Monkey Forest, Ubud, Waterfall and Rice Terrace

Ubud is easiest to explore when someone else handles Bali’s traffic. This private day tour gives you an air-conditioned car, hotel pickup, and a driver who can shape the day around the places you care about most. You can focus on the Sacred Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and Tegenungan Waterfall, or add a market, coffee stop, village, or swing.

I like the private format, especially for families or small groups who do not want to follow a fixed bus schedule. I also like the chance to ask your driver for local context and help with photos. Drivers named Oka, OKO, Gusti, and Wayan Wijana have earned special praise for their timing, explanations, patience, and care.

The main drawback is time. Seven or eight hours sounds generous, but traffic and the long list of possible stops can turn this into a quick look at many places. Entrance fees and lunch cost extra, and you need to agree on your priorities before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Private car for up to five people: The $65 price covers the group, not each person, and includes private transport, fuel, parking, and an air-conditioned vehicle.
• A flexible Ubud route: You can request the Monkey Forest, art market, rice terraces, waterfall, coffee plantation, Celuk Village, or Happy Swing Bali.
• Drivers who do more than drive: Oka, OKO, Gusti, and Wayan Wijana are praised for explanations, local knowledge, patience, and taking photos.
• Most entrance fees are extra: Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, and the swing are not included.
• Traffic shapes the day: The route covers several parts of Bali, so a short list of top priorities will give you a better experience.
• Easy hotel pickup: Pickup is offered from hotels in Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, and Ubud, as well as from the port.

What this private Ubud day really offers

This is less a fixed sightseeing tour than a private car and driver for a full day around Ubud and nearby areas. The advertised route includes several popular stops, but the plan can change according to your interests and the time available.

That flexibility is useful in Bali. You may want temples and coffee, while someone else in your group wants the Monkey Forest and a waterfall swim. You can discuss the balance with your driver instead of being locked into every stop.

The driver speaks English or Japanese. Several drivers have received strong praise for being punctual, polite, and helpful throughout the day. One driver confirmed the pickup details a few days ahead. Another waited while the group swam, visited a temple, explored the city center, and used the swings.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in Bali’s heat. You also avoid having to arrange separate rides between scattered attractions. Parking fees and fuel are included, but you pay for admission, food, and personal purchases.

Start with a plan, not a wish list

Pickup is available from your hotel lobby in the listed resort areas, from Ubud, or from the port. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to find your own way home after a long day.

Before leaving, tell the driver your two or three most important stops. That is the best way to use a seven to eight hour schedule. If you attempt every listed attraction, you may spend more time in the car and less time at the places you came to see.

A sensible plan might include:

• Sacred Monkey Forest
• Tegallalang Rice Terrace
• Tegenungan Waterfall

A shopping and culture-focused day could replace the waterfall with Ubud Art Market and Celuk Village. A photo-focused plan might include the rice terraces and Happy Swing Bali, with less time at the market.

The route is not presented as a promise that every stop will fit. Treat the itinerary as a menu. Your driver can suggest stops, but you should speak up if a particular place matters most.

Sacred Monkey Forest: an atmospheric first stop

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is often the natural centerpiece of an Ubud day. The visit is planned for about an hour, and the entrance ticket is not included.

You can expect a forested sanctuary setting with monkeys and paths through the grounds. The stop works well for photos and gives you a quick introduction to one of Ubud’s best-known attractions. Keep your belongings secure and listen to the site rules, since the animals are active and unpredictable.

An hour is enough for a taste, but not a slow visit. If the Monkey Forest is your main reason for booking, tell the driver at the start and protect that time. If you want a more varied day, one hour gives you room for the rice terraces and waterfall later.

Ubud Art Market: shopping with a time limit

Ubud Art Market is planned for about an hour and has no admission fee. It is a place to browse Balinese handicrafts, from traditional pieces to more contemporary goods.

This stop suits you if you want gifts, textiles, decorative items, or a quick look at local craft commerce. The private format gives you more control than a group tour. You can browse, buy, or move on without waiting for a full coach.

The practical issue is that one hour passes quickly. Shopping prices can vary, so take your time before committing to a purchase. If your priority is scenery, you may prefer to use this hour at the rice terraces or waterfall.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace: the scenic heart of the day

The rice terrace stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Tegallalang is known for its stepped fields and the Balinese subak irrigation system, which links farming, water management, and community life.

The planned visit is about 30 minutes at one listed viewpoint, though lunch is also placed in the same general area. Admission to the rice terrace is not included. You should confirm with your driver which terrace entrance or viewing area you will use, since the supplied plan refers to more than one rice terrace stop.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a view across the terraces. It is not much time for a slow walk or a long meal. If you want to explore on foot, ask for extra time and accept that another stop may need to be dropped.

Lunch is not included. The plan suggests a restaurant in the river valley with views over private gardens and surrounding scenery. That sounds like a pleasant setting, but you should treat it as a paid meal stop rather than a free inclusion. Ask about the menu and timing before sitting down if you are trying to reach the waterfall or swing.

Uma Pakel Agro Tourism: coffee, education, and shopping

Uma Pakel Agro Tourism is scheduled for about an hour and has no admission charge listed. Its main focus is kopi luwak, or civet coffee, along with an introduction to coffee production and local products.

This can be an interesting stop if you want more than a scenic photograph. You can learn about the coffee product and see how the attraction presents it to visitors. It also gives you a break from outdoor sightseeing.

Take the stop on its own terms. You may enjoy the explanation and tasting, but you do not need to buy anything. If coffee is not important to you, tell the driver. That hour may be better spent at the Monkey Forest, rice terrace, or waterfall.

Celuk Village: a short look at Balinese metalwork

Celuk Village is associated with gold and silver craft. The planned stop lasts about an hour and has no admission fee listed.

This is a useful choice for anyone interested in jewelry and village-based craft. It adds a different side of Bali to a day otherwise filled with forests, fields, and water. You may find displays and sales areas, so keep your shopping budget in mind.

Celuk is not essential for every itinerary. If your group has no interest in jewelry, ask whether the time can be shifted to another stop. The private setup makes that conversation possible.

Tegenungan Waterfall: allow time for the steps and water

Tegenungan Waterfall is scheduled for about an hour, and the entrance fee is extra. The site is known for its impressive falling water and cooler atmosphere, with the option to bathe.

This is one of the more active stops. You may want to walk down, take photos, or swim, then make the climb back. An hour can work for a short visit, but it may feel tight if you want a relaxed swim and time to dry off.

Bring suitable clothing if you plan to enter the water. The tour does not list towels, meals, or personal supplies as included, so handle those details yourself. One praised driver waited while the group swam, which is exactly the sort of practical support you want from a private day.

The waterfall also gives the schedule a welcome change of pace. After markets, coffee, and viewpoints, cool water can make the afternoon feel less repetitive.

Happy Swing Bali: a photo stop with a harness

Happy Swing Bali is planned for about 30 minutes, and the fee is extra. The attraction offers a high swing designed for dramatic photographs, with your feet appearing far above the ground.

All users must wear a harness. That is important if you want a flowing outfit or a simple photo experience, since the safety gear becomes part of the activity. The short time slot suggests a focused photo stop rather than a long amusement visit.

Ask about the price before adding it. You should also decide if the swing is worth giving up time at the waterfall or rice terraces. It suits people who want a distinctive social media photograph, but it is not a must for every group.

The drivers are central to the experience

The driver may also serve as your guide, so the person behind the wheel shapes much of the day. The strongest praise goes to drivers who arrived on time, explained local sights clearly, waited patiently, and helped with photographs.

Wayan Wijana is praised for detailed explanations and enthusiasm. Gusti is described as punctual, polite, and familiar with the Ubud area. OKO is praised for looking after the group, taking photos, and waiting during swimming, temple visits, city sightseeing, and the swing. Oka Budiana is praised for explaining the sites, taking photos, and choosing a good restaurant.

Driver assignments can change, so do not assume you will receive one particular person. Still, these examples show what to look for: clear pickup communication, a willingness to adjust the schedule, and a driver who treats the day as your own rather than rushing you from stop to stop.

What $65 means for value

At $65 per group of up to five, this can be strong value if you fill the car. Split five ways, the transport cost is modest for a private, air-conditioned day with pickup, parking, fuel, and a return journey.

The value is lower for one person or a couple, though the private service still gives you comfort and control. You must also budget for entrance fees at the Monkey Forest, rice terrace, waterfall, and swing, plus lunch and purchases.

The price is most attractive when you want several stops and do not want to arrange separate transport. It is less useful if you plan to visit only one nearby attraction and spend the rest of the day at your hotel.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this for a small group that wants a flexible day around Ubud without public transport or several separate bookings. Families may like the private car and the ability to shorten a stop. Couples and friends can split the group price and choose between scenery, shopping, coffee, and photo activities.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a driver’s help with the route. A local driver can handle the logistics while you focus on the sights.

I would think twice if you want a slow, in-depth visit at every stop. The list is ambitious, and traffic can reduce your time. You should also skip the swing, coffee plantation, or market if your real priorities are the Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and waterfall.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, and the activity is private for your group only. A regular car holds up to five people. A larger vehicle for up to 12 can be arranged for an extra charge by contacting the local operator.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The most useful preparation is a short priority list, comfortable clothing for a warm day, and extra money for admission and lunch. Ask the driver how much time each stop allows, especially if you want to swim or walk at the rice terraces.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private Bali day built around your interests, especially if your group can share the $65 vehicle price. The best version of the day focuses on three or four stops, with the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, and Tegenungan Waterfall as a strong combination.

Add the art market, coffee plantation, Celuk Village, or swing only if they genuinely interest you. The flexible driver service is the main value here, not the promise of checking every attraction off a long list.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

How many people can join one booking?

A regular car can carry up to five people. A larger vehicle for up to 12 people can be arranged for an additional cost.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, and Ubud. Pickup from the port is also offered.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the sites you visit are not included. This applies to attractions such as the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Happy Swing Bali.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. Lunch may be arranged at a restaurant near the rice terraces, but you pay for it separately.

Can the itinerary be changed?

Yes. The tour is customizable, and the places visited and time spent at each attraction can change based on your interests and the available time.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, fuel surcharge, parking fees, and an English or Japanese-speaking driver.