Monkeys, temples, waterfalls, and rice views—one packed day. I really like how this route brings you into the middle of Sacred Monkey Forest and pairs it with the dramatic Tegalalang rice terraces panorama. The one thing to plan around is the length: it runs about 10 hours, so you’ll want to stay fueled and keep your energy up.

What makes this day feel easier is the flow. You start with the animal encounter, then move through Ubud’s most photographed rice scenery, and finish with holy spring water at Tirta Empul and a quieter waterfall moment at Tibumana. If you’re assigned guide Mangkok, he’s known for being professional, funny, and great at explaining what you’re seeing—which matters a lot on a day like this.

Key things that make this Ubud tour worth your time

• Close-up macaques at Sacred Monkey Forest with admission included
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace time for real viewpoints, not just a quick stop
• Tirta Empul’s holy spring water at a Hindu purification temple
• Tibumana Waterfall as a calmer nature break (and a chance to enjoy the pool area)
• Ubud Traditional Art Market stop plus an optional-fee Jungle Swing add-on
• Small group size (max 15) and an air-conditioned ride to keep the day manageable

A 10-hour Ubud circuit that actually hits the highlights

Ubud can be a lot. It’s scenic, spiritual, busy, and spread out. This tour helps you get the big-name stops without spending your day figuring out routes, timing, and how far apart everything is.

The format is straightforward: an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and guided time at each key place. The day clocks in at about 10 hours, with multiple stops that each feel like a different world—forest animals, hillside rice views, temple ritual water, and waterfall nature.

I also appreciate that the price is built around admissions. You’re not paying entrance fees one-by-one, which keeps the day from turning into surprise add-ons at the gate.

Sacred Monkey Forest: the best part is being close (and staying smart)

Your first major stop is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and it’s all about proximity. You’ll spend about 2 hours here, and admission is included. This is the place with hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques, surrounded by lush greenery and forest paths—exactly the kind of setting where you feel like you’re in the monkeys’ world.

What I like about starting here is energy. Early in the day, you’re fresher and more patient if the forest feels crowded. Also, you get time to watch without rushing—macaques don’t treat your schedule kindly, so having those extra minutes helps.

Practical mindset: treat it like a wildlife reserve, not a petting zoo. Keep your attention on your guide, follow basic rules around the animals, and plan on staying alert with your belongings. If you want photos, do it patiently—trying to grab the perfect shot in the middle of the animal movement is when things can get chaotic.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: the views are famous for a reason

Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, around 1 hour on-site, with admission included. This is one of Bali’s most photographed rice areas, carved into hillside terraces with irrigation shaping the whole view.

Why this stop works in a tour: the terraces are visually complex. Even from a distance, you’ll see layers, changing textures, and a sense of scale that’s hard to appreciate if you only pass by. Having a focused chunk of time means you can choose your angles instead of being herded along.

You’ll likely also notice that this is where people start mixing sightseeing with quick activity. The tour includes time that lets you decide if you want the more adrenaline-leaning Ubud Jungle Swing option later (with the important detail that swing fees are not included—more on that below).

Also, Tegalalang is a good reminder that Bali scenery isn’t only about temples. Some of the most memorable moments come from the way local farming shapes the hills.

Tirta Empul Temple: holy spring water and a temple that keeps its purpose

After the rice terraces, you’ll head to Tirta Empul Temple, near Tampaksiring. You’ll spend about 2 hours here, and entrance is included.

Tirta Empul is famous for its holy spring water, believed to have curative properties, used in ritual purification. Even if you don’t know every detail of the ceremony, you can feel the difference between a sightseeing stop and a living religious space. That’s the value here: you’re seeing a temple that’s still functioning as a place of worship and tradition.

In a guided format, you’ll get the context that makes it easier to understand why the water matters and what people are doing. This is one of those stops where a good guide can turn a “look and move on” moment into something you actually understand.

Also, this is where timing helps. Coming after rice means your senses stay engaged. You move from farmland geometry into ritual spaces and holy water basins—two totally different visual worlds in the same day.

Tibumana Waterfall: where the day slows down a bit

The next nature stop is Tibumana Waterfall, about 2 hours on-site with admission included. This is known for a serene setting and pristine surroundings. The waterfall drops down into a shallow pool area, creating a relaxing spot where you can take a break.

I like this placement late in the itinerary because it changes the pace. Monkeys and temples are active in their own ways, but the waterfall gives you space to breathe—listen, look, and reset before the final Ubud stops.

If you plan to do any time in the pool area, keep in mind you’re in a tropical outdoor environment. Water can change how slippery surfaces feel, and weather can affect what’s comfortable. You’ll want to go with the flow and follow whatever safety guidance your guide gives on the spot.

Ubud Traditional Art Market: souvenirs with local energy

After the waterfall, you’ll get a stop at Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Ubud), about 1 hour, with admission included.

This is your practical shopping window. Think gifts, small local finds, and the kind of souvenirs that don’t feel like the same 10 items packaged for every tourist stop. It’s also a chance to see daily commerce in Ubud, not just staged photo points.

What’s worth doing here is shopping with a clear plan. Decide what you want first—small art items, textiles, or crafts—then compare a few places within your time limit. One hour moves fast, especially if you pause for browsing in every stall.

If you’re someone who likes supporting local makers, this is a straightforward way to do it without turning the whole day into a store marathon.

Ubud Jungle Swing: scenic thrills, but budget for the swing fees

Then you move toward Ubud Jungle Swing, for about 2 hours total time on this stop. The schedule includes this activity area, but the Bali Swing fees are not included.

This matters for your budget. Your tour price covers the admission parts that are listed as included, plus transportation and other site fees. But if you actually want to do the swing ride itself, you’ll need to plan extra.

The good news is that the timing gives you a choice. You can watch others, enjoy the viewpoints, and decide on the spot whether you want to pay for the swing experience. If you’re more into photos and scenery than an adrenaline moment, you might still find value in just the lookouts and jungle views.

Price and value: what you get for $24.30

At $24.30 per person, the biggest value here is that you’re paying for more than a driver. The tour includes:

• an air-conditioned vehicle
• bottled water
• entrance fees for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, and Tibumana
• time at the Ubud Traditional Art Market
• time allocated for Ubud Jungle Swing (with swing fees extra)

What’s not included is just as important:

• Lunch
• Bali Swing fees

So the real question isn’t whether the tour is cheap or expensive—it’s whether it replaces a mess of separate tickets and planning. If you’d otherwise try to stitch these sights together on your own, you’d spend time coordinating transport and paying site fees along the way. This package handles the admissions listed as included and keeps the day structured.

Also, a small group cap (max 15) helps. It’s not just a huge bus day, and that makes it easier to hear your guide and move through each stop without feeling lost.

A final value note: this tour is often booked about 44 days in advance, which suggests it can be popular around peak seasons. If you have fixed dates, booking sooner tends to make everything smoother.

Who should book this Ubud combo tour

This tour fits best if you want a one-day sampler of Ubud’s main themes:

• wildlife and nature at Sacred Monkey Forest
• hillside farming views at Tegalalang
• ritual water at Tirta Empul
• waterfall downtime at Tibumana
• a market stop for practical shopping
• optional adrenaline via Jungle Swing

It’s also a good choice if you appreciate a guide who can explain what you’re seeing. Mangkok is specifically noted for being professional and funny, with clear explanations that help you get more out of each stop than just photos.

Where it might feel less ideal: if you hate long days or don’t want multiple major stops packed into 10 hours. This itinerary is efficient, not slow and dreamy.

Should you book this Ubud Monkey Forest, rice terraces & Tirta Empul tour?

If you’re trying to maximize one day in Ubud, this is the type of tour that makes sense. You get admissions handled for the biggest anchor sights, you see the rice terraces and the temple that many people come for, and you end with a waterfall and a market stop so the day doesn’t feel like only sightseeing.

I’d book it if you:

• want a guided, structured day across multiple areas
• like the idea of combining animals + rice + temple ritual + waterfall
• want transportation handled in an air-conditioned vehicle

I’d think twice if:

• you’re sensitive to long days (about 10 hours)
• you don’t want to pay extra if you decide to do Jungle Swing and need lunch planning

If you’re in that sweet spot—one day, multiple highlights, minimal planning—this tour is a solid way to do Ubud without turning your vacation into logistics.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tirta Empul Temple tour?

The tour is approximately 10 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, entrance fees for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tibumana Waterfall.

What is not included?

Lunch is not included, and Bali Swing fees are not included.

Is pickup available, and how big is the group?

Pickup is offered, and the group size is capped at a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is the Jungle Swing part included?

The itinerary includes a stop for Ubud Jungle Swing, but Bali Swing fees are not included.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

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