Ubud is a full-senses kind of day. This private 8-hour loop strings together Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, waterfalls, and more, with hotel pickup so you don’t waste time figuring out routes. What I like most is how much is packed into one organized schedule without feeling like a sprint.

Two big wins: most entrance fees are included, and the driving is handled by a dependable local like Jero Andi, who’s known for being on time and flexible. That flexibility can matter when Bali traffic throws surprises at your plan.

One possible drawback to plan for: there’s a lot of time in the car between sights. If you’re sensitive to traffic delays, budget extra patience for the Ubud day flow.

Key highlights at a glance

• Hotel pickup and drop-off with an air-conditioned vehicle keeps the day comfortable
• Included entry fees at several stops, so you only pay extra for swing
• A flexible driver (Jero Andi is repeatedly praised) who can adjust timing for your needs
• Two waterfalls in one day: Tibumana for a forest feel, Kanto Lampo for tiered views
• Coffee plantation learning time in Kintamani, a highland coffee region
• Private tour format, so it’s just your group and not a crowded bus experience

Why this Ubud day tour makes sense for first-timers

Ubud is the kind of place where you can keep finding things to do. The tradeoff is that each sight is spread out, and getting between them can eat up your energy. This tour is built to solve that problem: you get transport plus a route that hits the signature nature spots people actually want to see.

I like the balance of experiences here. You’re not only stuck at one type of attraction. You move from the forest sanctuary area to rice terraces, then to waterfalls, with a swing and coffee stop mixed in. That mix is especially good if it’s your first time in Bali and you want your day to feel varied.

There’s also a practical advantage: it’s organized as a private activity, so the pace can be adjusted for your group rather than shoehorned into someone else’s checklist. Multiple people praised the driver’s flexibility and helpfulness, including making extra stops and taking lots of photos and videos along the way.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: your forest start point

This day begins with the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal, Ubud. The forest covers about 12.5 hectares and is set up as a sanctuary, so the feel is more like walking through an actual green area than just standing in a ticketed line outside.

The tour gives you about an hour here, with the admission ticket included. That time window is just enough to see the main parts without burning the whole morning. It’s also a good starting stop because it gets you out of the hot stretch of the day earlier, when possible.

A small note on expectations: one person specifically called out that their stop was the monkey forest in Ubud, not something they expected by name. The key takeaway is simple—check the exact ticket wording when you receive it, so you match what you’re expecting before you walk in.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: traditional irrigation views with easy timing

Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a terraced rice field area that still uses traditional Balinese irrigation. You’ll get about an hour, and the admission ticket is included.

What makes this stop worthwhile is the way it’s presented. The terraces aren’t just scenery; they’re a working farming model with irrigation that’s part of how the place functions. Even if you’re not a plant nerd, you can still feel why this area became such a classic Bali photo stop.

In practical terms, an hour is the right length for terraces. You can walk a loop, pause for photos, and still keep the energy for what’s next. Also, because this tour includes multiple stops with tickets included, it helps you keep a clear idea of what costs extra later.

Ubud Jungle Swing: a bucket-list moment, but pay separately

Ubud-style swings are a big part of Bali’s “wow” factor, and this tour includes a stop at Ubud Jungle Swing. You get about 45 minutes here.

The catch is important: the swing ticket is not included. So while the stop is built into the schedule, you’ll likely pay additional money on-site for the actual swing experience. This is worth planning for ahead of time so you’re not doing quick math when you’re already excited and standing in line.

From a value perspective, I see the swing as optional energy. If you really want it, build your budget around it. If you’re not fussed, the time still works as a scenic break before the waterfalls.

Coffee plantation in Kintamani: learning without a hard sell

After the rice terraces, the tour heads to an Agro Santi Coffee Plantation stop. This is in Kintamani, a highland region known for producing Bali’s signature coffee.

You’ll have about 30 minutes, and the admission ticket is included. The experience is geared around learning—traditional cultivation practices and something like a coffee tasting component—then moving on. It’s not long, so you don’t feel trapped in a whole production, but it’s enough time to understand the basics behind why this region’s coffee has a reputation.

I also like that this stop fits the rhythm of the day. You’ve had forest and fields, then you get something more structured and indoor/outdoor mix, depending on how the plantation area is set up. And if you’ve had a long travel day, a coffee-related stop can feel like a reset.

One more practical point: this tour includes an additional food stop later, so it helps to treat coffee here as a knowledge break, not a full meal replacement.

Warung Dewa Malen food stop: plan for lunch on your own

Midday includes a stop at Warung Dewa Malen. The idea is that you’ll be invited to visit restaurants or food stalls along the road as you move between the main sights, and the timing can be based on agreement between you and the driver.

This is the part where you should expect to pay for your own lunch, because lunch itself is not included. The schedule gives you about 45 minutes, so you can eat without feeling rushed, but you’ll want to bring or access cash/card for the meal.

The value here is flexibility. If you’re traveling with picky eaters or you simply want to choose your own dish, this setup gives you that option. It also means the tour can stay on track without stopping for a long restaurant sit-down.

Tibumana Waterfall: cool forest breaks and a slower feel

Then you hit Tibumana Waterfall, located in Apuan Village in Bangli Regency. This waterfall is described as beautiful and still in a forest setting, with a green and cool atmosphere.

You get about an hour here, and the admission ticket is included. That hour matters because waterfalls can be the kind of stop where you lose track of time, especially if you’re taking photos or just enjoying the air. With a set time block, it’s easier to appreciate the place without worrying that you’ll fall behind the rest of the route.

In my view, Tibumana is a great midpoint stop. After Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and coffee, you get a nature break that feels like you’re stepping into a calmer pocket. If your group likes scenery and shade, this one usually lands well.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: tiered views that feel made for photos

The final waterfall stop is Kanto Lampo Waterfall, which is described as a beautiful tiered waterfall. It’s about 15 meters high.

You’ll have about an hour here, with the admission ticket included. If Tibumana feels more like a quiet forest pause, Kanto Lampo often hits a different vibe: it’s more visually dramatic because of the tiered structure and the way the area is set up for views.

Because the waterfall portion happens late in the day, consider this your “finish strong” moment. If you’re someone who needs a few minutes to wind down, give yourself permission to slow your pace. Even if you’re not a photographer, these tiered falls can be a satisfying end to the day’s nature theme.

Getting around Ubud: pickup, A/C comfort, and traffic reality

This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off plus a private air-conditioned vehicle. Parking fees and entrance fees are also covered. That combination helps keep the day smoother because you’re not paying lots of little extras just to move between stops.

A big timing note: Ubud traffic can slow things down. One review called out spending quite a bit of time in the car. That’s not a failure of the tour—it’s just the reality of Bali roads and how sights are spaced.

The private format helps. If your group is small (and it often is), the driver can adjust the flow. People also praised driver Jero Andi for being dependable and on time, plus making extra stops and going out of the way to help with needs on the return to the hotel, like finding food options.

If you’re planning your day in Ubud, treat the driving time as part of the experience. Put your phone away when you can, enjoy the scenery, and keep a light mood. The payoff is when you reach the terraces and waterfalls and the car time fades into the background.

Price and value: what $26 covers, and what to budget for

At $26 per person for an about 8-hour day, this tour competes well with the usual Ubud pattern of paying separately for transport and individual attractions. The value comes from what’s included:

• Air-conditioned vehicle with private transportation
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Parking fees
• Entrance fees for key stops (Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, coffee plantation, and both waterfalls)

What isn’t included is equally important:

• Lunch (personal food expenses are not included)
• The swing ticket (admission for Ubud Swing is not included)
• Personal expenses

So your real budget becomes: base tour cost plus swing cost (if you do it) plus whatever you spend eating. That’s a straightforward way to plan, and it prevents the dreaded end-of-day bill shock.

Another value factor: people often book this tour about a week in advance on average. If you have specific time preferences, it’s smart to reserve early so you’re not stuck with the only available slot that day.

Who should book this Ubud monkey forest and waterfall tour

This experience is a strong match if you want a one-day hit of Ubud’s main nature themes—forest, terraced rice fields, and waterfalls—without the headache of arranging taxis between stops.

It’s also a good fit if you care about convenience. Pickup/drop-off, A/C transport, and included tickets reduce decision fatigue. And because it’s private, you’re not locked into a rigid group pace.

I’d especially recommend it for:

• First-time visitors who want signature sights arranged into a logical route
• Couples or small groups who want a calmer experience than big bus tours
• People who appreciate a driver who explains things and can adjust the day to your needs (Jero Andi is repeatedly mentioned for this)
• Travelers who enjoy outdoor scenery more than museum-style stops

If your priority is shopping or Ubud town wandering, this route is less about that and more about getting out to the scenic areas.

Should you book it? My practical take

Book this tour if you want an organized Ubud day that balances included admissions, pickup convenience, and two memorable waterfall stops, without turning your trip into a series of separate tickets and transport puzzles.

Consider skipping it, or at least adjusting expectations, if you:

• Hate long time in the car due to traffic
• Don’t want extra costs on top of the base price, since lunch and the swing ticket are not included
• Need a totally free-form day with no set stop durations

If you do book, bring a flexible mindset. The best experiences here tend to come from going with the flow, letting the driver keep things moving, and using the included stops for what they are: high-impact Ubud nature in one day.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours.

What stops are included in the tour?

It includes Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Jungle Swing, Agro Santi Coffee Plantation, Warung Dewa Malen (food stop), Tibumana Waterfall, and Kanto Lampo Waterfall.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pick up and drop off are included, along with air-conditioned transport.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included for the attractions listed as having admission included, including the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, the coffee plantation, and both waterfalls.

Is the Bali swing ticket included?

No. Ticket for the swing is not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included. There is a food stop at Warung Dewa Malen, but you’ll pay for your own meal.

Is this tour private or shared with other people?

It’s private, meaning only your group participates.

Does the tour run in any weather?

It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation window for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.