Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace Swing & Waterfall Day Trip

Summary

Ubud’s playful monkeys, rice terrace swings and temple waters

You’ll wander among cheeky monkeys in Ubud’s forest sanctuary, fly out over Tegalalang’s emerald rice terraces on a jungle swing, swim beneath Tegenungan Waterfall, and breathe incense at Tirta Empul Temple—all with a local guide and hotel pickup included. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ubud forest, rice terrace, waterfall, temple

• Pickup from hotel lobby
• Visit Ubud Monkey Forest
• Explore Tegalalang Rice Terraces
• Enjoy jungle swing with view
• Swim at Tegenungan Waterfall
• Visit Tirta Empul Temple

Top questions

How long is the Ubud Monkey Forest & Rice Terrace tour?

The day trip typically lasts several hours including stops at each attraction; exact timing depends on your pace and traffic.

Is hotel pickup included for this Ubud day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from most hotels in Ubud, Sanur, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran, Canggu and Nusa Dua.

Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall during this tour?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Tegenungan Waterfall; bring a swimsuit if you want to take a dip.

Is lunch included on this Ubud day trip?

No lunch is included; however mineral water is provided throughout the tour.

Are entry fees covered for all attractions?

All parking fees and local taxes are covered as per itinerary; entry fees are included where specified by operator.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most physical fitness levels but involves walking and some stairs at certain sites.

Can women enter Tirta Empul Temple during menstruation?

No, women during menstruation are not allowed to enter Tirta Empul Temple according to local customs.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off across popular Bali areas like Ubud or Seminyak, air-conditioned transport with an English-speaking driver-guide who knows every shortcut (and monkey story), mineral water to keep cool between stops, plus all parking fees and local taxes so you don’t have to worry about small change along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if monkeys really steal sunglasses? Turns out, yes. The Ubud Monkey Forest was our first stop—right after our driver picked us up (early but not too early, which I appreciated). It’s shady and a bit humid under all those nutmeg trees. The air smells slightly earthy, and you can hear the monkeys before you see them—little squeaks and rustling leaves. Our guide Wayan kept laughing at my nervousness. He showed us the mossy statues guarding the old temples inside the forest; I’m not sure what I expected but it felt almost secretive in there. One monkey tried to untie my shoelace—Wayan just grinned like he’d seen it a hundred times.

Next was the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. It’s steeper than it looks in photos—like green stairs tumbling into a valley. There’s this swing hanging between two palms right on the edge. I almost chickened out but then figured, why not? You get strapped in and suddenly you’re flying over all those bright green paddies. My stomach dropped for a second, then it was just wind and shouting (me). Afterward we walked along the terraces and Wayan explained how the Subak irrigation system works—he pointed at little channels cut into the mud, water trickling through them. It made me think about how much work goes into every bowl of rice.

Tegenungan Waterfall came next—a short drive, maybe twenty minutes? The sound gets louder as you walk down toward it. There were families splashing around in the pool at the bottom, some locals just sitting on rocks chatting quietly while kids played nearby. The water was cold but honestly refreshing after sweating through most of Ubud. I didn’t stay in long (I’m a wimp with cold water), but it woke me up.

The last stop was Tirta Empul Temple. You can smell incense before you even see the gates—sweet and smoky mixed with wet stone from all the fountains inside. We watched people lining up for ritual bathing; some looked nervous, others peaceful. Wayan told us about wishes being granted here if you bathe in all twelve fountains—I skipped getting soaked again but sat by one of the pools for a while just listening to everything: chanting, splashing water, someone laughing softly behind me. On the way back I kept thinking about that swing—I still get that weird flutter in my chest remembering it.