An abandoned hotel day in Bedugul? Count me in. This private ghost tour from Ubud mixes spooky local stories with real scenery at Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills. The main headline is the biggest abandoned hotel in Bali, known locally as a ghost palace.

What I like most is the private guide-and-driver setup. You get a dedicated team and hotel pickup/drop-off, so the day feels smoother than a crowded bus plan. I also love the built-in chance to get great photos, from temple views to the swing and bird-nest spots at Wanagiri.

One thing to consider: it’s a 10-hour day with some walking. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, and the waterfall stop includes walking that’s part of the experience.

Key things to know about this Bali ghost tour

• Bedugul Hotel ghost palace: See the massive abandoned property and learn the story behind it during a focused stop.
• Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on the lake: A calm, scenic temple break that sets the mood before the spooky stuff.
• Twin waterfalls + swimming time: Banyumala is set up for photos and can include swimming, plus some walking.
• Wanagiri Hidden Hills photo stops: The swing and bird-nest viewpoints give you classic Instagram angles over Buyan Lake.
• Private, with pickup and lunch: Hotel pickup/drop-off, AC minivan transport, bottled water, and lunch are included.

A private ghost-hunt day around Bedugul

This is the kind of day trip that feels like it has two personalities. First, it’s a scenic, outdoorsy route around Bedugul’s lake-and-waterfall region. Then it turns more eerie at the abandoned hotel site, where the local legend adds a spooky edge to the photos.

Starting at 8:00 am from your hotel area matters. It gives you daylight for the temple and waterfall stops, and it helps keep the abandoned-hotel visit from feeling rushed. You’re also in a private setting, meaning your schedule and pace are meant to stay with your group, not a fixed bus timetable.

The tour runs about 10 hours, and that full-day length is part of the value. You’re not only seeing one highlight; you’re stacking temple views, waterfall time, lake panoramas, and the ghost palace into one outing.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: the lake-view calm before spooky stories

Your first major stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. It’s set in a gorgeous spot on the lake of Beratan, and the wider hills in the background make it feel instantly postcard-worthy. This is a great moment to slow down, because it’s more about atmosphere than adrenaline.

The visit is about 1 hour, with admission ticket included. That duration is enough to take photos, walk around the main areas, and get your bearings before heading into the more abandoned, eerie part of the day.

If you’re chasing that classic Bali look, this is where you’ll likely get it: temple + water + hills in the same frame. Even if you’re not big on temples, the location makes the stop worthwhile, and it also creates a mental reset after any morning travel stress.

The abandoned Bedugul Hotel: why the ghost palace is the main event

Now for the big reason to book this tour: the abandoned Bedugul Hotel. It’s described as the biggest abandoned hotel in Bali, and locally it’s known as the ghost palace. You’ll spend about an hour here, and the admission is free for the visit.

What makes this stop interesting is that it’s not just an exterior photo moment. The tour is built around learning the history of the hotel and the spooky stories that surround the building. That context changes how you look at it. You’re not only staring at broken structures; you’re trying to understand how the place got its reputation.

The hotel is said to have been built around the 1990s in the Bedugul area and planned to be the biggest hotel there. That timeline matters because you start to picture the ambition behind the site, not just the abandonment. It also adds a more human layer to the story, which helps when you’re working to make the experience feel meaningful instead of random.

Photo tip, plain and simple: you’ll probably want to scout for angles quickly. In an abandoned setting, corners and light can make or break your shot. A one-hour stop is long enough to get a few good perspectives, but not long enough to treat it like a full-day exploration.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: swimming, photos, and the walking you should expect

After the ghost palace, the tour heads to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. This is one of those Bali stops that feels like a reward: water, greenery, and a natural setting that turns the day from spooky to refreshing.

You get around 1 hour here, with admission ticket included. The stop is also described as a good place for swimming and pictures, but the big practical note is that there will be some walking. The good news: the walking is framed as worth it once you see the view.

If you want to swim, plan like it’s not a quick splash. Bring a change of clothes if you have one, and wear footwear you’re comfortable getting wet in. Even if you don’t swim, you’ll likely do some moving around to get a better look and different photo angles.

The waterfalls add real variety to the itinerary. You’re not only seeing culture and ruins; you’re getting a nature moment that breaks up the day. It also helps the ghost-hotel part land better, because the emotional tone changes.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills: swings, bird nests, and lake panoramas over Buyan

Wanagiri Hidden Hills is where the tour leans hard into fun photo stops. You’ll have about 1 hour here, and admission ticket is included.

The highlight is the chance to take photos at playful spots like a swing and a bird nest setup, all with the panorama of Buyan Lake in the background. This is the kind of place where you’ll see why people plan their whole day around one or two scenic overlooks.

The reason this stop works well in a ghost tour itinerary is pacing. After temples and waterfalls, you get an easier, more playful hour where the goal is simply great views and good photos. There’s no need to interpret legends here. Just look outward, get your camera ready, and pick the angle that shows the lake best.

Practical photo advice: bring something you can wipe. Whether it’s water mist from the earlier waterfall stop or morning moisture, a quick wipe helps your lens and keeps your shots crisp.

Lunch and bottled water: the small stuff that makes a long day work

For a 10-hour outing, included comfort matters. You get lunch and bottled water, plus all taxes, fees, and handling charges. You’re also riding in an air-conditioned minivan, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

This is one of those tours where the value comes from reducing friction. You don’t have to figure out separate meal plans between stops, and you’re not trying to time your own transport around rural roads and timing windows.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. That’s worth knowing if you’re planning to treat the day like a celebration. You can still have a great time without drinks, but if you like a beer at the end of a hike, budget separately.

Price and value: what $61.54 gets you in real terms

At $61.54 per person, this tour sits in a mid-range zone for Bali day trips. The key question is what you get for that money, not just the number.

Here’s what’s actually doing the heavy lifting for value:

• Private tour setup instead of joining a random bus group
• Hotel pickup/drop-off
• AC minivan transport
• Lunch and bottled water
• Admission handling tied to the stops (with temple, waterfalls, and hidden hills included, and the abandoned hotel admission listed as free)

Also, it’s a minimum of 2 people per booking. That matters because this isn’t really priced as a solo-friendly option in the data provided. If you’re traveling as a couple or a small pair, this kind of private schedule is often where the money makes sense.

Booking average is 29 days in advance, which hints that people plan this as a main outing. If this is on your must-do list, don’t wait until the last minute just because you can.

Timing, fitness, and the smart way to pack for this route

The start time is 8:00 am, and the tour is about 10 hours. That means you should treat this like a full-day plan, not a relaxed half-day wander.

The tour lists a moderate physical fitness level. The most direct reason is the waterfall stop, where some walking is part of reaching and enjoying the view. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with a few active stretches during the day.

Packing ideas that fit the facts of the route:

• Comfortable shoes for wet or uneven ground (especially for the waterfalls area)
• A swim-ready item if you’re planning to swim at Banyumala
• A camera plan for Wanagiri Hidden Hills, where you’ll want both wide shots (lake views) and close-in shots (swing/bird nest angles)
• A light layer for early morning comfort, if you run cold before the day warms up

Guide quality makes a difference, and the names you’ll see

The private nature of this tour means the guide becomes a real part of your day, not an afterthought. In the feedback patterns I see tied to this operator, the guide’s English and friendliness show up as major wins.

For example, Dekwi is praised for making a two-person booking feel like a true private experience rather than something that ends up feeling bus-like. Radi is noted for having good English and being both friendly and well-prepared in the way they guide the hotel visit and the overall route. Benik also comes up as funny and nice, with help that includes getting cool photos.

You might not know which guide you’ll get ahead of time, but the lesson is clear: pick this tour because the operator leans into personal guiding and photo-friendly pacing.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This experience is a strong match if you want a day that blends:

• a spooky-story location (the Bedugul ghost palace)
• a major cultural stop (Ulun Danu Bratan Temple)
• nature time with the chance to swim (Banyumala Twin Waterfalls)
• photo-friendly scenery built into the schedule (Wanagiri Hidden Hills swing and bird nest spots)

You’ll probably enjoy it most if you like variety and you don’t want to shuffle between separate tours. The private setup also makes it a nice choice for couples who want control over the pace and photo stops.

You might want to reconsider if you’re looking for a low-walking, slow-pace day. The waterfall area includes walking, and the overall day is long. Also, if you only care about one specific highlight, you may find it feels like a lot of moving between sites.

Should you book the Bali Ghost Tour: Biggest Abandoned Hotel in Bali?

I’d book it if your dream Bali day includes contrast: temple calm, waterfall fresh air, and the odd thrill of seeing the abandoned Bedugul Hotel tied to local legend. The value is strongest because lunch, water, private transport, and a full route of major sights are built into one outing.

You should skip it if you’re sensitive to walking during waterfall stops or if you dislike full-day schedules. This isn’t a short hop. It’s a 10-hour loop designed to keep you busy and feeding you photo opportunities the whole time.

If you’re traveling with a partner or a small group and you want a private day out of Ubud, this tour is a sensible, story-plus-scenery plan.

FAQ

Where does this Bali ghost tour start?

It’s based in Ubud, Indonesia, and the start time is 8:00 am. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours.

Is it a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What does the price include?

The tour includes private transport by air-conditioned minivan, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, bottled water, all taxes/fees/handling charges, and the tour itself.

Is the abandoned hotel ticket included?

The abandoned Bedugul Hotel stop lists admission as free for the visit.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.