Ubud Day Tour: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces & Waterfall

Summary

Ubud’s monkey forest temples rice fields & waterfall in one day

You’ll wander through Ubud’s lively Monkey Forest with a local guide, watch master carvers at work in Mas Village, explore ancient Elephant Cave temple walls, soak up views at Tegalalang rice terraces over lunch, and end your day cooling off by Tegenungan Waterfall—all with easy hotel pickup included.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the monkeys in Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest to be so bold. One of them stared right at me—like he was sizing me up for snacks. Our guide Wayan just grinned and said, “Don’t look him in the eye too long.” The air smelled like wet leaves and incense, and I kept hearing these little squeaks and rustles from somewhere above. That first hour already felt different from anywhere else I’d been in Bali—louder, somehow, but also softer around the edges.

We stopped next at Mas Village to watch woodcarvers work. I thought it would be touristy but it wasn’t; there were old men carving in near silence, chips of wood everywhere, and a kid who waved shyly when I tried to say hello (I probably butchered “Selamat pagi”). The carvings felt alive—smooth under my fingers, almost warm. Wayan explained how each piece tells a story about Balinese life. I sort of got lost just watching their hands move.

After that we went to Goa Gajah—the Elephant Cave—which is older than most things I’ve ever seen. The stone at the entrance looked like it was melting into faces and monsters. It was cool inside, almost damp, and someone had left frangipani flowers by a statue. There was this hush that made me want to whisper even though nobody else was around.

Tegalalang rice terraces were greener than any photo—layers on layers of green with tiny scarecrows waving in the breeze. We had lunch overlooking the fields (nasi campur for me), and I could hear water trickling through the irrigation channels below. At some point I just stopped talking because it was enough to sit there and look out over everything. On the way back we hit Tegenungan Waterfall—loud, misty, people laughing as they tried not to slip on the rocks. My shoes got soaked but honestly? Worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ubud's culture and nature

• Visit sacred monkey forest
• See wood carving at Mas Village
• Explore Goa Gajah temple
• Enjoy Tegalalang rice terraces view
• Visit Tegenungan Waterfall

Top questions

How long does the Ubud day tour last?

This is a full-day trip from morning until late afternoon or early evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Ubud tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in your booking.

Are entrance tickets covered?

All entry fees are included in the tour price.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the tour.

What sites are visited during this Ubud day trip?

The tour visits Monkey Forest, Mas Village (wood carving), Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah), Tegalalang rice terraces, and Tegenungan Waterfall.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

You can have lunch overlooking Tegalalang rice terraces; food cost is not specified as included.

Is this private or group transport?

The tour uses a private car for your group.

Do I need special clothing for temples?

A sarong is provided for temple visits during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by private car, all entrance tickets to attractions like Monkey Forest and Elephant Cave, an English-speaking guide throughout, use of a sarong for temple visits, plus parking fees and tax so you don’t have to worry about extra costs along the way.