One day, six Ubud classics. This private highlights route strings together monkey forest, two waterfalls, rice terraces, a swing photo stop, and Tirta Empul with hotel pickup and some entry fees included.

I love the private guide angle because your day has room for questions and small timing tweaks, and the guides I’ve seen referenced like Esa and Made are praised for storytelling and staying flexible. I also like that round-trip transfers run from many popular Bali areas, so you’re not spending your morning figuring out logistics.

One consideration: lunch isn’t included, and the Terrace River Pool Swing admission is not included, so you’ll want a little extra budget for those add-ons.

Key Highlights Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Private guide, private pace with only your group in the car
• Transfers from lots of Bali areas, including Ubud pick-up points like the Ubud Art Market
• Entrance tickets included at multiple major stops, with the swing as the notable exception
• A full waterfall-and-temple day with dedicated time blocks, not a quick hit
• Guides get credit for English and photos, with names like Dena, Dewa Putu, Maha, Mawa, Putu, Esa, and Made showing up in feedback
• Mobile ticket and water included, plus mineral water and an air-conditioned car

Ubud in One Long Day: What This Tour Is Built For

This tour is the kind of day that helps you “solve” Ubud fast. You start with the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, then move through Tibumana Waterfall and Kanto Lampo Waterfall, stop at Tegalalang Rice Terrace, add the jungle swing photo moment, and finish at Tirta Empul Temple.

It runs about 10 hours, and it’s designed for people who want the classic sights without bouncing between multiple taxis or trying to coordinate admissions one by one. It’s also private, so it’s not a cattle-car situation.

Getting To Each Stop: Private Transfers, AC Comfort, and Timing

The biggest quality-of-life feature here is round-trip transfers. Pickup and dropoff are offered for the Nusa Dua area, Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, and multiple Ubud-side pick-up points (including around Ubud Art Market). The car is air-conditioned, and your driver handles fuel, parking, and gas costs.

You’re looking at a day where you’ll be in the car quite a bit, so the AC and mineral water matter. It’s also an English-speaking driver setup, which makes a long day easier—especially when you’re asking why places are sacred, or what you’re seeing in each area.

Practical note: the itinerary is packed with specific time blocks, so this is best when you’re okay with a structured day. If you want a slow wander with lots of unscheduled stops, you may end up wanting more time at fewer places.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: 1 Hour Among the Sacred Monkeys

Your first stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, with about 1 hour on site and the admission ticket included. If you’re new to Ubud, this is a strong opener because the forest setting changes the mood right away—cooler, greener, and busy in its own way.

What I like about putting this early: you avoid the feeling that you’re rushing at the end of the day. A solid one-hour block is typically enough to see the main areas at a comfortable pace and still be ready for the next drive.

What to consider: this is a sanctuary setting, so plan for lots of walking on uneven paths and bring footwear that can handle it. Also, keep your phone secure when monkeys are around—this kind of place is meant for wildlife, not camera equipment.

Tibumana Waterfall: A 20-Metre Drop and That Clear Pool Moment

Next up is Tibumana Waterfall for about 2 hours, and the admission ticket is included. The area is described with local belief in a “secret gateway” tied to Raja Besakih’s temple, and it’s known for a 20-metre-height waterfall for each waterfall. There’s also mention of a shallow clear pool nearby, which is part of why people love the look of this stop.

This is the first major nature stop, so it sets the “out of town” feel that Ubud is famous for. Two hours is a good length here because waterfalls are never just one viewpoint. You need time for photos, a bit of exploring around the area, and breaks if the ground feels slick.

What you should think about: waterfalls are a photo magnet, so you’ll want a simple strategy for your shots. Work with your guide on the order of viewpoints so you don’t waste energy backtracking.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Adventure Meets Instagram-Friendly Photos

After Tibumana, you’ll head to Kanto Lampo Waterfall for about 2 hours. The description calls it a secret waterfall where there’s a mix of adventure and an Instagram-friendly photo moment.

This pairing—Tibumana first, then Kanto Lampo—makes sense because both are waterfalls but the vibe can feel different once you arrive. Having two separate waterfall blocks also helps you avoid the common problem of only seeing one waterfall well.

What to consider: because both waterfall stops take time and involve walking, you’ll enjoy the day more if you pack light and move with a steady pace. If you tend to get tired on stairs or uneven ground, tell your guide so they can suggest the most efficient paths.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: 2 Hours at Ubud’s Classic Farming View

Then comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, scheduled for about 2 hours and with the admission ticket included. It’s about 10 km north of Ubud, and the terraced rice fields are a long-running tourist attraction for a reason: they look great, and they give you a sense of how Ubud’s agriculture shapes the scenery.

I like this stop midway through the day because it changes your pace again. You go from waterfall hiking to open views and a more “stroll and look” feeling. Two hours gives you time to take photos from different angles and slow down for the details—without feeling like you’re stuck there all day.

One practical thought: wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or warm. Rice terraces mean you’ll be outdoors, often with sun and breeze depending on the time of day.

Terrace River Pool Swing: A Jungle Photo Stop, But Not Included

Next is Terrace River Pool Swing, listed for about 1 hour with the admission ticket not included. The description makes it very clear this is the jungle swing “most Instagram photo spot,” which tells you what this stop is for: pictures, views, and that signature swing moment.

This is where your budget planning matters most. Since the swing admission isn’t included, you’ll want cash or the payment method your guide/driver can handle on the ground. It’s also worth deciding in advance if you actually want to do the swing activity or if you’d rather spend that time watching others and focusing on scenery.

Tip: if your plan is strictly photos, work with your guide to decide whether you’ll do the swing or simply frame shots from nearby viewpoints. That keeps you from feeling like you “must” do everything.

Tirta Empul Temple: The Balinese Water Temple People Remember

Your final major cultural stop is Tirta Empul Temple for about 2 hours, and the admission ticket is included. This is described as one of the most popular day trips for people who want to explore both nature and local cultural life. It’s a Hindu Balinese water temple near the town of Tampaksiring.

What makes Tirta Empul special (and why it’s a smart finish after nature stops) is that it flips your day back to meaning. You’re not just looking at scenery—you’re seeing a place that’s built around ritual water. A two-hour block is helpful here because you’ll want time to observe respectfully and take in how the temple space is organized.

What to consider: keep your schedule tight but respectful. Temples usually demand slower, calmer behavior than waterfalls and terraces. Dress modestly and be mindful of how you move through the space.

Price and Value: Is $35.15 a Good Deal?

At $35.15 per person, the value depends on how you handle logistics and admissions. This price comes with pickup and drop-off (with many pickup zones offered), an air-conditioned vehicle, mineral water, parking and fuel, an English-speaking driver, and entrance tickets included at multiple stops.

That “some admission tickets included” part matters. In your itinerary, admission tickets are included for:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (1 hour)
• Tibumana Waterfall (2 hours)
• Kanto Lampo Waterfall (2 hours)
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace (2 hours)
• Tirta Empul Temple (2 hours)

The big exception is the Terrace River Pool Swing, where the admission is not included, plus lunch is not included.

So here’s how I’d think about it: if you’d otherwise pay separately for a guide, a driver, vehicle time, and even a couple of these admissions, this price can feel reasonable quickly. If you don’t want the swing and you plan to eat out anyway (which you probably will), your total day cost will still be manageable—you just shouldn’t be surprised by the extra line item for the swing.

What the Best Guides Tend to Do on This Route

A pattern shows up in feedback tied to this type of Ubud highlights day: the guides are often praised for pacing, for explaining cultural context, and for helping with photos. Specific names that show up include Esa, Made, Dewa Putu, Dena, Putu, Mawa, and Maha.

If you want a smoother day, look for a guide who can do two things at once:

• explain what you’re seeing without turning the day into a lecture
• adjust when conditions change, like traffic or timing pressure

In the feedback tied to this tour, guides are described as patient and flexible, including for families and kids. That’s a real advantage on a day with walking and multiple stops, because small delays can snowball fast if the guide doesn’t keep things organized.

Who Should Book This Ubud Highlights Tour?

This tour fits best if you:

• have limited time in Ubud and want the main highlights in one day
• prefer a private guide so you can ask questions and move at your group’s pace
• like a day mixing nature + temple culture without needing to plan admissions
• want transfers to reduce the “where do we go next” stress

You might skip it if you:

• hate structured itineraries and want lots of unscheduled free time
• don’t want to spend time at multiple outdoors attractions and prefer a single slow focus area

Should You Book This Tour?

If you want a classic Ubud day with hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver, and multiple major sights with several admissions included, I’d say it’s worth considering. The price makes sense when you add up convenience (transfers, car, parking, water) plus the included entry fees at most stops.

Book it if you’re excited about monkey forest, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ending at Tirta Empul. Plan for extras by budgeting for lunch and the Terrace River Pool Swing, and you’ll feel in control instead of “nickel-and-dimed” at the last minute.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Bali Ubud Highlights Tour?

The tour runs for about 10 hours.

Is this tour private or shared?

This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Are pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. The experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off from many areas such as Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, and several Ubud-area pick-up points (including Ubud Art Market).

Which admission tickets are included?

Admission tickets are included for the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tibumana Waterfall, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul Temple. The Terrace River Pool Swing admission is not included.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included items are an English-speaking driver, mineral water, gas/fuel, parking fees, an air-conditioned car, and entrance ticket(s).

What isn’t included?

Lunch and personal expenses aren’t included. The Terrace River Pool Swing admission is also not included.

Is there a cancellation window for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.