Trekking and Sightseeing tour with lunch

Taro village is the heart of this outing: an old Hindu settlement where you spend about four hours walking past bamboo forest, rice paddies, tropical fruit trees, and everyday Balinese life. After lunch with a view, you visit Tirta Empul Temple, then stop at Tegalalang for photos and a rice-terrace swing.

I like the way the tour joins a real village walk with famous Ubud sights, instead of giving you only photo stops. I also like the private format, included hotel transport, lunch, and bottled water. The main catch is physical: a moderate four-hour hike can be hot, uneven, and tiring, while the optional swing and coffee stop add costs.

Key points to know before booking

• Four hours in Delodsema village: The longest part is a guided walk through Taro village, bamboo forest, paddies, and tropical fruit plants.
• A private experience: Only your group takes part, so the day can be adjusted to your requests.
• Lunch with a rice-paddy view: A Balinese meal is included after the trek, along with bottled water.
• Tirta Empul is a meaningful stop: You can see the holy-water temple and may choose purification and a blessing.
• Famous sights come after the walk: Tegalalang provides a short photo stop, followed by a coffee plantation and optional swing visit.
• Budget for extras: Swing tickets, shopping, and admission at some stops are not included in the $78 price.

Four hours through Taro village and bamboo forest

The tour begins with pickup at your Ubud hotel and a drive of about 30 minutes north to Delodsema Traditional Village. Delodsema is part of Taro village, an old Hindu settlement known for Bali’s oldest temple complex and a long religious tradition.

This first stop is the reason to book the tour. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, given ten minutes for photographs, and moved along. You spend most of the morning or afternoon on foot, looking at village life and the natural setting around it.

The walk passes through bamboo forest, rice-paddy edges, and areas filled with tropical plants such as mangoes and mandarins. That mix gives you more variety than a standard forest hike. One moment you may be under tall bamboo, and the next you may be looking across cultivated fields or walking near homes and village paths.

The route is described as moderate, so you should have a fair level of fitness. Four hours is a substantial stretch of walking, even if the pace is not rushed. Wear shoes with a good grip, bring sun protection, and expect heat, humidity, and uneven ground. The tour is not recommended for people with back problems, heart complaints, or other serious medical conditions.

The guide matters here. A local guide can explain what you are seeing and help connect the scenery with Balinese customs. Wayan receives particular praise for giving a personal Bali experience, while Baru is identified as the lead guide and owner of Bali Excursion. One useful sign of the private format is that the day can be customized to your requests, at least within the planned stops and timing.

The old Hindu setting of Taro

Taro gives the walk a cultural purpose. The village is described as having a 3,000-year-old Hindu history, and the tour includes a visit to Bali’s oldest temple complex. That is a different experience from seeing a temple only as an ornate backdrop for a photograph.

Temple visits in Bali work best when you slow down and let your guide explain the setting. You will want to dress respectfully and follow local instructions. The supplied information does not specify a dress code or whether a sarong is provided, so ask your guide before entering the temple complex.

The strongest part of this stop is the combination of place and context. The bamboo, fields, fruit trees, and village paths are not separate attractions. They form the setting in which local religious life continues. I like that the tour gives you time to notice those links instead of treating culture as a quick add-on.

Still, the village section may feel long if you mainly want Bali’s biggest sights. The tour spends about four hours here, so it suits you best if walking and local scenery matter as much as famous temples and viewpoints.

Balinese lunch above the rice paddies

Lunch follows the trek and is included in the price. You can expect a Balinese meal served with a view over rice-paddy fields, which makes this more than a practical food break after a long walk.

The lunch location also helps set the pace of the day. After four hours outside, you will appreciate a proper pause before returning to sightseeing. Bottled water is included, but I would still carry extra water if you normally drink a lot during exercise.

The menu is not specified, so you should ask about ingredients if you have allergies or dietary needs. The tour description calls the meal delicious, but food preferences vary. The reliable point is that lunch is covered, and the setting is intended to be part of the experience.

This inclusion improves the value of the $78 price. A private guide, round-trip hotel transport, parking, a long village walk, lunch, and bottled water would otherwise be separate costs. The price makes less sense if you plan to skip the trek or only want a short sightseeing circuit, but it is more appealing if you want a full day with transport arranged.

Tirta Empul and Bali’s holy water

After lunch, the tour continues to Tirta Empul Temple for about an hour. This is one of Bali’s most important holy-water sites, and the atmosphere is meant to be spiritual rather than simply scenic.

You may choose to take part in purification in the holy water and receive a blessing. That activity is optional, and the admission ticket is not included. If you only want to observe, you can still experience the temple’s setting and religious atmosphere without taking part in the ritual.

I would ask your guide about the proper steps before entering the water. Religious customs matter here, and a guide can help you avoid treating the ritual like a photo prop. Bring patience, especially if the temple area is active when you arrive.

The one-hour stop is a sensible length. It gives you time to see the temple and consider the ritual without making the day entirely about one site. The tour is strongest when you treat Tirta Empul as a cultural visit, not just another stop between photographs.

Tegalalang for the classic rice-terrace view

Next comes a 30-minute stop at Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This is the quick, recognizable Bali photo stop of the day, and it offers a contrast to the quieter village walk.

The timing is enough for photographs and a look at the terraces, but not enough for a long walk through the area. That is worth knowing before you book. If Tegalalang is your main goal, you may find the stop too brief. If you already plan to visit the terraces separately, the short visit works well as an extra view after the trek.

The tour presents Tegalalang as a place to stop and take pictures after the off-the-beaten-path walk. That order makes sense. You first see a less polished village setting, then finish with one of Ubud’s most familiar views.

Admission is not included, so check the cost with your guide before entering any paid area. The information provided does not give a ticket price.

Coffee, swings, and extra spending

The final stop lasts about two hours and combines a coffee plantation with a terrace river pool swing. You can sample luwak coffee, described as one of the world’s most expensive coffees, and try different swings above rice terraces and a river view.

This is the most commercial part of the day. It may appeal to you if you enjoy tasting local products, want a dramatic photograph, or like a little adrenaline after the walk. It may feel less important if your priority is village life, temples, and walking.

Swing tickets are not included. Shopping expenses are also separate, so set a spending limit before you arrive. The package price covers the guide, lunch, water, transport, and parking, but you should not assume that every activity at the plantation is part of the base cost.

The two-hour allocation is generous compared with the 30-minute Tegalalang stop. You have time to choose among different swing types, but you are not required to take part. Ask about the total price for the swing before committing, and remember that the swing may not suit anyone uncomfortable with heights or physical motion.

What the private format changes

This is a private tour, so only your group participates. That is a major advantage for a day built around a four-hour walk. You do not have to match a large group’s pace, and the guide can respond to your interests.

The supplied feedback points to customization as a strength. One guest specifically valued having requests accommodated, and another booked an additional excursion with Wayan after enjoying the guide’s approach. Baru, the lead guide and owner, is also named as someone who meets groups at their Ubud hotel.

I would confirm your preferred guide and any special requests at booking, since the information names both Wayan and Baru but does not promise which person will lead every departure. You should also confirm pickup details if your accommodation is outside the usual Ubud area.

Private touring costs more than joining a large group, but the comparison is not only about the number of people. You are paying for a full day of transport, a guide focused on your group, and a long route that would be harder to arrange on your own. For two or more people who want flexibility, $78 can be fair value. The exact value depends on whether that price is per person for your booking, so check the final booking terms.

Who should book this Ubud day?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want more than a temple checklist. It suits people who like walking, village scenery, Balinese food, and cultural sites in the same day.

Families can consider it, but the minimum age is seven. Children under seven must be carried by a parent, which could be difficult during a four-hour walk. The moderate fitness requirement is important for children and adults alike.

The tour also fits first-time visitors who want transport handled from start to finish. You get rural scenery, a temple, rice terraces, lunch, coffee, and a swing option without having to arrange several separate trips.

I would choose a different plan if your mobility is limited, you have a serious medical condition, or you want a relaxed day with almost no walking. The tour is not designed as a gentle sightseeing loop. The long village section is its main feature, not a minor detail.

Useful details before you go

Pickup and drop-off at your Ubud hotel are included, along with parking. A mobile ticket is available, and booking confirmation is sent at the time of booking.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temple visits, sun protection, and extra water. Bottled water is included, but a four-hour walk in Bali can still make you thirsty.

Keep cash or another payment method ready for temple admission, purification if you choose it, swing tickets, coffee, and shopping. The base price does not cover those costs.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book this Taro and Ubud tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day with a real village walk at its center. The best elements are the four hours in Taro, the Balinese lunch over rice fields, and the chance to visit Tirta Empul with a local guide. The later coffee and swing stop gives you classic Bali photographs, though it also brings extra costs and a more commercial feel.

Skip it if you mainly want Tegalalang, dislike hiking, or need a low-effort day. For the right kind of visitor, the $78 package offers a useful mix of transport, guiding, food, and cultural stops. Just budget for the optional activities and arrive ready to walk.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the trekking take place?

The main walk takes place in Delodsema Traditional Village, part of Taro village, about 30 minutes north of Ubud.

How long is the hike?

The village trekking section lasts about four hours and requires moderate physical fitness.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your Ubud hotel are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Balinese lunch overlooking rice-paddy fields is included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Is Tirta Empul Temple admission included?

No. Admission to Tirta Empul Temple is not included.

Can I take part in purification at Tirta Empul?

Yes, you may choose to take part in purification in the holy water and receive a blessing. The activity is optional.

Are the rice-terrace swing tickets included?

No. Swing tickets are not included in the tour price.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is seven. Children under seven must be carried by a parent.

Is this a group tour?

No. It is a private activity for your group only.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.