All Inclusive: Monkey Forest, Rice terrace, Holly Spring Temple

Ubud packs a lot into this private eight-hour tour: macaques in a forest sanctuary, rice fields, a waterfall, and Bali’s famous holy springs. You travel by car from your accommodation with your own driver-guide, so the day feels more flexible than a large coach outing.

I like the simple value: the $67.24 price includes private transport, entrance fees, a guide-driver, taxes, and a sarong. I also like the mix of famous sights and cultural stops, with plenty of time built in for photos. The tradeoff is pace. Four major stops in one day means some visits, especially the waterfall and temple, may feel brief.

Key details before you book

• Around 700 macaques live in the 12.5-hectare Monkey Forest, giving you a close look at one of Ubud’s best-known natural attractions.
• Tegalalang offers a short walk among working rice fields, not just a roadside photo stop.
• Tirta Empul includes holy springs and active worship, so this is a cultural visit as well as a scenic one.
• Your group travels privately, with pickup offered and no other group members joining you.
• A giant swing can be added, offering a photo-focused extra stop if you want one.
• Lunch is not included, so plan for that cost and time during the day.

A full day of Ubud highlights by private car

This is the sort of outing that helps you get your bearings around Ubud quickly. Instead of spending several days arranging separate rides to different sites, you can cover four well-known attractions in one day with a driver-guide handling the road connections.

The private format matters in Bali. You can ask questions as you go, stop for photos, and spend more time at the places that interest you most. The tour is also suitable for children, and most people can participate, though the stops include walking, outdoor heat, and uneven ground.

Pickup is offered from your accommodation. The exact pickup area and timing should be confirmed when you book, since the experience is based in Ubud and the route includes sites north and south of town.

The day lasts about eight hours. That sounds generous, but the route covers plenty of ground. I would treat this as a highlights tour rather than a slow, quiet day at each attraction.

Monkey Forest: macaques among old trees

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is usually the first major stop. You have about an hour to walk through a 12.5-hectare forest that provides a home for around 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques.

The setting is more than a quick animal encounter. You follow paths through thick tropical growth, with the monkeys moving through the sanctuary around you. The forest gives the visit a sense of place that a small animal park could not provide.

Your guide can add context about local culture and the importance of the site as you walk. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private tour. You are not simply dropped at the entrance and left to find your way around.

Keep your belongings secure and follow the sanctuary’s instructions around the animals. Monkeys are entertaining, but they are still wild animals. Do not treat this as a petting zoo or assume that a close approach is safe.

One hour is enough to see the main paths and take photos, but it will not allow a long, unhurried exploration of every corner. If monkeys are your main reason for booking, tell your guide early so you can use the time well.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: a short walk through Bali’s farm country

From the forest, the route heads north toward Tegalalang. This is one of the most recognizable rice-growing areas near Ubud, with layered fields and narrow paths offering broad views across the farming area.

The tour allows about an hour here, including a short walk among the rice fields. That walk is important. From a roadside viewpoint, you see the pattern of the terraces. On foot, you get a better sense of the work involved in growing rice on sloping ground.

The stop also gives you a chance to see traditional farmer activities. The description is not a promise of a staged demonstration, so expect to observe normal agricultural work rather than a formal show.

Wear shoes you can walk in and be ready for sun. Rice-field paths can be uneven, and the experience is outdoors. The hour should work well for a first visit, especially if you want photographs without making the entire day about one site.

Tegalalang is also where the optional giant swing may fit into the day. The swing is described as an Instagram-friendly addition, but the available details do not state its price or confirm that it is included. Ask before agreeing to the extra stop.

Tegenungan Waterfall: a scenic stop with limited listed time

Tegenungan Waterfall brings a different kind of scenery to the route. The falls are surrounded by tropical jungle, and you can view them from above or go down toward the water.

This is the least clearly timed part of the schedule. The stated stop duration is one minute, which suggests a brief viewing or photo pause rather than a full waterfall visit. I would not book this tour expecting a long descent, swimming session, or extended time at the base.

You can still get value from the stop if you want to see the falls and take pictures from the hill. If going down to the water matters to you, ask the driver-guide how much time is actually available on the day.

The waterfall is also a reminder that this tour favors variety over depth. You get a taste of several Ubud-area sights, but you may need a separate visit if one attraction deserves a slower pace.

Tirta Empul: Bali’s holy spring temple

Tirta Empul is the most culturally important stop on the route. It is one of Bali’s best-known temples with holy springs, and the complex is used for worship connected with Lord Indra, described here as an embodiment of Lord Vishnu and the god of water.

A sarong is included, which is useful because temple clothing is part of visiting respectfully. Follow your guide’s instructions about where you may walk and how to behave in the worship areas.

The spring pools and temple buildings offer strong photo opportunities, but this is not only a scenic attraction. People come here for religious reasons, so keep the tone respectful and avoid treating ceremonies as a performance.

The schedule lists one minute for this stop, just as it does for the waterfall. That timing is too short for a meaningful temple visit, so it may reflect a scheduling placeholder or a very brief stop in the supplied plan. Confirm the actual time with the provider before booking if Tirta Empul is a main priority.

I would give this stop extra attention if possible. The Monkey Forest and rice terraces show two familiar sides of Bali, while Tirta Empul gives you a closer look at living religious practice.

What the private guide and driver add

The experience includes a private driver-guide, and only your group participates. That arrangement is the central feature of the tour, not a minor extra.

A private guide can explain local history and culture while you move between stops. The available information identifies Eka as one guide associated with the tour. If you are hoping to travel with Eka, request him when booking, but do not assume he is guaranteed unless the provider confirms it.

The private car also removes much of the practical work. You do not need to arrange separate taxis between Ubud, Tegalalang, the waterfall, and the temple. Pickup is offered, and entrance fees are covered.

The tradeoff is that private transport does not automatically mean a slow itinerary. The route remains ambitious, and the driver may need to keep the day moving. Use the private format to communicate clearly about priorities.

For example, tell your guide if you care most about the temple, want a longer rice-field walk, or prefer to avoid the optional swing. The more plainly you explain your interests, the more useful the flexible format becomes.

What the $67.24 price covers

At $67.24 per person, the price is easiest to judge by what is bundled into it. You receive private transportation, a private driver-guide, entrance fees, all listed taxes, and a sarong for the temple visit.

That can be good value if you are traveling with family or friends and want one vehicle, one guide, and a full day of sightseeing. Group discounts are also offered, though the exact discount is not specified.

The price does not include lunch. You should set aside money for a meal, and you may want to ask the guide when a lunch break fits into the route. Do not assume food, drinks, or the optional swing are included.

For a solo visitor, the per-person price is less of a bargain than it is for a small private group. Still, the convenience of pickup, transport, admission, and guiding may justify the cost if you want to avoid arranging the route yourself.

The five-star rating and 100 percent recommendation shown for this experience support the idea that the private service is a major strength. I would still judge the tour by your preferred pace. A high service rating does not change the fact that four stops in eight hours can feel busy.

The day’s main strengths and limits

I like the range of experiences. You see animals, farmland, a waterfall, and a temple rather than spending the entire day on similar scenic stops.

I also like the clear inclusion of admission fees. Bali attractions can make a self-planned day feel fragmented, with transport, tickets, clothing, and guiding handled separately. Here, most of those basics are covered in one price.

The guide’s role is another strong point. A kind, friendly, and professional guide such as Eka can make the day easier, especially for first-time visitors who want explanations rather than a series of photo stops.

The main limit is time management. The Monkey Forest and Tegalalang each receive about an hour, while the waterfall and Tirta Empul are listed with only one minute each. Those short entries should prompt a question before booking.

Another consideration is the optional swing. It may be fun if you want dramatic photos, but it can also squeeze an already full schedule. Ask about added cost, safety arrangements, and the time required.

Who should book this Ubud tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to cover several major Ubud-area sights in one day. Families may also appreciate the private vehicle and the fact that children are welcome.

It suits people who value convenience, photos, and a guide’s explanations more than long periods at one attraction. The private format is especially useful if your group has different interests and wants to discuss small changes along the way.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a quiet temple visit, a long rice-field walk, or substantial time at the waterfall. In that case, a slower private tour with fewer stops may fit you better.

The tour is also a sensible choice for anyone who does not want to organize local transport. Pickup, tickets, a sarong, and the driver-guide are already covered, while mobile ticketing and booking confirmation add practical ease.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use Bali’s local time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private Ubud highlights day with transport, tickets, temple clothing, and guiding bundled together. The Monkey Forest and Tegalalang portions offer the clearest scheduled time, while Tirta Empul and Tegenungan Waterfall deserve a timing check before you commit.

Ask about the actual time at each stop, the lunch plan, and the cost of the optional giant swing. If the provider confirms enough time at the waterfall and temple, this is a strong, practical choice for families, first-time visitors, and small groups.

If you prefer depth over variety, choose a shorter route. If you want to see a lot without managing the logistics yourself, the private car and guide make the $67.24 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation and a private driver-guide are included, and pickup is offered.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What attractions are included?

The route includes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Tirta Empul Temple.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees, all listed taxes, and a sarong are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Kids are welcome, and most people can participate.

Is the giant swing included?

The giant swing is an optional stop. The available tour details do not confirm its price or say that it is included, so ask the provider before adding it.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.