Exploring Bali with a private driver is a convenient way to discover beautiful temples, scenic viewpoints, traditional coffee plantations, and cultural experiences at your own pace. During this private tour, I had the pleasure of driving two guests from England from their hotel in Ubud to several interesting destinations around central and northern Bali.
Our journey began at Plataran Ubud Hotel at 10:30 AM and finished at approximately 3:00 PM. Although this was a relatively short trip, we managed to visit Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, enjoy the view of Mount Batur, experience a palm reading session, taste different coffees and teas at Dewata Coffee Plantation, and see Tegalalang Rice Terrace along the way back to Ubud.
As the driver for Bali Tour Drivers, I helped the guests travel between these destinations comfortably while following their interests and preferred schedule.
This trip is a good example of how a Ubud to Gunung Batur private tour can combine cultural attractions, scenic stops, and unique local experiences in one personalised journey.
Starting Our Private Bali Tour from Plataran Ubud Hotel
Our journey started at 10:30 AM when I picked up the two guests from Plataran Ubud Hotel.
The guests were visiting Bali from England and wanted to explore several attractions outside Ubud without spending the entire day travelling. A private car with a local driver made it easier to organise the stops according to their interests.
Unlike a large group tour, a private tour allows travellers to enjoy a more personal experience. The itinerary can be arranged around the places they want to visit, the amount of time they have available, and their preferred activities.
After meeting the guests at the hotel, we departed directly for our first destination, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple.
Why Choose a Private Driver from Ubud?
Hiring a private driver in Ubud is a practical option for travellers who want to visit several attractions in one day.
With Bali Tour Drivers, guests can arrange a private journey based on their accommodation, preferred destinations, and available time. This is especially useful for couples, families, and international visitors who prefer a flexible itinerary rather than following a fixed group schedule.
A private driver also helps guests move between destinations without needing to organise separate transport for every stop.
For this trip, our first destination was approximately 45 minutes from the hotel, and we arrived at Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple at around 11:15 AM.
Visiting Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple
Our first stop was Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, one of the cultural attractions in the Tegallalang area of Bali.
We arrived at approximately 11:15 AM and spent around 25 minutes at the temple before continuing our journey at 11:40 AM.
Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple is known for its water features, peaceful surroundings, traditional Balinese architecture, and spiritual atmosphere. The temple complex provides visitors with an opportunity to appreciate aspects of Balinese Hindu culture and traditional religious practices.
Compared with some of Bali’s busier attractions, the temple can offer a quieter setting for visitors interested in cultural experiences.
What Can Visitors Experience at Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple?
Visitors can explore the temple grounds, observe traditional architectural details, and appreciate the relationship between water and Balinese spiritual traditions.
The surroundings also provide opportunities for photography, particularly for travellers who enjoy documenting cultural places during their holidays.
When visiting a Balinese temple, guests should dress respectfully and follow local rules. Some areas may have specific access requirements, and visitors should respect worshippers and religious ceremonies.
Because our schedule was relatively short, we enjoyed a brief visit before continuing to the next destination.
For travellers staying in Ubud, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple can be a worthwhile addition to a private sightseeing itinerary, especially when combined with other attractions in the Tegallalang and Kintamani areas.
Enjoying the Mount Batur Viewpoint
After leaving Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple at 11:40 AM, we continued towards the Mount Batur viewpoint.
Mount Batur is one of Bali’s well-known volcanic landscapes. Located in the Kintamani area, the mountain and its surrounding scenery attract visitors who want to enjoy views of Bali’s natural environment.
For this tour, the guests wanted to stop at a viewpoint to take photographs and videos of the landscape.
A Scenic Stop for Photos and Videos
The Mount Batur viewpoint was an opportunity for the guests to capture memories of their Bali holiday.
Scenic stops can be an important part of a private tour because travellers can enjoy the landscape without needing to participate in a physically demanding activity.
Not every visitor wants to climb Mount Batur for sunrise. Some travellers prefer to appreciate the mountain from a viewpoint, making it possible to include the scenery in a shorter sightseeing itinerary.
For guests with limited time in Bali, a viewpoint stop can be a practical alternative to a full mountain trekking experience.
Weather and visibility can affect the view, so the scenery may look different depending on the conditions on the day of the visit.
After enjoying the viewpoint and taking photographs and videos, we continued with the next activity on our itinerary.
A Unique Palm Reading Experience in Bali
At approximately 1:00 PM, we visited a place offering palm reading.
This stop was particularly interesting because the female guest wanted to have her palm read, while the male guest chose not to participate.
Palm reading is a traditional practice in which a reader interprets the lines and features of a person’s hand. People may experience it as a cultural curiosity, a form of entertainment, or an opportunity for personal reflection.
An Optional Activity for Curious Travellers
One of the advantages of a private tour is that different guests can have different interests.
During this journey, the female guest was interested in trying palm reading, while her travel companion was not. The itinerary allowed us to include the activity without requiring both guests to participate.
This is an example of how a personalised Bali tour can accommodate individual preferences.
Travellers should remember that palm reading is a traditional interpretive practice rather than a scientifically established way to predict the future. Visitors can approach the experience with curiosity while making their own decisions about its meaning.
For international travellers looking for something different from the usual sightseeing attractions, an optional activity like this can add variety to a day in Bali.
After the palm reading experience, we continued our journey to Dewata Coffee Plantation.
Discovering Coffee and Tea at Dewata Coffee Plantation
Our next destination was Dewata Coffee Plantation, where the guests had an opportunity to try different types of coffee and tea.
Coffee plantations are popular stops on many Bali sightseeing routes because they introduce visitors to local agricultural products and the island’s coffee culture.
For travellers from overseas, tasting different varieties can be an enjoyable way to discover flavours that they might not usually encounter at home.
Tasting Different Coffee and Tea Varieties
At Dewata Coffee Plantation, the guests sampled a selection of coffees and teas.
Tasting sessions allow visitors to compare different flavours, aromas, and styles of preparation. They can also be an opportunity to learn about the products available at the plantation.
Bali has a long-established coffee culture, and the island’s agricultural landscape includes areas where coffee is grown alongside other crops.
Visitors interested in coffee may enjoy learning about how coffee beans are processed and prepared, depending on the information and activities offered at the plantation.
The experience can also be a pleasant break between sightseeing stops.
For guests who enjoy trying local products, adding a coffee plantation to a private tour can provide a different experience from visiting temples and viewpoints.
After sampling the coffee and tea, we prepared to continue our journey back towards Ubud.
Passing Tegalalang Rice Terrace on the Way Back
On our return journey, we passed Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of the best-known rice terrace landscapes near Ubud.
The area is famous for its layered rice fields and green countryside, which attract visitors interested in Bali’s agricultural scenery.
Tegalalang is often included in Ubud sightseeing itineraries because of its accessibility and distinctive landscape.
Seeing Tegalalang Rice Terrace from the Car
During this particular tour, the guests chose to take photographs of the rice terrace from the car without making a separate stop.
We therefore continued our journey rather than entering the attraction or spending additional time exploring the rice fields on foot.
This detail is important for travellers planning a similar itinerary: seeing Tegalalang Rice Terrace from the road is different from purchasing admission or walking through the designated visitor areas.
Guests who want to explore the rice terraces more closely should allow extra time in their schedule. Depending on their interests, they may want to walk around the viewpoints, take photographs, or learn more about the local agricultural landscape.
For our guests, a brief view from the car was sufficient because they wanted to return to their hotel at a reasonable time.
After passing Tegalalang, we continued directly to Plataran Ubud Hotel.
Returning to Plataran Ubud Hotel
We arrived back at Plataran Ubud Hotel at approximately 3:00 PM, completing the private tour.
From the 10:30 AM pickup to the 3:00 PM return, the trip lasted approximately four and a half hours.
During this time, the guests experienced several different aspects of Bali, including a traditional temple, a volcanic viewpoint, palm reading, coffee and tea tasting, and views of the countryside around Tegalalang.
The itinerary worked well as a shorter private sightseeing trip because it combined different activities without requiring the guests to spend the entire day away from their hotel.
As the driver, my role was to take the guests between the destinations and help the journey run according to the planned schedule.
Every traveller has different priorities. Some prefer waterfalls and outdoor adventures, while others enjoy cultural attractions, scenic views, local products, and unique experiences.
A flexible private tour makes it easier to build a day around those preferences.
Suggested Itinerary for This Ubud Private Tour
Travellers interested in a similar experience can use the following schedule as a reference.
10:30 AM – Hotel pickup
Meet your private driver at Plataran Ubud Hotel and begin the journey.
11:15 AM – Arrive at Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple
Explore the temple grounds and enjoy the cultural atmosphere.
11:40 AM – Depart for the Mount Batur viewpoint
Continue towards the Kintamani area for scenic views and photographs.
Around 1:00 PM – Palm reading experience
Enjoy an optional palm reading session according to your personal interests.
After palm reading – Dewata Coffee Plantation
Sample different coffees and teas and discover local plantation products.
On the return journey – Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Enjoy views of the rice terraces from the car. A separate stop can be added if time and the itinerary allow.
3:00 PM – Return to Plataran Ubud Hotel
Complete the private tour and return to your accommodation.
Please note that this schedule describes our actual trip. Travel times, attraction access, weather, traffic, and the time spent at each destination can vary. Anyone planning the same route should confirm the itinerary with their driver before departure.
Why Book a Private Bali Tour with Bali Tour Drivers?
At Bali Tour Drivers, we help travellers explore Bali through private transportation and personalised sightseeing arrangements.
Whether you are travelling as a couple, with family, or with friends, a private driver can make it easier to visit multiple attractions without organising separate transport for each destination.
Flexible Sightseeing
Choose attractions based on your interests, available time, and accommodation location. You can discuss your preferred itinerary before the trip.
H3: Convenient Hotel Pickup and Drop-Off
Arrange pickup from your hotel in Ubud or another agreed location, followed by drop-off at your accommodation or another destination included in your booking.
A Personal Travel Experience
A private itinerary gives you more flexibility to enjoy cultural attractions, scenic viewpoints, coffee plantations, and other experiences that interest you.
Tours for International Travellers
Bali Tour Drivers welcomes visitors from different countries who want to discover Bali with private transportation and a personalised itinerary.
The best route depends on where you are staying, how much time you have, and which attractions you want to prioritise.
For a short tour, it is worth selecting a manageable number of destinations rather than trying to visit too many places in one day.
Plan Your Private Tour from Ubud
If you are staying in Ubud and want to explore attractions beyond the town centre, a private tour can be a convenient option.
You can discuss a route that includes cultural attractions, Mount Batur viewpoints, coffee plantations, rice terraces, or other places you would like to visit.
The itinerary can be adjusted according to your interests, travel schedule, and preferred pace. Attraction admission fees and optional activities should be confirmed before booking so that you know exactly what is included.
Whether you prefer a short sightseeing trip or a full-day excursion, planning the route in advance can help you make better use of your time in Bali.
Book Your Bali Private Driver
Ready to explore Bali with a private driver?
Contact Bali Tour Drivers to discuss your preferred destinations, hotel pickup, and travel plans.
We can help you arrange a private sightseeing itinerary based on your interests, whether you want to explore temples, enjoy mountain views, visit coffee plantations, or discover the beautiful countryside around Ubud.
Book your private Bali tour with Bali Tour Drivers and explore the island at your own pace.