A temple crawl with jungle views and photo duty. This all-day Ubud tour bundles Goa Gajah, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and Tirta Empul’s holy spring ritual into one smooth schedule. You also get the viewpoints at Tegalalang, time at Ulu Petanu Waterfall, and a stop for the d’Alas Swing plus lunch with jungle views.

Two things I especially like about this setup are the entry fees plus lunch and swing being included, so you are not doing math all day, and the guide acting like a personal photographer/videographer so your phone does not become your main job. One thing to keep in mind is that you will be moving through several popular sites in a single day, so plan for sun, humidity, and a pace that feels full even with stops built in.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel on This Tour

• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), a carved 9th-century Hindu site with bathing pools
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, protected habitat with 700-plus long-tailed macaques
• d’Alas Swing included, timed to keep the day moving without skipping the fun
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace viewpoints, with classic rice-field scenery and photo time
• Ulu Petanu Waterfall for a quieter break, with a chance to swim if conditions allow
• Tirta Empul purification ritual at the holy spring fountains, Hindu spiritual bathing explained

What All Inclusive Really Means in Ubud

This tour is “all inclusive” in the ways that matter for a day trip. Your air-conditioned private vehicle handles the transport, and you are covered for entry/admission fees, parking, petrol, lunch, and the swing experience. That means fewer add-on surprises and less time negotiating tickets when your day is already packed.

The other big value is the guide role. Your driver-guide is also your on-the-spot photographer/videographer, so you can focus on enjoying the sites instead of constantly asking strangers or wrestling with camera angles. In the guide style you might encounter, names like Giok and Yosi come up for their patience, explanations, and the way they keep photos moving along.

The tradeoff is simple: one day, many stops. You’ll still have to deal with crowds at the most famous places, plus the physical reality of walking paths in heat. If you like a slow, single-site vibe, this may feel rushed. If you want one efficient Ubud day that hits the classics, it’s built for you.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): Ganesh Carvings and Bathing Pools

Goa Gajah, also called the Elephant Cave, is one of the most atmospheric stops on this route. It is a 9th-century temple near Ubud, known for the carved cave entrance and Hindu figures, including depictions linked with Ganesh. Even if you are not a temple-history person, the stonework feels old in a way that modern Bali never quite recreates.

What makes the stop special is the combination of the entrance space and the ancient bathing pools on site. This is not just “look and leave.” You get time to walk through the temple area and notice how the design supports spiritual practices. It’s also a good reset after travel time, because the setting feels calmer than the big photo stops.

Practical note: go with eyes up and feet steady. There can be uneven ground near sacred areas, and you may be moving between paths and pool-adjacent areas. Bring water, and if you plan on photos, do it early, since light and crowds can shift quickly.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Long-Tailed Macaques and Temple Corners

Next comes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a protected area in Ubud home to 700-plus long-tailed macaques. This is the kind of place where you will feel the wildlife energy immediately. Monkeys move fast, appear at eye level, and treat your snack bag like it’s a world heritage site.

Beyond the monkeys, what I like about this stop is the temple element. The sanctuary includes three ancient temples, so it’s not just a zoo-like detour. Your guide’s explanations help you see what you are walking through, instead of only watching macaques steal hats. That context changes your whole experience.

How to enjoy this stop without the stress:

• Keep bags zipped and phones secure.
• Avoid sudden movement around monkeys.
• If monkeys come close, pause and let them pass rather than backing up wildly.

The time on site is planned to be enough for photos and a temple walk, but not so long that you end up exhausted. If you are anxious around animals, bring patience. You do not have to chase anything, and your day moves on even if monkeys do not cooperate.

d’Alas Swing at a Set Time, Plus Lunch With Jungle Views

The d’Alas Swing stop is short on paper, but it is timed like a highlight rather than a filler. You get about 30 minutes at the swing, and you also have the ticket included. That is the type of value that makes sense in Bali, where add-ons can grow fast.

What you’re really buying here is a guaranteed, memorable photo moment with a jungle backdrop. The swing experience sits between “temple time” and “rice and water views,” so it acts like a mental break. You also get to enjoy the scenery from a height without needing to plan separate activities.

Then comes lunch at D Alas Warung Restaurant, set up for a relaxed pause. The real win is the panoramic jungle views. Instead of eating between stops in a parking-lot-style place, you get a proper change of pace, plus the kind of meal that keeps you fueled for the later viewpoints.

One small consideration: if you are sensitive to heights, or if the swing setup feels like a stretch, you can decide based on comfort on the day. The tour’s schedule is tight enough that you do not want to spend the entire lunch day worrying about it.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Classic Views With a Fast, Photo-Friendly Pace

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the Ubud stop people post for a reason. The layered rice fields create that “Bali postcard” look that comes from geography and farming patterns, not luck. You get about an hour here, which is enough time to soak in the view, take photos from multiple angles, and still get to the waterfall and temples without rushing your whole day.

One helpful thing is understanding what you will likely do while there. The rice terrace area is famous not only for the fields, but also for adventure activities that can pop up in the same zones, including options like zip lines or sky bikes. Even if you do not do those extra activities, the main value is the scenery plus the atmosphere of locals and visitors capturing it.

A practical tip: wear shoes you trust. Walkways can be slippery when wet, and there’s often a mix of stairs, paths, and uneven ground around viewpoint points. Bring sunscreen too. The terrace views are great, but shade is not always guaranteed.

Ulu Petanu Waterfall to Tirta Empul: Water as Rest and Prayer

After rice terraces, the tour shifts from photos to something more calming. Ulu Petanu Waterfall is framed as a peaceful spot surrounded by tropical greenery, and the schedule gives you about an hour. The best part for many people is the chance to relax, and the info suggests it can be a place where swimming is possible if you choose. Even if you skip a swim, the sound and feel of the falls are a welcome reset from the crowds.

Then you move to Tirta Empul Temple, where the day gets spiritual in a very hands-on way. The holy spring fountains are used for purification rituals, where local Hindu practitioners cleanse the body as part of the spiritual process. This is not performance-focused. It’s closer to watching a living tradition, with explanations from your guide.

What I find powerful here is the water focus. You already saw water as scenery at a waterfall. Now you see water as ritual at a temple spring. The contrast makes the stop easier to understand, even if you did not come to Bali with a deep study of Balinese Hindu practices.

One consideration: this is an active site. You may be walking on temple grounds and observing others’ ritual bathing. Dress respectfully and be mindful of how close you stand to people participating.

Price and Logistics: Is $95 Good Value?

At $95 per person, this day trip can be a smart buy, mainly because it avoids the “nickel and dime” problem. You are covering:

• Admission tickets
• Lunch
• The swing experience
• Transport by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Guide time and the photo/video role
• Pickup and drop-off from several Bali areas

If you price those items separately, the included structure often makes the overall plan cheaper or at least less stressful than building your own route. The tour also includes parking fees and petrol, which can matter more than you’d think when you are bouncing between multiple destinations.

This tour also works well if you are based in Seminyak (or nearby areas like Kuta/Legian, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Denpasar, and others). Pickup and drop-off are included across a wide list of locations, so you are not stuck with a vague “meet here” plan.

Scheduling matters, too. The tour runs roughly 8 to 10 hours, which is a full day but not an all-night marathon. You get a lot into that time without it feeling like endless travel, largely because it is organized as a direct circuit around Ubud-area highlights.

If you are traveling solo, this kind of setup can also feel efficient, because you get a dedicated guide and transport rather than trying to coordinate tickets and rides between sites.

Who This Bali Day Trip Fits Best

This tour fits best if you want a single day that covers a lot of Ubud’s signature experiences without micromanaging details.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You like temples plus nature scenery, not just one or the other
• You want photos taken for you, especially at the swing and viewpoint areas
• You prefer a guided explanation, including what happens at Tirta Empul
• You are okay with a full day pace and want to maximize daylight hours

You might think twice if:

• You hate crowds. Monkey Forest and Tegalalang can get busy, even with smart timing.
• You are hoping for a slow, quiet day with lots of free roaming.
• You do not want the day to include a structured lunch stop and fixed time windows.

Since the tour is described as private for your group, it generally suits couples, small families, and friend groups who want control of their day while still benefiting from a driver-guide.

Should You Book This Goa Gajah, Ubud, and Tirta Empul Day Trip?

If your goal is a classic Ubud day that hits Elephant Cave, Monkey Forest, rice terraces, a waterfall break, and Tirta Empul purification, this is an easy yes. The reason is not just the list of places, it’s the practical bundling: admission fees, lunch, and the swing included, plus a guide who handles photos and timing.

Before you book, decide how you feel about a full schedule. If you want “one day, many highlights,” you’re the right match. If you prefer one or two stops and long stretches of downtime, you might want a different style of tour.

My bottom line: for $95, this is a strong value when you want variety, clear guidance, and fewer logistical headaches. The guide presence, including styles like Giok and Yosi you might encounter, seems to be a key part of why the experience lands well for many people.

FAQ

What is included in the Goa Gajah, Ubud, and Tirta Empul tour?

The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and drop-off from listed Bali areas, an English speaking guide (who also serves as a driver), entry and admission fees, parking fees, gas or petrol, lunch, and the swing experience. Gratuities are not included.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Do I get pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

Is this tour private?

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

Is lunch provided?

Yes. Lunch is included.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.