Best Tours of Bali

Bali is not only one of Indonesia's most important islands, but also one of the most famous destinations in Southeast Asia. With a tourist offer that includes from the spiritual and cultural facet to the paradisiacal atmosphere of its beaches, this place is ideal to discover it on guided tours.

Some of the best things to do in Bali include a guided tour of Tanah Lot, Kanto Lampo and the Monkey Forest, a visit to the Besakih and Lempuyang temples, a private Eat, Pray, Love tour, a rafting experience and a trip to the waterfalls and rice paddies of Ubud.

If you want to discover the magical essence of Bali on a full guided tour, a tour of Tanah Lot, Kanto Lampo and the Monkey Forest is a must. These experiences have earned a reputation as some of the best on the island, offering a perfect blend of culture, history and natural beauty.

These tours usually start at Tanah Lot, an iconic temple perched on a rock overlooking the sea. Dating back to the 16th century, this sacred site is known for its panoramic views.

These tours then take you to Kanto Lampo, a waterfall hidden in the heart of the Balinese jungle. There you can discover these tributaries that are an integral part of the island's natural landscape and are paradisiacal sites, especially if you plan to visit Bali in summer.

Towards the end of the tours, you can visit the picturesque Monkey Forest, a sanctuary where the long-tailed macaques, characteristic of the place, will welcome you.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 61 euros per person.
• Duration: about 11.5 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to visit three of the island's most famous sites on an organised tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are very intense experiences with several hours of travel between each of the attractions, so you will have little time to explore the sites on your own.

Bali has a tradition based on Hinduism, a custom that even differentiates it from Indonesia, where a majority of the population is Muslim, so one of the activities you can do to discover the local culture is to visit the best temples on the island. With these experiences you can discover Besakih and Lempuyang, two architectural gems of this destination.

Besakih Temple, known as the Mother Temple, rises on the slopes of Mount Agung and is Bali's largest and most sacred temple complex. With a history of over 1,000 years, Besakih is the spiritual epicentre of the island and a place where the Balinese come to pay homage to the gods and seek blessings.

Lempuyang Temple, on the other hand, is known for its famous Heaven's Gate, which offers a sweeping view of Mount Agung. This temple is the first in a series of seven pure temples located on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang and is a sacred site that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 34 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will see two of Bali's most important religious sites, especially Besakih, which is considered the Mother Temple.
• Disadvantages of these tours: as you will be visiting sacred temples you will not be able to deviate from the expert local guide and you will have to have special consideration for the local rules of conduct.

Bali has been made famous by the film Come, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts, so one of the best things to do in Bali is to take a private tour of the sites that inspired Elizabeth Gilbert's famous story.

The first stop on these tours is usually Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali, where Elizabeth was seduced by the spiritual and artistic richness of the island. There you can stroll through the local markets, feel the energy of the temples and experience the deep connection with the Balinese essence.

Finally, these tours will take you to Padang Padang, the romantic setting where the protagonist finds love while enjoying the bounties of one of Bali's best beaches.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 68 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: they are usually private experiences, so you can count on permanent and exclusive accompaniment.
• Disadvantages of these tours: although most of them are private tours, you will not be able to alter or modify the route, which is pre-established and leaves some of the sites in the film out of the itinerary.

The waterfalls and rice paddies of Ubud may not seem at first glance an overly tempting attraction in Bali, where every landscape is paradisiacal, but they are an important part of the local traditions, so joining a tour of these sites will allow you to dive into the island's rich history.

These activities will take you to explore some of the most impressive waterfalls in the region, where you can take a dip in crystal clear waters surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. In addition, the waterfalls will not only offer you sweeping views, but also the opportunity to connect with the serenity of the local nature.

The second part of your tour will take you to the traditional rice paddies of Ubud, a landscape that has been central to Bali's economic development. The terraced rice paddies are a testament to Balinese agricultural engineering and a testament to its deep connection with the local culture.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will get to know a traditional Balinese profile, based on the Balinese working the land for thousands of years.
• Disadvantages of these tours: these experiences do not usually include a tour of the main streets of Ubud, which is considered the cultural heart of the island.

Bali not only has some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia, but also an interesting jungle environment that you can discover on an ATV tour and rafting experience. The itinerary of these experiences, therefore, will take you to see the island from completely different perspectives.

During the first part of the tour, which will allow you to explore Bali's rural landscapes on ATVs, you will ride through rainforests, cross streams and get lost in local villages. These off-road vehicles allow you to access remote places and discover off the beaten track, especially if you visit Bali in December when the rains often flood the roads.

After the ATV ride, you can head to the Ayung River for an unforgettable rafting experience. Flanked by tropical landscapes and cliffs, the river provides the perfect backdrop for an adrenaline-fuelled water adventure.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 42 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7.5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You get to experience Bali's jungle profile on a land and river adventure tour.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are intense experiences, not recommended for people with reduced mobility or for minors.

One of the best images Bali has to offer is its sunsets, so a very interesting option is to take part in an excursion around Uluwatu to discover one of the most impressive sunsets in the world.

Uluwatu is also home to the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu, which rises high on the cliff and is one of Bali's finest temples. This Hindu building, built in the 11th century, is revered by the Balinese because it is built on land considered sacred.

After sunset, you can stay here to enjoy a traditional Kecak dance performance. This dance, performed outdoors near the temple, tells epic and mythological stories through expressive movements and vocal choruses, making it one of the best things to do at night in Bali.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 19 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Benefits of these excursions: you will be able to see one of the best sunsets in the world and attend a local dance show.
• Disadvantages of these tours: these experiences tend to be very crowded, so you will need to arrive relatively early to find a good spot in front of the ocean.

If you want to experience one of Bali's most important active volcanoes on an adventurous tour, a jeep tour of Mount Batur is a must. Situated 1,700 metres above sea level, this mountain stands as one of the highest points in Indonesia, offering panoramic views of the region.

The itinerary will take you through rugged trails and lunar landscapes as you approach the volcano's crater. From the comfort of the jeep, you will be able to appreciate the transformation of the environment, which contains everything from lush forests to solidified lava fields.

Upon reaching the summit of Mount Batur, the highlight of this experience, you will witness the grandeur of the crater and views of the surrounding lake.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 66 euros per person.
• Duration: about 9 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to see one of the island's most famous natural sites in an adventurous experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: the tour does not include a visit to the nearby volcanic beaches.

Food is one of the highlights of Bali, so one of the best things to do on the island is to take part in a culinary tour. These itineraries take you through local markets and quaint street stalls, connecting you to Bali's idiosyncrasies through its culinary offerings.

These tours will usually begin in the bustling markets of Ubud, where the fresh aromas of spices and herbs gre et you. Here you can sample babi guling, a whole roasted pig with a crispy skin and a mixture of spices that is often eaten on festive days, such as Christmas in Bali.

You can also visit the satay stalls, where grilled meat skewers are served with peanut sauces and kecap manis, a sweet soy sauce that is emblematic of Indonesian cuisine.

As you explore the local markets, you'll also have the opportunity to try dishes such as nasi goreng, a delicious fried rice with assorted ingredients, and mie goreng, stir-fried noodles with a unique blend of spices and seasonings.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 44 euros per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know the local culture from a gastronomic tour.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: not all tastings are included in the price of the guided tour.

One of the best ways to get to know the island is to take part in cycling tours, and among the most popular destinations for these experiences are Kintamani and Jatiluwih, two popular regions in Bali for their dense vegetation and the trails they offer between rice paddies and crops.

Kintamani Bike Tour

For a relaxing cycling adventure in Bali, there's nothing better than taking part in a tour to discover the beauty of the rural surroundings of Kintamani. Located at one of the highest points on the island, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Batur volcano and its lake, and discover the rice fields cultivated on the terraces, which are a reminder of the farming tradition of the area.

On these tours you can also discover the authenticity of the local villages, where Balinese culture flourishes in daily life, respecting age-old customs. There you can get a close look at the local handicrafts and taste the food of the region, which could well be the star of a gastronomic excursion in Bali.

Finally, the trip will end with a break by Lake Batur, where you can take in the panoramic views of the region while soaking in the tranquillity that characterises rural Balinese villages.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 39 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Benefits of these tours: You'll get to see one of Bali's highest points on a bike tour and take in some of the best panoramic views in the region.
• Disadvantages of these tours: During the rainy season many of the roads near the rice paddies are closed due to flooding.

Jatiluwih Electric Bicycle Tour

Unlike the Kintamani tours, the Jatiluwih tours will be more leisurely because you'll be able to cycle the trails on an electric bike, which will require less effort. However, the circuit is no less adventurous, as you'll get to see a region nestled in the middle of the jungle with the largest rice paddies on the island.

During these experiences you will be assisted by an expert local guide and gain a deeper insight into life in Bali. The electric bike will also allow for a more relaxed exploration of the intricate paths that wind through the paddy fields and you can stop to enjoy the panoramic views.

These experiences usually also include lunch at an authentic local restaurant, where you can sample delicious Balinese cuisine.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 73 euros per person.
• Duration: about 5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will be able to combine a scenic bike ride with a typical local lunch.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are expensive experiences due to the electric bicycles.

If you want to get a global perspective of this destination, you can join a guided tour of Bali's traditional villages. This trip will take you by bus from Ubud to the rural regions of Kintamani, known as the epicentre of Balinese tradition, and also to Mount Batur, Lake Batur and Pura Ulun Danu Batur, one of the island's largest shrines.

During these tours, you can also visit landmarks such as the Tegalalang rice terraces, which with their stepped architecture make ingenious use of the topography for sustainable rice cultivation. At Puseh Batuan you will visit an ancient Balinese temple steeped in history and famous for its traditional architecture, which is known to be one of the finest religious buildings in Bali.

On these experiences you will be guided by a local professional who will provide you with detailed information about each site visited, helping you to immerse yourself in the sophisticated Balinese culture.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 53 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will get an overview of Bali in a comfortable bus tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Although you will visit several places on the island, in many places the bus does not include stops, so in those cases you will only enjoy the scenic drives.

You can book any of these tours in advance online or book them once you are on the island. However, be aware that if you plan to visit Bali in October or during the high season months, you may run out of places on some of the experiences.

In addition, the island offers many attractions, so I advise you to book before you arrive, which will allow you to put together an itinerary and get the most out of your visit, especially if you plan to visit Bali in 5 days or even less.

To ensure an unforgettable trip in Bali, it is crucial to plan ahead and keep a few tips in mind. As a first step, be sure to research and select the activities that best suit your interests and preferences. Bali offers a wide range of experiences, so knowing your preferences will help you customise your itinerary more effectively.

Also, consider the season and weather conditions when planning your trip. The island can experience seasonal rainfall during the summer, so it is important to adjust your itinerary accordingly. Also, book your activities in advance to ensure availability and get cheaper rates, especially if you plan to visit the island in summer.

Finally, respect the local culture! Learn the codes of conduct and follow dress codes at temples and sacred sites. Respecting customs and traditions will contribute to a more enriching experience that is connected to the true essence of Bali.

Taking a tour in Bali is highly recommended because of the diversity of experiences this island has to offer. Bali not only boasts paradisiacal beaches and stunning natural scenery, but is also home to a rich cultural heritage. A guided tour, therefore, will give you the opportunity to explore the true local spirit.

In addition, excursions in Bali allow you to discover the varied and delicious local cuisine. From vibrant markets to quaint street stalls, you will have the chance to sample authentic Balinese dishes. Gastronomy is an integral part of the Bali experience and exploring it on an excursion adds a not-to-be-missed component to your trip.