Reviewed · TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACES
Ubud: Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water Temple
Monkey swings and temples in one long day. This Ubud combo packs Monkey Forest jungle wildlife, round-trip pickup, and culture stops into one smooth plan, so you don’t spend your limited Bali time figuring out what’s where. I like that it’s a true private outing and that your English-speaking driver-guide keeps the day moving with context, not just checklists; the main catch is weather. Rain can shut down parts of the day, including the waterfall experience and even safe access to the rice terraces.
This is priced at $31 per person, which feels like a bargain for a full 8 to 10 hours with transport and a guide. Still, entrance fees and lunch aren’t always included, so your real day budget depends on whether you choose the All-Inclusive option that covers entrance fees and the jungle swing.
If you want a single, varied day that mixes nature + Hindu ritual sites + one big adrenaline moment, this tour fits. If you hate long driving days, muddy paths, or anything that might be adjusted for rain and safety, you’ll want to think twice.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Ubud Day Worth Your Time
- Is This the Right Kind of Ubud Tour for You?
- Tegenungan Waterfall: Photos First, Swim If Conditions Allow
- Tirta Empul Temple: Why the Holy Spring Visit Feels More Meaningful
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace Walk: Green Views, Real Farming Life
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Go With Patience and Respect
- Happy Swing Bali: Thrill Level Higher Than You Expect
- Celuk Village and Ubud Center Market: Crafts Without the Detour Feel
- Timing, Rain, and Ubud Traffic: How to Protect Your Day
- Price and Value: What $31 Actually Buys You
- Guide Quality: The Small Touches That Make the Long Day Feel Easy
- Who Should Book This Ubud Combo Tour?
- Should You Book This Ubud Monkey Forest + Swing + Temple Day?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the Ubud tour?
- Is this tour private?
- Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?
- What stops are included in the day?
- Is the jungle swing included?
- Are entrance fees included?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I get bottled water and a sarong?
- Do I need good weather for this tour?
- Can I swim at the waterfall?
Key Things That Make This Ubud Day Worth Your Time

- Private, pick-up included, and built for a full day: You’re not squeezed into a long bus day.
- Wildlife and big views in the same route: Jungle monkeys, rice terraces, and a waterfall all make the photo list.
- Tirta Empul adds real culture, not just sightseeing: You visit a sacred spring temple and get a sarong for entry.
- Jungle Swing is the crowd-pleaser: Expect it to feel more thrilling than you might imagine.
- Weather can change the order and what you can do: Rain can affect swimming, terraces, and temple access.
- Guides often make or break the day: Cold water, umbrellas, patience, and local history help a lot.
Tiered green as far as the eye runs. More Ubud rice-terrace walks.
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Is This the Right Kind of Ubud Tour for You?

This isn’t a short drive-and-photos loop. It’s a long, active day that strings together Ubud’s most popular nature and cultural stops into one logical circuit. With hotel pick-up (from Ubud and several beach areas like Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, and Nusa Dua), you can start the day without wasting time on taxis.
The biggest strength is variety. You go from a monkey-filled jungle sanctuary to a rice terrace walk to a sacred temple, then end with a waterfall where you can choose between just viewing or getting in the water. That mix is why people rate this so highly and why it can work well for first-timers who want maximum Ubud flavor in limited time.
The main drawback is that it’s weather-dependent. The tour explicitly requires good weather, and rain has disrupted or altered parts of the route for some people, especially anything involving the waterfall and terrace access.
Tegenungan Waterfall: Photos First, Swim If Conditions Allow

Your day typically starts with Tegenungan Waterfall. It’s surrounded by lush jungle, and you can see it from a viewpoint or go down closer to the water. You’ll have about an hour here, so you’ll want to move with purpose: take the wide shots, then decide whether you want the steps down for a closer look.
What I like about this stop is the choice. If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want slippery steps, you can still get great views without committing to the water. If you’re up for it, you may be able to go down and even take a swim, depending on how the day is going.
Rain is the variable to watch. If conditions are poor, swimming may not be possible, and safety rules can limit what you can access. Plan to bring a flexible attitude here.
Tirta Empul Temple: Why the Holy Spring Visit Feels More Meaningful
Next comes Tirta Empul Temple, one of Bali’s most famous ritual sites. The name points to its purpose: Holy Spring. This temple includes a bathing structure called a petirtaan, and the holy spring water is used for ritual purification by Balinese Hindus.
You’ll spend about an hour at the complex. You also get a traditional Balinese sarong for your temple visit, which matters because many temples require proper dress. This is one of those stops where it helps to go slowly. Even if you don’t understand every ritual detail, you’ll notice the calm pace and the seriousness of the space.
Practical note: temple visits can be affected by rain too. Some people have had parts of the experience reduced when weather turned ugly, so the order and what you can see may shift depending on conditions.
Long-tailed macaques and mossy temple gates, up close.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace Walk: Green Views, Real Farming Life

Then you head to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace area, one of Ubud’s signature landscapes. You’ll typically have around an hour, enough for a stroll through the paddies and some time for photos and viewpoints.
The terrace walk is popular for a reason: the views are scenic and the area gives you a sense of how rice farming shapes daily life in central Bali. You’ll get to see what farmers do as part of their routine, rather than only staring at scenery from a single spot.
A key consideration: safety and ground conditions. When rain makes paths risky, access to parts of the terrace area can be restricted. If you know you’re visiting during rainy season, arrive with the expectation that you might not be able to do every section of the walk.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Go With Patience and Respect

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is next, usually with about 1 hour 30 minutes allocated. This is a shaded walk through dense forest where you’ll see monkeys among the trees, along with other wildlife like birds, lizards, and butterflies.
This isn’t just a “see monkeys” stop. It’s a sacred area, so the vibe is part nature trail and part cultural site. I like that you get time to wander under the canopy rather than rushing from one photo spot to the next.
A practical mindset helps here: expect lively animals, expect people around you, and follow your guide’s instructions about staying safe and keeping distance. Some guides also help with photo timing and positioning so you can capture decent shots without getting in the animals’ space.
Happy Swing Bali: Thrill Level Higher Than You Expect

Now for the big moment: Happy Swing Bali. You’ll have roughly 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is important because the “wait time” and photo time can take longer than you assume.
This is where the reviews consistently point to surprise value. The swing tends to feel more thrilling than first-timers expect. You’ll be in a jungle setting with green views, and the whole thing is built for photos.
One helpful detail: you might be asked about your preferences for how you do it, including whether you prefer stairs versus other routes and whether you want a less crowded path. Also, many guides help coordinate what’s best for your pace so you don’t feel rushed.
If you’re sensitive to height or crowds, it’s worth thinking about when you’ll go and how comfortable you are waiting your turn.
Celuk Village and Ubud Center Market: Crafts Without the Detour Feel

Between the main nature and temple stops, you’ll likely pass through Celuk Village. It’s known for silver crafting, and you’ll spend a short window (around 30 minutes) there. This is a good breather: a quick culture stop that also gives you a chance to browse artisan work.
Some tours also include a stop at a traditional market in central Ubud. Think of this as a souvenir and local-art check-in, not a full shopping day. If you want snacks, artwork, or small gifts, this is where you can grab them without adding extra driving.
If shopping isn’t your thing, keep an eye on the time and ask your driver-guide what’s most worth seeing so you don’t lose momentum.
Timing, Rain, and Ubud Traffic: How to Protect Your Day

Ubud looks easy on a map, but the roads can take longer than you’d expect. Some people have noted that traffic around Ubud slowed the schedule, and this is a real reason to trust a driver-guide who can navigate efficiently.
Weather is the bigger factor. The tour requires good weather, and in rain some experiences may be limited or skipped for safety. That includes parts of the water temple experience and the ability to swim at the waterfall, and it can even mean the rice terrace area isn’t fully accessible.
My advice: treat the schedule like a plan, not a promise. The best days happen when your guide adjusts the order to weather and safety. Some guides have even rearranged stops to match what the conditions allowed that day, which can save your trip from feeling like it fell apart.
If you can, starting early helps. It gives you more options if the day turns and usually means you’re less likely to hit the worst crowds at each stop.
Price and Value: What $31 Actually Buys You
At $31 per person, the headline price sounds very low for a full private day with transport. What you’re really paying for here is the practical stuff: pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, bottled water, and a sarong for the temple.
The two budget items you should plan for are entrance fees and lunch. The tour data also notes that entrance fees and the jungle swing are included only if you select the Ubud Tour – All Inclusive option. That means your total cost could be significantly different depending on which version you choose.
If you want the simplest budgeting, choose the All-Inclusive option so you’re not mentally doing math while you’re standing at ticket counters. If you’re traveling on a tight budget and don’t mind paying as you go, you can still make it work—just keep some cash or card handy for sites and meals.
Guide Quality: The Small Touches That Make the Long Day Feel Easy
This tour wins on more than sights. It also wins on how the day feels.
Many guide reports emphasize history and context during the drive, not just facts at each stop. You might hear background on landmarks and cultural reasons behind what you’re seeing as the car rolls through different neighborhoods.
The best-rated guides also tend to be patient. People describe taking their time at the monkey forest, feeling like they weren’t rushed at the swing, and getting help with photos. Names that came up for especially strong guide service include Wah, Vitho, Ary, Komang, Wayan, Dika, Adi, and Adik. You can’t choose a specific person from this info alone, but it’s a sign that the operator frequently puts thoughtful, service-minded drivers behind the wheel.
Small comfort items matter on a long day too. Cold bottled water shows up as a common perk, and umbrellas have been ready for some guests, which is a lifesaver if the sky opens up.
Who Should Book This Ubud Combo Tour?
This tour is a strong fit if you:
- Want a full Ubud day without planning multiple drivers and ticket stops
- Like variety: jungle wildlife, temples, terraces, and a waterfall
- Want one big thrill moment with the jungle swing
- Appreciate an English-speaking guide who can explain what you’re looking at
It may be less ideal if you:
- Need a strictly predictable schedule, rain-proof at every stop
- Don’t enjoy walking areas with steps, uneven ground, or crowds
- Prefer a slower Ubud pace with fewer locations
Should You Book This Ubud Monkey Forest + Swing + Temple Day?
I’d book it if your goal is a high-impact Ubud day that covers the big hits in one go. The $31 starting price is great value once you account for private transportation, an English-speaking guide, and temple necessities like the sarong. If you hate surprise costs, pick the All-Inclusive option so entrance fees and the swing aren’t added later.
I wouldn’t book this as a “rain-proof certainty.” If the forecast looks wet, understand that parts of the waterfall and terrace experience can change or be limited for safety.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the Ubud tour?
Plan on about 8 to 10 hours for the day out.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s described as a private tour just for your group.
Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?
Yes. Round trip transportation is included from most places, and pickup is listed from Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Legian, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, and Sanur.
What stops are included in the day?
The day includes Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and Happy Swing Bali, plus a short stop at Celuk Village and a traditional market stop in central Ubud.
Is the jungle swing included?
It is included if you select the Ubud Tour – All Inclusive option. Otherwise, it notes that entrance fees and lunch are extra expenses.
Are entrance fees included?
Entrance fees are included if you select the All-Inclusive option. Otherwise, entrance fees are listed as extra expenses.
Is lunch included?
No. Food and drink are available for purchase, so lunch is not included.
Do I get bottled water and a sarong?
Yes. Bottled water is included, and you’ll receive a traditional Balinese sarong for the temple visit.
Do I need good weather for this tour?
Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I swim at the waterfall?
The tour description says you can go down to the water or just see the views from the hill, and it notes that you can even take a swim. What’s possible can depend on conditions.
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