rushed, but a full hour gives you time to walk around carefully, take photos, and absorb the mood before you head back to brighter, more nature-forward scenery.

Practical note: abandoned sites can be dusty, uneven, and visually confusing in the shadows. Keep your footing, watch where you step, and follow the lead of your guide for what is worth seeing. If you are the type who loves atmosphere, you will like this stop. If you hate eerie places, you might find the theme stressful rather than fun.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: your scenic start on Lake Beratan

You begin with Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, a temple on the lake of Beratan. It is described as floating on the water, and you get hills in the background that give you that classic Bali postcard look.

You get about 1 hour and the admission ticket is included. This stop is a great warm-up because it shifts the mood from travel day to “okay, we are in the real Bali now.” It also sets the tone for the ghost theme. Starting your day at a spiritually important place makes the later abandoned-hotel stop feel more connected.

If you like photos, this is an easy win. The water setting tends to add depth to your pictures, and the view style is very different from the ruins later in the day. Go at a relaxed pace, and use the first part of the day to get lighting and compositions working before you hit the more action-based stops.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: swimming chances and the reality of some walking

Next up is Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, listed as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. This is the kind of stop where you can do two things at once: take pictures and cool off, since it is described as a good place for swimming.

You spend 1 hour here, admission included. The tour also notes some walking is required. That is the main consideration. The waterfall is worth it, but it is not a sit-and-stare viewpoint only, so plan on a bit of footwork to reach the best views.

What I’d recommend: bring footwear that works on wet surfaces, and pack a simple swim setup if you want to take advantage of the swimming option. If you are not into water activities, you can still have a great time just focusing on the viewpoint and photos, as long as you accept the walk as part of the deal.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills: Instagram swing stops over Buyan Lake

After the waterfall, you head to Wanagiri Hidden Hills, another one of those “stop and shoot” locations. This is where the tour really leans into photo moments, with specific options like a swing and a bird nest setup.

You get about 1 hour and the admission ticket is included. The headline view is the panorama of Buyan Lake, and the hill layout gives you more “angle variety” than a standard viewpoint. In practice, this means you can do multiple photo attempts without the background looking the same.

If you are traveling with someone who loves portraits, this is a very workable stop. If you are traveling with someone who wants less posing, you can still enjoy it as a lookout and take photos at your pace. Just remember it is a photo-focused break, so plan your energy for that.

Price and logistics: what $61.54 gets you (and why it can be good value)

The price is $61.54 per person, and the tour runs about 10 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off. That is important context, because the sightseeing is spread out: lake temple, abandoned hotel, waterfall, then hill viewpoints. Without included transport, you would likely spend more time and money just getting between stops.

What is included helps your day run smoothly:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned minivan
• Lunch
• Bottled water
• All taxes, fees, and handling charges
• Private tour
• Mobile ticket

What is not included: alcoholic drinks.

For value, I like that lunch is handled for you. When a day is long, finding a decent meal can turn into wasted time. With lunch included, you can keep moving and not stress about where to eat between scenic breaks.

Also, the tour requires a minimum of 02 people per booking, so check whether solo plans fit your schedule. If you are traveling as a couple or small group, the private setup is much easier to justify.

Guides that make the day: friendly English support and smart pacing

The experience is private, so the guide affects everything from timing to photo setup. The feedback around the guides is very consistent: the people leading these days tend to be friendly, and the English is described as good, which matters when you want clarity about what you are seeing and where to stand for photos.

I’m especially impressed by the way different guides were highlighted by name. For example, Radi is described as friendly and good with English. Dekwi is mentioned as a driver/tour guide who helped make the trip enjoyable, and Benik is praised as funny and nice, with cool photo help.

Even without hearing specific ghost stories in detail, a good guide helps you:

• keep the day on track across multiple locations
• know which areas are worth your time
• get better photos because you are not guessing angles

When the route is packed, that kind of practical support becomes the difference between a day that feels chaotic and a day that feels planned.

What a 10-hour schedule feels like in real life

A day that starts at 8:00 am and runs about 10 hours is not a casual stroll. It is a full-drive, multiple-stop loop.

Here is how to think about it so you can enjoy it:

• Morning is for the calm and scenic start at the temple.
• Midday shifts to the abandoned-hotel stop, the theme anchor.
• Early afternoon brings the waterfall, where movement and walking can show up.
• Late in the day you cap with hill viewpoints and photo setups.

If you have moderate physical fitness, you should be fine. If you get tired easily with walking, focus on comfort shoes and keep expectations realistic about how much time you will want outside your seat on a minivan.

Also, consider the theme mood. If you like spooky stories but still enjoy nature and viewpoints, this balance is likely perfect. If you only want one thing, like pure nature, the ghost palace stop could feel like a detour.

Who this tour suits best, and who should skip

This is a great fit if you want a “big day” that covers spiritual Bali sights, a horror-style curiosity stop, and two different photo-friendly nature locations. If you care about pictures and you enjoy guided structure, you will like how the itinerary is arranged.

It can also be a solid choice if you are traveling as a couple. Private tours tend to feel less stressful, and the feedback specifically mentions the value of having your own driver and guide for two people.

You might want to skip if:

• you hate any theme based on ghost stories or abandoned places
• you do not like walking, even if it is only described as some walking at the waterfall
• you need a short, low-effort day rather than a 10-hour route

Should you book the Bali ghost tour to Bedugul?

Book it if you want one well-paced day that mixes atmosphere and scenery. The combination of Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, the abandoned Bedugul Hotel, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills gives you variety that would be annoying to assemble on your own.

Skip it if you prefer a slower itinerary or if the theme of an abandoned hotel does not sound fun. This tour is clearly built around the idea that you want multiple stops, multiple photo moments, and a guided day you can trust to stay organized.

If you do book, wear comfortable shoes for the waterfall part, and plan your phone battery and camera time for Wanagiri, because the swing and bird nest setup is exactly the kind of thing you will want to get right.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Bali?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the Bali ghost tour?

It runs for about 10 hours (approx.).

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with transport by air-conditioned minivan.

What stops are included in the itinerary?

The tour includes Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, the abandoned Bedugul Hotel, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills.

Is lunch included, and is it different from the waterfall and temple stops?

Lunch is included, and bottled water is also provided. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is there any walking involved?

Yes. The Banyumala Twin Waterfalls stop notes that there will be some amount of walking to reach the best views, and the tour calls for moderate physical fitness.