Kanto Lampo Waterfall, Ubud Royal Palace & Art Market — Private Half-Day Tour
Culture and nature in one Ubud half-day: start in central Ubud at the Royal Palace and the traditional Ubud Art Market before the midday crowds arrive, continue to Saraswati Temple, then close the day cooling off at Kanto Lampo's tiered volcanic waterfall. The combination works better than it sounds — the contrast between examining hand-carved batik textiles in the morning and swimming in a jungle river a few hours later is exactly what makes Ubud different from the rest of Bali. For a complete look at all waterfall day trips available, see our waterfall tours that pair with Ubud town.
Tour at a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Half-day private tour, morning departure, back at your hotel by early afternoon
Private guide and transport included; entrance tickets available as an add-on
The ancestral home of the Ubud royal family, with carved stone architecture — the first stop of the day
The traditional market directly opposite the palace, for batik, carvings, silver jewellery, and handwoven textiles
Water temple with a lotus pond and stone carvings, dedicated to the goddess of knowledge and arts
The tiered volcanic steps waterfall — the last stop of the day, about an hour's drive from central Ubud
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 Palace, Temple and Waterfall Combination Works
The pairing of Ubud's cultural centre with Kanto Lampo Waterfall seems unlikely on paper but works exceptionally well in practice, because the day is built dry-to-wet rather than the other way around.
Ubud's Royal Palace — Puri Saren — is the first stop. 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.
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.
From the market, the tour continues to Saraswati Temple, a water temple known for its lotus pond and detailed stone carvings, dedicated to the goddess of knowledge and arts — a calm setting in the middle of Ubud's vibrant town atmosphere.
Kanto Lampo comes last. The waterfall is a series of wide, flat volcanic basalt tiers about an hour's drive from central Ubud — each tier a natural pool, each one photographable from a different angle. Finishing the day there means you swim, dry off, and head straight back, instead of touring temples and markets in wet clothes.
Half-Day Tour Itinerary
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8:00 AM
Hotel pickup
Private pickup from your hotel, then the drive to central Ubud.
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9:00 AM
Puri Saren — Ubud Royal Palace
Walk through the public areas of the Ubud Royal Palace with your guide. See the carved stone split gates and the ornate inner pavilions. Your guide explains the history of the Ubud royal family and the role of the palace in current Balinese cultural life. Around 45 minutes.
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9:45 AM
Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud)
Browse the traditional Ubud market directly opposite the palace — stalls selling handmade batik, Balinese woodcarvings, silver jewellery, handwoven fabrics, and artisan goods. Your guide can advise on quality and fair pricing. Around 60 minutes.
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10:45 AM
Saraswati Temple
About a 45-minute drive to Saraswati Temple. Admire the lotus pond and detailed stone carvings at this water temple dedicated to the goddess of knowledge and arts. Around 30 minutes.
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12:00 PM
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
About an hour's drive to Kanto Lampo. Descend the steep path to the river and explore the tiered cascade levels. Swim in the natural pools between the tiers. Around 60 minutes.
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1:30 PM
Return to hotel
About an hour's drive back, closing out the 6-hour tour at your accommodation or anywhere in central Ubud you'd like to continue exploring.
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 cultural/shopping morning and a natural highlight to close the day
- 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 culture and nature efficiently
- Visitors who'd rather swim at the end of the day than spend the rest of the tour in wet clothes
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 first half
- Visitors who want to spend more time at the waterfall — the half-day format limits time at each stop
What to Bring
- Swimsuit for Kanto Lampo swimming, worn under your clothes
- A dry change of clothes for the ride back after the waterfall
- Cash in IDR for market purchases (ATMs are 5 minutes from the market if needed)
- Modest clothing or sarong for the palace and temple (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, though this tour visits in the morning.
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 more time at Kanto Lampo, you simply tell your guide and the earlier stops adjust 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, market, and Saraswati Temple. The Kanto Lampo, Monkey Forest and swing tour pairs the same waterfall with wildlife and a jungle swing at Tegalalang. Both are day tours at similar prices.
Why does this listing have so few reviews?
It's a newer tour on the platform, currently rated 4 out of 5 from 3 verified bookings. That's not enough reviews to draw firm conclusions either way — if you'd rather book something with a longer track record, the Kanto Lampo, Monkey Forest and swing tour has 38 reviews at a 5-star average.