Bali Ghost Tour: The Biggest Abandoned Hotel in Bali

Some hotels are better left unfinished. This private Bali tour combines the eerie abandoned Bedugul Hotel with Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills. I like the mix of strange local folklore and classic Bali scenery, and I like that your group gets its own air-conditioned minivan, driver, guide, lunch, and hotel transfers. The main drawback is the long 10-hour day, with walking at the waterfall and a moderate fitness requirement.

The tour costs $61.54 per person, which is fair if you value private transport and a full day of sightseeing. Guides such as Dekwi, Radi, and Benik have earned special praise for being friendly, helpful, and good at taking photos. Still, the hotel is the main reason to book, so visitors seeking only temples and waterfalls may find the ghost-tour theme less important.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• The abandoned Bedugul Hotel is the tour’s unusual centerpiece: You spend about an hour exploring the large unfinished building known locally as the ghost palace.
• Your group travels privately: Only your booking group participates, with pickup and drop-off included.
• The day mixes spooky stories with Bali scenery: Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Banyumala Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills provide a broad sample of the island’s central highlands.
• Photo stops are built into the route: Wanagiri includes swings, bird nests, and viewpoints over Buyan Lake.
• The waterfall requires some walking: You should be comfortable with a moderate amount of physical activity.
• Lunch and bottled water are included: Alcoholic drinks are not part of the price.

Why This Private Ubud Day Tour Works

This is not a narrow ghost walk. It is a full-day sightseeing trip with one unusual stop at its center.

From Ubud, your driver picks you up at 8:00 a.m. and takes you toward Bali’s central highlands. The private format matters here. You are not waiting for a large bus to load, and you can spend the day with one driver and guide rather than a rotating series of brief explanations.

The tour takes about 10 hours, so plan for a full day away from your hotel. That length is both its strength and its cost. You cover several well-known sights in one outing, but you will want comfortable clothes, sensible footwear, and enough energy for the waterfall walk.

The price includes transport in an air-conditioned minivan, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, bottled water, admission fees, and taxes. Alcohol is extra. For two people, the price buys a private vehicle and personal service rather than just entry to one attraction, making it a practical option if you want several stops without arranging transport yourself.

Entering the Abandoned Bedugul Hotel

The abandoned Bedugul Hotel is the reason this tour catches the eye.

The large building was constructed around the 1990s with the aim of becoming the biggest hotel in the area. It was never completed or opened as a normal hotel, and the empty structure became known locally as the ghost palace. You spend about an hour here hearing its background and the spooky stories connected with it.

The appeal is the contrast. Bali is known for temples, rice terraces, ceremonies, and tropical scenery. This stop offers something much stranger: a grand hotel project left behind, with vacant rooms and an atmosphere shaped by years of disuse.

You should treat the hotel as an atmospheric sightseeing stop, not a polished attraction. The information provided does not promise restored interiors, formal exhibits, or a staged haunted-house experience. The interest comes from the building itself, its unfinished story, and the guide’s explanation.

That makes the guide especially important. Radi is praised for friendly service, strong English, and useful explanations about the hotel. Dekwi also received warm praise for helping make the day enjoyable, while Benik was singled out for his humor, kindness, and photo-taking skills.

Because this is a private tour, you can ask questions and spend time looking around at your own pace within the planned schedule. You also avoid being part of a large crowd moving through the building. If the hotel is your main reason for booking, tell your guide early in the day that you want enough time for photographs and questions.

There is a practical point to keep in mind. An abandoned building is not the same as a conventional museum or attraction with a neat path and detailed signage. Wear shoes that suit walking, pay attention to your guide, and follow any instructions about where you can go.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and the Lake View

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple gives the day a calmer opening or early major stop, depending on the route your driver follows.

The temple appears to float on Lake Beratan, with hills behind it. You have about an hour here, and admission is included. The setting is the main attraction: water, temple structures, and the highland backdrop create the sort of scene that explains why this part of Bali appears in so many photographs.

This stop also gives the tour cultural balance. Without it, the day would be mostly an abandoned building, a waterfall, and photo platforms. The temple brings in Bali’s spiritual side and gives you a place to slow down before the more active part of the route.

An hour is enough for a focused visit, but not a long study of every corner. You will need to keep an eye on the schedule because three additional stops follow. If you want a relaxed temple visit with lots of time for quiet observation, a dedicated temple tour may suit you better.

For this experience, though, the short stop makes sense. You get a major cultural sight without giving up the abandoned hotel and waterfall.

Walking Down to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is the most physically demanding part of the day.

You spend about an hour at the waterfall, with time for pictures and swimming. Reaching the view involves some walking, but the effort is described as worthwhile once you see the falls. The tour requires a moderate fitness level, so this is not the best choice if you need a completely flat, low-effort outing.

The chance to swim adds value, but bring a practical mindset. The tour information does not specify changing facilities, towels, or how long you can remain in the water. If swimming is important to you, ask the operator what you should bring before departure.

The waterfall stop also breaks up the drive and the sightseeing rhythm. After the hotel’s dark, unfinished atmosphere, Banyumala offers open air and moving water. You get a different side of Bali without booking a separate nature excursion.

Good shoes matter here. Flip-flops may be fine for some parts of the day, but a walk to a waterfall can be slippery or uneven. The supplied information does not give exact trail conditions, so sensible footwear is the safest choice.

One hour may feel brief if you want a long swim. It works better if your goal is to see the falls, take photographs, and enjoy a short break in the setting. The tour is designed as a full day of several highlights, not as a waterfall-only outing.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the Photo Stops

Wanagiri Hidden Hills is the most deliberately photo-focused stop.

You get about an hour to use the swings, bird nests, and other viewing spots, with Buyan Lake behind you. This is where the tour leans hardest into Instagram photography. If you enjoy posed pictures and scenic platforms, you will have plenty to work with.

The stop is also useful for people who want a clear view without a strenuous hike. Compared with the waterfall, Wanagiri is about choosing a viewpoint and taking photographs rather than walking down to a natural feature.

The tradeoff is that the experience is built around photo spots. It is less about quiet observation and more about taking turns on the swing, bird nest, or other platforms. If you prefer places with little structure or fewer photo setups, this may feel more commercial than the temple or hotel.

Still, the variety is useful. The tour gives you a dark abandoned building, a lakeside temple, a waterfall, and a high viewpoint. Wanagiri supplies the big scenic finish and gives your guide another chance to help with photographs.

Benik’s reputation for taking cool photos is especially relevant here. You should not assume every driver has the same style, but the private format means you can ask your guide for help rather than relying only on a quick phone snapshot.

Lunch, Transport, and the Value of $61.54

The $61.54 price is easiest to judge by looking at what you do not need to arrange separately.

You receive round-trip hotel transport, an air-conditioned minivan, bottled water, lunch, admission fees, and a private guide-driver. The tour also covers taxes, fees, and handling charges. Alcoholic drinks are excluded, but that is a minor cost unless you specifically want them with lunch.

A private day tour usually earns its price through convenience. You do not need to negotiate separate transport between four stops, find a restaurant during a long sightseeing day, or work out the route yourself. You also have more personal attention than you would on a large group trip.

The price is strongest for two or more people who want an easy day with a private vehicle. A minimum of two people is required per booking, and group discounts are available. Since the tour is private, a larger group may get better value per person if the discount applies.

The included lunch is another small but useful advantage. You can keep moving without spending part of the day searching for food. The information does not specify the restaurant or menu, so do not book this for a particular dining experience. Book it because lunch is handled for you.

The main cost is time. Ten hours is a serious commitment, and traffic or delays could make the day feel even longer. You should book this when you want a packed sightseeing day, not when you hope to spend a quiet morning at your hotel.

The Guides Make the Private Format Matter

A private driver-guide can make or break a full-day tour.

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the people providing it. Dekwi was described as a major reason for an enjoyable day. Radi was praised for friendly service, good English, and useful information. Benik was remembered for being very funny and kind, and for helping with photographs.

These details matter because the route itself includes several stops that can be visited independently. The added value comes from having someone manage the driving, explain the hotel, help with photos, and keep the day moving.

You should still keep expectations realistic. The tour description does not promise a professional historian, paranormal investigator, or licensed archaeologist. The guide’s role is to drive, guide, explain, and assist you throughout the day.

If you care about the ghost stories, ask questions at the hotel. If you want better group photos, ask for help at Wanagiri. A private tour gives you the chance to speak up, and that is where the format can feel much better than a standard bus outing.

Who Will Enjoy This Bali Ghost Tour?

I would recommend this experience to couples, friends, and small groups who want a private day with several different types of scenery.

It is a strong fit if you want:

• A visit to an unusual abandoned building
• Local stories connected to the Bedugul Hotel
• A private vehicle and personal driver-guide
• A full day combining culture, nature, and photography
• Time at a waterfall, including the option to swim
• Help taking pictures at scenic viewpoints
• Lunch, bottled water, and transport included

You may want another tour if you dislike long days, walking, or planned photo stops. The experience also may not suit someone looking for a serious supernatural investigation. The ghost element is part of the hotel’s local reputation and storytelling, not a guarantee of paranormal activity.

Families should consider the moderate fitness requirement and the walking at Banyumala. The supplied information does not provide a specific child age policy, so ask the operator before booking with young children.

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m., and confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Bedugul Ghost Tour?

Book it if you want the abandoned hotel to anchor a busy day of Bali sightseeing.

The best parts are the private format, the mix of stops, and the personal service associated with guides such as Dekwi, Radi, and Benik. You get a memorable building, a temple on Lake Beratan, a waterfall, a scenic viewpoint, lunch, and transport in one package.

Skip it if you want a slow cultural day, a dedicated waterfall outing, or a formal ghost investigation. The itinerary is full, and the hotel’s spooky reputation is more important than any promise of supernatural events.

For most people who enjoy unusual places and practical sightseeing, the $61.54 price is good value, especially when shared by two or more people. Bring comfortable shoes, keep your schedule open for the full 10 hours, and ask your guide for photo help. That is the simplest way to get the most from this curious and varied day in Bali.

FAQ

Where does the Bali Ghost Tour take place?

The tour is based in Ubud, Indonesia, and includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your booking group participates in the private activity.

How many people are required to book?

A minimum of two people per booking is required.

What attractions are included?

The tour visits Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, the abandoned Bedugul Hotel, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, bottled water, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is the tour physically demanding?

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. The Banyumala Waterfalls stop includes some walking, and swimming is possible there.