Bali Ghost Tour: The Biggest Abandoned Hotel in Bali

The star of this Bali day trip is the abandoned Bedugul Hotel, a huge unfinished building known locally as the Ghost Palace. You’ll hear its story, explore its eerie rooms, and then trade dusty corridors for a lakeside temple, a forest waterfall, and swing photos above Buyan Lake.

I like the private format, since your driver and guide can shape the pace around your group. I also like the mix of unusual history and outdoor stops: this is not just a ghost story, and it is not just a photo circuit. The possible drawback is the long 10-hour day and the walking required at Banyumala Waterfalls.

Key points to know before booking

• The abandoned Bedugul Hotel is the main attraction, with about an hour to look around the famous Ghost Palace.
• Ulun Danu Bratan Temple comes first, giving you a calm and highly photogenic start beside Lake Bratan.
• Banyumala Twin Waterfalls requires walking, but you can swim and take photos once you reach the falls.
• Wanagiri Hidden Hills is built for photos, with swings, bird nests, and views toward Buyan Lake.
• Your private group gets its own driver and guide, with Dekwi, Radi, and Benik specifically praised for friendly service and photo assistance.
• The $61.54 price includes useful extras, including lunch, bottled water, hotel transfers, air-conditioned transport, and admission fees.

Why the abandoned hotel makes this tour different

Many Bali day trips follow familiar temple and waterfall routes. This one adds a strange human story in the middle: a large hotel project begun around the 1990s that never became the major resort it was meant to be.

The building is known locally as the ghost palace. That name gives the visit its mood, but you should approach it as an abandoned structure surrounded by local stories, not as a guaranteed paranormal event. The appeal is the atmosphere, the scale, and the chance to hear how an ambitious hotel project became one of Bali’s more unusual sights.

You get about one hour at the hotel. That is enough time to look through the building and take pictures without letting the stop swallow the whole day. The private setup helps here. Your guide can explain the story as you move through the site, and you can spend more time on the rooms or views that interest you most.

Guides named Dekwi, Radi, and Benik have each been praised for being friendly, funny, attentive, and helpful with photographs. That matters at a place like this. An abandoned building can be interesting, but a guide who gives context and helps you make sense of it turns a walk through empty rooms into a proper stop.

You should still use sensible care around any abandoned building. The tour information calls for moderate physical fitness, but it does not give detailed safety or access information. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator before booking.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple starts the day on a graceful note

The first stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, with about one hour included. The temple sits beside, and appears to float on, Lake Bratan. Hills rise behind it, giving you the classic Bali setting of water, shrine roofs, and mountain scenery.

This is a strong opening stop because it is peaceful and visually clear. You can walk around the temple grounds, take photographs, and enjoy a very different mood from the abandoned hotel that follows. The contrast is part of the fun: one stop is carefully maintained and spiritually important, while the next is unfinished and deserted.

Admission is included, so you do not need to budget an extra entrance fee during the day. Your guide can also help with timing and photos, which is useful at a place where the best pictures often depend on where you stand rather than how long you stay.

One hour is a sensible amount of time, though anyone wanting a slow temple visit may find it brief. This tour covers four major stops, so it is designed to give you a taste of each rather than a long, quiet visit at one site.

Exploring the Ghost Palace at Bedugul

After the temple, you head to the abandoned Bedugul Hotel. This is the point of the day for anyone drawn to strange places, unfinished projects, and Bali stories that sit outside the usual sightseeing route.

The hotel was intended to become the biggest hotel in the area when construction began around the 1990s. Instead, the project was left unfinished. Its size makes the stop more interesting than a simple abandoned house. You are looking at a large resort idea that never reached its final form.

Local people call it the Ghost Palace, and that nickname gives the visit its edge. The guide’s role is important here, since the experience depends on understanding what happened and hearing the stories attached to the building. Radi, one of the guides praised for this tour, was described as friendly and good at explaining the site in English.

Expect about one hour here. That gives you time to explore and take photos, but not enough for a long, unhurried architectural study. If you want the clearest pictures, listen to your guide about where you can stand and which areas are appropriate to enter. The tour description does not promise access to every part of the building, so do not assume that every room or floor will be open.

This stop also explains why the tour costs more than a simple hired car. You are not only being driven to a remote-feeling attraction. You have a private guide to add context, help with photographs, and keep the schedule moving.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls rewards the walk

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is the most active stop on the route. You get about one hour, and the tour description specifically notes that some walking is required. The walk is presented as worthwhile for the views, but you should not treat this as a roadside photo stop.

The falls are known for their twin streams and natural pool. Swimming is allowed as part of the visit, so bring clothing that works for getting wet if you want to enter the water. The information provided does not mention changing facilities, so plan practically and do not count on a full place to change.

This is where the moderate fitness requirement matters most. The tour is private, which means your group may have a little more freedom to set the pace, but the route still involves walking. Good footwear is a sensible choice, especially if conditions are damp.

An hour can feel short if you want to swim, photograph the falls, and take your time on the walk. It works better if you decide in advance what matters most. If you want pictures and a quick look, the timing should be manageable. If swimming is the priority, you may need to keep the rest of the stop efficient.

Still, Banyumala adds balance to the day. After the enclosed, spooky hotel, you get open air, moving water, and a chance to slow down physically, even if the schedule itself remains full.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills is made for photographs

The final listed stop is Wanagiri Hidden Hills, where you get about an hour for scenic photos. The area has swings, bird nests, and other photo spots set against views of Buyan Lake.

This stop is clearly designed for social media pictures. That is not a criticism, as long as you know what you are booking. If you enjoy posed photos and want recognizable Bali images, you will have plenty to work with. If you prefer quiet cultural sites, this may feel more staged than the temple or waterfall.

The private guide is useful here because taking pictures is easier when someone knows the spots and can help with the camera. Benik was specifically praised for being funny, kind, and good at taking cool photos. A guide who is willing to help rather than simply point out the next stop can make a real difference at a photo-focused attraction.

You will see Buyan Lake from above, with the swings and bird nests forming the foreground. The views are the reason to come, while the structures provide the poses. Use the hour well by choosing a few favorite setups instead of trying to photograph every one.

Wanagiri also gives the day a light finish. The abandoned hotel supplies the mystery, the temple supplies the calm, and the waterfall supplies the activity. Here, the mood is playful.

What the private tour format really gives you

This is a private tour for your group only, not a shared bus excursion. That is one of its strongest features. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, a private driver and guide, and transport in an air-conditioned minivan.

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. and lasts about 10 hours. That is a full day, but the route covers several places in the Bedugul area and includes lunch. A morning departure also gives you a better chance of fitting all four stops into one outing without rushing every visit.

Private does not mean unlimited flexibility. The schedule still includes four one-hour stops, lunch, driving, and a return to your hotel. But you can ask questions, take a little longer at a favorite stop when the timing allows, and avoid waiting for a large group to finish taking pictures.

The guide quality is a key part of the value. Dekwi was praised for making the day enjoyable, Radi for friendly English-language guidance, and Benik for humor and photo help. Individual guide assignments can change, so you should not assume you will receive one of these specific people. Their praise does show the kind of service the company aims to provide.

Is $61.54 a fair price?

At $61.54 per person, the price looks reasonable for a private 10-hour outing, especially if two or more people share the booking. The cost includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport, a guide and driver, lunch, bottled water, taxes, handling charges, and the listed admission fees.

That bundle matters. A cheaper car hire may only cover transportation, leaving you to arrange entrance tickets, food, and explanations at each stop. Here, the day is organized around a full route, and you do not need to keep reaching for your wallet for the basics.

The price is less attractive for someone who wants only the abandoned hotel. You are paying for a complete day of sightseeing, so the value depends on enjoying the temple, waterfall, and photo stop as well. If you dislike structured days or staged photo locations, part of the package may not suit you.

A minimum of two people per booking applies. Group discounts are offered, though the exact discount is not stated. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but that is a minor issue for a daytime tour where lunch and water are provided.

Lunch, transport, and practical planning

Lunch is included, along with bottled water. The information does not specify the restaurant, menu, or dietary options, so ask ahead if you have food restrictions. You can also bring a small snack for the long day, since the schedule includes several active stops.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the supplied details do not state the exact pickup area. Confirm that your hotel is covered when you book. The air-conditioned minivan will be welcome during the driving portions, particularly after walking at the waterfall.

Wear shoes suited to walking and clothing that works for a temple visit, a waterfall stop, and photo locations. You may want swimwear or a change of clothes if you plan to enter the Banyumala pool. These are practical suggestions based on the activities listed, not promises of changing facilities or specific dress rules.

The tour is best for people with moderate physical fitness. You will not spend the day on a bus, but you will walk at the waterfall and move through a large abandoned building. Ask before booking if stairs, uneven ground, or wet paths could be a problem for you.

Who should book this Bali ghost tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day with a clear theme and plenty of variety. The abandoned hotel is unusual enough to give the outing a purpose, while the temple, waterfall, and lake views keep it from becoming a single-note ghost hunt.

It suits couples, friends, and small groups who value a private vehicle and personal guide. It also works for people who want help taking photographs without having to arrange a separate photographer.

I would think twice if you want a slow cultural day, a serious paranormal investigation, or a long swim at the waterfall. The itinerary moves through four stops, and each receives about an hour. It is active and varied rather than leisurely.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans may change. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of walking through Bali’s abandoned Ghost Palace appeals to you and you also want the convenience of a private day covering major sights around Bedugul. The combination of local stories, temple views, waterfall walking, lunch, and photo stops gives you a lot for the price.

Skip it if the hotel is your only goal, since the day includes several other attractions and lasts about 10 hours. For most small groups, though, the private format, included transport and food, and strong guide service make this a useful way to see a less familiar side of Bali.

FAQ

Where does the Bali Ghost Tour take place?

The tour is based in Ubud, Indonesia, and visits sites in the Bedugul area, including Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, the abandoned Bedugul Hotel, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour includes a private driver and guide.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned minivan, lunch, bottled water, taxes, fees, handling charges, and the listed admission fees.

How many people are required to book?

A minimum of two people is required per booking.

Do I need to be physically fit?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The Banyumala Waterfalls visit includes walking, and swimming is possible there.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.