Ubud Full Day – Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour

Full-Day

Ubud Full Day – Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour

12 min read

Ubud can feel like a lot at once. This full-day loop keeps it organized, hitting wildlife, farming views, and two waterfalls with real photo time. I like that you get private hotel pickup and skip ticket lines for key stops, so your morning doesn’t get eaten by paperwork.

Two things I especially appreciate: the entry tickets are included for Monkey Forest and the big scenery stops (rice terraces + both waterfalls), and the guide adds local context—like what you’re looking at in the farming areas and how to time your photos. Names from the guiding team that show up in people’s experiences include Ariess, Gede, Made, Wayan, Jon, Kadek, and Nyoman.

One consideration: the Ubud jungle swing fee is not included, and lunch isn’t covered. So budget a little extra on top, or you’ll feel the day get pricier right when you’re most excited.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel during the day

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Key highlights you’ll actually feel during the day

  • Private round-trip pickup from your hotel, so you start calm and stay efficient.
  • Ticket entry included for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Kanto Lampo, and Tibumana.
  • Two waterfall stops with enough time to enjoy the area, not just take one quick shot.
  • Local farming context from your guide, especially around the rice terrace area.
  • Small group size with a max of 15 people, which helps keep things moving.
  • Guides who help with photos and can adjust the plan when needed.

Making Ubud manageable: wildlife, farms, and falls in one loop

If you only have one day in Ubud, the trick is picking experiences that naturally work together. This tour’s structure does that. You start with the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, then shift to water (Kanto Lampo and Tibumana), then end in the iconic rice terrace area. The day also includes the option to do a jungle swing, which is very much a Bali-style photo moment.

What makes this combo smart is the pacing. Wildlife and waterfalls are active, while rice terraces are slow and scenic. That gives you a mental break halfway through the day instead of bouncing from one loud attraction to the next.

Hotel pickup and timing: how the 10-hour day stays on track

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Hotel pickup and timing: how the 10-hour day stays on track
The day runs about 10 hours, and you choose your morning starting time from several options. That matters more than it sounds. In Bali, the first light hours can be calmer for photos, and the middle of the day can get hot fast—especially when you’re walking between attractions.

You’ll travel in a private setup with an English-speaking driver and tour guide. There’s bottled mineral water and you don’t have to worry about parking fees or fuel costs. In other words, the tour handles the annoying parts of logistics so you can focus on the places.

Also, the group size caps at 15 travelers, which usually helps keep the experience from turning into a queue-and-rush situation.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: 27 acres of macaques and temple vibes

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: 27 acres of macaques and temple vibes
Your first stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It covers more than 27 acres and is home to over 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques, so you’re not just seeing a few monkeys—you’re walking through their world.

This is where the day becomes memorable fast. The mix of jungle pathways, temple areas, and monkeys means the scenery changes constantly as you move. You’ll want to take your time here, because the best moments are often small: a monkey moving along a branch, a family group pausing in the shade, or a surprised look when one comes closer than you expected.

Practical tip: keep your grip on anything loose. Sunglasses, hats, and bags can be grabbed or swatted at simply because monkeys are curious. And since the sanctuary is part nature reserve and part sacred space, you’ll get the best experience by moving with respect—slow steps, steady attention, and patience when a pathway is temporarily blocked.

The time here is about 2 hours, which is enough to enjoy it without feeling like you got only a quick glance.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: fresh mountain water and rock formations

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Kanto Lampo Waterfall: fresh mountain water and rock formations
After the monkeys, you head to Kanto Lampo Waterfall in Gianyar regency near Ubud. This one is known for its natural beauty and unique rock formations, and the flow of the day makes it a great switch-up from the jungle energy you just left.

Kanto Lampo is also described as a place where you can wash your face with fresh mountain water. That’s the kind of small sensory moment that makes a tour feel real instead of just checklist tourism.

Time on-site is about 2 hours, which gives you breathing room. You can take photos from different angles, then step closer when it’s safe and comfortable to do so. If swimming is what you came for, plan for wet conditions and take your time with footing—waterfalls can look gentle from above but be slippery near the edges.

Tibumana Waterfall: a calmer mood for photos (and maybe a swim)

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Tibumana Waterfall: a calmer mood for photos (and maybe a swim)
Next is Tibumana Waterfall, located in Bangli regency not far from Ubud. If Kanto Lampo feels more striking and structured, Tibumana tends to feel more about greenery and a serene atmosphere.

It’s known for lush surrounding vegetation and beautiful cascades. The vibe difference matters, because you don’t just repeat the same waterfall format twice. You get two separate “types” of waterfall experiences: one with stand-out formations and one with a quieter, greener feel.

You’ll have about 2 hours here too, which is important. Water time isn’t just about the fall—it’s about the waiting, watching light change, and finding the angle that makes the photo look like the place you dreamed about.

One more note: a favorite moment for some people is swimming in the waterfall area. If that’s your plan, bring practical swim gear and be ready for real water conditions, not a pool vibe.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: why this stop is more than a postcard

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Tegalalang Rice Terraces: why this stop is more than a postcard
Then you move to Tegalalang Rice Terraces, one of Ubud’s most iconic views. These terraced rice fields cascade down the hillside like green steps, and the whole area is built for photos.

But what you get from this tour is more than standing on a viewpoint. Your guide includes context about local farming practices, so you understand why the terraces are shaped the way they are and what you’re seeing. That adds meaning to the scenery—especially if you’ve only seen rice in packages back home.

You’ll spend about 2 hours here. That’s the right amount of time because you can:

  • walk a bit to find better angles
  • pause when the light gets flattering
  • take breaks when the sun gets intense

If you want a “less crowded” feeling, move at an easy pace and don’t assume the first spot is the best spot. A good guide helps you find the shot that looks natural instead of forced.

Ubud jungle swing: included fun, but the fee is on you

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Ubud jungle swing: included fun, but the fee is on you
The last planned stop is the Ubud Jungle Swing. This is a popular activity in Bali: you swing high above the jungle canopy for a big, Instagram-friendly photo.

Here’s the key detail: swing admission is not included. So you’ll pay an extra fee if you do it. That doesn’t make the tour worse; it just means you should decide your budget before you get pulled in by the photo setup.

The swing stop is about 2 hours, and that time should cover waiting for your turn and getting photos. If you’re the type who gets a little nervous high up, you might still enjoy watching while others swing first—sometimes it’s easier to decide once you see how smooth things look in practice.

Value check: $28.05 and what you’re really getting

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Value check: $28.05 and what you’re really getting
At $28.05 per person, the value comes from bundling. You’re not just paying for “a driver and some stops.” You also get:

  • private round-trip transport from your hotel
  • English-speaking driver and tour guide
  • bottled mineral water
  • parking and fuel covered
  • entrance tickets included for Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Tibumana, and Tegalalang Rice Terraces

The extra costs are straightforward:

  • lunch fees are not included
  • Bali Swing fees are not included

So where does the money go? Mostly into your time and convenience. Buying tickets, moving between locations, and handling the in-between parts is what eats travel energy. This tour takes that overhead off your plate.

If you’re trying to stretch your Bali budget without sacrificing the main highlights around Ubud, this is the kind of day that can make sense.

Guide quality makes the difference, and you can feel it

This is one of the best parts of the experience: the guide is not just a passenger. In past experiences, guides have been described as punctual, friendly, flexible with the plan, and helpful with photos.

Specific names that come up often include Ariess (punctual and supportive), Gede (friendly and able to make changes), Made (strong English and a good sense for the day’s flow), Wayan (tailoring the plan to needs and being informative), Jon (making the day comfortable and handling photos well), Kadek (friendly, giving information and taking lots of pictures), and Nyoman (excellent support and adding an extra coffee plantation stop for tasting in some cases).

That last example matters: even if an extra stop isn’t guaranteed, it suggests your guide may be willing to adjust and improve the day. If you like learning while you travel, these guides can turn a “see it” day into a “get it” day.

Who this tour is best for

This makes the most sense if you:

  • want a one-day highlights program around Ubud
  • prefer a guide to handle timing, transport, and entry tickets
  • like photography and want help getting the right angles at key stops
  • want both active nature (monkeys, waterfalls) and slower scenery (rice terraces)

It may feel like a lot if you’re someone who wants long, unstructured time at one place. This is a full loop, so you’ll be moving through multiple environments in one day.

Should you book this Ubud full day tour?

If your goal is to cover the essentials around Ubud—Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and two waterfalls—with transport and key ticket entry handled, I’d say yes. The price-to-inclusions ratio is strong, and the guide-driven photo and pacing support is a real plus.

Book with extra budgeting in mind for lunch and the jungle swing fee. If you’re excited about that swing, great—just plan for it. If you’re not, you can still enjoy the rest of the day without worrying about that extra cost.

Overall, it’s a solid day plan for people who want variety, not boredom, and who appreciate a guide that helps the day run smoothly.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. You get private round-trip transportation from your hotel, and the tour includes an English-speaking driver and tour guide.

What’s included in the ticket costs?

Entrance tickets are included for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, and Tibumana Waterfall.

What’s not included?

Lunch fees are not included, and Bali Swing fees are not included.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 10 hours.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can I choose the start time?

Yes. You can choose your preferred morning starting time from several options.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

More tours in Seminyak we've reviewed

Planning a Bali trip?

Start with the cornerstones — when to go, where to base, and what's actually worth doing.

35 things to do Where to stay