REVIEW · UBUD
Private Ubud Tour: Monkey Forest, Waterfall & Rice Terrace
Book on Viator →Operated by Bali Tour Destination · Bookable on Viator
Ubud can feel like a lot. This private day strings together the best bits—Monkey Forest, temples, a waterfall, and the famous rice terraces—with an English-speaking guide/driver keeping the day moving.
I like the practical setup: hotel pickup and drop-off means you don’t burn time figuring out transport, and entrance fees for the main sights are included. Even better, guides such as Juli, Wayan, Komang, and Adi come up repeatedly for clear explanations and good timing, so you spend more of your day seeing and less standing around.
One catch to plan for: it’s a full 6 to 8 hours, and Tegenungan Waterfall involves stairs. Bring comfortable shoes and be ready for a physical walk when the schedule hits that stop.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Price and Value: Why $32 Can Work for a Private Day
- The “Private” Part That Actually Makes a Difference
- Getting From Stop to Stop in Ubud Comfortably
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temples in the Middle of the Trees
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: The Classic Ubud Photo Stop
- Pura Puseh Desa Batuan: Classic Balinese Stonework and Spiritual Life
- Tegenungan Waterfall: Lush Nature Break With Stairs to Earn It
- Celuk Village and Art Stops: You’ll Get Ubud’s Creative Side
- Campuhan Ridge Walk and Art Museums: Optional Culture for the Extra Hour
- How Long This Takes (and How to Avoid Feeling Rushed)
- Who This Private Ubud Tour Is Best For
- Should You Book This Private Ubud Tour?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the Private Ubud Tour?
- How long is the tour?
- Is lunch included?
- Are the main entrance fees included?
- What should I wear or bring?
- Is this tour private?
- Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Key things to know before you go

- Private, air-conditioned transport with an English-speaking guide/driver so you can keep a relaxed pace.
- Entrance fees included for Monkey Forest, key temples, the waterfall, and the rice terrace (double-check the exact Monkey Forest entry situation when booking).
- A packed-but-manageable route: jungle + temple + waterfall + Ubud classics in one day.
- Waterfall time comes with stairs, so shoes matter and a towel can be handy.
- Optional cultural stops around central Ubud (art, batik, markets, royal and water-garden sites) if time allows.
- Bottled water included, plus lunch and personal spending are on you.
Price and Value: Why $32 Can Work for a Private Day
At $32 per person, this tour can be good value if you’re doing the classic Ubud sights in one go. You’re not just paying for a ride. Your price includes private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide/driver, and entrance fees for multiple major sites—Monkey Forest, a traditional temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, and the Tegalalang Rice Terrace.
That matters because Ubud can add up fast when you’re paying separately for tickets and then trying to coordinate rides between places. Here, the hard part—sequencing stops, handling timing, and getting you from A to B—is handled by your guide/driver.
Also worth noting: the tour offers group discounts and a mobile ticket. Even though it’s private (only your group participates), discount pricing can still make sense if you’re traveling as a small group of friends or family.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Ubud
The “Private” Part That Actually Makes a Difference

A private tour is more than a luxury label. It changes how the day feels.
First, you get control over your pace. If you want extra photo time at the rice terrace or want to slow down during temple visits, your guide can adjust on the fly. Second, you’re not stuck waiting while other people decide what to do next. That can be the difference between a day that feels rushed and one that feels like you’re sampling Ubud instead of sprinting through it.
The guides named in customer feedback—Juli, Wayan, Komang, Adi, and Arta—are consistently linked with good communication and timing. You’ll feel that most at the transitions, where a calm, organized guide makes stops smoother (and keeps the day on track for a 6 to 8 hour window).
One more practical point: you’ll be asked to be ready at the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before pickup. That small buffer helps keep the schedule steady, especially when traffic shifts.
Getting From Stop to Stop in Ubud Comfortably

You’ll ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle with your English-speaking guide/driver. That’s ideal for Ubud’s heat and for the stop-and-start nature of sightseeing.
Because the day is built around several separate locations—forest, temple, waterfall, rice terrace, and central Ubud—transport time is part of the experience. The value here is that the driving and navigation are handled for you, and the guide can steer you toward efficient timing between stops.
The tour duration can vary depending on traffic and your pace. So plan your other day activities with buffer space. If you’ve got a tight flight or another booked tour right after, you’ll want extra cushion.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temples in the Middle of the Trees

Monkey Forest is one of those places where the setting does half the work for you. You’re in the heart of Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, surrounded by greenery, with hundreds of long-tailed macaques and ancient temple complexes.
What I like about this stop is that you get about an hour and then free time to walk and take photos. That means you’re not locked into a rushed viewing pattern. You can wander at your own speed, focusing on what interests you—animals, temples, or just the feel of the forest.
The important consideration is safety and rules. You’re told to follow the Monkey Forest rules for safety, and that’s not a suggestion you ignore. I’d treat this like an ecosystem moment: observe carefully, be respectful, and follow what the staff and your guide emphasize.
Practical tip: if you’re bringing a phone or camera, handle it like you’re expecting close-up attention. Keep to your guide’s instructions and avoid doing anything that conflicts with the on-site rules.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: The Classic Ubud Photo Stop

The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the iconic Ubud scene—terraced rice fields designed by nature and tuned by people. Expect panoramic views and ample opportunities to grab photos.
This stop is about one hour, which is just enough time to enjoy the scenery without turning it into a long slog in the heat. If you go early or later in the day, you’ll notice the light changes the way the terraces look, but you don’t need to be a photography expert to appreciate it. The terraces are visually strong from many angles.
Entrance is included here, so you don’t waste energy on ticket logistics. What you should do instead is plan your time: take a few steady wide shots first, then spend a few minutes walking to better viewpoints and looking for calmer corners.
If you’re the type who gets “scenic stop fatigue” (you know the feeling—one pretty view after another), treat this as a single anchor point. It’s the one that gives Ubud its global identity.
Pura Puseh Desa Batuan: Classic Balinese Stonework and Spiritual Life

Next up is Pura Puseh Desa Batuan, a traditional Hindu temple that’s described as one of Bali’s oldest. This stop leans cultural and spiritual, and it’s a nice contrast after Monkey Forest’s jungle energy.
You’ll spend about one hour here with time to learn about local culture and spiritual life from your guide. The temple is known for classic Balinese architecture and intricate stone carvings, so it’s worth slowing down. Look at details as you walk—this is the kind of place where the small stuff is the story.
What I like most: this is not just a quick check-the-box temple stop. Your guide helps you connect the architecture and carving style to how local people live and worship. Even if you’re not an expert on Hindu practices, having a guide put the site in context helps your eyes catch what you might miss on your own.
Tegenungan Waterfall: Lush Nature Break With Stairs to Earn It

Then you hit the part most people remember: Tegenungan Waterfall. The setting is lush and tropical, with an atmosphere that feels cooler and fresher than Ubud’s streets.
You’ll get about one hour, which works for a mix of photo time and just standing near the water to reset your senses. Your tour guide can also help you choose a safe viewpoint if crowds or footing make certain spots less comfortable.
The key consideration is access involves stairs. That’s explicitly part of the experience, so don’t treat this as a grab-and-go waterfall. Wear comfortable shoes with decent grip.
Bring swimwear and a towel if you want the option to get your feet wet or cool off. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, the towel can be useful for drying after any spray or mist.
Entrance fees for the waterfall are included, so you’re paying for the experience rather than managing ticket math.
Celuk Village and Art Stops: You’ll Get Ubud’s Creative Side

Ubud isn’t only temples and waterfalls. This day also tries to show you the island’s creative craft culture.
You’ll have time for Celuk Village, which is described as an optional visit to local art villages. Depending on interests and available time, this can focus on silver jewelry, wood carving, or painting villages. This flexibility matters because not everyone wants the same craft experience.
After that, there are additional central Ubud creative and cultural stops that may fit into your day if timing allows. These include:
- Traditional batik painting, where you can watch talented people work
- A market in central Ubud, spread across multiple buildings with a long street lined with vendors during the day
- Ubud’s royal palace area, home to the royal family since the late 19th century, with buildings noted for their aesthetic value
- A water garden temple with a lotus pond at the center, plus detailed carvings and sculptures, including statues connected with Saraswati
- Time for a walking-style spiritual stop, described as featuring sculptures and a sacred meditation cave, with a bathing pool and fountains outside
Because these are described as part of the day’s route without all the exact “must visit” wording, treat them as potential add-ons rather than guaranteed every single one. The big win is that your guide can choose what fits your energy level and the time left.
Campuhan Ridge Walk and Art Museums: Optional Culture for the Extra Hour
If you still have energy (or your day has breathing room), you may also see options tied to Ubud’s art and nature edges.
You might be introduced to Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is described in relation to the subak shared irrigation system and UNESCO World Heritage status, plus Bali’s distinct form of Hinduism. That’s a good match for travelers who want something more than a quick viewpoint—they want a bit of meaning behind what they’re seeing.
You might also have time around Ubud’s museum circuit:
- Don Antonio Blanco Museum, described as easy to explore independently, with gardens and a small aviary of parakeets
- Neka Art Museum, known for affordable tickets and rarely long lines, with focus on evolution of Balinese art and the Lempad Pavilion featuring a collection of works by I
That last artist name is cut off in the details you provided, so I can’t fill it in. But the point stands: if you want art with context, these stops can turn your day from sightseeing into a deeper understanding of Balinese creativity.
How Long This Takes (and How to Avoid Feeling Rushed)
Plan on 6 to 8 hours total. That’s a useful range because it’s long enough to cover real variety—forest, terrace, temple, waterfall, and central Ubud—without being so long that you lose your mind.
Traffic can change your timing. Your guide/driver adjusts the day based on pace and conditions, so flexibility is built in. That’s also why it’s smart to not schedule your next activity too tightly right after pickup time ends.
Here’s how I’d pace it if you want the day to feel smooth:
- At Monkey Forest, spend your time walking and observing first; save the shopping or extra stops for later.
- At Tegalalang, pick a few viewpoints and don’t feel pressured to see every angle.
- At the waterfall, commit to comfortable shoes and plan a slower step-count mindset because of stairs.
If you’re traveling with kids or older family members, tell your guide what feels comfortable early in the day. The tour is private, so your needs can shape the pacing.
Who This Private Ubud Tour Is Best For
This tour fits best if you want a one-day hit list that still feels intentional.
Great matches:
- First-time visitors who want Monkey Forest + rice terrace + waterfall in a single day
- Couples who like a planned day with a little breathing room
- Families that benefit from someone handling transport and ticket logistics
- Travelers who enjoy learning from an English-speaking local guide while still having time to roam
It’s also a strong choice if you care about value, because entrance fees and bottled water are included, and you’re not juggling multiple vendors for tickets and timing.
Who might want something else:
- If you prefer slow travel with long stays at fewer sites, a day this packed might feel like too many check-ins.
- If you dislike stair-based stops, you’ll want to think carefully about Tegenungan Waterfall.
Should You Book This Private Ubud Tour?
Yes, if you want a well-structured Ubud day that covers the big names—Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tegenungan Waterfall—without the stress of planning rides and tickets. The inclusion of pickup/drop-off, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide/driver makes it easier to trust the day will flow.
Book it especially if you like your tours to come with direction but not total rigidity. Your guide helps you understand what you’re seeing and keeps timing in check, and the route includes optional craft and central Ubud stops if time allows.
If your top priority is deep time at one or two places, you may feel happier with a half-day format or a custom route focused on fewer stops. But if you want Ubud’s highlights in one go, this private package is a solid, practical way to do it.
FAQ
What’s included in the Private Ubud Tour?
The tour includes private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver/guide, entrance fees for Monkey Forest, the temple, the waterfall, and the rice terrace, plus bottled water.
How long is the tour?
It runs about 6 to 8 hours.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included, but it can be arranged as an optional extra.
Are the main entrance fees included?
Entrance fees are listed as included for Monkey Forest, the temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, and the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. The Monkey Forest entrance fee is also described as optional in part of the details, so it’s smart to confirm how it will be handled at booking.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear comfortable shoes. You’re also advised to bring swimwear and a towel, since the waterfall stop can involve getting wet. Follow the Monkey Forest rules for safety.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
Can I cancel and get a full refund?
You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid isn’t refunded.



























