There is a lot packed into one day. I love how this route gets you up close with hundreds of wild monkeys at Sacred Monkey Forest, and I also love pairing that with the spiritual stop at Tirta Empul, known for its holy spring-water purification. The mix is fun and varied, but be aware this is a long 10-hour day with several stops, and lunch plus Bali Swing fees are not included.

If you want a guide who keeps things smooth, you should know that one guide named Mangkok stood out for being professional and funny, with clear explanations. The only real drawback is cost creep: the entrance is included for most key stops, but you will still pay for the Bali Swing itself if you want a ride, and you will need to sort out food.

Key Highlights You Will Care About

• Sacred Monkey Forest with admission included and time set aside to experience the macaques up close
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace for classic Ubud hillside views, with admission included
• Tirta Empul Temple focused on water purification using the holy spring water
• Tibumana Waterfall with time to enjoy the calm setting, and it is described as a shallow pool that can be good for swimming
• Ubud Traditional Art Market plus an included swing stop time, but swing fees are extra

A Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace, and Temple Loop in One Long Day

This is the kind of Ubud day that works when you want highlights without building your own route from scratch. You start with Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, then move to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and you end with nature at Tibumana Waterfall, with Tirta Empul Temple in the middle for the spiritual anchor.

What makes it especially practical is that the tour does not just show you places, it also moves you between them in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water. With a maximum of 15 travelers, it still feels personal, not like a cattle-car day.

The price is also worth a second look: at $24.30 per person, you are paying for a full circuit with multiple entrance fees included. That usually adds up faster on your own, especially when you are doing several ticketed stops.

Timing, Pickup, and Why the Schedule Feels Like a Real Day

The tour is listed at about 10 hours, with stops that total roughly the full day. There is pickup offered, and the flow is built like this:

• Monkey Forest (about 2 hours)
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace (about 1 hour)
• Tirta Empul Temple (about 2 hours)
• Tibumana Waterfall (about 2 hours)
• Ubud Traditional Art Market (about 1 hour)
• Ubud Jungle Swing (about 2 hours)

That means you should go in with the right expectations. You will have time to enjoy each place, but you will not have hours to linger at one spot only. It is a great format for first-timers, or for anyone doing Ubud in a limited number of days.

Also, remember what is and is not included. Entrance fees are included for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, and Tibumana Waterfall. But Bali Swing fees and lunch are not included, so plan for at least one extra spend during the day.

Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Up-Close Without Turning It Into Chaos

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the headliner in the best way. It is a lush nature reserve in Ubud home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys. The tour gives you about 2 hours there, which is enough time to walk at an easy pace, pause for photos, and still enjoy the green, shaded feel of the sanctuary.

Because this is a monkey sanctuary, you will want to treat it like wildlife, not like a theme park. Keep your focus on staying respectful and aware of your surroundings. If you are carrying anything that looks interesting, you might want to keep it secured rather than loose in your pockets.

Photo tip, based on how these places usually work: plan to do your best shots at eye level and in shaded areas, since bright sun can make animals hard to see clearly. With a guide, you are more likely to avoid dead ends and see the areas most visitors miss.

The good part is that the admission ticket is included, so you do not need to stop mid-day figuring out where to buy or how to enter. And with an air-conditioned vehicle waiting, you can step back into comfort right after.

Stop 2: Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Classic Views and the Swing Detour

After Monkey Forest, you head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of the most famous Ubud rice-paddy views. You get about 1 hour here, and the goal is simple: take in the sweeping hillside pattern of rice terraces and irrigation.

This is not just a quick photo stop. The terraces are shaped into cascading levels, and the view is designed to be read from different angles. If you move slowly and look for terraces at multiple heights, you will get more out of the hour than just a single viewpoint.

There is also an optional action that many people will care about: Ubud Jungle Swing. The description notes it is a popular attraction offering scenic views over jungle, rice terraces, and river valleys. The key practical detail is that swing time is on the schedule, but swing fees are not included.

So your decision comes down to this:

• If you want the photos and the adrenaline, you will pay the swing fee on-site.
• If you just want the views, you can skip the swing and still enjoy the area during that portion of the tour.

Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple, Water Purification at the Center

Next is Tirta Empul Temple, located near Tampaksiring. This is the cultural and spiritual stop, and it has a very specific reason for being famous: its holy spring water is used for water purification rituals, and it is believed to have curative properties.

You get about 2 hours here, which is the right amount of time for a place like this. You do not want to rush a temple, and you also do not want to arrive and feel lost. With a guide, you are more likely to understand what you are seeing and why people are moving through the space in certain ways.

Even if you are not doing the purification itself, this stop is still valuable. It gives context for why Bali has so many water-focused traditions. It also slows the day down a bit, which matters because after two nature stops, you may appreciate a more grounded pace.

One practical note: this is a temple experience. Dress and footwear matter in places like this, so wear something you can manage calmly and follow the guidance you get from your guide.

Stop 4: Tibumana Waterfall, Time for Quiet Photos and a Possible Swim

The day then shifts back to nature with Tibumana Waterfall, located in Bangli regency. You get about 2 hours here, and it is described as tranquil, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical foliage.

What makes Tibumana appealing is the setting described in the tour details: the waterfall cascades down into a shallow pool below, making it a good spot for relaxing, and possibly swimming if conditions allow. You will also likely find it less frantic than the biggest waterfall crowd zones, simply because this tour is built to fit it in between other stops rather than as a single, all-day focus.

If you want to swim, plan for basics: bring something you can change out of and be ready for wet surfaces. If you just want photos, you are still in a strong position, since the flow of the water and the surrounding greenery create a natural frame.

The entrance fee is included here too, so once you arrive you can focus on the waterfall itself, not on admin.

Ubud Traditional Art Market and Jungle Swing Fees You Should Plan For

Towards the second half of the day, you stop at the Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Ubud). The idea is that you get around 1 hour to browse and pick up souvenirs, with a mix of goods that make sense for gifts and family back home. This is also a nice counterbalance to all the outdoor walking because markets are a different kind of sensory experience.

What to expect: it can be busy, and it is easy to get distracted. Set a simple goal before you step in, like buying a small set of gifts rather than trying to cover everything. In a limited hour, that keeps you from overspending or leaving empty-handed.

Then the day finishes with Ubud Jungle Swing time, about 2 hours. The big thing to understand is that the tour includes the swing stop time and references the scenic views, but it does not include Bali Swing fees. That means the tour can still be great even if you decide not to swing, but you should not assume it is free.

If you do swing, think about it like this: you are buying a short experience plus a photo moment with a strong view. If you care more about the rice terraces and waterfalls than the swing itself, you might spend that energy doing slower walking and photos around the viewpoints instead.

Price and Value: What $24.30 Per Person Gets You

At $24.30 per person, this is priced like a value-packed day, especially because several entrance fees are included:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary admission
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace admission
• Tirta Empul Temple admission
• Tibumana Waterfall admission

That is the main value driver. When you self-plan in Bali, entrance costs plus transport time can stack up quickly. Here, you are buying one organized route, one day, and one set of core tickets.

On top of that, you get:

• Pickup offered
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water
• Mobile ticket option
• Group discounts (if you qualify through the operator setup)
• A maximum of 15 travelers, which helps the day feel less rushed

The two costs that can surprise people are always the same in day tours like this: lunch and the Bali Swing fees. If you budget for those, the rest is straightforward.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Pace)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want the classic Ubud highlights in one day
• Are okay with a packed schedule and walking between sites
• Like having a guide manage timing so you spend less time figuring out logistics
• Want mix-and-match experiences: wildlife, rice terraces, a sacred water temple, waterfall time, and market browsing

It might be less ideal if you:

• Prefer slow travel and long stays at one location
• Do not want any extra fees beyond the base price, since swing fees and lunch are not included
• Want a trip that is only one theme, like only temples or only waterfalls

That said, the itinerary is designed to keep your day varied. You are not stuck in just one kind of scenery.

Should You Book This Ubud Tour?

Yes, if you want a high-yield Ubud day with real variety. The combination makes sense: Monkey Forest for the wow-factor, Tegalalang for the iconic terraces, Tirta Empul for the meaningful water purification focus, and Tibumana for a calmer nature moment. The included entrance fees and vehicle with bottled water are where the value really shows.

I would book it if you are the type of traveler who likes checking off major sites but still wants a guide to keep the day moving in a sensible way. And if you plan ahead for lunch and the Bali Swing decision, there are no awkward surprises.

If you want a temple-heavy trip, or a waterfall-only deep day, then you might prefer a more focused tour. But for most first-timers and many repeat visitors who just want a smooth best-of day, this one is easy to recommend.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tirta Empul Temple tour?

The tour is listed at about 10 hours.

Does the tour include pickup?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What entrance fees are included in the price?

Entrance fees are included for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tibumana Waterfall.

Are Bali Swing fees included?

No, Bali Swing fees are not included.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

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 is not refunded.