Tanah Lot Sunset, Jatiluwih & Ulun Danu Bratan UNESCO Day Tour Bali
- Duration10 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
See the best of Bali's temples and rice landscapes in one long, rewarding day. You visit Taman Ayun royal water temple, the lakeside shrine of Ulun Danu Bratan and the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih rice terraces, then finish at Tanah Lot as the sun sets over the sea. Our default option is a small-group tour with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle and all entry fees included. It suits first-time visitors, couples and families who like culture and scenery.
Highlights
- Taman Ayun, the 17th-century royal water temple of the Mengwi kingdom
- Ulun Danu Bratan, the lakeside temple in the cool Bedugul highlands
- Jatiluwih rice terraces, part of Bali's UNESCO-listed subak landscape
- Tanah Lot temple on its sea rock, with sunset views
- Small group with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees and water included in the default option
- Lunch stop at a local restaurant along the route
Full Description
Taman Ayun Royal Water Temple in Mengwi
Taman Ayun, meaning beautiful garden, was built in 1634 by the ruler of the Mengwi kingdom as a family temple and royal garden. A wide moat surrounds the complex, and inside you find lawns, pavilions and tall multi-tiered meru shrines. It is part of Bali's UNESCO-listed cultural landscape and is often described as one of the island's most elegant temples.
For visitors comparing Taman Ayun temple tickets, the entrance fee is included in our default option, so you simply walk in with your guide. Plan about an hour to stroll the grounds, learn how Balinese temples are laid out and photograph the shrines from across the moat. Modest dress is required, and a sarong is available.
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and Lake Bratan
Ulun Danu Bratan sits on the edge of Lake Bratan in the Bedugul highlands, at about 1,200 metres above sea level. Built in the 17th century, it is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, whose lake feeds the springs and rivers that irrigate the rice terraces below. Its tall meru towers seem to float above the water on misty mornings.
Many travellers search for the best time to visit Ulun Danu Bratan. Morning is best, for softer light and fewer crowds, and the air is much cooler than on the coast, so bring a light layer. The gardens, boat docks and lakeside paths make it easy to spend an hour or more, and the guide explains the temple's role in the Balinese water system.
Jatiluwih rice terraces and the subak system
Jatiluwih means truly beautiful, and the name is fair. The terraces spread down the slopes of Mount Batukaru in Tabanan and are among the largest and oldest in Bali. They are part of the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape because they show the subak, the cooperative water-sharing system that farmers have practised for centuries.
Guides explain how each field is fed by shared channels managed by temples and farmers together, and how red rice is grown here. Travellers asking, are the Jatiluwih rice terraces worth visiting, usually agree they are less crowded than the terraces near Ubud and more spacious. Your visit is a scenic walk and lunch stop with wide views.
Tanah Lot sunset and the sea temple
Tanah Lot, meaning land in the sea, is a 16th-century sea temple built on a rock just off the coast of Tabanan and linked with the priest Dang Hyang Nirartha. The temple itself is reserved for worshippers, but the setting is the attraction: waves break on the rock, cliffs run along the shore and the sky glows orange at dusk.
Tanah Lot sunset tour timing matters. Arrive an hour or so before sunset to walk the paths, look into the holy spring at the base of the rock and find a viewpoint before the crowds grow. On this tour the last stop is timed for the evening light. The temple is busy, and tides change how close you can approach the rock.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickupYour driver collects you at your hotel in the south, Canggu or Ubud, with the exact time confirmed the evening before.
- Taman Ayun TempleExplore the moat, gardens and meru shrines of the royal water temple, about 1 hour.
- Ulun Danu Bratan TempleVisit the lakeside temple at Bedugul and its gardens, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Lunch at a local restaurantStop for a relaxed lunch, paid on the spot, about 1 hour.
- Jatiluwih rice terracesWalk among the UNESCO-listed terraces and learn about the subak system, about 45 minutes.
- Tanah Lot sunsetWatch the sun set over the sea temple, about 1.5 hours.
- Return to your hotelRide back in the evening, with a total day of around 10 hours.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in south Bali
- All entry fees
- English-speaking tour guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Visits to Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih rice terraces and Ulun Danu Bratan
- Water
Not included
- Meals
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 10 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- People with heart problems or respiratory issues
- Travellers with mobility impairments, because of steps and uneven paths
- Guests who cannot follow the temple dress code
Meeting point
In our default option we pick you up from your hotel in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua or Ubud, and the driver confirms your exact pickup time the evening before. If you choose the meeting-point option, you meet the group at a central spot on the Ngurah Rai Bypass or in Tibubeneng, Canggu, as stated in your confirmation.
Important information
- Dress code: shoulders, underarms, back and knees must be covered at some temples, and this is strictly enforced; bring a sarong, scarf or sweater.
- Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and some cash for lunch and personal expenses.
- Entry fees are included in the default option; check the description if you choose the meeting-point option.
- Meals are not included, and luggage or large bags are not allowed on the vehicle.
- The start time affects how many attractions you can visit; early starts cover the full itinerary.
- Ulun Danu Bratan is cool and often misty, so bring a light jacket.
- The order of stops may change to match traffic and the best light at Tanah Lot.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Bali UNESCO day tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes in our default small-group option, from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua and Ubud. The meeting-point option starts from a central meeting spot.
How long is the tour?
About ten hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on your start time and traffic.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children can join and are booked in the same passenger category as adults. The long day and temple dress code suit school-age children best.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, comfortable shoes and a hat. Bring a sarong or scarf, sunscreen, insect repellent and cash.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes if spaces are available. Note that late start times reduce the number of stops, so the booking panel shows which slots are open.
What is the difference between the options?
The default option is a small group with hotel pickup and entry fees. The other option is a small group departing from a meeting point. Please read each description in the booking panel.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes in the default option with hotel pickup. Lunch and personal spending are not included.
Is Jatiluwih worth visiting?
Yes, if you love landscapes. The terraces are vast and uncrowded, and the UNESCO-listed subak system gives the visit real cultural depth.
When is the best time to visit Tanah Lot?
Around sunset, but arrive early to walk around before the crowds. Low tide gives the closest approach to the rock.
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