A great day in Ubud starts with an easy plan. This private tour lets you see the main hits around town at your own pace, with a climate-controlled car and a driver who can shape the route while you relax. I especially like that you can pick your priorities, whether that’s Monkey Forest plus photo time or rice-terrace views and a slower break.

You also get practical, guided logistics without losing freedom: you’ll be picked up round-trip and dropped back in the same general area, and stops are timed so you can move between Ubud sights and the countryside without stress. One thing to watch is cost creep—several key attractions have entrance tickets not included, so you’ll want a bit of cash or card ready.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Private car with an English/Japanese-speaking driver so the day stays about your group
• Customizable route: you can steer the order and how long you stay at each stop
• Monkey Forest plus classic Ubud stops like the art market and rice terraces
• Tegenungan Waterfall time plus a photo-driven Happy Swing Bali stop
• Several stops labeled free (like the art market, Uma Pakel Agro Tourism, and Celuk Village) to help your budget

A Private Ubud Day Built Around Your Pace

This is the kind of tour that works well when you want structure, but you still want choice. You’re not stuck with a rigid bus schedule, and you’re not trying to coordinate Ubud by yourself with multiple tickets and timing issues. Instead, you sit in an air-conditioned vehicle and your driver helps keep the day moving.

The route is built around Ubud’s most famous sights, but it’s designed to be flexible. If you want Monkey Forest first, or you’d rather shift to rice terraces and slower countryside time, you can talk it through with your driver. In some departures, guides such as Mr Wayan Wijana and Gusti are the type who explain what you’re looking at and keep things organized, which matters a lot when you’re dealing with Ubud traffic and tight stop windows.

Pickup Timing and Hotel Zones in Bali

Your day begins with pickup arranged through Bali Charm – Day Tours. Depending on where you’re staying, pickup is from your hotel lobby in parts of Bali (including Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, and Ubud) or from the port if you’re arriving by cruise. The driver shows up holding a sign with your name, which helps if you’re arriving in a busy pickup area.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That round-trip setup is more valuable than it sounds. Ubud can eat time with traffic, and it’s a relief not to juggle taxis after a long day of photos, heat, and getting in and out of attractions.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Monkeys, Photos, and Practical Time

A highlight of this route is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It’s the first big “wow” stop after pickup, with about 1 hour allocated. Entrance is not included, so you’ll pay your entry ticket separately.

Here’s what I think makes Monkey Forest work best on a private day: the pace is flexible. If you want more time for photos, you can ask for it. If you prefer to keep it quick—look around, get your pictures, and move on—you can do that too. Also, having a driver who stays aware of timing helps. Monkey Forest can turn into a longer wandering session if you’re not careful, and private tours are great at keeping you from losing the rest of your itinerary.

Safety and rules matter here, as they do in any monkey attraction. Expect guidance from the site staff and follow what they require. And if you’re planning close-up photos, stay alert—this is wildlife, not a theme park.

Ubud Art Market Plus Celuk Village for Craft Shopping

Ubud has a strong craft scene, and this tour hits two different styles: the Ubud Art Market and Celuk Village (gold and silver work).

The Art Market stop is about 1 hour and entrance is free. This is a good chance to browse at normal walking speed, ask questions, and decide what you actually want instead of buying out of pressure. Prices can vary widely depending on what you’re looking at, so I like having a full hour to compare and check quality.

Then you’ll go to Celuk Village for about 1 hour, also listed as free. Celuk’s claim to attention is its specialty in gold and silver crafts. This is where you’ll see more focused work than a mixed market area, so it’s a nice complement to the art market browsing.

Tip for the smoothest day: keep your shopping realistic. Bring only what you can carry, and plan your buying with the rest of your stops in mind—especially if you’re going to waterfall and swing locations later.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Two Stops, One Classic View

The rice terrace segment is split into two parts on this itinerary, and that split can actually make sense. First is a meal-focused stop at Tegalalang (about 1 hour) where you’ll be at a restaurant in the valley area. Admission is listed as free, but meals are not included, so you’ll pay for lunch separately.

Then you move to a second Tegalalang rice terrace stop for about 30 minutes, where admission is not included. This short window is ideal if you want the famous terrace views without turning the whole day into one long photo session.

What I like about structuring rice terraces this way is that you get a reset. Rice terraces can be stunning but also hot, and it’s easy to lose your energy if you skip food. A lunch break first helps you enjoy the views rather than just “endure them and rush.”

Also, rice terraces here are tied to traditional irrigation practices (the subak system). Even if you don’t go deep into farming details, it helps to know you’re looking at working tradition, not just a staged backdrop.

Uma Pakel Agro Tourism and Kopi Luwak Education

Between rice terraces and the waterfall, the tour includes Uma Pakel Agro Tourism. It’s about 1 hour and listed as free for admission.

This stop focuses on kopi luwak (civet coffee) and includes an educational angle for local people and visitors. If you enjoy learning how food and local products connect to daily life in Bali, this is a good “breather” stop. It’s less about climbing hills and more about understanding the story behind a product that many people have heard of but never really see explained.

The practical value is that it gives your day variety. After Monkey Forest and craft shopping, a different kind of activity helps keep the day from feeling like a checklist.

Tegenungan Waterfall: Cool Air and Time to Actually Enjoy It

The tour’s next big nature stop is Tegenungan Waterfall. You’ll have about 1 hour, and entrance is not included.

What makes this waterfall stop feel worth it is that the atmosphere is described as cool, with time to take a bath. That changes the vibe from quick photo-only visits. If you want to swim or cool off, plan to use that hour. Private tours also make it easier: you’re not waiting behind a long line of people from a large group.

One real-world detail I appreciate from how these tours often run: some guides handle the flow so you can enjoy the moment. Guides such as Oko have been noted for staying with the group while people swim. You can expect similar behavior—your driver isn’t just dropping you off and disappearing.

If you’re thinking about what to wear, prioritize comfort and practicality for wet conditions. This is the one stop where you’ll likely want to be ready for getting damp.

Happy Swing Bali for Big Photos (and a Harness)

After the waterfall, the itinerary includes Happy Swing Bali, a photo-driven swing experience. The time on this stop is about 30 minutes, and admission is not included.

The key detail here is safety: the swing requires a harness. If you’re someone who dislikes getting strapped in for gear-based activities, you may want to weigh that before committing. If photos are your priority, the harness setup is also part of what makes the experience work—you get the overhead swing look with the equipment doing its job.

This stop is short by design. It fits well after waterfall when your energy is still decent, but before you head back.

How the Vehicle and Small Group Size Affects Your Day

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and that matters in Ubud. Heat and humidity can turn a beautiful day into a “why am I sweating?” day fast. Having climate control helps you keep your energy for the attractions that actually require walking and posing.

The tour is private, meaning only your group participates. Pricing is set per group at $65.00, up to 5 people per regular car. That’s the sweet spot: you get a driver and vehicle without paying for a bigger group arrangement.

If you’re traveling with more people, larger cars can be arranged for up to 12 with an additional cost. That’s useful if you’re traveling as a small family group or friend group and still want private transport.

Price and Value: $65 for Up to 5, Plus Tickets

At $65 per group (up to 5) for roughly 7–8 hours, the value is mostly in what’s included. You get:

• Private transportation in a climate-controlled vehicle
• Fuel surcharge and parking fees
• An English or Japanese-speaking driver
• A setup that keeps pickup and timing simple

The separate cost piece is entrance tickets. Entrance is not included for Monkey Forest, one of the Tegalalang rice terrace stops, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Happy Swing Bali. Lunch isn’t included either, even though lunch time is built into the rice terrace area.

So here’s the smart way to budget: plan your “fixed” spending around $65 for the car/driver, then add a separate chunk for attraction tickets and lunch. If you’re the type who usually skips paid experiences, you’ll still enjoy the tour because some stops are marked free (like the art market, Uma Pakel Agro Tourism, and Celuk Village). If you want everything paid (monkeys, waterfall, swing, and terrace entry), expect your day’s total to rise—just don’t let it surprise you.

Who Should Book This Ubud Monkey Forest to Swing Day

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• A private day plan without thinking through routes and timing
• A mix of culture (art market and gold/silver craft) and scenery (rice terraces and waterfall)
• Photo opportunities, with stops designed for pictures, including Happy Swing Bali
• A driver who can take your preferences into account

It also suits travelers who like learning as they go. Some drivers—like Gusti, Oka Budiana, and Mr Wayan Wijana—have been recognized for explaining what you’re seeing and helping with photos. Even if you’re not a “history person,” clear explanations make the sights feel less like random stops.

If you only want one or two highlights and you dislike paying separate entry tickets, you might consider shortening the day or building a lighter plan. The structure here is meant for a full, varied outing.

Should You Book This Monkey Forest, Ubud, Waterfall and Rice Terrace Tour?

I think you should book if your ideal Bali day includes a classic Ubud hit list—Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tegenungan Waterfall, and a swing photo stop—done with a private air-conditioned car and minimal hassle. It’s also a strong choice for groups up to 5, because the pricing is per group, not per person.

I’d think twice if you want a budget-only day with minimal entrance tickets. Since several major stops are not included, you’ll want to budget ahead so the day stays fun, not math.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours total, with stop times that add up based on the route and how long you spend at each attraction.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Can I customize the stops during the day?

Yes. It’s customizable, and the places you visit may differ based on your interests and preferences, along with how much time you want at each attraction.

What’s included in the price?

You get an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, fuel surcharge, parking fees, and an English or Japanese speaking driver.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are not included for the sites that list admission as not included (including Monkey Forest, one of the Tegalalang rice terrace stops, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Happy Swing Bali). Meals are also not included.

Where do you pick up from?

Pickup is offered from the port or from your hotel lobby if your hotel is in Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, or Ubud.

What group size is allowed per car?

The regular car supports up to 5 people per booking. A bigger car can be arranged for up to 12 people with an additional cost.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time (local time).