Ubud: Private Half Day Tour Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul & Rice Terrace

Summary

Monkey Forest monkeys, holy water at Tirta Empul, green rice terraces

You’ll wander among cheeky macaques in Ubud’s Monkey Forest, feel cool holy water at Tirta Empul Temple, and walk muddy paths through Tegalalang Rice Terrace fields—all with a local driver who knows every shortcut and story. Includes hotel pickup and entry fees so you can just focus on soaking up Bali’s colors and sounds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ubud half day private tour

• Pick up at hotel
• Visit Ubud Monkey Forest
• Visit Tirta Empul Temple
• Lunch time
• Visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace
• Visit Ubud art village (time permitting)
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the private half day tour in Ubud?

The tour lasts about 6 hours including transfers from your hotel.

What places are included on this Ubud tour?

You’ll visit Ubud Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and possibly an art village if time allows.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from hotels in Ubud area and much of south Bali is included.

Are entrance tickets covered?

Entry fees for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul Temple are included.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No set lunch is included but there’s time for lunch during the tour (own expense).

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do I need to bring anything special?

You should bring comfortable shoes; sarongs are provided at Tirta Empul Temple.

Can I explore Ubud town center during this trip?

You’ll have some free time to explore Ubud town center independently depending on timing.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by an English-speaking driver with air-conditioned transport, all entrance tickets—Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul Temple—plus parking fees and bottled water along the way before returning you back to your hotel in the afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the air — sticky-sweet with incense and something green, almost sharp. Our driver Wayan grinned as we pulled into Ubud’s Monkey Forest. I’d heard stories about the macaques but didn’t expect them to be so… bold? One of them eyed my water bottle like he was plotting a heist. The forest itself felt ancient — mossy statues everywhere, little shrines tucked between roots. Wayan warned us not to make eye contact with the big males (I tried not to stare but honestly, they’re hard to ignore). It’s loud in there: monkeys squabbling, leaves crunching underfoot, someone’s phone alarm going off somewhere behind us. I lost track of time watching a baby monkey try to climb his mom’s tail.

Tirta Empul Temple was next — about half an hour away but felt like a whole different world. We wrapped sarongs around our waists (mine kept slipping; Wayan helped me tie it properly) before stepping inside. The smell of wet stone and frangipani hung in the air. Locals lined up at the holy springs for ritual bathing. There was this quiet rhythm to it — splash, prayer, laughter from a group of kids who kept sneaking glances at us foreigners trying not to look too out of place. I dipped my hand in the water just for a second; it was colder than I expected. The temple dogs dozed under banyan trees while offerings floated by in little leaf baskets.

Lunch was somewhere roadside — simple nasi campur on banana leaf plates. Not fancy but honestly perfect after all that walking. Then came Tegalalang Rice Terrace: those impossibly green steps cut into the hillside just outside Ubud. It looked unreal at first glance (like someone had turned up the color filter), but you can hear farmers calling out across the fields and smell damp earth if you get close enough. We tried to take one of those “walking on the edge” photos but mostly ended up laughing at ourselves for nearly slipping in the mud. By then my shoes were caked in it anyway.

We squeezed in a quick stop at an art village on the way back — woodcarvers with hands stained dark from years of work, paintings drying along the roadside. It wasn’t part of my original plan but I’m glad we did it; sometimes those last-minute detours are what stick with you most. Back in Ubud town center, everything felt louder again — scooters buzzing past and shopkeepers waving us over for coffee or batik scarves I didn’t really need (but bought anyway). I still think about that moment at Tirta Empul though — standing barefoot on cold stone, feeling oddly peaceful even with all the noise around.