Ubud: Private Day Tour with Monkey Forest, Temples & Rice Terraces

Summary

Monkey Forest strolls, temple rituals and rice terrace swings in Ubud

You’ll jump straight into Ubud’s rhythm: meeting cheeky monkeys in their forest home, swinging high above Tegalalang’s green terraces, watching quiet rituals at Tirta Empul Temple, and cooling off near Tegenungan Waterfall—all with local stories along the way. Expect laughter, small surprises, and moments that linger after you’re back at your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

It all started with our driver, Dewa, grinning outside our hotel in Ubud—he waved like he’d known us for years. We piled into his van (AC blasting, thank god), and right away he started telling stories about the monkeys we’d meet. The Sacred Monkey Forest was first. I’m not sure what I expected, but those monkeys have attitude—one tried to unzip my backpack while another just stared at me like I owed him something. The air smelled green and a bit earthy, and there was this low chatter from the trees that made me feel like I’d dropped into someone else’s world. Dewa pointed out a shrine where locals leave little offerings—tiny baskets of flowers and rice—and it felt respectful to walk quietly for a bit.

After that came the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. It’s one of those places you see in photos but standing there is different—the light shifts over the terraces and you can hear water trickling somewhere below. There was a breeze that kept lifting my hat (I gave up after the third time). We tried the jungle swing too—my palms were sweaty, but honestly, it was worth it for that rush and the view. Lunch happened somewhere between all this; I can’t remember the name of the warung but their nasi campur had a chili kick that surprised me (in a good way). Dewa laughed when I coughed—he said “Bali style spicy!”

Tirta Empul Temple was quieter than I imagined. Locals were lining up for purification in the spring water—some tourists joined in, but we just watched for a while. The smell of incense drifted everywhere and people moved slowly, almost dreamlike. There’s something about seeing real rituals that makes you pause—I still think about how calm everyone seemed there.

The last stop was Tegenungan Waterfall. You can hear it before you see it—a heavy sound, almost like thunder rolling behind leaves. The steps down are steep (my legs complained), but standing close to all that spray felt good after hours in Bali’s heat. On the way back we stopped at Celuk Village for silver jewelry—Dewa introduced us to his cousin’s shop and I tried bargaining, pretty badly if I’m honest. Still ended up with earrings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ubud's cultural and natural highlights

• Visit Ubud Monkey Forest
• See Tegalalang Rice Terrace
• Experience Bali Swing
• Visit Tirta Empul Temple
• Explore Tegenungan Waterfall
• Stop at Celuk Village silver crafts

Top questions

How long does this Ubud private day tour take?

The tour covers key Ubud sights in one full day with pickup and drop-off included.

Is hotel pickup included for this Ubud tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Ubud or much of south Bali.

What attractions are visited on this day trip from Ubud?

You’ll visit Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Jungle Swing, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, plus an art village like Celuk.

Are entrance fees covered on this private tour?

Yes—all entrance fees are included in your booking price.

Is lunch provided during this tour?

No set lunch is included; you’ll have time to eat independently during your free time in town.

Can infants join this Ubud private day trip?

Yes; infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to steps at some sites.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided throughout. Entrance fees are covered everywhere you go—from Monkey Forest to Tegenungan Waterfall—and hotel pickup and drop-off make things easy from start to finish.