Monkeys and rice terraces, all in one half day. This tour strings together classic Ubud highlights, with Sacred Monkey Forest for close-up macaques and Tegalalang Rice Terrace for postcard views and an optional hike. I like the mix because it gives you wildlife plus Balinese temple culture, then ends on those famous rice-field vistas with real time to look around.

One thing to consider: the Palace stop is brief, so if you want a deep dive into royal history, you may feel a little rushed. Also, there are no meals included, and if you do any trekking at the rice terrace, you’ll be expected to cover a donation to the farmer.

Key things that make this Ubud City Tour II work

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Ubud and many south Bali addresses, keeping the day simple
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with about 340 crab-eating macaques, plus temple setting
• A short Ubud Palace visit (15 minutes) right in central Ubud Village
• Ubud Traditional Art Market with stalls for silver jewelry, batiks, wood carvings, and more
• Happy Swing Bali as a hands-on photo stop that can take up a full chunk of your day
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace with scenic roadside viewpoints and optional trekking (farmer donation at your expense)

What you’re buying: a focused half-day of Ubud essentials

For $65 per person, this is a pretty straightforward way to get a lot of Ubud into one schedule. You’re not paying extra for the big-ticket items like entrance tickets at the stops listed, and you’re getting an English-speaking driver plus hotel pickup/drop-off. It’s also framed as private—your group only—so you’re not trying to herd people through temple queues and photo lines.

This is the kind of tour that suits you when you want momentum. You’ll start at 9:00 am and the whole loop runs about 8 hours on paper, but it often lands in the half-day rhythm people expect from a highlight tour in Ubud.

One more detail I appreciate: this includes service and government tax, so what you pay up front is closer to what you’ll actually spend during the day—save for meals and that farmer donation if you trek.

The 9:00 am pickup rhythm and how to plan your day

Ubud mornings move fast, and this tour is built around that reality. You’ll be picked up at 9:00 am, then you’ll bounce between temple-and-market stops and the countryside views of Tegalalang.

Because the schedule is tight (Monkey Forest first, then Palace, market, Happy Swing Bali, and rice terrace), it’s smart to plan your day around it. If you’re the type who likes to linger for hours, you might feel the pace. If you want to check boxes and still enjoy the rest of your Bali time afterward, this route makes a lot of sense.

Also, the included transfers matter. Rather than spending your morning negotiating rides and waiting for connections, you’re already in motion toward the first big stop.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: temple air plus about 340 macaques

The day starts at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which is both a nature reserve and a religious temple complex. That combination is what makes this stop more than just a photo zoo. You’re not only looking at animals; you’re seeing how seriously the local community treats the space.

You’ll meet roughly 340 crab-eating macaques, and the visit is allotted about 1 hour, with entrance included. The time feels right because you can watch behavior, take photos, and still stay aware that this is a temple site, not a playground.

A practical note: Monkey Forest can make you feel like you’re in a movie set because the greenery and temple structures create that classic Indiana Jones-style backdrop people love. The photos are the obvious draw, but the bigger value is the atmosphere—temple space with real wildlife living right in it.

Ubud Palace: quick stop in Puri Saren’s backyard

Next is Ubud Palace, located in central Ubud Village and associated with Puri Saren. The time here is about 15 minutes, and entrance tickets are included.

Why go at all? Because even a short visit helps you get your bearings. The Palace gives you context for Ubud’s cultural center—where ceremonies and tradition have historically been tied to the royal compounds.

Why you might feel lukewarm: it’s short. If you’re hoping for a long explanation of history, architecture, and how Balinese court tradition connects to modern daily life, this stop won’t fully satisfy you. Think of it as a glance that helps you connect the dots before you head to the more hands-on market and the outdoors.

Ubud Traditional Art Market: souvenirs, textiles, and crafts in one hour

After the Palace, you’ll head to Ubud Traditional Art Market for about 1 hour. This is the shop-and-browse portion of the day, with entrance included.

What I like about this stop is the range. The market is packed with options like silver jewelry, precious stones, batiks, T-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags. In other words, you can find both “small and easy” gifts and the kind of craft items that look better than a generic souvenir.

Since you only have one hour, go in with a plan:

• decide what kind of item you actually want (jewelry vs. textiles vs. carvings)
• set a rough spending limit before you start comparing

This is also a good time to slow down your brain. After Monkey Forest and the Palace, you’ll likely enjoy the sensory change—color, textures, and the constant hum of bargaining energy (even if you’re not buying anything).

Happy Swing Bali: adrenaline and a cliffside photo moment

One of the more action-oriented stops is Happy Swing Bali, which runs about 1.5 hours and includes admission.

The basic idea is swinging from a cliff with wide outdoor views. It’s one of those “you’ll either love it or feel it’s not your thing” stops. The value is in the fun and the photos—especially if you like that mix of nature scenery plus a big, playful activity.

If you’re traveling with limited time and you want a memorable moment besides temples and shopping, this is that moment. If you’d rather spend your time purely on cultural sights and rice terraces, you should know this is a full stop, not a quick look.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: views, optional trekking, and the farmer donation

The tour finishes with Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of the most recognizable rice-growing areas near Ubud. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, with entrance included.

What makes it special is the way the terraces roll downhill into the valley, creating that long scenic spread you can keep photographing. The roadside viewpoint tends to feel cool and breezy, which is a welcome break from the thicker jungle humidity you can hit around Ubud.

You’ll have a choice in how you experience it:

• snap photos from the viewing areas
• or do trekking for more up-close views

If you trek, budget for a donation to the farmer at your own expense. That’s important because it keeps the experience connected to the people who maintain the rice fields. Even if you don’t hike, this stop is still worth it for the iconic panorama and the chance to linger for a bit.

How the driver can change the whole vibe

This tour is built around an English-speaking driver, and that role can be more than just driving. When the driver shares details while you move between stops, you start to understand why the places matter instead of just ticking them off.

In particular, I’ve seen this kind of experience get stronger when drivers like Mera, Wena, or Irwan add context during the ride. Sometimes the stories are quick, sometimes they’re longer, but either way it turns transit into part of the tour.

That said, not every driver will act like a full-time guide with formal narration. If you’re the type who wants deep cultural explanations at every stop, you might want to choose a tour marketed more explicitly as guided or tailor-made.

Who this Ubud City Tour II is best for

I think this tour fits best if you:

• are short on time and want a balanced mix of animals, art shopping, and countryside scenery
• want a simple day with pickup/drop-off and tickets included
• enjoy photo moments but still like having real context (Monkey Forest and the Palace help with that)

It’s also a good option if you don’t want the stress of planning a route between several separate attractions. The schedule keeps you moving, but it doesn’t try to cram in too much beyond the five listed stops.

Who might want to skip parts of this route

This is the honest part. If you mainly care about rice terraces and would rather spend more time there, the 1-hour allocation can feel tight. And because Ubud Palace is only 15 minutes, that stop can feel like filler if you’re expecting something more substantial.

Also, the tour includes Happy Swing Bali. If you’re not into swings or you’d prefer a quieter day, that’s the element most likely to create mismatch.

Should you book this Ubud City Tour II?

I’d book it if you want a smooth half-day overview of Ubud with Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Terrace as the core wins. The included entrance tickets, hotel pickup/drop-off, and private setup for your group make it good value for $65—especially when you factor in how much easier the route is than doing each stop separately.

I’d hesitate if you’re hoping for a Palace-heavy cultural visit, or if you want a rice terrace hike that goes long. In that case, this schedule may feel too tight, and you’ll likely wish the day spent more time outdoors with less time on the swing-and-market parts.

If you’re traveling during a busy period, plan ahead. This is a tour people book well in advance, and popular half-day Ubud routes can disappear when you leave everything to the last minute.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and how long is it?

It starts at 9:00 am and runs for about 8 hours (approx.).

Is this tour private?

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

What’s included in the $65 price?

Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a private tour service, an English-speaking driver, all listed entrance tickets, and service/government tax are included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Do I need to pay anything at the rice terrace?

If you do trekking at the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, there’s a donation to the farmer that’s at your own expense.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. There’s free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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