Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours

Review · UBUD DAY TRIPS FROM KUTA

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours

5.0 · 3 reviews From $71 Operated by Bali Travel Planners · Bookable on Viator
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Monkeys, rice terraces, and a waterfall in one day. This private Jimbaran to Ubud outing strings together four classic stops: Celuk Village for silver and gold art, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Cretya Ubud with rice-terrace views, and the lush Tegenungan Waterfall with a swim option. I like how the day mixes hands-on culture, iconic nature, and a proper chill break in one clean route. I also like that the big stuff is handled for you, with an air-conditioned ride, an English-speaking driver guide, and entrance tickets included. The main thing to think about: the day runs about 10 hours, and lunch plus any food, drinks, or event costs at Cretya are on you.

What you really get is structure and comfort. Pickup is offered from Jimbaran, you ride in a private vehicle, and you stay with your group the whole time. You’ll see the famous highlights without needing to figure out parking, timing, and ticket juggling, and you even get a mobile ticket. Just note that the Cretya portion is tied to a restaurant and day club, so you should plan your budget accordingly, especially if you want pool time or anything extra.

Key highlights worth your time

  • Celuk Village craft stop for silver and gold making, plus a guided look at contemporary art inspired by nature
  • Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with 1 full hour in a natural forest home to grey long-tailed macaques
  • Cretya Ubud rice-terrace break with about 3 hours at a restaurant and day club for photos and downtime
  • Tegenungan Waterfall viewing and swim plus a top view option if you can’t walk
  • Private transportation with an English-speaking driver guide to keep the day smooth and timed well
  • Entrance tickets included across the stops, while lunch and Cretya costs remain separate

Other ways to do the Ubud run from Jimbaran

Getting From Jimbaran To Ubud, Comfort Included

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Getting From Jimbaran To Ubud, Comfort Included

This is a private day trip with pickup in Jimbaran and roundabout driving into the Ubud area. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the driver guide service is English speaking, which matters more than people expect on a long day like this. When your route is set, you spend less time guessing and more time actually doing stuff.

Duration is about 10 hours, so treat it like a real day out, not a quick hop. You’ll appreciate the comfort of a private ride if you’re bouncing between temples, art areas, and wet nature stops. It also helps if you’re traveling with someone who wants a calm pace. The plan is built around blocks of time, like 30 minutes at Celuk Village, about 1 hour at Monkey Forest, about 3 hours at Cretya, and about 30 minutes at Tegenungan. That rhythm is your friend.

One small planning note: because lunch is not included, you’ll want to decide how you’re handling food. If you eat at Cretya, remember that costs there are not included in the tour price. If you skip it, pack a simple plan for hunger management during the day.

Celuk Village: Silver and Gold Art With a Guided Creative Angle

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Celuk Village: Silver and Gold Art With a Guided Creative Angle

Celuk Village is known for silver and gold making, and your visit is built around learning how contemporary art pieces connect to nature. You get about 30 minutes, and admission is included. That short window is on purpose, so you’re not stuck in one place too long, especially when the rest of the day includes Monkey Forest and a waterfall.

What I like about including Celuk here is that it gives you a different kind of Ubud experience than just sightseeing. Monkey Forest and Tegenungan are about nature and animals. Celuk is about making. You come out with a sense of craft, not just a photo.

The only consideration is time. Thirty minutes moves fast, so expect browsing and explanation rather than a deep workshop experience. If you love crafts and want more hands-on time, you might wish you had longer. If you’re more into a quick introduction, this stop hits the sweet spot.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Seeing Grey Long-Tailed Macaques In a Real Forest Setting

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Seeing Grey Long-Tailed Macaques In a Real Forest Setting

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of Ubud’s headline attractions for a reason. Your time here is about 1 hour, and the admission ticket is included. This is a natural forest sanctuary, home to a horde of grey long-tailed macaques.

Here’s the practical way to enjoy it. Go in ready for unpredictability. Animals move. People move. Photos take time. So I recommend you keep your expectations flexible and focus on watching behavior rather than chasing perfect shots. Since the tour is timed, you’ll get more out of it if you stay aware and keep things simple: comfortable shoes, phone and bag secured, and distance from monkeys. If a monkey gets bold, step back. It’s not a controlled zoo moment, it’s a sanctuary.

Also, plan for humidity and shade. Forest walks can feel cooler at first, then warmer when you’re standing still for photos. One hour is usually enough to see what you want without turning into a long slog, which is a smart match for the rest of the itinerary.

Cretya Ubud: Rice-Terrace Views, Day Club Vibes, and a Real Midday Reset

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Cretya Ubud: Rice-Terrace Views, Day Club Vibes, and a Real Midday Reset

This is your break stop. Cretya Ubud is a restaurant and day club, and you’ll spend about 3 hours here. The focus is simple: relax and enjoy the view, with rice terraces in the background. Admission is included, but costs at the restaurant and day club are not included. That means your tour covers getting in, not your meals, drinks, or any optional extras.

This stop is valuable because it gives your day a center. After Celuk and Monkey Forest, you’ll have used your eyes and legs. Cretya is where you slow down, sit with your group, and recharge for the last push to Tegenungan. If you want photos, this is usually the best place in the day to take your time.

Two key considerations:

  • Kids not allowed to go to the pool under 18 years old. If your group includes younger teens or children, you’ll want to plan activities around that.
  • You can end up spending more than you expect if you treat it like a casual lunch stop. If you’re keeping costs down, decide in advance what you’ll order and whether you’re planning any day club or pool-related extras.

If you can, think of Cretya as a two-part choice: a calm meal and view, or a more social day club scene. Either way, the 3-hour slot makes it feel less rushed than many multi-stop tours.

The macaques feature in these as well

Tegenungan Waterfall: Swim Option and Top Views for Non-Walkers

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Tegenungan Waterfall: Swim Option and Top Views for Non-Walkers

Tegenungan Waterfall is the final nature hit, and your time is about 30 minutes, with admission included. It’s described as being amidst lush greenery, and you can go for swimming or bathe under the natural springs. If you can’t walk, you can still see the waterfall view from the top.

This is one of those “bring the right mindset” stops. Thirty minutes is enough for the classic view and a short experience around the falls, but it’s not a long stay. If you want a swim, keep an eye on how quickly you’re moving from changing and drying to soaking and back out. Bring a quick-dry layer if you can, because you’ll likely go from wet to warm.

The top view option is a big practical win. It means the tour is more flexible than a typical waterfall plan where everyone has to reach the same spot. If your legs are tired or mobility is limited, you still get the payoff: seeing Tegenungan from above.

Even if you don’t swim, I’d plan a little time just to watch how the water looks from different angles. Water reads differently depending on where you stand, and you’ll notice it more when you’re not rushing.

Price and Time: Is $71.03 Good Value for This Route?

At $71.03 per person, this tour can feel like good value because a lot of the “hidden” costs are already handled. The price includes private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver guide service, and all entrance tickets. Those entrance tickets matter because this day stacks multiple paid attractions.

What’s not included is equally important for budgeting. Lunch is not included. Also, all costs at Cretya day club are not included, and special events with extra cost at Cretya may cost more. So the base price covers getting to places and entry, while your personal spending depends on what you eat or do at Cretya.

Timing also affects value. The tour runs about 10 hours. If you’re on a tight schedule and you want art, monkeys, terraces, and a waterfall without arranging transport between them, a structured day like this can actually save time and stress. If you already plan to drive and you want more freedom to linger, then a set itinerary might feel limiting.

One more useful booking note: it’s commonly booked about 7 days in advance on average. If your dates are busy, earlier booking gives you a better chance of getting the private timing you want.

Guide Quality: Why Driver Putu Gets Mentioned

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Guide Quality: Why Driver Putu Gets Mentioned

The strongest praise tied to this tour is about organization and guide energy. A past review specifically recommended driver Putu, calling out that the trip was fun and well organized. That kind of feedback is not small.

On a day with four separate stops, a driver guide is really doing three jobs at once:

1) keeping you moving so you actually see everything in the time windows

2) handling communication so you don’t get stuck at each location

3) managing the flow so the day doesn’t turn into frantic, late-arrival chaos

When that works, you feel it. The day feels smoother. You spend time enjoying stops instead of waiting on confusion.

If you care about that kind of order, this tour’s format supports it. It’s private, your group stays together, and the guide is part of the plan.

Who This Private Ubud Day Trip Fits Best

This experience fits best if you want a lot of variety in one day, with minimal effort from you. It’s especially good for:

  • Couples or friends who want a relaxing break at Cretya Ubud with rice-terrace views and still want classic sights before and after
  • People who want both culture and nature, Celuk art plus Monkey Forest plus Tegenungan
  • Anyone who dislikes the logistics of arranging separate rides or chasing individual entry tickets

It may be less ideal if:

  • You’re traveling with kids who care about pool access, since under 18 years old cannot go to the pool
  • You need a very slow pace, because the day is scheduled in time blocks and runs around 10 hours
  • You’re aiming to keep spending strictly under the tour price, because food and day club costs at Cretya can add up

Good news: the plan is flexible at least in one big way. If you can’t walk much, you can still enjoy Tegenungan from the top.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want a private, well-timed day that covers Ubud’s big hits without dealing with transport headaches. The entrance tickets being included is a strong value point, and the organization is a clear reason the experience earns top marks. If you also want a true pause in the middle of the day at Cretya, this tour gives you about 3 hours to do that.

Skip or reconsider if you dislike day club settings, if you’re trying to avoid any extra spending at Cretya, or if you want more time at any one place. This is a sampler day, not a slow retreat.

If you can tolerate a long day and you’re excited by monkeys, craft art, terraces, and a waterfall, this one is a solid match.

FAQ

How long is the Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered in Jimbaran, Indonesia.

What is the price per person?

The price is $71.03 per person.

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entrance tickets for the included stops are included.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Can kids go to the pool at Cretya?

Kids under 18 years old are not allowed to go to the pool.

What is included for Tegenungan Waterfall if someone can’t walk?

You can still see the waterfall view from the top.

How far in advance should I book?

On average, it’s booked about 7 days in advance. Confirmation is received at time of booking.

Back to the Monkey Forest

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