All Inclusive: Monkey Forest, Rice terrace, Holly Spring Temple

Ubud’s best-known sights fit into one full day here, from macaques in a forest sanctuary to rice fields and the holy springs of Tirta Empul. You travel by private car with your own driver-guide, so the day can feel far more relaxed than a large bus outing.

I like the generous mix of nature and culture, and I like that entrance fees, transport, and a sarong are already covered. The main caution is pace: four major stops in about eight hours means you will see a lot, but some stops may feel brief, especially the waterfall and temple entries listed in the schedule.

Key points

• Around 700 long-tailed macaques live in the 12.5-hectare Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace gives you a close look at Bali’s famous stepped rice fields and farming activity.
• Tirta Empul is a working holy-spring temple devoted to Lord Indra, associated with water.
• Private transportation and pickup make this easier than arranging several Ubud-area visits yourself.
• The optional giant swing adds a photo-focused stop if you want one.
• Lunch is not included, so plan to pay for it separately during the day.

One Ubud day, four very different stops

This tour is built for people who want to cover a lot without organizing separate taxis, tickets, and temple clothing. In roughly eight hours, you visit a monkey sanctuary, rice terraces, a waterfall, and a holy temple.

That variety is the strongest reason to consider it. You are not spending the whole day looking at similar viewpoints. Each stop gives you a different side of Bali, and the private format means your group is the only group on the activity.

The tour is based in Ubud and pickup is offered from your accommodation. Your driver-guide handles the private transportation, entrance fees, and sarong. That matters in Bali, where a day of separate sightseeing can quickly become a puzzle of traffic, parking, admissions, and finding the right clothing for a temple visit.

You pay $67.24 per person. That is easiest to judge by group size: for one or two people, the price buys convenience and a dedicated vehicle; for a larger group, the private arrangement can offer stronger value because you are not paying for several separate rides. It is also a reasonable choice if you want one organized day rather than piecing together the route yourself.

Sacred Monkey Forest: macaques among old trees

The first major stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. The forest covers about 12.5 hectares and is home to around 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques.

You get about an hour here, with admission included. The point is not simply to see monkeys in a cage. You walk through a forest that is maintained as habitat for the animals, making this one of the more distinctive stops on the route.

This is also the stop where you should stay alert. Monkeys are wild animals, and the attraction is built around watching them in their own forest setting. Keep your belongings under control and follow the sanctuary’s instructions. The tour information does not promise a particular animal encounter, so treat the macaques as part of the setting rather than a guaranteed photo opportunity.

An hour is enough to walk through part of the sanctuary and take pictures, but it is not a long wildlife visit. If you enjoy moving at a slow pace, studying temple details, or waiting for the perfect animal photograph, you may wish the schedule allowed more time.

For most people, though, this is a strong opening stop. It gives you an immediate sense of Ubud’s mix of nature, religious spaces, and tourism. Families are welcome, and children may find the monkeys especially memorable, provided adults keep a close eye on them.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Bali’s famous green steps

The route then heads north from Ubud to Tegalalang Rice Terrace. You get about an hour to take a short walk among the rice fields and see traditional farming activity.

Tegalalang is a classic Bali sight, but it earns its place on the tour because it gives you something the monkey forest cannot: a view of the island’s working countryside. The stepped fields create strong photo angles, and the short walk helps you see the terraces from closer range rather than only from a roadside viewpoint.

I would use this hour for both photographs and a little observation. Look at how the fields are shaped into the slopes, and notice the contrast between the carefully worked plots and the surrounding tropical greenery. The description specifically points to daily farmer activity, so this stop is about seeing an agricultural setting, not just posing at a viewpoint.

The tradeoff is time. A short walk is included, but this is not presented as a long hike through the terraces. If you are hoping to spend half a day exploring every path, this schedule will feel limited. If you want a manageable walk and a strong set of photographs, the one-hour stop should work well.

An optional giant swing can be added for an Instagram-focused photograph. Since it is optional, confirm the extra details and any additional cost before committing. It may suit you if you enjoy staged viewpoint photos, but it is not essential to the cultural or natural side of the day.

Tegenungan Waterfall: a quick tropical pause

Tegenungan Waterfall is surrounded by tropical forest. The schedule allows you to go down toward the water or remain on the hill for views and photographs.

This stop adds movement and contrast after the rice terraces. Instead of looking across cultivated fields, you get a waterfall framed by dense greenery. You can choose between going down to the water and taking in the scene from above, which gives you some control over how active you want the visit to be.

The timing listed for this stop is only one minute, which clearly makes it the least developed part of the published schedule. I would not book this tour expecting a long waterfall visit. Treat Tegenungan as a short scenic stop unless your guide confirms that the timing can be adjusted.

That detail is important if the waterfall is your main reason for booking. You may have time for a quick look and photographs, but the tour’s main emphasis appears to be the full combination of Ubud sights rather than extended time at any one attraction.

Tirta Empul: a working holy-spring temple

Tirta Empul is the cultural heart of the day. This famous temple complex is known for its holy springs and is described as a place of worship for Lord Indra, the embodiment of Lord Vishnu and the god of water.

A sarong is included, which is practical for temple entry. You do not need to arrange suitable temple clothing separately as part of this experience, though you should still approach the site respectfully and follow instructions given at the complex.

The temple is more than a photo stop. It is an active place of worship, so the value comes from understanding its religious role as well as seeing the water and architecture. Your private guide can explain local history and culture as you go, and the tour is designed to include that interpretation rather than simply dropping you at the gate.

Again, the schedule lists only one minute at Tirta Empul. That timing does not allow for a proper visit, so you should clarify the actual stop length when arranging the day. The description of the tour presents Tirta Empul as one of the main attractions, but the written timing is too short to support a full exploration.

This is the one part of the schedule I would question before booking. If you care about the temple, ask how much time you will have inside the complex. A private tour gives you a better chance of discussing the pace with your driver-guide, but the available information does not guarantee a particular amount of time.

Why the private car changes the day

The tour is not a shared coach excursion. Only your group participates, and private transportation is included from your accommodation.

That gives you three practical advantages. First, you avoid coordinating separate rides to four different places. Second, you can speak directly with your driver-guide about the route and explanations. Third, your group does not have to wait for a large coach full of people at every stop.

The private format does not make Bali traffic disappear. An eight-hour day covering several sites can still feel full, especially with time spent driving between Ubud, Tegalalang, Tegenungan, and Tirta Empul. The benefit is control and simplicity, not a promise that every stop will be leisurely.

One named guide associated with this experience is Eka. The available feedback specifically highlights his kindness, friendly manner, professionalism, and ability to make the day easy and fun. It also notes that he explained the sights clearly. If Eka is assigned to your booking, those are useful qualities for a day that depends on smooth timing and clear guidance.

Do not assume a named guide is guaranteed unless the provider confirms it. The experience is operated by Hire Bali Cab, and the booking information identifies Eka through the feedback, not as a guaranteed guide for every departure.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The $67.24 price includes private transportation, all fees and taxes, admission fees, a sarong, and a private driver-guide. That is a solid bundle for a full day of sightseeing, especially when you place a value on hotel pickup and not having to buy separate entry tickets.

Lunch is not included. Bring money for your meal, and ask your guide about the timing if you need a proper lunch break. The supplied details do not name a restaurant or promise a meal, so do not expect food to be part of the price.

The optional giant swing is another item to confirm. It is presented as an available extra, not as a standard included stop. Ask whether it changes the route or adds a separate fee.

The price also reflects the convenience of a private group. If you are comparing it with a cheaper shared trip, consider what you would give up: personal space, direct contact with the guide, and a vehicle reserved for your group. If you are traveling alone, the per-person cost may feel high. For several people sharing the experience, it becomes easier to justify.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this day to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Ubud’s main sights. It is also a good match for families, since children are welcome and the route offers several kinds of scenery rather than one long cultural visit.

It suits photographers and casual sightseers who want plenty of picture opportunities. The monkey forest, rice terraces, waterfall, temple, and optional swing all offer different backdrops.

You may not like it if you prefer slow travel. The schedule is ambitious, and the listed one-minute durations at Tegenungan Waterfall and Tirta Empul raise questions about how much time you will really have at those locations.

You should also think carefully about your priorities. If your top goals are a long waterfall visit or a detailed temple experience, ask for a revised schedule before paying. If your goal is to see several famous places in one day with private transport, the format is much better suited.

Timing, booking, and cancellation

The activity lasts about eight hours and pickup is offered. It is booked, on average, 51 days ahead, so planning early is sensible if your Bali dates are fixed.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, and the tour is private for your group. Those points make it straightforward for couples, families, and small parties who want a dedicated day rather than a shared outing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book this Ubud day?

Book it if you want an efficient, private introduction to Ubud, with the big natural and cultural sights handled in one outing. The strongest features are the private vehicle, included admissions, sarong, pickup, and the mix of monkey forest, rice terraces, waterfall, and temple.

Before booking, confirm two details: the real amount of time at Tegenungan Waterfall and Tirta Empul, and the cost and timing of the optional swing. If the operator can give those stops proper attention, this is a useful-value day for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who would rather sightsee than arrange transport.

If you want a slow, deeply focused temple visit or an extended walk at the waterfall, choose a more specialized tour. For a full Ubud sampler with a private driver-guide, this experience makes a practical choice.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $67.24 per person.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup from your accommodation is offered.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is included.

Which places are visited?

The route includes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Tirta Empul Temple.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees and all fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Is a sarong provided?

Yes. A sarong is included for the temple visit.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Kids are welcome, and most travelers can participate.