Reviewed · UBUD HIGHLIGHTS DAY TOURS
All Inclusive of Ubud Top Attraction
Ubud’s best sights are spread across town and the surrounding countryside, and this private day brings them together in one lively circuit. You’ll meet macaques in a temple forest, see royal architecture, shop for Balinese crafts, swing above rice fields, cool off at a waterfall, and finish with the sacred springs of Tirta Empul.
I like the private car and flexible guide service, especially for families or small groups. I also like the cultural range: this is not only a photo trip, since your driver-guide can explain the subak irrigation system, Balinese customs, and the meaning of temple rituals. The main drawback is the busy schedule. Seven stops in about eight hours leave limited time at each place, and the jungle swing may not suit everyone.
Key things to know before booking

- Seven Ubud-area stops in about eight hours: Expect a full day with several short visits rather than a slow, unhurried tour.
- Private transport for your group: You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver who also acts as your guide.
- Two paid activities included: Entry to the Monkey Forest and the Ubud jungle swing are covered, along with other listed admission fees.
- A strong family option: A child seat was provided for one family, and the private setup makes it easier to manage your own pace.
- Culture and nature in one day: The route combines temples, crafts, royal architecture, farming traditions, swimming scenery, and a purification site.
- Lunch and bottled water included: You do not need to plan a separate midday meal during the tour.
Why this route works well for a first day in Ubud

Ubud can feel scattered if you are trying to connect its main sights on your own. The Monkey Forest is in town, Tegalalang is north of Ubud, and Tirta Empul lies farther out in the countryside. A private vehicle saves you from arranging separate rides and gives you one person to coordinate the day.
The route also gives you a useful introduction to Bali beyond picture-taking. You see how religion shapes daily life, how rice farming depends on shared water systems, and how local art remains part of the town’s identity. That mix gives the day more substance than a simple list of viewpoints.
The schedule is best for someone who wants an overview. You will have roughly 30 to 60 minutes at most stops, plus time for driving and lunch. If you prefer to sit for hours at one temple or spend a whole afternoon shopping, this plan may feel rushed.
More full-day Ubud highlights tours:
- Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing
★ 5.0 · 8,571 reviews - Best of Ubud 1-Day Private Tour
★ 5.0 · 4,451 reviews - Best of Ubud Attractions: Private All-Inclusive Tour
★ 5.0 · 1,150 reviews
Monkey Forest: macaques, temples, and a careful first stop

Your day begins at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where long-tailed macaques move through a thick forest setting filled with old temple structures and stonework. The combination is classic Ubud: nature, Hindu shrines, and weathered architecture in the same walk.
The one-hour visit gives you enough time to walk through the main paths and watch the monkeys. Keep your belongings secure and follow the sanctuary’s instructions. Macaques are entertaining, but they are still wild animals, not tame pets. Sunglasses, food, loose items, and open bags can attract unwanted attention.
This is one of the more memorable parts of the route because it feels different from a standard city attraction. The forest offers shade, but paths can be uneven. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, especially if you want to explore beyond the easiest sections.
For families, this stop can be a highlight, but children should stay close. The private vehicle helps here because your group can move on when younger children have had enough, rather than waiting for a large party.
Ubud Royal Palace: a short look at Balinese court life

The Ubud Royal Palace takes about 30 minutes, so treat it as a compact introduction rather than a long museum visit. The palace is the historical home of Ubud’s royal family and gives you a chance to see traditional Balinese architecture, carved details, courtyards, and carefully maintained gardens.
I like the contrast with the Monkey Forest. After a walk among trees and macaques, you shift to a formal setting shaped by royalty and ceremony. Your guide can add context about the palace and explain details that are easy to miss if you simply walk through with a camera.
Thirty minutes is enough for a quick visit, but not enough for a slow architectural study. If you are especially interested in Balinese design, you may wish the stop were longer. Still, its central location makes it a sensible part of an Ubud town circuit.
Ubud Traditional Art Market: shopping with a time limit

The traditional art market is scheduled for about 45 minutes. Its stalls carry Balinese textiles, handmade jewelry, sculptures, and other crafted goods. It is a useful place to see the kinds of decorative work associated with Ubud and to look for a small item to take home.
The short time can be helpful. Markets can easily consume half a day, and a set stop keeps shopping from taking over the tour. On the other hand, 45 minutes may feel brief if you want to compare many pieces or bargain at several stalls.
Ask your guide for help with local customs and practical shopping questions. Prices and quality can vary, so take a moment before buying. The market is better approached as a place to browse and observe, not as a guaranteed source of rare or museum-quality art.
This is also where the private format pays off. You can tell your guide if you want a little more time here, though any change will affect later stops. The listed schedule is full, so flexibility is useful but not unlimited.
A completely different kind of day out from Ubud:
- All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour
★ 5.0 · 14,344 reviews - Ubud: Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water Temple
★ 5.0 · 7,160 reviews - Bali: Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket
★ 4.4 · 3,979 reviews - Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach
★ 5.0 · 3,681 reviews
Happy Swing Bali: a photo stop with a dose of nerve

The Ubud jungle swing lasts about 45 minutes and is one of the day’s most playful stops. You swing above rice terraces and river gorges, with open views across the surrounding countryside. Admission is included.
The appeal is obvious: you get an active break after the palace and market, and the setting creates striking photographs. It is also a good choice if you want something more exciting than a normal viewpoint. The activity is not just about looking at the rice fields, since you take in the scenery from above.
Still, do not feel pressured to swing if heights make you uncomfortable. The tour includes the stop, but the details do not say that every participant must take part. You can use the time to enjoy the views if you prefer.
This is one area where timing matters. Changing clothes, taking photos, and waiting for the activity can use much of the 45 minutes. If your group wants many photographs, tell your driver-guide early so you understand how that may affect Tegalalang or the waterfall.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: farming traditions behind the famous view

Tegalalang is more than a green backdrop for photographs. Its terraces show careful farming methods and the work required to manage water on sloping ground. Your guide can explain the subak system, the traditional Balinese approach to sharing irrigation water among farmers.
That context is valuable because it turns a scenic stop into a lesson in how the countryside functions. The terraces are shaped by human planning, religious practice, and cooperation, not simply by nature.
You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough to admire the views and hear an explanation, but it is not a long walk through every terrace. Paths can be uneven, and you should pay attention to your footing. The private vehicle means you can leave your bags behind rather than carrying everything along the paths.
The swing and the rice terrace follow one another, so the views may feel similar to some people. The difference is focus: the swing is about height and photographs, while Tegalalang gives you a closer look at the farming system and the way the terraces are arranged.
Ulu Petanu Waterfall: a cooler pause in the countryside

Ulu Petanu Waterfall offers a change of pace. After several stops built around architecture, shopping, and wide views, you reach a wooded setting with falling water and a clear pool. The visit lasts about 45 minutes.
The appeal is the quiet sound of water and the chance to cool down. The information provided describes the pool as suitable for a refreshing stop, but it does not promise that everyone will swim or that changing facilities are available. Bring modest expectations and use the time to enjoy the setting even if you do not enter the water.
This stop may be especially welcome in Bali’s heat. You will want sensible footwear, since access near a waterfall can be wet or uneven, although the exact path conditions are not specified. Keep your phone protected if you plan to take pictures close to the water.
Ulu Petanu also helps prevent the day from becoming a string of temples and shops. It is a simple natural pause, and that variety is one reason the route works well for a first look at the Ubud area.
Tirta Empul: ending with Bali’s sacred spring ritual

The final major stop is Tirta Empul Temple, known for its holy springs and purification ceremony. The one-hour visit gives you time to observe the ritual and, if appropriate, take part in the cleansing process.
This is the most spiritually focused stop of the day. Watch how people approach the spring with respect, and follow your guide’s advice about temple conduct. The purpose is not simply to walk through a landmark. Tirta Empul remains a place of worship, so modest behavior and suitable clothing matter.
If you want to participate in the purification ritual, ask about the proper process before entering the water. The information confirms that you may participate or observe, but it does not specify clothing rental, changing rooms, or extra costs. Personal expenses are not included, so bring money if you expect to buy anything separately.
Ending here gives the day a thoughtful final note. After the monkeys, swing, waterfall, and market, the springs slow the pace and connect the sights to Balinese spiritual life.
What the private guide adds to the day
Your driver also serves as your guide, which makes this more than a transfer service. The strongest part of the setup is the chance to ask questions as the day unfolds. At the palace, you can ask about royal life. At Tegalalang, you can ask how water reaches the fields. At Tirta Empul, you can ask about the meaning of purification.
Two guides receive special praise in the supplied information: Nyoman and Gede Praja. Gede Praja is described as responsive and flexible, and one family found him helpful as both driver and guide. Another family appreciated the clean car, child seat, and communication from the company.
That does not guarantee which guide you will receive, so consider those names useful points of reference rather than a promise. The private format itself is the key benefit. Only your group takes part, making it easier to manage children, photo stops, shopping time, and personal comfort.
The vehicle is air-conditioned, and lunch and bottled water are included. These details matter in Ubud, where a full day outdoors can become tiring. The tour does not include personal expenses, so budget separately for shopping or anything not covered by the listed admissions.
Is $128.62 a fair price?
At $128.62 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ubud. Its value depends on how many people are in your group and how much you value private transport. You are paying for an approximately eight-hour day, an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver-guide, lunch, bottled water, admission fees, and the convenience of arranging seven stops in one booking.
For a couple, the price may feel substantial. For a family or small group, the private vehicle and child-friendly setup can make the cost easier to justify. You also avoid piecing together separate transport, entrance tickets, and a lunch plan.
The strongest value comes from the combination of sights. A cheaper short tour may cover only the Monkey Forest and Tegalalang. This route adds the palace, market, swing, waterfall, and Tirta Empul, while still keeping the day private.
The tradeoff is depth. You are not paying for long visits at each attraction. You are paying for range and convenience. If you know you want a slower day, choose fewer places instead. If you want to see many of Ubud’s main sights without changing vehicles, the price is more reasonable.
Who will enjoy this Ubud day most?
I would recommend this tour to:
- First-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Ubud
- Families who need a private vehicle and flexible support
- Couples who want both cultural sites and scenic photo stops
- Small groups who can share the cost of private transport
- People who want a guide to explain local customs and farming traditions
- Anyone who prefers a planned day over arranging separate rides
I would be more cautious if you dislike busy schedules, heights, shopping stops, or temple visits. The jungle swing is optional in spirit, but it remains part of the route. The market may not interest everyone, and the day involves several short visits rather than one long stay.
Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, though pickup is offered. Confirmation is normally provided at booking. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded, so check your plans before booking.
Should you book this tour?
Book it if you want maximum variety in one private day and like the idea of combining Bali’s nature, crafts, royal buildings, farming traditions, and temple life. The driver-guide setup, lunch, bottled water, and included fees make the day easy to manage, especially for families.
Skip it if your ideal Ubud day means lingering at one temple, taking a long walk through the rice fields, or avoiding tourist-oriented activities such as a swing and market visit. For everyone else, this is a practical first look at Ubud, with enough cultural detail to make the schedule worthwhile and enough variety to keep the day moving.
FAQ
How long does the Ubud tour last?
The tour lasts approximately eight hours.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your group will participate in the activity.
What transportation is provided?
Private transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is offered.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch and bottled water are included in the tour price.
Are admission fees included?
Yes. The listed tour inclusions cover all fees and taxes, and admission is specifically included for the Monkey Forest, jungle swing, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Ulu Petanu Waterfall, and Tirta Empul.
Can I take part in the Tirta Empul purification ritual?
You may participate in or observe the purification ceremony at Tirta Empul. The supplied information does not specify extra clothing, facility, or personal costs.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
Newly added Ubud trips
- authentic Balinese organic cooking class in Ubud★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
- Farm-to-Table Balinese Cooking Experience★ 4.0 · 3 reviews
- Sunrise Jeep Tour Mount Batur Kintamani Bali★ 5.0 · 24 reviews
- coconut wine and coffee safary tour★ 5.0 · 16 reviews
- Nungnung Waterfall,Jatiluwih Heritage UNESCO and Bedugul Tour★ 5.0 · 5 reviews
- Bali Amazing Cycling Tour★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
- Authentic Balinese Cooking Class with Jewelry Making Class★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Bali Rural Village Bike★ 5.0 · 10 reviews
Ubud Highlights Day Tours, compared.

Best of Ubud Attractions: Private All-Inclusive Tour
Read our review →
Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour
Read our review →
Ubud Tour with Monkey Forest Waterfalls Temples and More
Read our review →
Highlights of Ubud & Mount Batur Volcano – Private Day Trip
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in




