Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace, and Waterfall

Ubud’s best-known natural sights fit neatly into one long day here: monkeys in a forest sanctuary, rice fields cut into a steep valley, and a waterfall framed by rock. The mix is easy to understand, but the day works because each stop feels different.

I like the private-group format, which gives you more room to move at the Monkey Forest and more freedom to set your pace on the rice terraces. I also like that lunch, entrance fees, parking, and hotel transport are included, so the $44 price covers the costly practical pieces.

The main tradeoff is time. Nine hours sounds generous, but the forest and rice terraces each receive about an hour, while the waterfall stop takes about 90 minutes. This is a good sightseeing sweep, not a slow rural retreat.

Key points

• Long-tailed monkeys up close: Walk through their forest home, but follow strict rules about food, drinks, eye contact, and touching.
• Tegallalang’s 200 hectares of rice terraces: You can walk down into the terraces and see the valley from several angles.
• May and September add farm activity: Planting or harvest periods may give the rice fields more life and movement.
• Blangsinga gets you close to the water: The waterfall sits beneath natural rock formations, with pools above at D’Tukad River Club.
• $44 covers the basics that matter: Hotel pickup and drop-off, entry tickets, parking, lunch, and an English-speaking driver are included.
• Private transport keeps the day simple: Pickup begins at 8:30 am, and you return to your Bali hotel after the final stop.

A full day built around Bali’s natural sights

This tour gives you three very different snapshots of Bali in one outing. You begin in Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, head north to Tegallalang, stop for lunch, and finish at Blangsinga Waterfall before returning to your hotel.

I see the tour as a strong choice if you have limited time in Bali and want scenery rather than temples, shopping, or beach activities. You get animals, farming country, a meal, and running water in one package. The day also avoids the trouble of arranging separate taxis, admission tickets, parking, and a lunch stop.

The private-group setup matters. You are not being moved through the day as part of a large public group, and pickup is included from your Bali hotel. The tour is still structured, though. The listed schedule allows about one hour at the Monkey Forest, one hour at Tegallalang, 90 minutes for lunch, and 90 minutes at the waterfall, with driving time filling out the nine-hour day.

Your pickup is scheduled for 8:30 am. Be ready in the hotel lobby 10 minutes early. Since the exact driving time depends on your location in Bali, an early start is useful, especially if you want cooler conditions for walking.

Meeting Bali’s long-tailed monkeys in Ubud

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the day’s most unusual stop. You walk through a conservation forest where groups of long-tailed monkeys live and move around close to the paths. The animals are accustomed to people, but that does not mean you can treat them like tame pets.

Your guide leads a roughly one-hour visit through the forest. You may get close enough for excellent photographs, but the rules are firm:

• Do not bring food or drinks into the animal encounter.
• Never feed the monkeys.
• Do not touch them.
• Avoid looking directly into their eyes.
• Keep a sensible distance even when an animal appears calm.

These restrictions are not minor fine print. They are the key to a safe and pleasant visit. Monkeys can react quickly, and a camera or loose item can attract attention. Keep your belongings secure and resist the urge to pose with an animal at arm’s length.

I like that this stop is framed as a conservation forest rather than a staged animal show. The monkeys are part of the setting, and you are visiting their habitat. The experience is less about forcing an interaction and more about watching how close the animals come to the walking paths.

The forest can be a tricky place for anyone who dislikes uneven walking. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and you should bring outdoor clothing and sensible footwear. A hat can help in exposed parts of the day, though the forest itself provides some shade.

Walking the 200-hectare Tegallalang rice terraces

From the forest, the tour continues north to Tegallalang, a farmers’ village known for its broad rice terraces. The fields spread through a valley covering about 200 hectares, giving you the kind of view that is difficult to appreciate from a roadside photo stop alone.

You spend about an hour here, with time for photographs, sightseeing, and a walk down into the terraces with your guide. The word down matters. You are not simply stepping out of the vehicle, taking one picture, and leaving. The route includes a descent into the rice fields, followed by the effort of walking back up.

That walk gives the stop its value. From the valley, you can see how the terraces follow the contours of the land and how much work goes into farming on sloping ground. Your guide can help you understand what you are seeing, though the listing does not name a specific guide.

Timing can change the feel of Tegallalang. The best chance to see planting or harvest activity is around May or September. Those months may offer a closer look at the working side of the rice fields, rather than only the finished view. No season guarantees a particular farming scene, but the timing is worth considering if agriculture interests you.

You may also find optional adventure activities in the area, including a zip-line, swing, and cable sky bike. These are not listed as included in the $44 price, so treat them as possible extras rather than part of the core tour. If you choose one, it could reduce your time for walking or photos.

The terraces are also a place where footwear and clothing matter. Wear outdoor clothing and shoes that can handle a sloping path. Bring your camera, but do not let photography turn the entire stop into a rushed sprint from one viewpoint to another. The view from the fields is often more rewarding than another quick photo from the edge.

Lunch with a view instead of a rushed roadside stop

After Tegallalang, you have a 90-minute break for lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is included, and the setting looks toward the rice terraces from a distance.

That arrangement is practical. You get time to eat, cool off, and recover from the walk before the waterfall visit. It also gives you a calmer view of the terraces. From the restaurant, the fields become a broad scene rather than a path under your feet.

The meal is not described in detail, so I would not book this tour based on a particular menu. If you have dietary requirements, ask about them before booking or as soon as the tour begins. Personal expenses are not included, so bring cash for anything beyond the provided lunch.

The 90-minute break is longer than a basic meal stop. You can use the extra time to rest, enjoy the view, and prepare for the final walk. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and a change of clothes if you expect to get wet or sweaty later in the day.

Getting close to Blangsinga Waterfall

The final major stop is Blangsinga Waterfall, in Blangsinga village. Here, the route takes you to a close viewing point beneath natural rock formations. The water is described as being veiled under the rock, which gives this stop a more enclosed feel than a wide-open viewpoint.

You have about 90 minutes for sightseeing. That should be enough to take photographs, watch the falling water, and enjoy the setting without making the stop feel like a hurried final tick on the list.

Swimming directly under the waterfall is not advisable. That is an important distinction because you should not arrive expecting a swim at the base. If you want water time, D’Tukad River Club sits above the waterfall and has swimming pools, cold beverages, and music. The club offers a more social alternative, but drinks or other personal purchases are not included.

Bring swimwear and a change of clothes if you might use the pools. If you are only visiting the waterfall, outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes are more important. Biodegradable sunscreen is also recommended, particularly if you spend time at the club or in open areas.

The waterfall provides a pleasant change after the rice terraces. You have already spent the morning looking across fields and walking paths. Here, the focus shifts to sound, spray, rock, and moving water. I like that the stop offers two options: a nature visit at the waterfall, or a more relaxed pool-and-drink break above it.

What the $44 price really covers

At $44 per person, this tour offers solid value if you intend to visit all three sites. You are not paying only for a vehicle. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Entrance tickets
• Parking tickets
• Lunch
• An English-speaking driver

The private-group format adds value for couples, families, or a small party that prefers direct transport. You avoid arranging separate rides between Ubud, Tegallalang, and Blangsinga, and you do not need to budget for each entrance ticket separately.

The tour also offers live guiding in English and Spanish. An additional language guide is available as an add-on, as is a personal photographer. Since those extras are not included, ask for the price before confirming if either matters to you.

Tips and personal expenses are separate. Bring cash for drinks, optional activities at Tegallalang, purchases at D’Tukad River Club, or a tip for the driver or guide. The driver is a particularly important part of the day because transport connects every stop, and a friendly, helpful driver can make the long schedule feel much easier.

The one caution is that value depends on your preferred pace. If you want a long walk through one rice-growing village or several hours at a waterfall, this itinerary may feel too packed. If you want three major sights without arranging transport yourself, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this Bali day trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad sample of Ubud-area nature in a single day. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a private vehicle with the main costs handled in advance.

It is also a good match if you care about scenery but want more variety than a single attraction can offer. The monkey forest gives you wildlife, Tegallalang gives you working farmland and valley views, and Blangsinga gives you water and rock.

You should think twice if mobility is a concern. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the rice terraces include walking down into the fields. It is also not recommended for people with altitude sickness or anyone over 95 years old.

Pack light but prepare for several kinds of activity. A useful day bag includes:

• Hat and biodegradable sunscreen
• Camera
• Outdoor clothing
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Cash
• Comfortable shoes for walking

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Do not feed or touch the monkeys. At the sanctuary, leave food and drinks out of the animal encounter and avoid direct eye contact.

A few practical limits to keep in mind

This tour is not a completely free-form private day. The stops have planned durations, and the schedule must account for driving, lunch, and the return to your hotel. You can enjoy the private format, but you still need to keep an eye on the clock.

The biggest physical demand is likely the rice terrace walk. The Monkey Forest also requires walking, and the waterfall stop may involve uneven ground. The supplied information does not give a detailed route length or surface description, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask for more detail before reserving.

The optional activities at Tegallalang and the pool experience at D’Tukad River Club are useful additions, but they may cost extra. The $44 price should be understood as covering the main tour, not every activity available along the way.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility if your Bali plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace, and Waterfall tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, private day with three distinct sights and few extra costs to arrange. The strongest parts are the close but rule-bound monkey encounter, the chance to walk into Tegallalang’s rice terraces, and the waterfall visit with a pool option above it.

Skip it if you prefer a slow day focused on one place, dislike walking on uneven ground, or want to spend a long time swimming beneath a waterfall. Blangsinga is for viewing the falls up close, not swimming under them.

For $44, the combination of transport, tickets, parking, lunch, and a driver is hard to dismiss. Just arrive ready for a full day, follow the monkey rules, wear proper shoes, and treat the optional activities as extras. That is the formula for getting the most from this Bali outing.

FAQ

What is included in the $44 tour price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance tickets, parking tickets, lunch, and an English-speaking driver.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts nine hours, beginning with an 8:30 am hotel departure and ending with your return to Bali accommodation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, and you should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the pickup time.

Which languages are available?

The tour has live guides in English and Spanish. A guide in another language and a personal photographer are available as add-ons.

Can I feed or touch the monkeys?

No. Feeding and touching the monkeys are prohibited. You must also avoid bringing food or drinks into the animal encounter and should not look directly into the monkeys’ eyes.

Can I swim under Blangsinga Waterfall?

Swimming under the waterfall is not advisable. D’Tukad River Club above the waterfall has swimming pools as an alternative.

Are the rice terrace adventure activities included?

The zip-line, swing, and cable sky bike are mentioned as possible activities at Tegallalang, but they are not listed among the included features. Expect them to be optional extras.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also listed as unsuitable for people with altitude sickness and people over 95 years old.