Kintamani Volcano View, Waterfall & Cretya Ubud Pool — Private Day Tour
Three of Bali's most distinctive landscapes in one private day tour: breakfast above the volcanic caldera at Kintamani with views of Mount Batur, then down through the rice paddies to Tibumana Waterfall's hidden double cascade, and finally an afternoon at Cretya Ubud — the tiered infinity pool complex carved into the jungle above a river gorge. A tour that works as a complete Bali day, not just a waterfall excursion. For every waterfall tour option from Ubud, see the Bali waterfall tours Ubud comparison.
Tour at a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Full private day, hotel pickup 7:30 AM, return by 4:30 PM
Guide, driver, and all transport included
Breakfast above Mount Batur volcano with views across the caldera to the volcanic lake below
The hidden double cascade in a palm-lined river valley east of Ubud
Tiered jungle pools above a river gorge — one of Bali's most spectacular pool complexes (entry at own cost)
Check Dates and Book Your Spot
This private tour runs daily. Select your date and lock in your spot with free cancellation.
Volcano at Dawn, Waterfall by Morning, Pools by Afternoon
The 7:30 AM departure is intentional: Mount Batur is clearest in the early morning before the tropical haze builds, and the drive north through the highlands is one of the most beautiful in Bali. Kintamani sits on the rim of the volcanic caldera at 1,500 metres — high enough that the temperature is noticeably cooler than the coast. The caldera lake 700 metres below is one of Bali's most sacred bodies of water (Pura Ulun Danu Batur sits on its shore) and the views from the caldera rim look down into one of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes in Southeast Asia.
The tour stops at a cafe on the caldera rim for breakfast with the volcano as your backdrop — coffee, Balinese food, and a view that puts most hotel rooftops to shame. After breakfast, the route descends through coffee plantations and highland villages to the rice paddies east of Ubud.
Tibumana Waterfall breaks the route midway — a 10-minute descent into a narrow river valley where a double cascade drops into turquoise water. It's one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Ubud and consistently the least visited of the major cascade sites. Arriving mid-morning means you're likely to have the pool to yourselves.
Cretya Ubud is the afternoon: a complex of tiered infinity pools carved into the jungle above a river gorge, with each level offering a different view of the canopy. Entry is at your own cost (around $10–15 per person) but the setting — water, jungle, and birdsong — is unlike any standard hotel pool.
Full Day Tour Itinerary
Cretya Ubud — What to Know Before You Go
Cretya Ubud has become one of the most-photographed pool venues in Bali. A few practical notes before you arrive:
- Cretya is a paid attraction separate from the tour cost — budget approximately IDR 150,000–250,000 per person ($10–17) for pool entry, which may include a drink or food credit
- Book a Cretya slot in advance during high season (July–August, December) — it has limited capacity and can fill up
- The infinity pools offer the best photography from the mid-level platforms — the top pool has the widest jungle view, the lower levels have the gorge below
- Water shoes or rubber-soled flip-flops are recommended — the stone pool decks can be slippery when wet
- The pool complex is open from around 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM — arriving at 2:30 PM gives you the full afternoon in a quieter part of the day
Who This Tour is Best For
This tour suits:
- Travelers who want a complete day that combines volcanic landscape, waterfall, and a premium pool experience
- Those staying in Ubud who want to see Mount Batur without doing the pre-dawn volcano trek
- Couples looking for a photogenic full day — Kintamani caldera, Tibumana turquoise pool, and Cretya jungle pools are all highly photogenic
- Visitors who have done the main Ubud highlights and want a different kind of day
Not Suitable For
- Travelers on a tight budget — Cretya pool entry is an additional cost of $10–17 per person
- Those with limited time who want to pack in more cultural sites — this tour is paced around three experiences done well, not many sites rushed
- People with mobility limitations — the path to Tibumana is steep; Cretya pool areas involve steps
What to Bring
- Swimsuit — for both Tibumana Waterfall and Cretya pools
- Towel (not always provided at Cretya)
- Sunscreen and sun hat for the Kintamani caldera viewpoint (open sky at 1,500 metres)
- Light layer for Kintamani — temperatures are 5–8°C cooler than sea level, especially in the morning
- IDR cash for breakfast, lunch, Cretya entry, and incidentals
Not Allowed
- Drones without a permit at Kintamani and Tibumana
- Outside food or drinks at Cretya pool complex
- Leaving litter at Tibumana — a protected natural area
Kintamani & Waterfall Tour — FAQ
What is Mount Batur and why is it significant?
Mount Batur is an active stratovolcano in the Kintamani regency of central Bali. Its caldera — formed by an ancient eruption — contains Lake Batur, one of Bali's most sacred bodies of water. Pura Ulun Danu Batur temple on the lakeshore is one of Bali's 'directional temples' (kayangan jagat). Many visitors trek to the summit before dawn (a separate activity), but the caldera rim views from Kintamani give you the volcanic landscape without the 3:00 AM start.
Is Cretya Ubud included in the tour price?
Cretya pool entry is at your own expense — approximately IDR 150,000–250,000 ($10–17) per person depending on the package you choose at the venue. The tour price covers your guide, driver, transport to and from Cretya, and time at the waterfall and Kintamani. Your guide will wait for you during your Cretya session.
What is Tibumana Waterfall like?
Tibumana is a double cascade — two parallel streams falling simultaneously over separate rock faces into a shared pool of extraordinary turquoise water. It's 30 minutes east of Ubud centre, accessed via a 10-minute descent through rice paddies and palm trees. The pool is swimmable and the site is significantly less visited than Tegenungan.
Can I do the Mount Batur sunrise trek on the same trip?
The Batur sunrise trek (2:00 AM departure, summit by 5:30 AM) is a completely separate activity and is not part of this tour. If you want to combine the trek with a waterfall day, your guide can discuss extending your trip or recommend the best operators for the volcano trek on a separate day.
How does the Kintamani drive compare to the south Bali waterfall routes?
The Kintamani route goes north into the volcanic highlands — the landscape is completely different from the coastal lowlands around Canggu or the central Ubud plateau. The road to Kintamani passes through forest, highland villages, and coffee plantations at increasing altitude. Travelers who have done south and central Bali consistently cite this drive as one of the most beautiful in Bali.