Ubud: Monkey Forest, Waterfalls & Rice Terraces Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (517 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration8h–10h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · CM

PickupAt your hotel

Wander sacred forests, rice fields and holy springs in Bali’s heart

You’ll wander Ubud’s Monkey Forest with playful macaques, gaze out over Tegalalang’s layered rice terraces, witness rituals at Tirta Empul Temple, and feel mist on your skin at Tegenungan Waterfall. With private transport, a local guide who shares stories along the way, and a Balinese lunch included, you’ll get more than just photos — you’ll feel something real.

8h–10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ubud's nature and culture

Visit Sacred Monkey Forest
See Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Experience Tirta Empul Temple ritual
Try Bali Swing adventure
Have lunch at local restaurant
Explore Tegenungan Waterfall

The Experience

I didn’t expect the monkeys to be so bold in Ubud’s Monkey Forest — one just plopped down beside me like we were old friends. Our guide, Kadek, laughed and handed me a peanut (I fumbled it; the monkey was much faster). The air smelled green, if that makes sense — damp leaves and incense from a temple nearby. There was this moment under the giant banyan roots where everything felt hushed except for the monkeys chattering overhead. Kind of magical, honestly.

We wove through narrow roads to Tegalalang Rice Terrace next. I’d seen photos before but standing there is different; it’s all layered greens and sunlight flickering off water channels. Kadek explained how the subak system works — he made it sound simple but I still don’t get how they figured all that out centuries ago. We tried the Bali Swing too (I screamed, not gonna lie), then lunch at a spot overlooking the terraces. The fried tempeh was crisp and salty, and there was this ginger tea that warmed my hands after the breeze up there.

Tirta Empul Temple came after — lots of locals in bright sarongs lining up for water purification. Kadek showed us how to tie our sashes properly (mine kept slipping). The scent of wet stone mixed with frangipani flowers stuck with me. Some people went into the pools; I just watched quietly, feeling like an outsider but welcome at the same time. Tegenungan Waterfall was loud and wild by comparison — spray on my face, slippery rocks underfoot. We didn’t swim but just sitting there for a bit felt good after all the moving around.

I keep thinking about those moments — especially when Kadek told us about his grandmother’s offerings at sunrise. It’s not just sights here; it’s little details you carry back home without meaning to.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water throughout the journey, entry fees if you choose the all inclusive option, plus a Balinese lunch overlooking rice fields (also only with all inclusive). Tour insurance covers you along the way, and all parking and fuel costs are taken care of so you can just focus on soaking up Ubud’s colors and sounds.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Your GuidiBali