REVIEW · 3-DAY EXPERIENCES
Explore Bali in 3 Days – Custom Itinerary – Private Tour
Three days in Bali, with the East in focus. You get a private itinerary that strings together Ubud highlights and the big sights of East Bali, including the Sacred Monkey Forest area. I like that you get culture, coffee tasting, and classic photo stops without wrestling maps or timing. One thing to plan for: a few key entrance fees are listed as extra, so budget for them.
This is built around an 8:00 am start, with hotel pickup and return transfers, plus an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water. The driver experience matters here, and the name Gusti shows up in feedback for safe driving and practical suggestions that keep your day moving.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This 3-Day Bali Tour Work
- How This Tour Saves You From Bali Planning Headaches
- Day 1: Ubud Culture, Rice Terraces, Waterfalls, and Local Temples
- Sahadewa Barong Dance and Fire Dance
- Teba Sari Bali Agrotourism and Traditional Luwak Coffee
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Puseh Batuan Temple
- Day 2: Garden Temples, Bedugul Lake Vibes, and Tanah Lot Timing
- Taman Ayun Temple
- Lake Beratan (Bedugul)
- Handara Iconic Gate
- Wanagiri Hidden Hills
- Tanah Lot Temple
- Day 3: Lempuyang Temple, Water Palaces, and Virgin Beach Views
- Pura Lempuyang
- Tirta Gangga Water Palace
- Ujung Water Palace
- Virgin Beach (Perasi Beach)
- Driver, Comfort, and the Rhythm of a Full Day
- Price and What It Really Means for Value
- What to Wear and Bring for Temples, Water, and Rice Views
- Who This Private East Bali Tour Is Best For
- Should You Book This 3-Day Bali Private Tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- Where does the tour take place?
- How long is the tour?
- Is hotel pickup and return transportation included?
- Is this a private tour?
- Are admission tickets included?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
- Can I cancel and get a refund?
Key Things That Make This 3-Day Bali Tour Work

- Ubud plus East Bali in one smooth route, so you are not doing the same countryside twice
- A private car with an English-speaking driver, which helps a lot on temple days and photo-stop days
- Temple time and water time, with Pura Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, and Ujung Water Palace spaced out across the trip
- Coffee and culture early, including a traditional Luwak coffee stop and a Barong and fire dance show
- A classic coastal finish, ending with Virgin Beach, also known as Perasi Beach
Not decided yet? These Ubud trips held up when we went through them.
How This Tour Saves You From Bali Planning Headaches

Bali is stunning, and also… busy. The value of this tour is that it packages a lot of ground without you doing the logistics part. You get round-trip pickup, an air-conditioned ride, and an English-speaking driver who can keep the day organized.
The itinerary also has a smart mix. You are not only chasing temples or only chasing views. You get a performance, a hands-on-style coffee stop, major Ubud photo icons, then the East Bali “bigger sights” like Pura Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga. By the end, you still get a beach, not just more temples.
The main tradeoff is that you will be on the move. It is a full 3 days, and most stops are built for a short visit, photo time, and quick temple or sightseeing moments.
Day 1: Ubud Culture, Rice Terraces, Waterfalls, and Local Temples

Day 1 is the “Ubud energy” day, with a mix of Balinese performance, animals, countryside views, and waterfalls.
Sahadewa Barong Dance and Fire Dance
You start with Sahadewa Barong Dance & Fire Dance. Expect powerful choreography and chanting, and it is a 1-hour stop. Admission tickets are not included, so you will want to bring or budget for entry.
This show is a good warm-up because it sets the cultural rhythm of the island. Even if you do not follow every story beat, the movement, rhythm, and intensity are the point.
Teba Sari Bali Agrotourism and Traditional Luwak Coffee
Next is Teba Sari Bali Agrotourism. You are taken through the plantation and learn how Luwak coffee is made traditionally, in about 30 minutes. Admission is not included.
I like this kind of stop because it connects food to place. You are not just buying a souvenir drink, you get a quick explanation of how coffee is handled before it lands in your cup. If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys agriculture and “how things work,” this fits you well.
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Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Then comes Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, about 1 hour. Carved artwork, sculptures, and a temple are part of the experience, with monkeys around you as you explore.
Bring your common sense here: keep your items secure and do not act like a snack buffet. The real reason I include this stop is that it feels alive in a way many temple sites do not. You get carvings, temple atmosphere, and the chaotic charm of the monkeys in the same place.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
After that, you hit Tegalalang Rice Terrace, also about 1 hour. It is famous, yes, and it is exactly the kind of place where your camera will do most of the work. The rice fields are the star, and you will see why it has become an Instagram staple.
Entrance costs for this stop are listed separately, so plan for that extra budget. If you are going for photos, aim to arrive ready to walk a bit along the viewpoints.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is next, around 1 hour. It is known for a white cascade dropping over dark stone cliffs into a quieter pool. The height is about 20 meters (66 feet), which gives you real wow factor.
This is also the kind of stop where you might want quick shoes and a little patience. Waterfalls can mean slippery ground, and the best angles are usually a short walk from where you first park.
Puseh Batuan Temple
You finish Day 1 at Puseh Batuan Temple, about 30 minutes. It is a local Balinese Hindu temple looked after by residents of Batuan countryside, with Balinese ornaments and a roof temple building. Admission is listed as not included.
This last temple stop is a nice change of pace. After a long day of crowds and viewpoints, you get something that feels more local and less “big-ticket tourist gate.”
Day 2: Garden Temples, Bedugul Lake Vibes, and Tanah Lot Timing
Day 2 expands your range beyond Ubud, moving toward Bedugul and the southwest coast.
Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple starts the day, about 1 hour. It sits in a park-like setting with trees and ponds. It translates to beautiful garden, and that description matches the feel.
I like this kind of temple because it is not only about architecture. It is about walking in a calmer green space while you take in offerings and details.
Lake Beratan (Bedugul)
Then you go to Lake Beratan, Bedugul, about 1 hour. This is one of Bali’s well-known Bedugul-area attractions. If you like cooler air and open-water views, you will probably enjoy this shift from Ubud’s more dense feel.
Even if you only spend about an hour here, it breaks up the day nicely and gives you a chance to reset between temple hours and photo stops.
Handara Iconic Gate
Next is Handara Iconic Gate, about 1 hour. This is inside the Handara Golf and Resort area. It is known for camera-friendly angles, so expect the kind of stop where you will want to take your time getting the best shot.
Admission is not included in the provided notes, so again, keep an eye on what is already covered versus what you pay on arrival.
Wanagiri Hidden Hills
You also stop at Wanagiri Hidden Hills, about 1 hour. The focus here is selfie-friendly viewpoints and new photo angles. It is the “walk, frame, shoot” portion of the day.
If you prefer quiet sightseeing over photo marathons, you can still enjoy Wanagiri by treating it as a viewpoint break rather than a checklist stop.
Tanah Lot Temple
Finally, Tanah Lot Temple, about 1 hour. It is one of Bali’s major landmarks, famous for its offshore setting and dramatic sunset backdrops. The temple is on a rock outcrop as waves crash around it.
This is the big “coast meets temple” finale for Day 2. It also helps that Tanah Lot is one of those places where your timing matters. If you can, plan to spend a few extra minutes soaking in the scene as the light changes.
Day 3: Lempuyang Temple, Water Palaces, and Virgin Beach Views

Day 3 is the East Bali highlight day, mixing a major temple, two water-palace style sites, and then a beach finish.
Pura Lempuyang
Lempuyang Temple, also referred to as Pura Lempuyang Luhur Karangasem, is first. It is one of the Sad Kahyangan Temples and holds the eastern position of Bali. You get about 1 hour here.
This temple is a strong choice because it feels different from the “Ubud crowd circuit.” It is built around worship and sacred atmosphere first, and the big views are a bonus. If you are sensitive to crowds, go at a steady pace and use your hour wisely.
Entrance for Lempuyang is listed as extra, so budget for it.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
Then it is Tirta Gangga, about 1 hour. This water palace is known for its beautiful scenery and views, in East Bali. It is a calmer, more scenic stop compared to temple-your-way-through locations.
I like water palaces because they mix human design with nature and light. Even a quick visit can feel like a break from the drive.
Ujung Water Palace
Next is Ujung Water Palace (also called Taman Ujung Karangasem), about 1 hour. It was built during the Dutch era, and it is called a water palace because water plays an important role. The description notes that water is important to life, connecting the site to how people view water and nature.
This stop is valuable if you enjoy historical architecture and water features more than you enjoy marketplaces or nightlife. It feels like sightseeing with a slower rhythm.
Virgin Beach (Perasi Beach)
Finally, you end at Virgin Beach, also known as Perasi Beach. It is in Karangasem, with white sand. The description points out that you drive down from uphill to reach it.
This is a great closing move because beach time helps your brain stop analyzing schedules. If the day is sunny, you will get strong views right away.
Driver, Comfort, and the Rhythm of a Full Day
You are in a private car with an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Bali. Stops can take longer than you think, and heat can hit hard.
The tour includes an English-speaking driver and bottled water, and the start time is 8:00 am. I like that early start because you get more usable daylight and you reduce the “stand in traffic” problem that can break a tight itinerary.
Also, private usually means fewer surprises. You are not sharing the ride with strangers who have their own pace, and that makes it easier to keep the schedule tight.
If your driver is Gusti, you are likely to get extra suggestions and safe, steady driving, which comes up specifically in feedback for this experience. That is not a small detail. In Bali, the difference between a smooth day and a stressful one is often just driving style and good communication.
Price and What It Really Means for Value
The price is $105 per person for this 3-day private tour, with hotel pickup and return transfers included. It is listed as booked about 65 days in advance on average, which suggests many people plan ahead.
Where the value shows up is in the combination of:
- Private air-conditioned transport
- An English-speaking driver
- Multiple major sights across Ubud and East Bali
- Bottled water
Now for the part you should watch: entrance fees. The tour notes indicate admissions are included for attractions under a certain price option, but it also lists separate fees for several key stops. In the provided info, the extra fees called out are:
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: $8 per person
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: $2 per person
- Lempuyang Temple: $8 per person
- It also lists Tirta Empul Temple: $6 per person even though that specific stop is not stated in the day-by-day outline you are given, so confirm your exact included stops before you go.
My advice: assume you will pay at least for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, and Lempuyang unless your exact option confirms everything is covered. That way you do not feel surprised mid-trip.
What to Wear and Bring for Temples, Water, and Rice Views

This is a practical tour with a lot of different terrain. Here is what helps most:
- Comfortable shoes for waterfall steps and uneven temple paths
- A light layer for temple visits, since indoor sections can feel cooler
- Sun protection for rice terraces and beach hours
- A plan for monkey-safe behavior at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- If you want photos, bring a phone strap or secure bag, since crowds and animals both mean pickpocket-level vigilance, just in a different form
Also, keep your daypack light. You will move between sites, and big bags get annoying fast.
Who This Private East Bali Tour Is Best For
This tour is a strong match if you:
- want East Bali highlights without doing a complicated self-drive plan
- like a mix of culture, scenery, and a beach finale
- prefer a private vehicle so you can keep a steady pace with an English-speaking driver
It might be less ideal if you:
- hate long days of driving between stops
- want lots of free time at each location
- are on a super tight budget and do not want to pay any extra entrance fees
If you want a “high output” itinerary that covers a lot of iconic sites, you will probably feel happy by Day 3.
Should You Book This 3-Day Bali Private Tour?
I would book this if you want a straightforward way to see the Ubud-to-East-Bali highlights in 3 days, with comfort and fewer planning headaches. The private air-conditioned ride plus pickup and bottled water add real day-to-day value, and the driver quality stands out, with Gusti called out for safe driving and useful suggestions.
Before you commit, do one quick sanity check: confirm which admission fees are covered in your exact option. The tour data you have lists extra entry prices for several major stops like Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Lempuyang Temple, so budgeting for those is smart.
If you get that part clear, this is a well-shaped Bali circuit. It moves fast, but in a way that usually makes sense, and it ends with the kind of beach view that lets you remember Bali after the driving stops.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour start time is 8:00 am.
Where does the tour take place?
The tour is based in Ubud, Indonesia.
How long is the tour?
The duration is 3 days (approximately).
Is hotel pickup and return transportation included?
Yes. The tour includes hotel pickup and return transfers.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It is private, so only your group participates.
Are admission tickets included?
Admission ticket coverage depends on the option labeled as Price A. The tour also lists separate admission fees for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary ($8), Tegalalang Rice Terrace ($2), and Lempuyang Temple ($8). It also lists Tirta Empul Temple ($6), so check what is included for your exact stops.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Yes, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before the start time does not receive a refund.
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