Kanto Lampo Waterfall, Ubud Royal Palace & Art Market — Private Half-Day Tour
Nature and culture in one Ubud half-day: start at Kanto Lampo's tiered volcanic waterfall in the early morning, then move into central Ubud for the Royal Palace and the traditional Ubud Art Market before the midday tourist rush. The combination works better than it sounds — the contrast between swimming in a jungle river and examining hand-carved batik textiles an hour later is exactly what makes Ubud different from the rest of Bali. For a complete look at all waterfall day trips available, see our Bali waterfall tours Ubud guide.
Tour at a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Half-day private tour, morning departure, back in Ubud by 1:00 PM
Private guide, transport, and palace entrance included
The tiered volcanic steps waterfall 20 minutes from Ubud centre
The ancestral home of the Ubud royal family, with carved stone architecture and live dance rehearsals
The traditional market in central Ubud for batik, carvings, silver jewellery, and handwoven textiles
Check Dates and Book Your Spot
This private half-day tour runs morning departures daily. Select your date and book with free cancellation.
How the Waterfall and Palace Combination Works
The pairing of Kanto Lampo Waterfall and Ubud Palace seems unlikely on paper but works exceptionally well in practice. Here is why.
Kanto Lampo is 20 minutes southeast of central Ubud in a river valley below the rice paddy road. The waterfall is a series of wide, flat volcanic basalt tiers — each one a natural pool, each one photographable from a different angle. The descent is steep and the rock is dark and wet, which means you will arrive back at the car damp and sand-footed and perfectly ready to walk somewhere dry and beautiful.
Ubud's Royal Palace — Puri Saren — is exactly that. The ancestral home of the Ubud royal family sits at the junction of Jalan Raya Ubud and Jalan Suweta in the absolute centre of town. Entry to the public areas is free, and the carved sandstone architecture — split gates, ornate pavilions, ancient kori agung doorways — is among the finest in Bali. Morning visits often coincide with dance rehearsals in the inner courtyard, which are open to spectators and give you a genuine glimpse of Balinese performing arts practice rather than a staged tourist performance.
The Ubud Art Market directly across the road from the palace is the best place in Bali to buy handmade textiles, batik, woodcarvings, silver, and handwoven goods from Balinese artisans. Morning is the best time to visit — the stalls are well-stocked, the vendors are unhurried, and the quality of produce on display is higher than the afternoon tourist rush allows.
Half-Day Tour Itinerary
Shopping the Ubud Art Market With a Local Guide
The Ubud Art Market is genuine — the vendors are Balinese artisans selling handmade goods. But like any market, knowing what you're looking at makes a significant difference. A few things your guide can help with:
- Hand-painted batik vs. printed batik — genuine hand-drawn batik canting work has irregular organic lines; machine-printed copies are cheaper but not handmade
- Balinese silver — Celuk is the silver village near Ubud; pieces marked 'Sterling 925' from verified vendors are genuine sterling; your guide knows which stalls source from Celuk
- Woodcarvings — suar wood (rain tree) is heavy and dense; albesia is lighter and cheaper but less durable. The difference is obvious when you pick them up
- Ikat and handwoven textiles — ask where the fabric was woven; your guide can tell you if the piece is from Bali, Lombok, or Sumatra, each with different weaving traditions
- Bargaining is expected — the opening price is typically 2–3x the final price; your guide can advise on what's fair value for specific items
Who This Tour is Best For
This private half-day tour suits:
- Travelers who want both a natural highlight and a cultural/shopping experience in one morning
- Those who want to shop the Ubud market with a local guide who can advise on quality and authenticity
- Couples and small groups on a short Ubud stay who want to cover both nature and culture efficiently
- Visitors arriving late in their Bali trip who want Ubud's highlights without a full-day commitment
Not Suitable For
- Travelers with mobility limitations — the descent to Kanto Lampo is steep and rocky
- Those with no interest in shopping — the market visit is a key part of this tour's second half
- Visitors who want to spend more time at the waterfall — the half-day format limits time at each stop to approximately 75 minutes
What to Bring
- Swimsuit for Kanto Lampo swimming
- Change of clothes after swimming — you'll be visiting the palace and market immediately after
- Cash in IDR for market purchases (ATMs are 5 minutes from the market if needed)
- Modest clothing or sarong for the palace (your guide provides one if needed)
Not Allowed
- Shorts or sleeveless tops inside the palace grounds — cover with a sarong (provided)
- Flash photography at close range of the palace shrines
- Hard bargaining to very low prices without respectful engagement — the vendors are local artisans, not street hawkers
Kanto Lampo & Ubud Palace Tour — FAQ
What is Puri Saren — the Ubud Royal Palace?
Puri Saren Agung is the ancestral residence of the Ubud royal family, who have held the regency of the Ubud area since the 17th century. The current layout of the palace was largely rebuilt after the 1917 earthquake and remains a functioning royal residence. Public areas — including the main courtyard and outer pavilions — are open to visitors. Evening dance performances are staged in the main courtyard on a nightly basis.
Is the Ubud Art Market the same as the craft market near Tegalalang?
No — they are different markets. The Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) is on Jalan Raya Ubud directly opposite the Royal Palace and is the original central Ubud market for handmade Balinese goods. The markets near Tegalalang and Sukawati are separate, larger wholesale markets. The Ubud Art Market is more curated and better for quality handmade pieces rather than bulk goods.
Can I spend more time at the waterfall if I want?
Yes — this is a private tour and your guide sets the pace around your preferences. If you want 90 minutes at Kanto Lampo rather than 75, you simply tell your guide and the afternoon schedule adjusts accordingly.
What is Kanto Lampo like compared to Tegenungan?
They are very different. Tegenungan is a single powerful cascade into a deep pool; Kanto Lampo is a wide series of tiered volcanic steps with pools at each level. Kanto Lampo is generally considered more photogenic per square metre — the variety of shooting angles from the tiers means almost every position produces an interesting composition. It is also significantly less visited than Tegenungan.
How does this compare to the Kanto Lampo monkey forest swing tour?
This tour combines the waterfall with Ubud's cultural and artisan heritage — the palace and market. The Kanto Lampo, Monkey Forest and swing tour pairs the same waterfall with wildlife and the famous jungle swing experience. Both are half-day tours at similar prices.