Ubud: Private Half-Day Tour with Monkey Forest & Rice Terraces

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/10

Duration6h–7h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · MS

PickupAt your hotel

Monkeys in Ubud forest, palace stories, rice terrace walks and waterfall spray

You’ll start your private half-day tour in Ubud with playful monkeys in the forest, wander through royal courtyards at Ubud Palace, walk along Tegalalang’s layered rice terraces, and feel cool mist at Tegenungan Waterfall. With local stories along every stop, plus pickup and lunch included, you’ll catch glimpses of daily life that linger long after you leave.

6h–7h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ubud's key attractions

Hotel pickup in Ubud area
Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Visit Ubud Royal Palace
Visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Lunch at Ubud restaurant
Visit Tegenungan Waterfall
Return to hotel

The Experience

Ketut was already waiting outside our hotel in Ubud — he smiled and handed us a bottle of water before we even got in the car. The first stop was the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which I’d heard about but didn’t expect to be so… lively? Within minutes a little gray macaque had grabbed my sunglasses (don’t wear them on your head, trust me). Ketut laughed and told me the Balinese name for the monkeys — I tried to repeat it and totally failed. The smell of damp earth mixed with incense from a small shrine nearby. It felt like the forest was breathing.

After that we drove just a few minutes to Ubud Palace. There were kids playing in the courtyard, their laughter echoing off those old stone walls. Our guide pointed out carvings on the gate that I would’ve missed — apparently each one tells a story from Balinese mythology. Honestly, I got distracted by a woman arranging flower offerings on the steps; her hands moved so quickly but gently. We wandered around for a bit, not really talking much, just letting it sink in.

The drive up to Tegalalang Rice Terrace was longer than I thought — maybe 25 minutes? But when we got there, wow (I know I’m not supposed to say “wow” but… yeah). The air felt cooler up there and you could hear water trickling through the irrigation channels between terraces. There’s something hypnotic about all those green layers stacked up under the sun. Ketut said Julia Roberts filmed here for Eat Pray Love — he seemed proud of that. Lunch was at a little restaurant overlooking the fields; I can still taste the sambal (spicy!) and fresh lime juice.

Last stop: Tegenungan Waterfall. You hear it before you see it — this deep rumble that gets louder as you walk down the path. It wasn’t crowded when we went, just a few locals swimming at the base. I dipped my feet in (cold!) and watched sunlight flicker through palm leaves above us. On the way back Ketut pointed out Celuk Village and Batuan Temple from the window — we didn’t stop but he told us about their goldsmiths and temple festivals anyway. That stuck with me for some reason.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Ubud or surrounding areas, all entry fees if you choose the inclusive option, an air-conditioned vehicle just for your group (no sharing), plus lunch at a local restaurant overlooking Tegalalang Rice Terrace before heading back home together.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Bali Day Tour