Ubud: Private Day Tour with Sacred Monkey Forest & Waterfall

Barong dance, silver & wood villages, monkey forest and Tirta Empul temple on a full Ubud day

You’ll step right into Ubud’s rhythm: watch Barong dancers whirl at sunrise, meet artisans shaping silver and wood by hand, wander among monkeys in leafy forest shadows, swing high above Tegalalang’s rice terraces, sip fresh coffee with mountain views, and end your day cooled by waterfall mist before heading back to your hotel—all with an easy pickup and local guide who keeps things real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ubud cultural and natural highlights

• Watch Barong & Kris Dance
• Visit Celuk Village silver workshops
• Explore Mas Village wood carving studios
• Walk through Sacred Monkey Forest
• Lunch with Tegalalang Rice Terrace view
• Photo stop at Happy Swing Bali
• Enjoy tea and coffee break in Tampaksiring
• Tour Tirta Empul Temple holy springs
• Visit Tegenungan Waterfall viewpoint

The Experience

We rolled out of our hotel in Ubud just after sunrise—still half asleep, honestly—and Nyoman was already waiting in the van, grinning like he’d been up for hours. He handed us bottled water and asked if we’d ever seen the Barong & Kris Dance before. I hadn’t, but by the time we were sitting cross-legged at Pura Puseh Temple in Batubulan, the air buzzing with gamelan music and incense smoke curling around us, I was hooked. The dancers’ masks looked heavy and hot but nobody seemed to mind—kids giggling nearby as Barong wiggled his tail. It’s funny how you can feel totally out of place and then suddenly right at home when everyone’s clapping along.

After that, Celuk Village felt quieter—just the soft clink of silver being hammered into bracelets by women who barely glanced up from their work. Nyoman explained how each pattern meant something (I forgot most of it except for one about rice paddies bringing luck). Mas Village was next—wood shavings everywhere and carvings stacked in corners like they were growing out of the floor. One guy let me try his chisel on a scrap piece; I didn’t even make a dent. He laughed and said it takes “lifetime hands.” We wandered through the galleries for a while—honestly could’ve spent hours just touching everything.

The Sacred Monkey Forest was louder than I expected—monkeys everywhere, snatching fruit from tourists and leaping across mossy statues. At one point a little macaque tried to unzip my backpack (Nyoman warned me but I still jumped). The light filtered green through banyan leaves and it smelled damp, almost sweet. After that rush, lunch overlooking Tegalalang Rice Terrace felt like a reward—rice fields spilling down the valley in every shade of green you can imagine. The food was simple but good; I still think about that iced tea with ginger.

I tried the jungle swing thing too—I’m not really a heights person but Nyoman egged me on (“for Instagram!” he joked). They gave me this ridiculous flowing dress to wear over my shorts; I nearly tripped climbing into the harness but once I was swinging out over the valley it felt...well, silly and kind of freeing at the same time. Later we stopped for coffee tasting in Tampaksiring village—the kopi luwak wasn’t my favorite (don’t ask how it’s made), but sitting there with mountain air on my face was perfect.

Tirta Empul Temple is hard to describe—it’s busy but somehow peaceful too. People lined up for purification rituals under stone spouts; some looked nervous, others just calm. You can rent a sarong if you want to join in—I watched instead, not wanting to get my jeans wet. Our last stop was Tegenungan Waterfall where mist hung in the air and everyone took turns posing on rocks (I slipped once—no injuries except my pride). On the drive back Nyoman played old Balinese pop songs and pointed out which villages we’d passed earlier. Felt like we’d packed a week into one day.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Ubud private tour?

Yes, door-to-door hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and more areas.

How long does this full-day Ubud tour last?

The day trip typically lasts around 8-10 hours depending on your pace and traffic between stops.

Are entrance fees included or do I pay on site?

You can choose an all-inclusive option with tickets covered or pay entrance fees yourself for flexibility.

Can I participate in purification at Tirta Empul Temple?

Yes—you’ll need to rent a sarong at the temple if you want to enter the holy spring pools for blessing rituals.

Is lunch provided during this Ubud day trip?

No set lunch is included; you’ll stop at a Tegalalang restaurant where you can order what you like (at your own expense).

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The transportation is wheelchair accessible but some sites have stairs or uneven paths; check with your guide for details.

What should I bring for visiting Tegenungan Waterfall?

Bring comfortable shoes (it can be slippery), swimwear if you want to get close to the water, sunscreen and maybe a change of clothes.

Will there be time to shop for souvenirs?

Yes—you’ll have time at Celuk Village (silver jewelry) and Mas Village (wood carvings) to browse or buy directly from artisans.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transport with friendly English-speaking guide-driver from your hotel lobby anywhere around Ubud or South Bali; all entrance tickets if you pick premium all-inclusive; insurance coverage throughout; photo help at every stop; complimentary tea and coffee break overlooking jungle valleys; plus flexible timing so you never feel rushed before returning comfortably back to your hotel at sunset.