Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour

Tour review · TOUR REVIEWS

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour

5.0 · 35 reviews From $76 Operated by Sindu Bali Driver · Bookable on Viator
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Bali’s waterfalls can steal the show, even on a temple day. This private tour pairs a few different waterfall moods with two of the island’s most important Hindu sites, plus an easy lunch break, all with round-trip pickup from your hotel in Ubud. It’s the kind of day that lets you see more than one side of Bali without feeling rushed.

What I really like is the focus on serious time on-site, especially with the chance to wander around the rain-forest settings before heading back to cultural stops. I also like the small comforts that make temple visits smoother, sarongs provided and free bottled water to keep you steady in the heat.

One consideration: some of the biggest costs come as entrance fees you pay separately, and the day requires moderate physical fitness due to walking around waterfalls and temples.

Key things that make this Bali day tour work

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Key things that make this Bali day tour work

  • Private, flexible day with pickup and drop-off included, so you can move at a pace that suits your group
  • Sarongs provided for temple visits, plus a guide who helps you handle the temple etiquette basics
  • Waterfall to temple mix that avoids the all-temple or all-nature trap, with time built into each stop
  • Sindu’s service style gets praised for clear communication (including WhatsApp), safe driving, and cultural storytelling
  • Entrance fees add up, so plan on paying per person at Temesi, Kehen, Goa Raja, and Besakih

Ubud is the smart launch point for temples and waterfalls

If you’re staying in Ubud, you’re set up for days like this. Ubud makes it easier to do a full stretch of Bali without turning your trip into a constant hotel-hunt. Plus, you get a useful combo: jungle-waterfall time followed by major Hindu temple time, with only one base to return to.

This tour is designed for exactly that rhythm. You’re not just seeing one waterfall and calling it a day. You’re also not doing temples so long that your legs want a refund. The timing is built to let you switch gears, from cool shade and damp air near the falls to bright, open temple areas later.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.

Price and value: why $76 can still be a full-day bargain

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Price and value: why $76 can still be a full-day bargain
The price is $76 per group (up to 4 people) for a 10-hour day. That group pricing matters, because you’re paying for private transportation and a driver/guide, not a big bus experience.

Where you want to be mentally prepared is entrance fees. Those are not included, and they total a meaningful chunk if you do every stop:

  • Temesi Waterfall: IDR 30,000 per person
  • Kehen Temple: IDR 50,000 per person
  • Goa Raja Waterfall: IDR 30,000 per person
  • Besakih Temple: IDR 150,000 per person

So yes, you pay extra on top of the $76. But the way the tour is built means you’re getting a full circuit: multiple waterfall visits plus Besakih, the biggest Hindu temple in Bali, with time at Kehen too. If your goal is maximizing variety in one day from Ubud, this pricing can make sense.

I’d also factor in what’s included that you’d otherwise buy or figure out on your own: free bottled water, sarongs for temples, and round-trip hotel transportation.

A realistic 10-hour game plan (and how not to waste it)

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - A realistic 10-hour game plan (and how not to waste it)
This is a long, full-day itinerary, about 10 hours total. That’s not “quick hits,” and it’s also not a barely-managed tour where you hop off the car for two minutes and sprint to the next photo.

Here’s the flow, in plain terms:

1) Temesi Waterfall to start with rainforest time

2) Kehen Temple for a culture stop on the hillside

3) Ristorante Lereng Agung for a lunch break with valley views

4) Goa Raja Waterfall in a jungle setting, with stairs involved

5) Besakih Temple to finish at Bali’s major temple complex

The day is long enough that you’ll want to treat it like a mini-expedition. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little dusty or damp. Also, hydrate early, not only when you feel thirsty. The tour gives bottled water, but you’ll still feel better if you drink steadily.

Temesi Waterfall: a quieter start before the big temple hour

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Temesi Waterfall: a quieter start before the big temple hour
Temesi Waterfall is presented as a more off-the-path kind of stop, with a “best kept secret” vibe. In practice, that usually means you get time in a more natural setting where the walking feels like part of the experience, not just an obstacle between parking and photos.

You’ll typically spend around 2 hours here. Admission is not included, and you pay on site (IDR 30,000 per person). The setting is rainforest, so expect humidity and slick patches around the viewing areas.

What I’d plan for: comfortable footwear, a light rain layer if clouds move in, and realistic expectations. Waterfalls are beautiful, but they also come with uneven ground. If you’re going to be walking slowly and taking your time, you’ll enjoy Temesi more than if you’re sprinting for the perfect shot.

Kehen Temple: stone steps and everyday Hindu life

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Kehen Temple: stone steps and everyday Hindu life
Kehen Temple is a Hindu temple located at the foot of Bangli Hill, right by the residential part of Bangli Town. That location matters. It’s not isolated like a museum site. It sits in the rhythm of where people actually live.

You’ll have about 1 hour at Kehen. Admission is not included, and it’s IDR 50,000 per person. The tour also includes sarongs, which are important for temple etiquette, especially if you plan to go beyond the entry area.

The value here is how Kehen connects you to Balinese Hindu practice in a setting that feels more local than staged. A good guide helps you understand what you’re looking at, not just where to stand for a picture.

Here's some more things to do in Ubud

Ristorante Lereng Agung: your lunch break with valley views

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Ristorante Lereng Agung: your lunch break with valley views
You get a 1-hour stop at Ristorante Lereng Agung. Lunch itself is not included in the price, but the meal option is described as a buffet, with food that sits in a valley and volcano-foot setting.

This is a useful break in a long day. It gives you a chance to cool down and refuel before the second waterfall and the main temple finish.

What to watch: since lunch is optional and not included, budget extra if you expect a full meal instead of a quick bite. Also, if you’re sensitive to spicy food, it’s worth scanning menus and asking what’s milder.

Goa Raja Waterfall: cool jungle air, plus stairs

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Goa Raja Waterfall: cool jungle air, plus stairs
Goa Raja Waterfall is described as a waterfall hidden in the rainforest, with a cool atmosphere and spectacular scenery. The important practical detail is that there are a few steps down, plus a clear-water feel, and even an infinity-pool style viewing area.

You’ll have about 2 hours here. Admission is not included, and the fee is IDR 30,000 per person.

This stop rewards patience. You’ll want time to get down to viewpoints safely and then take breaks under shade. If you rush, you’ll miss the best angles, and you’ll tire yourself out before Besakih, which is a very “walk-with-your-eyes” kind of temple complex.

Besakih Temple: Bali’s largest temple complex

Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour - Besakih Temple: Bali’s largest temple complex
Besakih Temple is the biggest Hindu temple in Bali, and it also gets praised for the views from the temple area. Your time here is about 2 hours, and the admission fee is IDR 150,000 per person, not included in the tour price.

This is a major finish. After waterfalls and lunch, Besakih can feel like you’re switching from nature tempo to spiritual-city tempo. You’ll likely spend much of your time observing details, moving between areas, and looking out at the wider panorama the temple grounds allow.

Two practical notes:

  • Dress with respect. The provided sarong helps, but also think about your shoulders and knees.
  • Be ready for walking on temple grounds. It’s not a hard hike, but it’s not flat, either.

What Sindu’s style adds to the day

This is a private tour with a driver/guide, and the guide name that comes up again and again is Sindu Bali Driver. One of the strongest themes in the feedback is communication and organization. People describe him as friendly and polite, and they note he is comfortable with languages beyond English, including Spanish. There are also mentions of WhatsApp communication, which is handy if you want quick updates on timing or pickup.

Another praised point is safety and driving comfort, including smart route choices to avoid traffic jams when possible. That sounds boring until you experience Bali traffic once. A smoother driving day means you arrive fresher for the waterfall parts and don’t feel like you got robbed by stop-and-go road time.

Finally, there’s a recurring theme of cultural storytelling. Guests mention explanations about Hindu life and local customs, and even details related to rice farming. That kind of context can turn temple viewing from “pretty buildings” into “I actually get what I’m seeing.”

If you care about photos, some people also highlight that Sindu helped with photo timing and photography. Even if you’re not a serious photographer, that’s still useful, because it often translates into better pacing and fewer awkward moments where you’re waiting for the light.

Practical tips so your day runs smoothly

This day has a few consistent needs, and if you prepare for them, it feels easier.

Bring comfy footwear

Waterfall areas can be damp. Temesi and Goa Raja both fit the “rainforest walking” pattern, and Goa Raja includes steps down.

Use the bottled water early

Water is included, which is great, but you’ll still benefit from sipping on a schedule rather than waiting until you feel drained.

Respect temple dress rules

Sarongs are provided for temple visits, so you don’t need to hunt for one. Still, wear clothes that feel respectful and breathable.

Keep moderate fitness in mind

The tour notes a moderate physical fitness level is recommended. If you’re expecting a flat, sit-and-see day, this may feel like too much. If you can handle uneven ground and a few steps, you’ll be fine.

Plan for good weather

The experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the tour may be moved or refunded. Bali changes fast, so don’t assume rain is just a minor inconvenience.

Who this tour is for

This fits best if you want a full Ubud-based day that balances nature and culture.

It’s a great choice if:

  • you want private attention and a flexible feel
  • you like waterfalls but don’t want the day to end there
  • you want Besakih without wrestling DIY logistics
  • you prefer a driver who can manage routing and timing

It might not be ideal if:

  • you dislike paying separate entrance fees
  • you want a totally low-walking day
  • you’re traveling with very limited mobility, since waterfall steps and temple grounds require some movement

Should you book this Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour?

If your goal is one efficient Ubud day that mixes waterfalls plus Besakih and Kehen, I think booking is a smart move. The price makes sense because it’s private transport for up to four people, and you get useful extras like sarongs and bottled water. Also, the guide’s reputation for clear communication and thoughtful cultural explanations is exactly what makes a temple day feel worth it, not just scenic.

My final check before you book: add up the entrance fees you’ll pay per person, and be honest about your comfort level with walking in damp rainforest areas and climbing temple ground. If you’re good with that, this tour is a strong value way to experience Bali beyond one viewpoint.

FAQ

How much is the Bali Waterfalls and Temples Tour?

It’s $76.00 per group (up to 4). The tour is private, so only your group participates.

What is the tour length?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is round-trip hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from your hotel is included.

Do I need to bring a sarong for temple visits?

No. Sarongs are provided for wearing in temples.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Free bottled water is included.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entrance fees are not included. You’ll pay on site for each stop:

Temesi Waterfall (IDR 30,000), Kehen Temple (IDR 50,000), Goa Raja Waterfall (IDR 30,000), and Besakih Temple (IDR 150,000), per person.

Is lunch included?

Lunch isn’t included. There is a lunch stop at Ristorante Lereng Agung where a buffet lunch option is available.

What physical fitness level do I need?

The tour recommends a moderate physical fitness level.

When does the tour operate?

It lists operating hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Sunday.

What happens if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance; canceling less than 24 hours before the start time is not refunded.