The excursions compared
| Excursion | Duration | "From" price; check before you go | What is stated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram day: Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, waterfall, rice terraces, swing | 10 to 11 h | about $34 | guide in English, German or French, optional pick-up; 4.8 out of 5 from over 8,000 reviews | most travellers |
| Tegalalang rice terraces and swing | short outing | about $22 | guide, swing ticket; 4.8 out of 5 from about 200 reviews | little time |
| East Bali: Gate of Heaven, Tirta Gangga and Ubud, private | day | about $34 to confirm; entries and swing extra | private tour; entries and swing to add | couples, families |
| Gate of Heaven, waterfall and Ubud all-inclusive | day | about $70 | all-inclusive according to the offer; 4.9 out of 5 from only 38 reviews | those who want a single price |
The spots, one by one
- The Lempuyang Gate of Heaven: Bali's most famous photo, with Mount Agung behind on a clear day. The "water reflection" is an effect made with a mirror by a photographer on site; there is no pool. See the Lempuyang page and which excursion to choose for Lempuyang.
- Tirta Gangga: pools, statues and fish, calmer than Lempuyang: see Tirta Gangga.
- The Tegalalang rice terraces: green terraces north of Ubud: see the Tegalalang rice terraces.
- The jungle swing: paid, often optional; see the Ubud swings.
- The waterfalls: depending on the offer, an eastern waterfall (see Tukad Cepung) is added to the day.
The queue at the gates
This is the trap of these tours. According to our Lempuyang page, the wait can stay under an hour for the first shuttles around 5:30, while it reaches three to four hours around 10:00. Several reviews of the Instagram day mention a queue for the photo at the Gate of Heaven and advise arriving earlier.
When to leave
For Lempuyang, group excursions leave Ubud around 3:00 to 4:00 in the morning according to our guide, to arrive before the crowd. Mount Agung is more often visible in the dry season (April to October); in the rainy season, see the rainy season in Bali. The rice fields are greenest from November to March.
Good to know before booking
- Extra costs: entries, the Lempuyang shuttle and the swing are sometimes paid on site; one review regrets the lack of clarity. Bring cash.
- Dress: sarong and covered shoulders at Lempuyang, often lent.
- Long day: 10 to 11 hours, much of it in the car; one review mentions weak air-conditioning at the back.
- Private driver: if you prefer to control the time, see a private driver in Bali and Ubud: which excursion to choose.
FAQ
What is the best Bali Instagram tour? The full day of Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, rice terraces and swing, the most booked.
What time should I arrive at Lempuyang? Before 5:30 to 6:00 for a short wait.
Is the swing included? Often optional: check the offer.
How long is the day? About 10 to 11 hours.
