Bali Ubud Tour Monkey Forest, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace

A long day, in the best kind of way. You get a tight mix of Ubud nature and culture in about 8–9 hours, including entrance tickets, water, and a private car with a driver-guide. I like that the stops are spread out across jungle, temples, and rice views, so the day never feels repetitive. I also like the flexibility of a private setup, where your guide can steer the timing to how you move. One thing to plan for: lunch is not included, and it is a full-day schedule.

If you’re trying to see a lot in one day without the stress of hopping between agencies, this kind of private car tour makes sense. You’ll start with hotel pickup around 8:00 AM and you’ll be back by about 5:00 PM. The tour is also weather-dependent, since it includes outdoor sights like the waterfall and rice terrace.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Private pickup and A/C car: You’re not crammed into a big group van.
• Tickets are part of the price: Entrance fees are included for the main sites.
• A real Bali pacing mix: Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, a temple, then Tegalalang rice.
• Afternoon tea is included: You get a 1-hour tea stop at Abian Kusuma Sari Agrowisata.
• Guide quality shows in the details: Named guides like Komang Yus, Ray, Laden, and Mertha get praised for patience and helpful explanations.

Ubud in one day: monkeys, waterfall, temples, and rice

This tour is built for people who like variety. One hour you’re walking through a sacred forest filled with ancient temples and long-tailed macaques. Next, you’re driving into lush greenery for Kanto Lampo Waterfall, where the main goal is photos and a quick reset in cooler air. Then you pivot into Balinese spirituality at Tirta Empul Temple, and you finish with one of Ubud’s most photographed views: Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

What makes this combination work for you is that each stop has a different “feel.” Monkey Forest is dense and playful. Kanto Lampo is dramatic and wet. Tirta Empul is slower and more ceremonial. Tegalalang is open and scenic, with views you can take in from different angles as you stroll.

The other practical win is that you’re not left juggling tickets and transport. Bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and entrance tickets are included, which matters in Bali where one extra errand can cost you time.

The 8–9 hour flow (and how to enjoy the pace)

The day starts with pickup from your hotel around 8:00 AM. That matters because you avoid the “first stop in the late morning” problem, when crowds and heat can make everything feel like a chore.

A typical flow looks like this:

• Monkey Forest around 9:00 AM
• Kanto Lampo Waterfall around 10:30 AM
• Temple around 1:30 PM
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace around 3:00 PM
• Return transfer by about 5:00 PM

You’ll also want to mentally budget for drive time between areas. Ubud traffic can change your schedule fast, and this tour is still only 8–9 hours total. The good side: your driver-guide is also handling the route, so you’re not spending the day hunting parking lots or checking maps.

One caution: the tour includes several outdoor stops, so if weather turns rough, it can affect comfort and sometimes timing. Since it is weather-dependent, you should be ready for rescheduling if conditions are not ideal.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: ancient temples plus long-tailed macaques

Your morning stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. You get about an hour here, which is usually enough time to slow down, take photos, and wander the temple grounds at a relaxed pace.

What I like about Monkey Forest as a first main stop is that it’s busy but not exhausting—at least compared with a day packed only with viewpoint hikes. You’re walking through a green, temple-centered area with long-tailed macaques moving around you. It’s a very visual introduction to Ubud’s mix of everyday life and heritage sites.

The main consideration: this is a place where animals are part of the experience. If you’re not comfortable around monkeys, you might want to reconsider or adjust your expectations going in. Also, bring a realistic mindset: you’re visiting a sanctuary, not a zoo, so you’ll be sharing space.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: a jungle photo stop that resets your mood

Around late morning, you head to Kanto Lampo Waterfall. The schedule allows about an hour, including time on site and time to take pictures without rushing.

This is one of the stops where the tour’s structure helps you. You’re not just dropped off with no plan. You’re driven there, you have an entrance ticket included, and you can spend your time focusing on what you came for: the waterfall views and the jungle setting.

A practical tip (based on how these stops usually feel) is to plan your energy. Waterfall stops can be slippery and damp, and you’ll likely do some uneven walking. If you prefer easy, flat walking only, you may find this stop more demanding than Monkey Forest or a market.

Tirta Empul Temple: seeing Balinese spirituality in a living place

Next comes a Balinese temple stop: Tirta Empul Temple. You’ll spend about an hour here, with admission included. The focus is learning about local spiritual traditions, and it’s one of those places where your guide’s explanation can make a big difference.

What you’ll likely appreciate is that the tour isn’t only “look at the building.” The point is understanding what the temple means to local life. That’s where a good driver-guide helps: when you can ask questions and get clear answers, the visit feels more respectful and more rewarding.

One caution: temple visits often require a certain level of cultural mindfulness. The tour includes temples as planned stops, so you can expect the route to match visitor expectations there. If you have clothing limits or prefer not to follow dress guidance, this is the moment to think ahead.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: the iconic green views, paced for a stroll

In the mid-afternoon, you arrive at Tegalalang Rice Terrace. You’ll have about an hour here, admission included.

This stop is famous for a reason: the rice terraces create repeating layers of green that look great from multiple angles. The benefit of including it later in the day is that you can pair the open views with the earlier temple and waterfall experiences, then spend time just walking and looking.

Here’s the most honest consideration: it can be crowded and it’s outdoors. If you’re the type who hates crowds, you might find that the hour is enough but not long enough to “wait out” busy moments. If you’re okay with people around, it’s still one of the best Ubud picture and scenery stops for your time.

Afternoon tea at Abian Kusuma Sari Agrowisata

Between the big sightseeing moments, you get a break: afternoon tea at Abian Kusuma Sari Agrowisata. The tea stop is included and scheduled for about an hour.

This matters more than it sounds. After temple and outdoor walking, a sitting-down moment helps you enjoy the rest of the day. You’re also switching from “active outdoors” to a more relaxed, social part of the experience.

If you’re budget-minded, the tea stop adds value. Since lunch is not included, having at least one included food or drink moment keeps your day from turning into constant extra spending.

Other route stops you might see along the way

The tour also lists additional points that can show up depending on the route and timing. You may pass by or stop at places like:

• Ubud Palace
• Art market area in Ubud
• Ubud waterfall (another waterfall stop listed)
• A Traditional Village stop
• Infinity pool (listed among possible stops)

I’m treating these as “possible route additions,” because your exact sequence isn’t guaranteed from the info alone. Still, the presence of these options is a hint at the tour’s design: it’s not only the headline sites. It’s also meant to show you the day-to-day Ubud experience, where culture, crafts, and scenic viewpoints sit close together.

If you’re choosing between tours, this is one reason to consider this one: it gives you more than just a single straight-line checklist.

What’s included (and why that matters for value)

The included portion is where this tour starts to feel like a bargain:

• Bottled water
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Private transportation
• Entrance ticket(s)
• Driver and guide

And then you still get a built-in comfort stop with afternoon tea included at Abian Kusuma Sari Agrowisata.

At $27.51 per person, the value depends on what you care about most. If you want a private guide experience and you do not want to pay for each ticket separately, this pricing can be strong. If you’re trying to squeeze costs down to the minimum possible, a cheaper group bus option might exist, but it usually comes with compromises in comfort and time control.

In plain terms: you’re paying for a full day with transport and admissions handled, so you spend your time seeing places instead of planning every detail on the fly.

The guide makes the difference: Komang Yus, Ray, Laden, Mertha

One pattern shows up clearly in the guide feedback: the driver-guide role is not just “driving and dropping you off.” People praise guides who are patient, helpful, and willing to answer questions about Bali.

Names mentioned include Komang Yus, Ray, Laden, and Mertha. If you care about learning something real while you’re sightseeing, look for that kind of guide energy. It turns the day from photo stops into context—especially at Tirta Empul Temple, where understanding matters.

Also, since it is a private tour, you can take advantage of questions without feeling rushed or ignored.

Who this tour is best for

This fits you well if:

• You want a one-day Ubud hit across nature and culture
• You prefer a private car over shared transport
• You like having entrance tickets included
• You want an included tea break to pace the day

You might reconsider if:

• You’re strongly opposed to animal encounters near temples (Monkey Forest is central here)
• You need a shorter day or you hate long drives
• You require extra planning around temple clothing guidance

There’s also an explicit note: it is not recommended for women on their period (menstruation). If that applies to you, you’ll want a different plan.

Should you book it? My straightforward take

I’d book this tour if your priority is efficiency with a human touch. You get a true Ubud sampler—Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Tirta Empul, and Tegalalang—plus tea and transport handled. The fact that guides are praised for being patient and for answering questions is a big plus, since temples and cultural sites are where context helps.

I would not book it if you’re looking for a slow, no-driving, only-one-activity day. This is a schedule. It’s also outdoors-heavy, so weather matters.

If you decide to go, set yourself up to enjoy it: treat it as a full day of motion and photos, and remember that lunch is on your own, while the key tickets and water are already taken care of.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Bali Ubud tour?

The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours.

What time do you get picked up?

Pickup is typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, with return transfer around 5:00 PM.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it is a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Admission tickets are included for the listed main stops.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you’ll need to pay for it yourself.

What is included besides transportation and tickets?

The tour includes bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and a driver and guide.

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. There is an afternoon tea stop at Abian Kusuma Sari Agrowisata, and it is included (about 1 hour).

Which stops are included in the main route?

The main stops are Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Does weather affect the tour?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, no refund is given.