Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tirta Empul Temple Tour

Ubud’s best-known sights are spread across the countryside, and this 10-hour private guided tour gathers many of them into one long day. You’ll see macaques in a forest sanctuary, walk among rice terraces, visit a water temple, cool off at Tibumana Waterfall, and browse Ubud’s traditional market.

I like the mix of famous sights and quieter scenery, especially Tirta Empul and Tibumana Waterfall. I also like that the air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and four major entrance fees are included. The catch is time: six stops in one day means a full schedule, and the jungle swing costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• Six very different stops: You move from monkeys and temple rituals to rice fields, shopping, a waterfall, and a swing attraction.
• Mangkok may be your guide: One especially strong rating names Mangkok as funny, professional, and well informed about the places visited.
• Four admission fees are included: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, and Tibumana Waterfall are covered.
• The jungle swing is optional: You can visit the swing stop, but the actual swing fee is not part of the $24.30 price.
• Expect a long but efficient day: The listed stop times add up to about 10 hours, before allowing for the driving between Ubud-area sights.
• The group can reach 15 people: Pickup is offered, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, useful in Bali’s heat.

A full day built around Ubud’s famous sights

At about $24.30 per person, this tour offers a lot for the money. Four entrance fees are included, along with transport, bottled water, and a guide. Lunch is not included, and the jungle swing has a separate charge, so the final cost depends partly on what you choose to do at the swing stop.

The value is strongest if you want variety without arranging several separate rides. Ubud’s attractions sit in different areas, and a private guided vehicle saves you from piecing together taxis, tickets, and directions. You also get a local guide to explain what you are seeing rather than simply being dropped at each entrance.

The day is not designed for slow, lingering visits. The listed schedule allows two hours at Monkey Forest, one hour at Tegalalang, two hours at Tirta Empul, two hours at Tibumana, one hour at the market, and two hours at the swing. Those times total the advertised 10 hours, so driving and traffic need to fit within a tightly managed day.

That makes this a good choice if you want to see a lot in one outing. If you prefer spending half a day at one temple or taking long photographs at every rice-field viewpoint, the pace may feel brisk.

Meeting hundreds of macaques at Sacred Monkey Forest

The first major stop is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. It is a wooded reserve home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques, along with many types of trees and plants.

The appeal is immediate. You are not looking at monkeys from a distant viewing platform. The animals move through the forest around you, which gives the visit an energetic, close-up quality. It is also a useful introduction to Ubud because the site combines nature, local religious importance, and one of Bali’s most recognizable animals.

You have about two hours here, enough time to walk through the sanctuary rather than rush in, take a few photographs, and watch the macaques at work. Your guide can help you understand the setting and keep the visit organized.

A practical caution matters here. These are wild monkeys, not trained performers. Keep food and loose belongings secure, and follow the sanctuary’s instructions. The tour description highlights the chance to capture photos close to the animals, but that opportunity calls for sensible distance and care. A good photo is not worth provoking a macaque.

The entrance fee is included, which is a helpful saving. The forest is also one of the more active stops on the day, so comfortable footwear and water are useful even though bottled water is supplied.

Tegalalang’s terraced rice fields

Tegalalang Rice Terrace gives you a very different view of Bali. Here, rice paddies are cut into the hillsides in stepped bands, shaped by an old irrigation system and framed by tropical greenery.

You have one hour at this stop. That is enough to take in the main views and walk a short distance, but it is not a long farming or village visit. The stop works best as a scenic pause between the forest and the temple.

I like Tegalalang because it shows how closely agriculture and scenery are tied together in central Bali. These terraces are not simply decorative viewpoints. They reflect the work of growing rice on sloping ground and the irrigation traditions that support it.

The admission fee is included. You may also choose to try the Ubud Jungle Swing, although the swing fee is separate. This is an important distinction when comparing prices. The tour takes you to the swing attraction, but you pay extra if you want the actual ride.

If you want a photograph from the swing, set aside extra money and time. If not, you can treat the stop as a viewpoint and continue with the main tour. The optional setup gives you some control over the day, though a full two-hour swing stop may feel long if you do not plan to ride.

A ritual water visit at Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul is a Hindu water temple near Tampaksiring, known for its holy spring water and purification rituals. It is one of the most meaningful stops on the route because it is an active religious site, not only a pretty place to photograph.

The visit lasts about two hours, giving you time to see the temple grounds and learn why the spring water matters in Balinese Hindu practice. The guide can provide context about the purification tradition and help you approach the site respectfully.

This is a place where clothing and behavior matter. Choose modest clothing and follow any temple instructions. The supplied information does not say that a purification bathing session is included, so you should not assume you will take part in the ritual. The listed inclusion is the temple entrance fee.

I especially like having more time here than at Tegalalang. The temple benefits from explanation. Without context, the pools and fountains can look like a quick photo stop. With a guide, you can better understand their religious role and why people come here.

Tirta Empul also gives the day a welcome change of pace. After the macaques and scenic rice terraces, the temple asks you to slow down and pay attention to local customs.

Cooling off at Tibumana Waterfall

Tibumana Waterfall is the tour’s nature break. Water drops from a cliff into a shallow pool, with tropical plants surrounding the site. The setting is described as calm and suitable for swimming and relaxation.

You have about two hours here, which is generous compared with the one-hour rice-terrace stop. That time allows you to enjoy the pool, sit in the shade, and take photographs without treating the waterfall as a five-minute stop.

If you want to swim, bring suitable clothing and a way to keep valuables dry. The tour includes the waterfall entrance but does not list towels, changing facilities, or swimming equipment, so those details should not be assumed.

Tibumana is a good counterpoint to Monkey Forest. The sanctuary is about animal activity and close encounters, while the waterfall offers a quieter natural setting. It may also be the most relaxing part of the day, especially if the heat has built up by afternoon.

The main limitation is the same as with any waterfall stop: conditions can affect the experience. The supplied details describe a shallow pool and a graceful cascade, but they do not promise a particular water level or swimming condition on your date.

Shopping for souvenirs at Ubud Traditional Art Market

The Ubud Traditional Market, also called Pasar Ubud, is placed into the day as a one-hour shopping stop. It is a practical addition for anyone who wants gifts for family or a small reminder of Bali.

Expect a market selling a wide range of goods, with local shoppers and visitors sharing the space. The tour description specifically presents it as a place for souvenir hunting, so this is less about a guided cultural study and more about browsing, comparing items, and deciding what you want to bring home.

One hour is enough for a focused look, but not for leisurely shopping at every stall. Keep track of your meeting time, especially if you find yourself negotiating over several purchases. The tour does not say that purchases are included, so plan to pay for anything you take home.

I like the market stop because it breaks up the nature and temple visits. It also gives you a chance to support local sellers rather than buying every souvenir from a hotel shop. Just remember that shopping can expand to fill whatever time you give it, and this itinerary has a firm schedule.

Deciding if the Ubud Jungle Swing is worth extra money

The Ubud Jungle Swing is described as a popular attraction with swings overlooking jungle, rice terraces, and river valleys. It is designed for dramatic photographs and a short thrill rather than quiet sightseeing.

The tour includes a two-hour stop here, but the swing fee is not included. This is the clearest extra-cost item in the program. Ask about the current price before riding, since the listed tour price only covers the transportation and scheduled experience, not the swing itself.

You may find the swing appealing if you want a classic Bali photograph and enjoy a little theatrical fun. If you are more interested in temples, fields, and waterfalls, you can treat this as a brief scenic stop rather than paying for the ride.

The swing also affects the tour’s value in different ways. At $24.30, the base price remains attractive even if you skip it. If you add the swing, lunch, and any personal shopping, your total spending will be higher than the headline price.

The guide, vehicle, and group size

The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle and offers pickup. Those details matter in Bali, where a day of outdoor stops can be hot and tiring. Bottled water is included, which is a small but useful touch during a 10-hour outing.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not the same as a completely private outing for one couple or family, so check how your booking is described if having a fully private vehicle matters to you. The overview calls it a private guided tour, while the additional information gives a maximum of 15 participants. The safest reading is that you should confirm the arrangement for your booking.

One guide specifically named in the strong feedback is Mangkok. He is described as professional, funny, and well informed. Guide quality can make a big difference on a schedule like this. A good guide helps turn a series of stops into a connected day, especially at Tirta Empul and Monkey Forest.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied information does not state the exact pickup zone, time, or hotel coverage. Confirm those details when booking. Confirmation is sent at the time of booking, and most people can participate.

Who will enjoy this packed Ubud itinerary?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Ubud for a limited time and want a broad first look at the area. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer having transport and entrance tickets organized in advance.

It also works well for anyone who wants a mix of:

• Animal encounters at Monkey Forest
• Scenic views at Tegalalang
• Religious culture at Tirta Empul
• Swimming or rest at Tibumana
• Souvenir shopping at Pasar Ubud
• An optional swing photograph

You should think twice if you dislike long days or prefer independent exploration. Six stops leave little room for unplanned wandering. Lunch is also on your own, so you need to fit a meal into the schedule without losing time at the main sights.

The tour is a particularly good match for first-time visitors who want an efficient introduction to Ubud. People who already know the area may prefer a shorter, slower outing focused on one temple, one waterfall, or a longer walk through the countryside.

Should you book this Ubud tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety for a low base price and like having transport, a guide, and four admission fees handled together. The combination of Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, Tibumana, the market, and the optional swing gives you a broad picture of Ubud in one day.

Before paying, confirm the pickup details, group arrangement, lunch plan, and current swing fee. Leave room in your budget for food and shopping. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

My call: this is a strong-value choice for a first Ubud visit, provided you are comfortable with a full schedule. If you want a relaxed day with long temple visits and plenty of quiet time, choose a shorter private outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the Ubud Monkey Forest and temple tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours.

What places are included in the tour?

The tour visits Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, Tibumana Waterfall, Ubud Traditional Art Market, and the Ubud Jungle Swing area.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered, though the provided information does not specify the exact pickup locations or times.

What entrance fees are included?

Admission to Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tibumana Waterfall is included.

Is the Ubud Jungle Swing included in the price?

No. The swing fee is not included. The tour takes you to the swing attraction, but you pay separately if you choose to ride.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.