Kintamani Day Trip: Ultimate One Day Itinerary

Kintamani is one of Bali’s hidden gems, a beautiful mountainous region that provides a refreshing contrast to the island’s busy southern coast.

Mount Batur, Bali’s second-largest volcano, is the area's best-known attraction. But there’s so much more to see and do in Kintamani, from cafes perched along the crater edge to hot springs heated deep below the surface.

We find ourselves drawn back time after time, always discovering new things to do. But if you’re pressed for time, we’ve put together this Kintamani day trip itinerary that showcases the best of the region in just one day.

Quick Summary

How To Use This Itinerary

The simplest way to use this itinerary is by hiring a private driver for the day. Send them the summary above and they'll organise the rest.

If you don’t yet have a driver, use this booking form (choose zone two - full day). Remember, there's a surcharge for early morning pick-ups and you'll need an extra hour or two to include everything we recommend. Check our full guide with tips for hiring a private driver.

This itinerary can also be done using your own transportation, provided you have the correct licence. See our tips for renting a scooter in Bali for more information.

Travel Times to Kintamani

Here are the journey times to the first stop and when to set off for the sunrise hike (may be slightly later if you're doing the sunrise jeep tour instead).

Due to the long distance, we wouldn't recommend doing this itinerary from South Bali (Seminyak/Canggu, etc). However, many people still do. And it is possible. If you do travel from the south, be prepared for a very long day, and make sure to agree with your driver on the hours required.

Alternatively, you could stay in Kintamani for a night or two. The area has some great affordable accommodation options. Plus staying in Kintamani the night before your Batur hike means you'll get at least an extra hour or two of sleep.

Kintamani One Day Itinerary

3.30am - Sunrise on Mount Batur

Mount Batur is Bali's second largest active volcano, sitting at the centre of two calderas that make up the stunning Kintamani region. Hiking to the volcano's summit is one of the top things to do in Bali and the main reason most people visit.

The best time to reach the summit is at sunrise, when a sea of oranges and reds appears from the east and slowly reveals views over Lake Batur and the region's dramatic landscapes.

There are two main ways to summit Mount Batur for sunrise: on a guided trekking trip or a 4x4 jeep adventure. We’ve done it both ways and loved each experience. The hike felt more rewarding, but the jeep tour was a more relaxed and accessible way to enjoy similar sunrise views.

The trek started at roughly 4am, but we met our guide first at 3:30am for a coffee and a briefing before heading off. It took us around 2 hours to reach the summit, getting us there just in time to enjoy the sunrise with a classic Batur breakfast of a banana sandwich. We got back to the base around 8.30am.

Despite being a much shorter journey, the 4x4 jeep trip started just a little later at 4:30am. You need to leave early to get a good parking spot among the sea of jeeps around halfway up the volcano. We then had time to wait with a coffee as the sun began to rise over the horizon.

Whichever way you pick, it's going to be a very early start. But it's worth it! Summiting Mount Batur for sunrise is a must-do on a day trip to Kintamani.

9am - Soak in the natural hot springs

After an early morning on Mount Batur, nothing feels better than a soak in one of Kintamani's natural hot springs. These geothermal pools are filled with water heated naturally by underground magma. The warm, mineral-rich waters are perfect for relaxing your muscles after a long hike.

Toya Bungkah is the biggest and best-known hot springs resort in the area. It has several large pools with varying temperatures, all directly overlooking Lake Batur. We've been here many times and really enjoy it, although it can get fairly busy in the morning.

A newer discovery of ours is Cinze Hot Springs. This unique spot has 45 small heated pools cascading down a hillside in an unusual mermaid-tail design - it's super picturesque! The pools are located within a small resort, but you can pay to visit as an outside guest.

Both of these hot springs also have small on-site restaurants in case you want more coffee or a snack.

11am - Visit Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur (Floating Temple)

Close to most of the hot springs is Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur, a peaceful floating temple sitting on the edge of Lake Batur. Accessed by a small bridge over the water, the temple is far less touristy than many others around the island. It's a great place to experience authentic Balinese Hindu culture.

The temple is free to visit, but you do need to rent a sarong to enter. We always give the suggested 20,000 IDR donation. Being quite a small temple, you’ll only need around 20 minutes or so here.

Midday - Lunch with an epic volcano view

Next, head up to the crater's edge where you'll find Penelokan Main Road. The road is lined with modern cafes and restaurants featuring beautiful terraces and amazing views that stretch for miles on a clear day.

We've visited almost all of the cafes along this road, and there are multiple we'd recommend. But these are some worth visiting if you only have a day:

Most cafes along this road also roast their own speciality coffee in-house, using quality coffee beans from the Kintamani region. If you're a coffee lover like us, don't miss the opportunity to try some, and maybe even grab some beans to take back home.

2pm - Visit Batur Geopark Museum

If you still have the energy, you can end your day trip with a visit to the Batur Geopark Museum, which also sits along Penelokan Main Road.

This large modern museum showcases the geological, biological, and cultural diversity of Mount Batur and the surrounding area. It’s a fascinating place to learn more about the Batur region, which in 2012 was named Indonesia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.

The museum tells the story of the volcanic processes that have shaped the landscape of Bali over millions of years, with an impressive collection of volcanic rocks and fossils.

The Geopark Museum costs just 50,000 IDR ⓘ to enter (30,000 for kids). We spent around 50 minutes exploring, but you could easily spend longer if you're interested in geology. The museum closes at 4pm, so don't arrive too late.

Getting Home

Here are the journey and arrival times from the final stop back to your accommodation. Bear in mind that the return journey may take longer due to daytime traffic (it's difficult to predict in advance).

After waking up at 2am for the sunrise hike, we're sure you'll need a very early night, hence why we've only included an extra half day of activities.

Other Activities in Kintamani

If you’re looking to extend your day or make some alterations to the itinerary, here are a few more activities in the area to consider: