Review · UBUD DAY TRIPS FROM KUTA

Ubud Full Day – Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour

5.0 · 12 reviews From $28 Operated by Seminyak Driver · Bookable on Viator
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Wildlife plus waterfalls in one day. This Ubud tour strings together Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary macaque time with Tegalalang rice terraces and two waterfalls, all with hotel pickup and included entry so you lose less time standing around. I like that the whole day runs like a planned route, with an English speaking team helping you stay on schedule.

I also love the photo support baked into the day. Guides such as Ariess, Gede, Made, Wayan, Jon, Kadek, and Nyoman get mentioned often for being punctual, friendly, and helpful with pictures, including at the rice terraces and the jungle swing stop.

The main drawback to consider is cost creep. Lunch is not included, and the Bali swing activity fees are also extra, so your final spend may be higher than the headline price.

Key things to know before you go

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Key things to know before you go

  • Private round-trip hotel transport from Seminyak keeps the day simple, even if you are not great with Bali driving
  • Entry tickets included for Monkey Forest and all the big sight stops like Tegalalang and both waterfalls
  • Plenty of time at each highlight (about 2 hours per stop) so it feels like sightseeing, not a sprint
  • Kanto Lampo includes a fresh mountain water moment for a nice reset during the day
  • Ubud jungle swing is time planned, but fees are not included so check your budget
  • Max 15 travelers means you usually get a more personal feel than on huge buses

Why This Ubud Full-Day Route Works So Well

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Why This Ubud Full-Day Route Works So Well
This is the kind of Ubud day you want when you only have one full day and still want variety. You go from wildlife to rice terraces to waterfalls without having to figure out separate tickets, separate rides, or separate meeting points.

The value is in the “glue” that holds it together: included entry for the core stops, a guided flow between them, and a guide who helps you make the most of each place. At around $28.05 per person, the math makes sense especially because transportation and multiple attraction entries are bundled, not added one by one at the register.

Just remember the tour is long, about 10 hours. That can be great if you like a full schedule, but it is not a good match if you want a slow morning and lots of solo wandering.

Seminyak Pickup and How the Day Stays Low-Stress

The tour includes hassle-free private round-trip transportation from your hotel in Seminyak, plus an English speaking driver and tour guide. That matters in Bali because travel time can eat your energy fast, especially if you are moving across different parts of Ubud and nearby regencies.

You also get a mobile ticket, which helps at entry points because you are not scrambling for printed paperwork. Another small win: the description notes you skip the line to buy tickets for Monkey Forest and more, so you spend your time looking, not waiting.

This is also offered with several morning start times. If you pick an earlier option, you usually get a smoother rhythm for the first stop before the day thickens with crowds.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Macaques, Conserved Nature, and Real Ubud Energy

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Macaques, Conserved Nature, and Real Ubud Energy
Your first stop is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a sprawling reserve over 27 acres with over 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques. This is not just a cute, quick photo stop. It is a conservation-focused sanctuary, so the vibe is more nature reserve than theme park.

You get about 2 hours here, which is enough time to take in the setting, watch the macaques moving around, and still have time to slow down for pictures without feeling rushed. The key is to treat it like a real walk in a wildlife area, not a dash through a zoo-like queue.

Practical note: this is a wildlife environment, so plan to keep your attention on your belongings and your footing. I would also treat weather as part of the plan. If it is humid or drizzly, your comfort matters more than perfect photos.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Fresh Mountain Water and a Different Bali Mood

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Fresh Mountain Water and a Different Bali Mood
Next is Kanto Lampo Waterfall in Gianyar regency near Ubud. It is known for stunning natural beauty and unique rock formations, and this stop is built around a specific “try this” moment. The tour includes washing your face with fresh mountain water.

That little ritual is why this stop feels different. After Monkey Forest, it is a reset. You change senses from watching animals to hearing water, feeling mist, and seeing how the landscape shapes the waterfall flow.

You get about 2 hours here too. That helps because waterfalls are never the same twice. The best photos often come when light hits the rock just right, and you have enough time to wait for a brief calmer moment instead of snapping one frame and rushing away.

Tibumana Waterfall: Lush Green Calm and a Second Waterfall Hit

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Tibumana Waterfall: Lush Green Calm and a Second Waterfall Hit
Then you head to Tibumana Waterfall in Bangli regency, again not far from Ubud. This one is described as serene, lush, and full of beautiful cascades.

Two waterfalls back-to-back can sound repetitive, but it works because each one has a different feel. Kanto Lampo is about striking rock formations and that fresh-water face wash moment. Tibumana leans more toward peaceful greenery and the sound of cascades over a calmer setup.

You still get about 2 hours at this stop, so you can enjoy the scenery without treating it as a photo-only mission. If you love water, this is the part of the day that will likely stick in your memory longer than you expect.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Classic Ubud Views With Guide Help

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Classic Ubud Views With Guide Help
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Ubud’s most iconic scenes, with terraced rice fields that cascade down the hillside like green staircases. It is the kind of place where you can take a thousand photos and still feel like you need one more to get the scale right.

This is where the guide support shows up in a practical way. The tour notes your guide can help you get the perfect shot, and the time allotted gives you room to reposition and frame the terraces the way your eyes want to see them.

One thing I like here: you can focus on the view and still learn while you look. The tour includes learning about local farming practices from your guide, which makes the rice terraces feel more grounded than just a scenic postcard.

Also, expect some time for photos with people around. Tegalalang is famous for a reason, and that fame brings cameras from everywhere.

Ubud Jungle Swing: Fun, High Up, and Extra Fees

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Ubud Jungle Swing: Fun, High Up, and Extra Fees
The day ends with a stop at the Ubud jungle swing. This activity is described as an exhilarating swing above the lush jungle canopy, and yes, it is built for Instagram-worthy photos.

Here is the important part for your budget: Bali swing fees are not included. The tour gives you the time for the activity stop, but you pay the swing cost separately if you do the swing itself.

If you are on the fence, I suggest you treat it as a choice, not a checkbox. If you love action photos and do not mind extra costs, this can be a fun payoff. If you prefer nature and calm over thrill rides, you can still enjoy the viewpoints and atmosphere around the swing area, depending on what is available when you arrive.

Guide Styles That Make the Difference

Ubud Full Day - Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace and Waterfalls Tour - Guide Styles That Make the Difference
The tour is built around having an English speaking driver and tour guide, and the best guides make the day feel personal. In particular, guides named in the experience highlights, including Ariess, Gede, Made, Wayan, Jon, Kadek, and Nyoman, are described as punctual, friendly, flexible, and supportive when it comes to photos.

What does “flexible” mean for you on this kind of day? It can mean adjusting the pace if someone needs a bathroom break, slowing down for a good view, or shifting timing when a place runs behind schedule.

Also, your guide can help you spot the moments that turn a normal snapshot into something you will actually want to keep. That is especially true at Tegalalang, where framing matters, and at the swing area, where timing and angle can make the difference between a cluttered photo and a clean one.

Price and Value: What You Pay For, What You Still Need to Budget

At $28.05 per person, this tour is priced like a budget-friendly way to hit several major Ubud stops in one day. The reason it feels like value is that you get more than one attraction entry bundled into the price, plus private hotel pickup and drop-off.

Included in the package:

  • Private round-trip transportation from your hotel
  • English speaking driver and tour guide
  • Bottle mineral water
  • Parking fees and fuel
  • Entrance tickets to Monkey Forest
  • Entrance tickets to Tegalalang Rice Terrace
  • Entrance tickets to Kanto Lampo Waterfall
  • Entrance tickets to Tibumana Waterfall

Not included:

  • Lunch fees
  • Bali swing fees

So, you should plan on bringing extra cash or using a card for lunch, and deciding whether you want the swing activity. If you add lunch and the swing, the tour can still be a good deal, but your “all-in” number will depend on your choices.

Time Management: Expect a Full Day, Not a Half-Day Wander

This tour runs about 10 hours, and the stops are designed to keep you moving. Each major highlight sits around the 2-hour mark, which is long enough to enjoy the place but short enough that you still cover five big experiences.

A full day schedule has a clear upside: you maximize a limited trip window. If you are only in Bali briefly, you often cannot afford to “pick one” and miss everything else. This route solves that by compressing the best-known Ubud highlights into one coherent loop.

The downside is energy. You are in the car between places, walking in hot or humid conditions, and spending time in crowded wildlife areas like Monkey Forest. If you are sensitive to long days, pack a lighter mindset. Think comfy clothes, good shoes, and a plan for a calm lunch rather than a gourmet mission.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This is a strong fit if you want a guided, efficient way to see Ubud’s top mix: wildlife, famous rice terraces, and multiple waterfalls. It is also a good choice if you like having someone handle the complicated parts, like entry tickets and route pacing.

It suits you if:

  • You are staying in Seminyak and want hotel pickup
  • You want included entry fees for multiple attractions
  • You care about getting the right photos, especially at Tegalalang and the swing area
  • You like the idea of a planned day with an English speaking guide

It may not be ideal if:

  • You want a short, relaxed day with no extra activity costs
  • You do not like long schedules and prefer to spend more time at fewer places
  • You would rather skip the swing and spend money elsewhere

Should You Book This Ubud Full Day Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace, and Waterfalls Tour?

I think this is a book-worthy option if you want one day that checks the big Ubud boxes without extra ticket planning. The included entry tickets for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and both waterfalls are what make it practical, and the private pickup from Seminyak helps keep your day from turning into logistics.

Make sure you budget for lunch and decide in advance whether the jungle swing fee is worth it for you. If you are good with a full schedule, the guide support for photos and flexible pacing makes the day feel smoother than a self-planned version.

If you are craving a mix of animals, views, and waterfall time, this route is a solid way to do it in one go.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud full day tour?

It runs for approximately 10 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Private round-trip transportation is included from your hotel.

Are tickets included for Monkey Forest and the other main stops?

Yes. Entrance tickets are included for Monkey Forest and for Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, and Tibumana Waterfall.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch fees are not included.

Are Bali swing fees included?

No. Bali Swing fees are not included.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The tour includes a mobile ticket.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can most travelers participate?

Yes. Most travelers can participate.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.