Monkey Forest, Ubud, Waterfall and Rice Terrace

Ubud’s best-known sights are spread across Bali, and this private 7 to 8-hour tour gives you a practical way to connect them without arranging several taxis. You can see monkeys in a forest sanctuary, look over the Tegallalang rice terraces, swim at Tegenungan Waterfall, and stop at craft and coffee sites in one long day.

I like the freedom to set the pace and the fact that your driver handles parking, fuel, and the road between stops. I also like the personal service: drivers such as Oka Budiana, Gusti, Oko, and Wayan Wijana have been praised for clear explanations, taking photos, and waiting while guests swim or visit a temple. The main drawback is traffic, plus the fact that entrance fees and lunch are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Private transport for up to five people: You get an air-conditioned vehicle and your own driver rather than joining a large coach.
• A flexible sightseeing day: You can focus on the listed attractions or adjust the plan around your interests.
• Several fees are extra: Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Happy Swing Bali do not include admission in the tour price.
• The route covers a lot: Expect a full day on the road, with traffic able to shorten time at individual stops.
• Drivers can add local context: Oka, Gusti, Oko, and Wayan Wijana have been praised for explanations, photos, and attentive service.
• Hotel and port pickup is available: Pickup is offered from hotels in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Tanjung Benoa, as well as from the port.

Why this private Ubud day works

At $65 per group of up to five people, this is priced as transport and guiding rather than as an all-inclusive sightseeing ticket. Split five ways, the vehicle cost is modest. Even for two people, you are paying for a private car, fuel, parking, and a driver for most of a day.

That price looks best if you want several stops. A private vehicle saves you from finding separate rides between Ubud, Tegallalang, and the southern side of the island. You also avoid being tied to a fixed group schedule.

The tradeoff is clear. Admission tickets are not included, and neither is lunch or any personal spending. Add those costs before you compare this with a package tour. The final bill can also rise if you want a larger vehicle for six to twelve people.

This is not a tightly scripted tour with every minute fixed. It is closer to hiring a local driver for a day and building a sightseeing route around a few popular Ubud stops. That flexibility is useful, but you should discuss your priorities at the start. If you want a long swim, extended shopping, or a slow lunch, you may need to drop one or two other stops.

Pickup, vehicle, and the shape of the day

Pickup is available from your hotel lobby in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Tanjung Benoa. Port pickup is also offered, with the driver holding a sign with your name. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Your transport is a private, air-conditioned vehicle with fuel and parking covered. One regular car holds up to five people. A larger vehicle can be arranged for up to twelve people at an added cost, but you need to contact the local operator for that option.

The vehicle matters in Bali. A day connecting Ubud’s forest, northern rice fields, craft villages, and southern waterfall involves plenty of time in the car. Air conditioning gives you a break between hot, humid stops. Private transport also lets you leave a place when you have had enough instead of waiting for a group.

Traffic is the one factor you cannot control. One driver specifically warned that traffic is part of Bali, yet still managed to fit in the monkey forest, rice terraces, and coffee plantation. I would treat the advertised seven to eight hours as a useful guide, not a promise that every stop will receive a full hour.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Monkey Forest is usually the day’s most recognizable attraction. You walk through a forested sanctuary where long-tailed macaques move around the grounds, while mossy paths and Hindu religious features give the setting more character than a simple animal park.

The planned visit is about one hour, and admission is extra. That hour is enough for a good look around, but you should not expect to explore every corner at a relaxed pace if the rest of the route remains unchanged.

Keep your attention on your belongings around the monkeys. The tour information does not set out specific animal rules, so follow the sanctuary’s instructions when you arrive. A private driver can help with timing and transport, but you remain responsible for buying your ticket and managing your things inside.

This stop suits first-time visitors who want one of Ubud’s signature sights. If monkeys are your main reason for booking, tell the driver at pickup and protect that time. If you care more about rice terraces or swimming, the flexible format lets you shorten this stop.

Ubud Art Market and Celuk Village

The Ubud Art Market offers a chance to shop for Balinese handicrafts, from traditional items to more modern work. The scheduled stop is about an hour, with no admission charge, but buying something is entirely optional.

I would approach the market as a browsing stop rather than a must-buy part of the day. Prices and quality can vary, and the value depends on what catches your eye and how comfortable you are negotiating. Your private car also means you have somewhere to leave purchases instead of carrying them from site to site.

Celuk Village adds a different craft focus. It is known for gold and silver work and sits near the entrance to Gianyar Regency. The planned visit is another hour, and there is no listed entrance fee.

The drawback is that two craft stops can feel repetitive if shopping is not high on your list. Tell the driver if you would rather spend that hour at the waterfall or rice terraces. Since the tour is private, your preferences matter more than following every listed stop.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace and the subak system

The Tegallalang Rice Terrace is the visual centerpiece of the northern part of the route. Rice fields step down a valley, creating the layered view most people associate with Ubud’s countryside.

The terraces are also linked to subak, Bali’s traditional irrigation system. That detail helps you see the site as working farmland, not only as a photo stop. The scheduled terrace visit is about 30 minutes, and admission is extra.

Thirty minutes is enough for a lookout and photographs, but it is brief if you want to walk far among the terraces. The route also includes a separate hour for lunch at a restaurant in a river valley, described as having views over gardens and quiet surroundings. Lunch is not included, so check the menu and price before ordering.

The two Tegallalang entries can be confusing. In practical terms, plan for a rice terrace viewpoint and a separate meal stop in the same general area. Confirm with your driver how much time you will spend at each. If the terraces are a priority, ask for more walking time and shorten the shopping or coffee stop.

Uma Pakel Agro Tourism and civet coffee

Uma Pakel Agro Tourism introduces visitors to kopi luwak, or civet coffee, and explains how the product is made and sold. The visit is listed at about an hour, with no admission charge.

This can be an interesting stop if you want context about one of Bali’s best-known coffee products. It also gives you a break from viewpoints and city streets. The visit is partly educational and partly commercial, so be ready for a chance to learn about or buy coffee.

I would ask questions before purchasing anything, especially about price, processing, and what is included. The tour data does not promise a particular tasting, product quantity, or ethical standard, so do not assume those details. If coffee is not important to you, this is one of the easier stops to exchange for more time elsewhere.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall brings water, shade, and a chance to change the pace. The site has a strong view and a cooler feel than the road, and you can bathe there if conditions suit you.

The planned visit lasts about an hour, and admission is extra. That hour may work for photos and a swim, but changing clothes and walking to the water will reduce actual swimming time. Bring what you need for getting wet, though the supplied information does not specify changing facilities or locker arrangements.

One praised driver, Oko, waited while guests swam and kept an eye on the day’s schedule. That is exactly where a private tour helps. You are not making a busload of people wait, and the driver can remain with the vehicle while you spend time at the falls.

Still, do not treat the waterfall as a guaranteed swimming session. Water conditions, personal comfort, and the available time all matter. Ask your driver about the plan before you start down to the falls.

Happy Swing Bali and the photo stop

Happy Swing Bali is designed for photographs. It is described as a high swing that makes your feet appear far above the ground, and all users must wear a harness.

The listed time is about 30 minutes, and admission is extra. This is a short stop, so it fits neatly into a packed day. It is also easy to skip if swings are not your thing.

The harness requirement may affect what you wear and how comfortable you feel. Loose clothing can be awkward in a harness, and anyone uneasy with height should not feel pressured to participate. You can use the time for photos or simply wait while others take their turn.

Some drivers help with pictures throughout the day. Oko was praised for taking photos at several stops, and Oka Budiana was praised for creating good photo moments as well. Still, ask before handing over your phone, and be clear about which pictures you want.

The driver makes or breaks the experience

This tour depends heavily on the person behind the wheel. You are not getting a separate guide and chauffeur. The driver is expected to manage the route, explain places, suggest stops, and handle the day’s practical details.

Several names have received especially warm praise. Wayan Wijana was described as passionate and detailed in his explanations. Gusti was praised for punctuality, polite service, and local knowledge of Ubud. Oko was noted for being informative, taking photos, and waiting patiently during swimming, temple visits, city stops, and the swing. Oka Budiana was praised for explaining the sites and knowing the area well.

Those details are useful when you set expectations. A strong driver can turn traffic and a packed route into a pleasant day. At pickup, confirm the stops you care about, ask which admission fees you will pay, and agree on the order of the route.

The supplied information lists English or Japanese-speaking drivers. Communication is important because the day is customizable. Make sure your driver understands your top two or three priorities before you leave.

What the $65 price really covers

The $65 rate covers one group of up to five, not five separate tickets. Included are the air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, fuel surcharge, parking fees, and an English or Japanese-speaking driver.

That is good value for a small group that wants convenience. You are buying a full day of transport without having to negotiate separate fares or worry about parking at every stop.

You still need to budget for:

• Monkey Forest admission
• Tegallalang Rice Terrace admission
• Tegenungan Waterfall admission
• Happy Swing Bali admission
• Lunch
• Coffee, crafts, and other personal purchases

The art market, Celuk Village, and Uma Pakel are listed without admission fees, but that does not mean you will spend nothing there. Shopping and coffee purchases remain optional.

For a larger party, ask about the added cost for a vehicle holding up to twelve people. The basic rate applies to a maximum of five in one regular car.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this experience to a small group that wants many of Ubud’s headline stops in one day and does not want to arrange transport independently. It is especially useful for families, couples, and friends who want a private schedule and a cool car between outdoor visits.

It also suits people who like to adjust plans as the day goes on. You can give more time to the monkey forest, swimming, crafts, or photos, then cut a stop that does not interest you.

I would be cautious if you want a slow, deeply focused visit to one place. The route contains at least eight listed stops, and traffic can reduce the time available. A person who wants a long walk through the rice fields may prefer fewer stops. The same is true for someone who wants an unhurried coffee visit or a full afternoon at the waterfall.

The activity is private, but it is not an all-inclusive package. Bring money for tickets, food, and purchases, and confirm the day’s priorities before the car leaves.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can take part. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund.

Pickup is offered, but you should provide the correct hotel or port details. The activity returns to the original meeting point. Since the route is customizable, the exact stops and time at each attraction can change according to your interests and the length of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Bali day includes monkeys, rice terraces, a waterfall, coffee, crafts, and a few photo stops, all handled by one private driver. At $65 per group, the transport value is strongest for up to five people.

Skip it if you dislike shopping stops, do not want to pay separate admission fees, or prefer to spend an entire day at one or two attractions. For most small groups, the flexibility, air conditioning, and attentive driver service make this a practical way to see a wide slice of Ubud in one day. Just set realistic expectations about traffic and choose your must-see stops before pickup.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

One regular car can accommodate a maximum of five people per booking. A larger vehicle for up to twelve people may be arranged for an additional cost by contacting the local operator.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

Is transportation private?

Yes. The tour provides private transportation, and only your group participates in the activity.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the sites you visit are not included. The listed stops with extra admission costs include Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Happy Swing Bali.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. A lunch stop is included in the route, but you pay for your meal.

Can I change the itinerary?

Yes. This is a customizable private tour. The places visited and the time spent at each attraction can change according to your interests and the duration of the day.