10 Things to Do in Kintamani Bali Beyond Volcano Watching

Most tourists who visit Kintamani must be looking for only one thing. You can sit at a restaurant by the edge, order food, and then take pictures. In fact, this area holds much more than just beautiful scenery from a distance. For those who want to go deeper, things to do in Kintamani offers a number of options. From lava terrain adventures to cultural performances over volcanic lakes.

This guide will be here for tourists who want to be a real experience and not just a roadside photo.

1. Sail Across Lake Batur on the Royal Songan Cruise

If there’s one experience you must try in Kintamani, it’s the Royal Songan Cruise. This experience is different from a cruise using a regular boat. From the Tan’s Estate cultural boat, you will be invited to watch a live performance of The Tale of Balingkang. This show is a kind of colossal drama that tells the story of the unity between the Kingdom of Bali and China in Songan Village.

This cruise will sail across Lake Batur with a silhouette background of mountains and an open sky. This show is performed by local artists with a very authentic cultural experience in Bali. Royal Songan Cruise ticket prices start from IDR 250,000 per person and can be booked online through the website of Tan’s Estate.

2. Conquer the Lava Fields on a Batur Discovery Jeep Tour

For those of you who have an adventurous spirit, the Batur Discovery Jeep Tour will be the best way to explore this region. The route of his trip included black lava from the remnants of the eruption of Mount Batur. The terrain falls into the rugged and highly photogenetic category.

There is a sunrise jeep tour package that allows you to watch the sunrise slowly from the top of the caldera at the best vantage point. The price of this jeep adventure starts from IDR 790,000 per person and includes an experienced local guide. Tan’s Estate provides this package as part of a complete experience to explore Batur Geopark.

3. Watch a Live Cultural Performance on the Water

Still related to the cruise with the Royal Songan Cruise. But, with the experience of being able to watch cultural performances from the water. The Tale of Balingkang is more than just entertainment because it is a living heritage that has been preserved by the Songan Village community. Starting from the costumes, music, and narration have been well designed so that the audience feels like they are entering the legend of the ancient Kingdom of Bali.

The Tale of Balingkang is the kind of cultural experience in Bali that you won’t find in Kuta, Seminyak, or Ubud. The stage is on a boat with Lake Batur in the background.

4. Visit the Sacred Ulun Danu Batur Temple

Ulun Danu Batur Temple is one of the nine main temples of Kahyangan Jagat in Bali and is one of the most sacred places on the entire island. This temple is about 12km away from the location of Tan’s Estate. Ulun Danu Batur Temple is believed to be the protector of all water sources in Bali. including the irrigation of rice paddies that have sustained the island’s agricultural life for centuries.

The multi-layered architecture with the mountain mist that often surrounds it creates a spiritual atmosphere that feels so real. Visit in the morning to get the best lighting and a quiet atmosphere before the crowds of visitors.

5. Explore the Batur Geopark Museum

If you want to understand why this area is so special in terms of science, then Batur Geopark Museum is the right destination. The museum has a collection of volcanic rocks, geologic maps, and historical records of the eruption of Mount Batur over time.

Batur Geopark Museum is about 8km away from Tan’s Estate Location. This destination is suitable for families, students, or tourists who like knowledge about the formation process of the giant caldera that is home to the entire Kintamani tourist area.

6. Trek the Volcanic Trails Around the Caldera

For climbers who don’t want crowded trails, the area around the caldera of Mount Batur offers several trekking trails. You can walk along the edge of the caldera with a view of Lake Batur below and the open sky above.

For climbers who don’t want to go through crowded trails, the Mount Batur caldera also offers trekking activities with a quieter path than the main summit trail. Participants will walk from the edge of the caldera to get a view of Lake Batur from below and the sky opens up from above.

Some local operators already offer guided tracks with a duration of about 2 to 4 hours.

7. Soak in the Natural Hot Springs

There are several locations that provide natural hot springs that take place from volcanic activity on the shores of Lake Batur. You can soak in the natural hot springs with a view of the lake in front of your eyes and the cool air of the mountains.

Some of the facilities of the hot springs in this area are well managed and equipped with changing rooms and relaxation areas. The best time to enjoy a hot spring is in the afternoon when the atmosphere feels more private than a visit during the day.

8. Cycle Through the Villages Around the Lake

Other things to do in Kintamani are cycling around the villages on the lakeside. This activity is one of the most fun and environmentally friendly ways. The route usually passes through terraced rice fields, vegetable gardens in the highlands, and traditional houses that still maintain their authenticity.

Some local communities offer cycling tour packages that include guides who are ready to take you to corners of the village that cannot be found on other itineraries. This method also offers advantages to support the economy of local residents in the Batur Geopark Area.

9. Taste the Highland Coffee and Agritourism Experience

The Highlands in Kintamani are famous for producing the best coffee in Bali. Especially the type of arabica that is grown at an altitude above 900 meters. Many coffee gardens in the area offer the best way to enjoy things to do in Kintamani. Starting from seeing the coffee harvesting process, processing coffee beans, to trying cupping sessions directly from the garden.

In addition to coffee producers, residents around Lake Batur also harvest fresh oranges, strawberries, and organic vegetables. Visiting these gardens is a cultural experience in Bali that is different, more personalized, and rarely included in a standard tour package.

10. Catch the Sunset from Penelokan Viewpoint

Penelokan in Balinese is called “a place to see”. This place offering the best vantage point to see Mount Batur and Lake Batur. In the afternoon, you will see the sunset from the area.

No special tickets are required to enjoy the view from Penelokan. Simply come before 17.00, find the best position, and let the volcanic landscape of Kintamani close your day perfectly.

Tips for Planning Your Kintamani Day Trip

To plan a trip to Kintamani is actually not too complicated. With so many things to do in Kintamani, the preparations that need to be done include:

The best time to visit is the dry season between April to October. The sky is clearer, the fog is less frequent, and all outdoor activities can be enjoyed to the fullest.
Transportation to Kintamani is most practical using a rental vehicle or joining a daily tour package from Ubud. The distance from Ubud is about 45 km with a travel time of 1.5 hours. While from Denpasar it takes about 2 hours to travel.
Reservations for the Royal Songan Cruise and Batur Discovery Jeep Tour are strongly recommended. Tan’s Estate has an online booking system that is easily accessible through its website.
Proper clothing is essential. The temperature in the Kintamani area can drop up to 15 degrees Celsius in the morning. Bring a light jacket, comfortable footwear for walking, and sunscreen for outdoor activities.

Of all the things to do in Kintamani discussed above, one thing is for sure: the region holds far more than most tourists ever imagine.

Therefore, If you want to start from a single point that provides all that, Tan’s Estate in Batur Geopark is the answer. Visit tansestate.com and plan your real Kintamani trip starting today.