Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour

Reviewed · TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACES

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour

5.0 · 108 reviews From $65 Operated by Hire Bali Driver · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

One day, five Ubud highlights. This private route strings Campuhan Ridge Walk viewpoints with classic Ubud scenes—then finishes at Tegenungan Waterfall—with hotel pickup and drop-off included. It’s a great way to see the area’s “best-of” mix without you having to drive between spots.

I like that the day has built-in variety: a peaceful ridge walk, a rice-terrace lesson at Tegalalang, and then Monkey Forest energy right in the middle. I also love that the guide can shape the pace—one review specifically calls out Dexde tailoring the tour to personal preferences and even helping with Instagram-style photo timing.

The main thing to watch is simple: this is an 8-hour schedule with a lot of stops, so you’ll be in transit and walking during the day. If you hate heat or crowds, plan accordingly.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Key Things to Know Before You Go

  • Private, hotel-to-hotel convenience: pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Campuhan Ridge Walk views: the guide explains why it’s nicknamed the Hill of Love
  • Monkey Forest is real-life close-up: long-tailed macaques are active, and you’ll see them up close
  • Tegalalang terraces with subak context: you learn about the traditional irrigation system that keeps terraces going
  • Waterfall timing matters: Tegenungan Waterfall is nicer for cooling off when there’s no rain

Tiered green as far as the eye runs. More Ubud rice-terrace walks.

A Packed Ubud Day That Still Feels Organized

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - A Packed Ubud Day That Still Feels Organized
This tour works because it keeps moving through the most “Ubud” areas in a logical order. You start with a ridge walk for fresh air and wide views, then shift into cultural nature sights (monkeys and terracing), and close with a big waterfall scene.

The private format is what makes it feel manageable. Instead of herding yourself across multiple locations, you’re doing one smooth plan with a guide, transport, bottled water, and lunch taken care of.

8 Hours of Private Driving: What the Schedule Really Means

The day runs about 8 hours, which is long enough to cover a lot but short enough that you’re not stuck all evening. You’ll get morning pickup from your Ubud hotel, then travel by private air-conditioned vehicle between stops.

Admission is handled along the way too. Some stops list admission as free (like Campuhan Ridge Walk and the traditional art market), while other stops include admission (like Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tegenungan Waterfall). On top of that, all fees and taxes are included, which reduces the chance of surprise costs.

Still, go in with realistic expectations: you’re stacking several famous sights into one day. The upside is efficiency. The trade-off is fewer long breaks—this tour is best if you like a steady pace.

Campuhan Ridge Walk and the Hill of Love Story

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Campuhan Ridge Walk and the Hill of Love Story
Campuhan Ridge Walk is your early “wow” moment. The trail is designed for scenery—jungle greenery, valley views, and the feeling that you’re walking above the town rather than through it.

One of my favorite parts here is the guide’s commentary. You’ll learn how the spot got the nickname Hill of Love, which gives the walk more meaning than just good views. It’s a nice early start because you’re not yet fighting crowds or late-day fatigue.

Practical tip: wear shoes with grip. Even when the path is straightforward, it’s still a walking trail with uneven ground in places. And if you’re chasing photos, go slow at first to find your angles before the group speeds up.

Sacred Monkey Forest: Close-Up Macaques and Photo Timing

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Sacred Monkey Forest: Close-Up Macaques and Photo Timing
Monkey Forest is where the tour goes from scenic to lively. You’ll observe long-tailed macaques in their natural environment, and you’ll likely see plenty of jumping and feeding behavior. This isn’t a zoo-style exhibit—you’re watching wild animals behave like they own the place.

A real advantage of a guided stop is crowd control and pacing. The guide can help you position yourself so you’re not just standing randomly while monkeys move around. One review highlights Dexde ensuring good Insta timing, and that matches the practical reality: a few minutes of smart positioning makes a big difference here.

A consideration: monkeys can be curious. Keep small items secure and avoid carrying open food or anything you’d hate to have handled. If you treat the visit like a respectful wildlife encounter, the experience stays fun instead of stressful.

Traditional Art Market: A Quick Browse That Won’t Steal Your Time

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Traditional Art Market: A Quick Browse That Won’t Steal Your Time
Next comes a traditional art market stop in Ubud. It’s the kind of break that helps you slow down a notch and browse souvenirs made by local communities.

It’s also a good “reset” moment. You’re not stuck for hours, and the stop is short enough that it doesn’t derail the rest of your day. Admission is listed as free here, which is always a relief when you’re trying to keep your budget predictable.

Practical tip: if you’re shopping, set your expectations early. Decide what you want to buy before you arrive, then compare prices with a quick check. That way the market feels like a helpful add-on instead of a time sink.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces and the subak Irrigation System

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Tegalalang Rice Terraces and the subak Irrigation System
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the classic Ubud photo stop, but it’s more satisfying with context. The big value in this tour is that you’re not just looking at terraces—you’re learning about subak, the traditional irrigation system that helps the terraces stay productive.

That explanation matters because it turns the scenery into something you can actually understand. You see the terraces, then your guide connects how water management supports the whole landscape. It also makes it easier to notice patterns—where water flows, how fields are arranged, and why maintenance is so important.

This stop also includes admission, and the visit is timed to keep you from getting stuck in one place too long. You’ll have enough time to walk around for viewpoints, but not so much that you lose the rest of the day.

Practical tip: terraces mean steps and uneven edges. If you want the best angles, move carefully and give yourself extra time during wetter conditions.

Luwak Coffee Tasting at the Plantation

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Luwak Coffee Tasting at the Plantation
After the terraces, you’ll stop at a local coffee plantation to taste luwak coffee. The tour description calls it the most expensive coffee in the world, and the tasting is built into the route as a short cultural stop rather than a long sales pitch.

Even if you’re not a coffee person, this part can still be interesting because it connects to how Bali’s coffee culture is marketed and consumed. It’s also a good chance to warm up or cool down between outdoor stops, depending on the day.

One caution: alcoholic drinks aren’t included on the tour, but the tour does include lunch and bottled water. If you’re someone who gets tired without caffeine, bring the expectation that you’ll get a coffee break here—then decide what you want to buy only after you’ve tasted.

Tegenungan Waterfall: When You Can Actually Cool Off

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces, and Monkey Forest Private Tour - Tegenungan Waterfall: When You Can Actually Cool Off
Tegenungan Waterfall is a dramatic finish. Water cascades over a rocky shelf into a large natural pool, which makes it feel more like a real outdoor swim spot than a staged viewpoint.

The description also notes that when there’s no rain, the water will be nice for swimming. That’s useful, but it’s also why you should check conditions while you’re there. If it’s been raining, the safest move is to enjoy the waterfall from solid ground and skip any swim plans.

Expect a mix of slippery surfaces and great views. Wear footwear that can handle wet patches. If you want photos, position yourself early—once people settle in and move toward the pool area, the best angles can get harder to reach.

Lunch, Photos, and What’s Included (and What Isn’t)

The tour includes lunch, plus bottled water. That sounds basic, but on a full-day route it matters. It keeps you from hunting for meals between major stops, and it reduces the risk of running out of energy mid-day.

All fees and taxes are included too, so you’re not juggling small payments while you’re trying to enjoy the scenery. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so if that’s part of your travel style, plan on purchasing separately.

On the “real-world” side, the strongest praise centers on photo-friendly pacing. One review calls out Dexde making sure the timing works for picture-taking. That’s a sign that the guide understands the rhythm of each stop rather than dragging you from place to place.

Price and Value: Is $65 Good Value for a Private Day?

At $65 per person for a private full-day tour, you’re paying for more than just sightseeing. You’re getting hotel pickup and drop-off, private air-conditioned vehicle transport, lunch, bottled water, and admission/fees handled along the way.

In practical terms, this can be good value if you’d otherwise pay for several separate tickets and spend time arranging transport. It’s also value-forward if your time is limited—8 hours with multiple “top Ubud” stops is often the fastest route to a good highlights list.

It can be less ideal if you prefer long, slow days with lots of flexibility. Since the tour is structured, you’ll follow the itinerary. But if you’re happy with a guided day that hits the key sights, private at this price is a solid deal.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a strong fit for:

  • First-timers who want a high-signal Ubud day
  • People who like nature + culture in one loop
  • Travelers who want a guide to manage timing and logistics
  • Photo-focused visitors who care about getting the right moment at each stop

I’d consider a slower or more spread-out plan if:

  • You hate a tight schedule
  • You’re sensitive to heat or long walking during the day
  • You want more time at only one place, like just terraces or only waterfalls

If you’re the type who likes to get the essentials done well, this tour is built for you.

Should You Book? My Decision Checklist

Book this tour if you want one guided day that hits Campuhan Ridge Walk, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Monkey Forest, and the big finish at Tegenungan Waterfall—without you coordinating transport or tickets.

Before you go, decide how you feel about a full schedule. If 8 hours sounds good and you like variety, you’ll probably feel satisfied rather than exhausted.

Also, if you care about photo timing, this is the type of tour where the guide can matter. One strong review highlights Dexde tailoring the tour to preferences and helping with picture moments, which is exactly what you want in a “best-of” day.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

Included are bottled water, lunch, all fees and taxes, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is luwak coffee tasting part of the experience?

Yes. You’ll taste luwak coffee at a local coffee plantation.

Can you swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?

The description notes that when there’s no rain, the water can be nice for swimming.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time (based on local time).