A full Ubud menu, picked by you. This private custom tour lets you choose up to five attractions from a long list, so your day feels personal instead of cookie-cutter. You’ll get an air-conditioned car, bottled water, and 2-way pickup from Ubud and much of south Bali, then build your own mix of monkeys, temples, terraces, and waterfalls.

What I like most is the flexibility: if you want the big sights, go for them, and if you want quieter corners, you can. I also like the practical pacing built into the format—8 to 10 hours with stops you can swap depending on your energy level. One possible drawback: entrance fees and lunch are extra, and some stops involve steep steps, so plan accordingly.

Guides and drivers can make or break the day, and this tour has a strong track record. In particular, it’s been praised for guides like Agung Rai (culture and history), Winata (very accommodating and patient), and Sakha (considerate, with options and waiting time). The big consideration is that your exact route depends on what you select, and Ubud traffic can stretch the day, especially when you add multiple waterfall stops.

Key points to know before you go

• Pick up to five stops from a menu, so you control the vibe: iconic or calm.
• Private car + hotel pickup in Ubud and major south Bali areas saves time and hassle.
• Entrance fees are on you, while the car, water, parking, and fuel are handled.
• Driver flexibility matters—the experience is often praised for accommodating changes mid-day.
• Some stops are stairs-heavy, like Mount Kawi and Elephant Cave, so bring the right shoes.

How a custom Ubud day actually feels

Ubud is famous for a reason, but the real win here is that you’re not stuck with a preset route. You choose as many as five places, then your driver works out the order so you can move efficiently. That’s a smart way to enjoy Bali without rushing every photo.

Another big advantage is that the tour is private—your group is the only group in the car. That means you can slow down when you want to chat, linger when a view hits just right, or skip a stop if it feels too crowded.

Just keep one expectation in mind: your itinerary has to be chosen up front, and then you live inside that plan for the day. If you pick five intense stops, you’ll feel it by late afternoon. Choose a balance—some wide-open scenery, some sacred sights, and one easy break.

Price and value: what $34.62 per person buys

At $34.62 per person, the price is aimed at giving you transport and a smooth day, not counting admissions or meals. Entrance tickets and lunch are not included, so you should budget extra for sites you select.

Here’s the value math I like: you’re paying for a private, air-conditioned vehicle plus pickup and parking. In Bali, that saves you the headache of finding drivers, negotiating routes, and figuring out how to chain multiple spots without burning daylight.

A second value point is the time span. 8 to 10 hours is enough to string together a “best of Ubud” day without feeling like you’re sprinting. Add up the stops you can choose—monkey sanctuary, rice terraces, swing photo stop, temple visits, waterfalls, and even a volcano-lake viewpoint—and you get a full day that would be annoying to DIY.

Pickup zones that matter (and how to plan your timing)

Pickup is included from Ubud and many south Bali locations, including Sanur, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Denpasar, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, and Uluwatu. That’s helpful if you’re staying outside Ubud but still want a custom day in the cultural heart of Bali.

Your day will start with your driver collecting you, then you’ll head to your chosen stops with bottled water in the car. Because the tour runs 8 to 10 hours, I recommend treating the first stop as your “anchor.” If you start with something popular, go early. If you start with something quieter, you can relax into the day.

Traffic can always happen in Ubud. Build in flexibility by not scheduling your last stop as the “must-do” if you’re hoping for a specific time window.

The driver experience: where Agung Rai, Winata, and Sakha shine

The most praised part of this tour is the human element. The experience is described as being led by drivers/guides who know how to adapt to your pace and interests.

• Agung Rai is praised for being knowledgeable about Balinese culture and history. That’s exactly what you want when you’re standing in a temple or a sacred cave and trying to understand what you’re seeing.
• Winata is noted as extremely accommodating, taking people wherever they chose with time to do activities—plus patience while you move at your own speed.
• Sakha is described as considerate, giving options, and waiting while activities play out.

Even if you don’t care about deep cultural explanations, you’ll still appreciate the practical side: the right driver helps you hit fewer bottlenecks and spend more time where it matters.

Pick your five: the Ubud menu, translated into real choices

This tour gives you a list of stops and the option to choose up to five. Below is how I think about each one—what it gives you, and what to watch for.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (1 hour)

If you want the classic Ubud experience, this is the obvious pick. You’ll walk through a thick, shaded forest with wildlife around you—monkeys plus other animals like birds, lizards, and butterflies. It feels like you’re stepping into a living temple garden.

What to consider: expect close-up monkey activity. Wear something comfortable for walking, and keep your belongings secure. This is a great stop to front-load early in the day before the busiest crowds.

Ubud Traditional Art Market (1 hour)

This is where you get your souvenirs and learn how prices work in real life. You’ll walk through an art market scene centered around handmade products, and bargaining is part of the fun.

One practical bonus: the Ubud King Palace is nearby, so your market stop can be more than just shopping. Even if you don’t buy much, it’s a nice pulse-check on everyday Ubud life.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace (1 hour)

Rice terraces are Bali’s “green postcard,” and Tegalalang is one of the best-known areas for good reasons. You’ll see layered terracing with sweeping views, plus a short trek along the paddy that helps you feel like you’re part of the landscape instead of just watching it.

What to consider: this is a viewpoint + walk combo. Wear shoes with grip, and bring water. If you hate “slippery steps,” you’ll want to move carefully in the wet spots.

Real Bali Swing (1 hour)

If you want a photo stop with adrenaline, this is it. You get the chance to zip on a big jungle swing setup for those memorable shots with a jungle backdrop.

The trade-off is that it’s a time-and-photo activity. If you’re not into staged action photos, you might treat it as a quick stop rather than the main event.

Tirta Empul Temple (1 hour)

This is a spiritual stop with a very clear purpose. Local people come for holy blessing ceremonies tied to cleansing the body and soul. You’ll be in a temple setting that feels active and meaningful, not just decorative.

What to consider: temples come with etiquette. Dress respectfully and be mindful about how and where you move so you don’t interrupt the ceremony space.

Mount Batur (1 hour)

This is the payoff stop for volcano-and-lake views. The best part for many people is that it’s also described as a great lunch moment—so you can pair scenery with a meal and not feel like you’re burning time.

If you’re choosing five stops, this is a strong candidate because it gives you a dramatic vista in a short window. What to consider: it’s a viewpoint day—comfortable clothing and good footwear help, especially if the ground is uneven.

Mount Kawi (1 hour)

This one is for people who like temples with a bit of effort. Mount Kawi is an archaeological site where a temple shrine is reached from a cliff setting. The walk involves about 600 stairs down and the same back up, so it’s not a casual stroll.

The upside: you get a serious sense of place because you earn your viewpoint. The downside: if you’re not up for stair work, skip it and choose something else more accessible.

Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) (1 hour)

Elephant Cave is another archaeological stop, reached by descending around 80 stairs. Once you’re inside, you’ll see old temple pieces and the main cave area with aged ornaments.

This is a solid alternative to the “view-only” stops. It’s a slower, more contemplative place where you can look closely at what’s left and imagine what the site used to be.

Tibumana Waterfall (30 minutes)

This is an east-side waterfall choice that’s short on time but big on payoff. It’s described as a beautiful waterfall with a blue lagoon feel, and it’s noted as a good spot for swimming.

What to consider: if you want a quick reset between other stops, this fits well. Bring a plan for wet shoes and drying time if you’ll actually swim.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall (30 minutes)

This waterfall is a classic photo magnet. The splash and sun rays create natural light effects for pictures, which is why it’s so popular.

What to consider: it’s compact and fast. If you want long relaxation time, choose fewer waterfall stops overall. If you want photos and fresh air, it works great as a quick hit.

Tegenungan Waterfall (30 minutes)

This is described as one of the closest waterfalls to Ubud’s center and also a popular hangout spot. It’s a big waterfall, and it’s noted as a good swimming option. There’s also a mention that if mobility is an issue, you can still enjoy the view in some way.

What to consider: popularity can mean more people around. If you choose it, treat it as a lively stop rather than a quiet one.

Batuan Temple (30 minutes)

This is a short, meaningful temple stop tied to Balinese temple concepts like Tri Kahyangan or Tri Murti associated with Mpu Kuturan around the 10th century. It’s connected to the idea of village shrines and local spiritual structure.

What to consider: because it’s only 30 minutes, it’s best as a “third or fourth stop” where you get a cultural touch without losing the whole afternoon.

A realistic route plan for a balanced day

Because you can pick any five from the menu, the smart move is mixing “types” of stops:

• One or two nature landmarks: Monkey Forest + rice terraces, or swing + a terrace.
• One spiritual/cultural site: Tirta Empul or Batuan Temple.
• One energy stop: a waterfall (Tibumana/Kanto Lampo/Tegenungan).
• One big-views moment: Mount Batur, or Mount Kawi if you’re up for the stairs.

That mix avoids the trap of doing three waterfall stops back-to-back, then feeling annoyed at how little time you have at each.

If stairs are a concern, I’d avoid stacking Mount Kawi and Elephant Cave in the same day. Pick one “stair-heavy” site and keep the rest more flexible.

What to budget for: entrances, lunch, and “time tax”

Entrance fees aren’t included, and you buy them on the spot. Lunch isn’t included either. That means your total day cost depends on which combination you choose—so decide your priorities first, then budget for admissions.

Here’s what I’d do: pick your five stops based on emotion, not just photos. Then, once the list is set, assume you’ll pay for entries and add lunch. That keeps your spending predictable and stops you from being surprised halfway through the day.

Also, remember that some activities are inherently time-taxing. The swing stop is photo-driven. Waterfalls can require a bit of walking and time to settle into the spot. Build breathing room.

What to bring for comfort

This tour is car-based and mostly walking once you arrive. So pack for feet first:

• Comfortable, grippy shoes (especially if you add terraces or cave/temple stairs)
• Water (you’ll have bottled water during the day, but extra can help)
• A small plan for sun protection (hats and sunscreen are practical in open areas)
• Respectful clothing for temple stops

Should you book this custom Ubud tour?

Book it if you want control. This is a great fit when you like the idea of choosing your own five stops—mixing big names like Monkey Forest or Tegalalang with calmer picks like Mount Kawi or Batuan Temple. The private car, pickup coverage, and driver flexibility are the real selling points.

Skip it (or adjust your stop choices) if you have limited tolerance for steps. Mount Kawi’s roughly 600-stair round trip is a serious commitment, and Elephant Cave involves about 80 stairs too.

FAQ

How many places can I visit on this customized Ubud tour?

You can select up to five places to visit during the tour.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, bottled water, fuel surcharge, parking fees, and free pickup from listed locations. Admission fees and lunch are not included.

Are entrance fees included for the attractions?

No. All entrance fees are not included, and you can buy tickets on the spot.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 8 to 10 hours.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is available in Ubud and also from several south Bali areas including Sanur, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Denpasar, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, and Uluwatu.

What is the cancellation rule if my plans change?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid will not be refunded.