Waterfall swims and rice-terrace photos in one day. I love the chance to swim in the Taman Sari natural pool, and I also like how this tour stacks big photo moments back to back—especially Tegalalang rice terraces followed by the d’Alas swing. The main thing to consider is the schedule and surfaces: it’s a full day (about 7–8 hours) with walking on uneven paths, and it depends on good weather.

The feel here is practical and well paced, with a private car and an English-speaking driver or guide starting pickup at 8:30am. In the reviews, guide teams like Nyoman and Rico (and also Wayan and Riko) stand out for getting people around quickly and adding extras when possible, like a monkey forest stop.

You’ll finish with easy, culture-forward stops in the center of Ubud, including the Ubud Traditional Art Market and Ubud Palace. Just plan on your own lunch, since food isn’t included.

Key things to know before you go

• Taman Sari Waterfall swim in a natural pool with cascades (not just a quick look).
• d’Alas Swing: a high jungle-and-rice-field swing focused on photos.
• Batuan Village Temple (Puseh Batuan) with Bali carvings and an older temple origin date (lsaka 944).
• Tegalalang rice terraces: dramatic valley views and time to walk around.
• Ubud market + palace: free culture stops on the schedule after the countryside.
• Guides can improve the day: several reviews highlight fast routing and adding a monkey forest stop when requested.

A Best-of Ubud Day That Still Feels Personal

This tour works because it strings together the Ubud hits without turning the day into a hop-skip nightmare. One day you’re in waterfall water. Then you’re on a swing above rice terraces. Then you shift into temples and old Ubud buildings, ending at the art market and palace.

And because it’s private, you’re not stuck with a loud group pace. It’s just your party in an air-conditioned private car, moving between stops with an English-speaking driver or guide. Reviews repeatedly praise the guidance and the way staff keep things moving, so you spend less time “figuring it out” and more time actually doing the fun parts.

The route also balances nature and culture. You’re not only looking at sights from a distance—you get to swim and you get time walking around the rice terraces.

Morning Pickup and How the Route Stays Manageable

You start at 8:30am, and the day runs about 7–8 hours. That’s enough time to do the countryside stops without feeling rushed, but it’s still a full-day commitment. If you’re sensitive to early mornings, plan a lighter night before.

Your transportation is straightforward: an AC private car with petrol, parking, and bottled water included. It’s one of those underrated details that matters in Bali, where every stop seems to involve a temperature shift and a bit of waiting.

Because the experience requires good weather, don’t assume the schedule never changes. If conditions are off, your day may be adjusted, and the operator notes that you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if the tour is canceled due to poor weather.

Stop 1: Taman Sari Waterfall Swim and Natural Pool Time

This is the anchor of the whole tour: Taman Sari Waterfall and the natural pool. The waterfall starts as a single drop and then breaks into multiple cascades over rock, which is why it looks so photogenic from different angles.

More importantly, you don’t just stand there. The focus is on swimming. That changes the vibe completely. You’ll get the feel of a real, living spot rather than a quick “photo and go” stop.

What to expect in practice:

• You’ll spend about 1 hour here with the admission ticket included.
• The setting is scenic and active—water movement, slick areas near the pool, and people coming and going around viewing points.

A smart approach is to treat it like a swim day with a camera plan, not a museum visit. If you want photos, do them in between dips. If you want a calm swim, go slightly earlier or later in your hour so you’re not dodging foot traffic.

One consideration: waterfall areas can mean slippery footing. Wear footwear that works on wet ground (or plan to use whatever traction you’re comfortable with). This is one reason I think the tour is best for people who don’t mind short stretches of uneven terrain.

Stop 2: Puseh Batuan Temple for Carvings in a Real Village Setting

After the water, the tour shifts to something quieter: Puseh Batuan Temple, located in Batuan Village near Ubud. This is one of those stops that’s easy to appreciate even if you’re not a hardcore temple fan.

Why it’s worth your time:

• It was built in lsaka 944 (as listed in the tour details).
• It’s known for beautiful Bali carving across the temple structures.

You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and the admission ticket is listed as included. The temple is also less like a theme park stop and more like you’re walking through a living village space where stonework is the main event.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to understand places in context, this is a good moment to slow down. Ask your guide what to look for in the carvings. The best temples read differently when someone points out the details you might miss on your own.

Stop 3: Tegalalang Rice Terraces for Big Valley Views

Next up is the famous rice terracing area: Tegallalang rice terraces. This stop is built around one thing—views. The terraces spread down the slopes and out across the valley, creating those classic layered angles you see in Bali photos.

Your time here is about 1 hour, and the admission ticket is listed as included. The tour description also signals a chance to walk around the terraces, which matters because the best views often come after you move past the first viewpoint.

Practical notes:

• Bring a camera strategy. The terraces create lots of “frame-able” moments from different elevations.
• Expect uneven paths and stairs. Even if the walking is light, it’s not flat.

If you’re prone to getting overheated, treat this as the time to slow your pace. The next stop involves a swing, and that’s easier when you’re not drained.

Stop 4: d’Alas Swing Above Jungle and Rice Fields

Now for the crowd-pleaser: d’Alas Swing in the Tegallalang area. The tour schedules about 45 minutes here, with admission ticket included.

This isn’t just “try a swing for five minutes.” The whole point is the view: you’re swinging high above jungle and rice fields, which makes the photos feel dramatic even if you’re not a selfie person.

A smart way to enjoy it:

• Aim to get your photos quickly, then relax and enjoy the moment without rushing.
• Listen to your guide’s cues so you don’t waste time adjusting settings while the swing is active.

From the reviews, guides are credited with making the experience smooth, fast, and fun. That matters here, because the swing can be chaotic in other settings. When someone helps you time it right, you spend more time on the swing and less time waiting.

Stops 5–6: Ubud Art Market and Ubud Palace in the City

After the countryside, you return toward central Ubud for two culture stops:

Ubud Traditional Art Market

This is about 1 hour, and it’s listed as free on the schedule. The focus is the atmosphere and the chance to see art works in the middle of Ubud.

Here’s what I like about a market stop as part of a longer day: you’ve earned a break from waterfalls and temples. You can wander, browse, and cool down without feeling like it’s another “must-do exhibit.”

Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)

Then you visit Ubud Palace, another 1 hour and also listed as free. The tour notes it’s an old complex with courtyards and fantastic carvings, and it’s an important historical landmark for Balinese.

Even if you don’t know the full story behind every carving, courtyards and stonework are easy to appreciate. It’s also a good place to reflect on the day—your morning water and rice terraces have a different meaning once you see where Ubud’s cultural life is centered.

Price and Value: What $32 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)

At $32 per person for a private day (about 7–8 hours) with a car, petrol, parking, bottled water, and an English-speaking guide/driver, this tour can be good value—especially if the entrance tickets you care about are included on your route.

Here’s the value math that matters:

• You get a private car experience rather than a shared shuttle.
• The itinerary explicitly lists admission ticket included for major paid elements (waterfall, temple, rice terraces, swing).
• You also get two additional stops that are free on the schedule (art market and palace).

What you should budget for:

• Lunch is not included.
• The tour details also state that entrance tickets are not included generally, but the itinerary specifically lists admission tickets included for several stops. So, before you go, check what’s covered for your exact booking and what’s not.

If you’re comparing this to piecing together rides and separate tickets yourself, having transportation + guide help bundled is often the difference between a fun day and a logistics headache.

The Guide Factor: Nyoman, Rico, Wayan, and Riko Make It Move

If you care about how the day feels—whether it runs smoothly or turns into “wait, ask, repeat”—the reviews give you a clear signal: guides matter here.

Names that come up:

• Nyoman and Rico are praised for hospitality, guidance, and making the day memorable.
• Wayan is mentioned for being very good.
• Riko (paired in one review) is highlighted for laughter and a fun, smooth flow.

Two practical things that show up in those comments:

• Guides can help you reduce waiting by getting you around quickly.
• They can sometimes add an extra stop like monkey forest if you request it.

You can think of it like this: the itinerary gives the structure, but a good guide makes the day feel efficient and human.

What to Bring So Water, Swing, and Temples Feel Easy

This is one of those tours where a little prep pays off fast.

Bring:

• A swimsuit and a towel (since the focus is swimming at Taman Sari).
• Something quick-dry for after the water.
• A camera or phone gear plan, because the rice terraces and swing are photo-focused moments.
• Sun protection for the terrace and swing time outdoors.

Wear:

• Shoes that handle wet ground and uneven paths for the waterfall and terraces.
• Clothes that you’re comfortable moving in—temples and terraces both involve walking.

If you’re taking the swing seriously, don’t plan it in the middle of exhaustion. Hydrate, eat something before you leave (since lunch isn’t included), and pace yourself after the swim.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This tour fits you if:

• You want a one-day Ubud highlights plan with nature, culture, and photos.
• You like active stops (swimming, walking terraces, swinging) rather than only looking.
• You prefer private transportation with an English-speaking guide/driver.

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re looking for a slow, lounging day with long breaks at each place.
• You need a fully flat route and step-free access (the tour involves walking on terraces and a waterfall area).

Should You Book This Taman Sari + Best of Ubud Tour?

My take: book it if you want one solid Ubud day that mixes the big moments—waterfall swimming, rice-terrace views, and the d’Alas swing—with cultural stops that don’t feel like filler.

Before you hit confirm, do two quick checks:

• Make sure you’re okay with a full day (7–8 hours) and outdoor time that depends on good weather.
• Clarify what entrance costs are included for your exact booking, since the itinerary lists several admission tickets as included while the general pricing notes entrance tickets as not included.

If you’re traveling with your priorities clear—water + photos + temples—this tour is built for you.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is this tour private or shared?

It’s a private tour/activity. Only your group participates.

Where does the tour go besides the waterfall?

Besides Taman Sari Waterfall, the stops include Puseh Batuan Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, d’Alas Swing, Ubud Traditional Art Market, and Ubud Palace.

What is included in the $32 price?

Included are a private car, petrol, parking fee, bottled water, and an English speaking driver or guide. The itinerary also lists admission tickets included for certain stops.

Are entrance tickets included?

The itinerary lists admission tickets as included for Taman Sari Waterfall, Puseh Batuan Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and d’Alas Swing. Ubud Art Market and Ubud Palace are listed as free stops on the schedule.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour uses a private car.

Can children participate?

The info says most travelers can participate, and child below 3 years is free of charge.

What if weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.