One of the best ways to experience the highlights of Bali is with a private driver who doubles as your guide—and that’s exactly what we got with Ubud Area Tours. We booked a full-day trip that included Taman Ayun Temple, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Ulun Danu Temple, and Leke Leke Waterfall.
From the start, our driver was incredible—he wasn’t just getting us from point A to B, but also sharing the history of each site, stories about Balinese culture, and background on daily life in Bali. By the end of the day, we felt like we’d learned as much as we’d seen.
Booking with Ubud Area Tours
One thing I loved about this company is the flexibility. You can either:
- Choose from their pre-set tour options (like we did), or
- Create a custom half or full-day tour based on your own wish list.
If you already have specific places in mind, you can reach out directly and they’ll build a tailored itinerary—often suggesting additional stops that fit your interests. Some other notable options include the Bali Aga Besakih trip with stops at Besakih Temple and Penglipuran village.
Ubud Area Tours: Our Full-Day Experience
Taman Ayun Temple
Our first stop was Taman Ayun Temple, and it was absolutely stunning. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and it’s still an active place of worship for locals. Walking around, we got such a deeper appreciation of Balinese Hinduism and the history behind these sacred spaces.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Next up were the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, and wow—this was one of the most impressive sights of our entire trip. These terraces are UNESCO-protected, and it’s easy to see why. They stretch on endlessly, framed by mountains, and feel almost otherworldly in their scale and beauty. Compared to other rice terraces we saw in Bali, Jatiluwih was by far the most breathtaking and well-preserved.
The terraces are massive (over 1,400 acres) and are still actively farmed by local communities. There are several walking trails that let you explore different parts of the terraces. You can do anything from a short stroll to a three-hour hike, depending on how much time you want to spend.
Here are the main walking routes you can choose from:
- Tirtha Dharma Batukaru Route: A long trail through a protected forest and sacred temples that ends at Jatiluwih Dam.
- Amerta Kesambi Route: A medium trail passing through settlements, gardens, and ending at a waterfall.
- Tri Mandala Dharma Route: A medium trail passing through three temples and three community halls, offering a religious and cultural experience.
- Bhuwana Tirta Main Route: A trail connecting the UNESCO monument area with Subak Telabah Gede.
- Nakula – Sahadewa Route: A short trail leading to the twin waterfalls.
- Tirta Suranadi Route: A short trail passing through vegetable gardens, the sacred Batu Nikeh, and Suranadi Temple, a place of worship for the Lord.
Along the way, you’ll find small stands selling snacks and drinks, but the main restaurants are located along the road leading into the terraces.
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Our third stop with Ubud Area Tours was Ulun Danu Temple, one of the most iconic sights in Bali. Set right on the edge of Lake Beratan, the temple looks like it’s floating on the water when the levels are high. The architecture is gorgeous, and the setting is truly magical.
That said—be prepared for crowds. This was by far the busiest stop of the day, and while the temple was stunning, it felt much more touristy compared to the serenity of Taman Ayun or Jatiluwih. Inside the complex, you’ll also find restaurants, shops, and even a small zoo.
Leke Leke Waterfall
We ended the day with a stop at Leke Leke Waterfall. To get there, you’ll need to descend about 400 stairs, so it’s not the easiest place to reach. Once you arrive, the waterfall is beautiful and makes for some great photos, but it’s not really a swimming spot and there isn’t much of a sitting area nearby.
On the plus side, it wasn’t crowded when we visited, which made it a peaceful way to end the day.
Related Read: [Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Bali]
Ubud Tour Experience: Final Thoughts
If you want to see some of the most beautiful and culturally significant spots around Ubud, booking a tour with Ubud Area Tours is absolutely worth it. The combination of a knowledgeable guide, flexible itineraries, and the chance to explore Bali’s temples, landscapes, and waterfalls all in one day made this one of our favorite experiences of the trip.
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