Monkeys first, then rice terraces, then temples. That’s the rhythm of this Ubud loop. You get a private plan that stacks big sights into one day, with the comfort of an air-conditioned car and the convenience of round-trip hotel pickup. Two things I really like: the way the stops fit together (nature, art, worship, then a waterfall), and the fact your English-speaking driver can explain what you’re actually looking at, not just drive you from sign to sign.
One thing to consider: it’s a long day (about 8 to 10 hours), so the waterfall time is short, and you’ll want to be realistic about how much temple-and-monkey time you can handle with heat, traffic, and travel time.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- How this Ubud day tour really feels
- Entering Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (700 long-tailed macaques)
- Mas Carving Center: wood, jewelry, and art village energy
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: views that earn your camera time
- Tirta Empul Temple: holy spring purification at the center of the ritual
- Ulu Petanu Waterfall: the water gets the spotlight
- Timing and logistics: why 8–10 hours can feel both perfect and long
- Cost and value: what $30.89 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
- Guides and the difference between a drive and a day
- What to bring so the day stays comfortable
- Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)
- Should you book this Ubud tour?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the tour price?
- Are admission tickets included for the main attractions?
- How long is the tour, and how is the time used?
- Is this a shared group tour?
- Is food included?
- Do I need to bring a towel or dry clothes?
Key points to know before you go
- Private, hotel-based convenience: pickup and drop-off mean less hassle and more sightseeing time
- Big-name Ubud highlights in one loop: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, and Ulu Petanu
- Short stops with strong scenery: you’ll get views and photos, but not a slow wander day
- Admissions are mostly on you: several major sites list tickets as not included (Mas Carving Center is free)
- Waterfall prep matters: you’ll want to manage the wet/dry-clothes situation yourself
- English-speaking driver with context: guides like Made, Radek, Raza, Tony, and Ib Kumara Bawa are named in people’s experiences for being communicative and flexible
How this Ubud day tour really feels
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This is a classic “Ubud highlights” day, but with one practical advantage: you don’t have to stitch together multiple taxis and figure out routes on your own. The tour is built as a smooth hopscotch—forest → craft village → rice terraces → holy spring temple → a waterfall—so your day keeps moving instead of stalling in transit.
The private setup also changes your pace. You’re not balancing a group that wants to linger while someone else is already asking about the next stop. Your driver can also help you make small adjustments when the day needs it, like when timing and traffic don’t match a perfect calendar.
And yes, Ubud is photogenic. But the better part is what you learn while you’re there. You’ll get context for things like Balinese offerings, purification rituals at Tirta Empul, and why Monkey Forest feels more like a lived-in religious landscape than a simple zoo.
Other Ubud tours we've reviewed in Ubud
Entering Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (700 long-tailed macaques)
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Your first major stop is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This isn’t a quick “see a monkey, move on” stop—at least in theory. You get about an hour to walk the well-maintained pathways.
The standout detail here is the scale and variety of what surrounds the monkeys. The forest is home to over 700 long-tailed macaque monkeys, and the pathways don’t just lead you past animals. You’ll also find ancient temples, old banyan trees, and serene streams.
What to expect, practically:
- Expect close-up monkey behavior. They’re curious and fast, and they’ll treat your pockets like a snack bar.
- The hour goes quickly if you stop often for photos and also try to read the vibe of the temples and trees.
- If you’re nervous around monkeys, you’ll still likely enjoy the forest atmosphere, but you’ll want to keep a firm handle on anything you’re carrying.
One more thing: some people love this stop because it feels spontaneous and lively. Others just want the view and the temples. Either way, it’s a great opener because it grabs your attention before you move into the more structured sites later.
Mas Carving Center: wood, jewelry, and art village energy
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Next up is Mas Carving Center—an art village stop that acts like a palate cleanser after Monkey Forest.
This portion is about crafts, not temples. The emphasis is on seeing wood carving in good quality, plus gold & silver jewellery and painting. The admission here is listed as free, which is nice because it keeps your costs under control when other major attractions require tickets.
What I like about this stop is that it’s not only about buying stuff. Even if you don’t plan to shop, it helps you understand why Ubud has such a strong arts identity. You also get a chance to use this time to regroup before you hit Tegalalang’s big photo views and Tirta Empul’s ritual focus.
A practical note: like many craft centers, this can come with sales pressure. If you’re not in a shopping mood, just treat it like a gallery stop. Look, ask a couple questions, and move on when you’re done.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: views that earn your camera time
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Then comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of the most recognizable rice terrace areas near Ubud.
You get about an hour here, and the whole point is the panoramic look. The terraces create layers of green (and in many seasons, the color looks extra strong under the Bali light), and the views are wide enough that you’ll want to spend time just watching where the paths and ridges lead.
This is also the stop where you’ll likely do the most photos. The itinerary note calls out great photograph opportunities, and that’s exactly what you’ll find—especially if you’re standing at viewpoints that overlook the terraces rather than looking only at one patch of them.
Admission is not included for this stop, so factor that into your total day cost. The value check for me: if rice terraces are your thing, this is worth paying to enter because you’re paying for access to those viewpoints and walking areas rather than just seeing them from a roadside look.
Tirta Empul Temple: holy spring purification at the center of the ritual
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From scenic terraces, you shift into something more spiritual at Tirta Empul Temple.
This place is famous for its holy spring water, and the reason the site matters is clear: Balinese Hindus go there for ritual purification. You’ll spend about an hour exploring the temple and taking in what’s happening around the spring area.
What makes Tirta Empul stand out is that it’s not just a pretty temple building. The spring water is the whole story. If you’ve never seen a Hindu purification ritual, this is one of the more meaningful ways to understand how religion plays out in daily practice.
Practical considerations:
- Expect a respectful atmosphere. Keep your voice down and be mindful of where people are performing the ritual.
- Admission is not included, so again, add tickets to your mental budget.
- This stop can feel slower than Monkey Forest because you’re observing a ritual and reading the space, not chasing motion.
If you like cultural context, this is one of the best stops to have your driver/guide explain what you’re seeing—especially the idea of purification and why water matters in the ritual.
Other rice terrace tours we've reviewed in Ubud
Ulu Petanu Waterfall: the water gets the spotlight
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Finally, you head to Ulu Petanu Waterfall, a waterfall near Ubud that the itinerary frames as “hidden,” with crystal-clear water.
You get about 45 minutes, which is short but typical for a waterfall stop when the day is packed. The note also says you can get into the water, so this isn’t just a photo platform. You’re supposed to experience it.
What to know before you go in:
- Bring a plan for wet clothes. The tour does not include a towel or a dry change of clothes.
- Since you’re only there for 45 minutes, don’t overthink. If you want to swim, do it early enough that you’re not rushing at the end.
- Admission is listed as not included, so treat that as a cost line you’ll cover.
Why this stop is still worth it even with limited time: a good waterfall break helps your day feel less like a checklist. It’s the moment where you can feel the place instead of just seeing it.
Timing and logistics: why 8–10 hours can feel both perfect and long
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The tour runs 8 to 10 hours, with the remaining time allotted for transportation. That’s the honest reality of Ubud sightseeing: even when stops are close-ish, traffic and winding roads make the schedule flex.
In your day, expect:
- The first half to be energetic: Monkey Forest plus craft shopping.
- The mid part to be scenic and photo-heavy: rice terraces.
- The later part to become more reflective and spiritual: Tirta Empul.
- The last moment to be physical and wet: the waterfall.
One thing I appreciate is the air-conditioned car. It matters more than you’d think when you’re dealing with sun, humidity, and the stop-and-go tempo of Bali roads.
Also, the tour includes parking fees and uses an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a small detail, but it reduces the random “surprise extras” that can pop up on less organized days.
Cost and value: what $30.89 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
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At $30.89 per person, this tour is priced like a smart budget day—especially because it includes:
- private tour with an English-speaking driver
- air-conditioned vehicle
- parking fees
- pickup and drop-off from your hotel
The part to watch is what’s not included: multiple stops list admission tickets not included. Mas Carving Center is free, which helps, but Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Ulu Petanu Waterfall all have ticket costs you’ll handle separately.
So the value story depends on how you travel. If you’d rather pay for a driver and let someone manage the route, this can be a good deal even after adding tickets. If you’re comfortable hiring your own car for the day and dealing with navigation and parking yourself, you might find cheaper options. But for many people, the convenience is the entire point—less hassle, fewer coordination headaches, and a full day organized around local stops.
My take: this is a great value if you want variety in one shot, and you’re okay with a schedule that’s efficient rather than slow.
Guides and the difference between a drive and a day
This is where the personal touch shows up. People’s experiences include guides like Made, who’s mentioned for adding lots of interesting additional information and teaching about Balinese traditions. Other names come up too: Radek for being first rate, Raza for excellent English and friendly, chatty guidance, and Tony for being very nice.
Even when someone feels the price was too high, the driver itself often still gets positive comments. That tells you something important: the quality of the day isn’t only the itinerary. It’s how well your driver communicates and whether they can adjust the day to how you’re feeling.
If you like learning while you travel, this tour fits that style. You’re not only looking; you’re getting explanations as you go.
What to bring so the day stays comfortable
This tour isn’t difficult, but you’ll want to pack smart because a couple items are not provided.
Bring:
- swim-ready clothes for the waterfall, if you plan to get in
- a dry change of clothes and/or a small towel solution (the tour doesn’t include towel or change dry clothes)
- cash or a card for admission tickets at Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, and Ulu Petanu
- water and snacks only if you personally prefer it, since food is available to purchase but not included
If you’re the type who runs hot, the air-conditioned car helps, but you’ll still spend time outdoors. Sun protection is your friend here.
Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)
This tour is best for you if:
- you want a one-day sampler of major Ubud hits
- you prefer private transport so you can move efficiently
- you like having a driver who explains culture and history, not just the road
- you’re okay with a full schedule rather than a slow wandering day
It may not be the best fit if:
- you’re chasing an unhurried day with long stays at each site
- you want only one or two major sights and hate ticket line items
- you’re traveling with very small kids and your patience for a long day is limited (even though the trip is private and flexible, travel time still adds up)
Should you book this Ubud tour?
I’d book it if you want a clean, organized way to see Monkey Forest, rice terraces, Tirta Empul, and a waterfall in one day without juggling transport. The combination makes sense: nature first, crafts next, big scenery in the middle, a meaningful temple ritual, then a wet finish.
I’d think twice if you’re price-sensitive about admissions and prefer to keep ticket costs minimal, or if you’d rather spend more time at just one or two places. Also, if you don’t plan to get into the waterfall, you may feel the last stop is too short.
If your goal is variety plus convenience, this tour is a strong bet. Just pack for the wet-and-dry reality, and budget for site tickets.
FAQ
What’s included in the tour price?
You get a private tour with an English-speaking driver, an air-conditioned vehicle, and parking fees. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
Are admission tickets included for the main attractions?
Admission tickets are not included for several stops: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Ulu Petanu Waterfall. Mas Carving Center is free.
How long is the tour, and how is the time used?
The tour is about 8 to 10 hours. The remaining time is allotted for transportation between stops, while each listed stop has its own time window (roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour).
Is this a shared group tour?
No. It’s private, meaning only your group participates.
Is food included?
No. Food is available to purchase, but it’s not included in the tour.
Do I need to bring a towel or dry clothes?
Yes, plan to bring your own. Towel and change dry clothes are not included, and you may want them for the waterfall stop where you can get into the water.
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