Ubud’s monkey jungle and rice views make this tour fun fast. You’re set up with hotel pickup and a tight route that covers the main sights in one 8-hour stretch. It’s a good fit if you want Ubud highlights without planning, shuffling buses, or losing time.

I like that you get all entrance tickets included, so you can focus on the experiences, not the checkout line. I also like the balance of nature and culture, from Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary to the photo-famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

One possible drawback: the middle of the day is more “quick stops and shopping” than deep guiding, and the Ubud Palace segment is short, so it may feel like a pass-through if you want lots of interpretation.

Key things to know before you go

• Private service with hotel pickup keeps the day efficient, especially if you’re staying in central Ubud or the south Bali area.
• Monkey Forest first is timed well, since you can enjoy the macaques before you’re tired from later activities.
• Ubud Palace is brief (about 15 minutes), so think of it as a taste, not a slow temple visit.
• Art Market is practical if you want batiks, silver jewelry, carvings, and cane work bags in one stop.
• Happy Swing Bali adds an adrenaline break between the cultural stops and the rice terraces.
• Rice terrace trekking is optional, but plan for a farmer donation if you choose to hike.

Price and logistics: what $65 buys you in Ubud

At $65 per person for an about half-day style itinerary, the value is in the package feel. You’re not just paying for a drive and “good luck” on entrances. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, and entrance tickets, plus service and government tax. That matters because temples, sanctuaries, and paid attractions can add up quickly if you book them one by one.

You’ll also be on a private setup, meaning it’s only your group. That usually translates to less waiting around for a big bus load and easier pacing for photos, restroom stops, and crossing town.

Timing helps, too. The tour starts at 9:00 am. A trip like this often lands you back around mid-afternoon, and that shorter “committed time” is exactly why people pick it. If you’re trying to squeeze in a good day between beach time or other Ubud plans, this route is built for that.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: macaques and temple surroundings

The day kicks off at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a nature reserve and also a religious temple complex. It’s home to around 340 crab-eating macaques, so you’re not guessing whether you’ll see monkeys. You go in knowing you’ll be in their world.

This stop is also where the tour tends to win people over. If you love wildlife-style sightseeing, this is the moment you’ll remember: monkeys are active, close, and impossible to “schedule out” of your photos.

The key thing I’d tell you to keep in mind is tone. This isn’t presented as a circus attraction. It’s part temple setting and part forest sanctuary, which means you’ll get the best experience by acting respectfully and following whatever guidance is posted on site. Treat it like a living religious place, and your photos will feel better, too.

Tip for your day: get your photos early while you still have energy. Later stops can be fun, but Monkey Forest is the one that really grabs attention.

Ubud Palace: a quick taste of Puri Saren

Next is Ubud Palace, located right in central Ubud. The Puri Saren palace is widely mentioned as one of the famous points of interest in Bali, and it’s the kind of stop that works well on a route like this. You’re there for about 15 minutes, and admission is included.

Here’s the trade-off. When a stop is short, you’re not going to get a slow, detailed walk-through. And in practice, the Palace segment can feel like a “check the box” moment if you’re not specifically into palace architecture or temple history.

Still, it can be worth it because it grounds you in the setting of Ubud itself. Even a quick visit helps you understand why people build their daily lives around these compounds and public ceremonies.

If you’re the kind of traveler who needs a lot of context to enjoy a cultural site, you may want to ask your driver a question while you’re in the area. Some drivers lean into storytelling, and that small shift can make the Palace stop more satisfying.

Ubud Traditional Art Market: souvenirs that actually match Ubud

After the palace, you head to the Ubud Traditional Art Market for about one hour. This is where the tour becomes more than sightseeing. It turns into a structured shopping window.

The market stalls are described as carrying everything from silver jewelry and precious stones to batiks, T-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags. That wide mix matters. You can browse for gifts, find one or two “I want that” items, and keep moving instead of chasing shops all over town.

The way I’d approach this stop is simple: decide what you want before you arrive. If you go in with a shopping list, you’ll enjoy the hour more and spend less time wandering in decision paralysis.

Also, remember the tour schedule includes several paid and active pieces later. Use the market time for buying, not for deep comparison. That keeps the day from turning into a long sprint.

Happy Swing Bali: the adrenaline pause in the middle

Then comes a curveball that many travelers enjoy: Happy Swing Bali. This stop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and admission is included.

The vibe here is classic Bali adventure-sightseeing. You’ll be dealing with the thrill of swinging from a height and the look-out over surrounding wilderness-style scenery. Since the details provided are limited, I won’t pretend there’s one perfect way to experience it. But I will say this: it’s an easy “break” from temples and markets.

If you’re traveling with kids or you’re not into adventure, this is the section where you should decide early whether you’ll happily do it or prefer to sit it out. The rest of the tour still has strong payoff with Monkey Forest and the rice terrace.

Practical angle: plan for the fact that this part of the day is more physical than the Palace stop, and you’ll probably feel it by the time you reach the rice terrace.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: views, optional hike, and the donation

The tour ends with Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Ubud’s most photographed areas. You get about one hour here, and you’ll have a choice: take in the scenery and stroll, or hike for more views.

The terrace area is described as spreading down toward rice paddies on the valley slopes. You’ll also likely appreciate the roadside vantage point, since it’s mentioned as cool and breezy.

The important detail to plan for is the farmer donation. If you do trekking in the rice terrace area, you’ll pay that donation at your own expense. It’s not included in the tour price. That means you’ll want a little cash on you for the option of a more involved walk.

This is also the stop that tends to feel the most “worth it” when people compare it to shorter cultural stops. When rice terraces are the main reason you booked, you’ll probably feel satisfied here, because you can spend your limited time on what you came for.

How to make it better: if you want photos without rushing, choose one side or one viewpoint to focus on for your best shots. Then use the rest of the hour for moving at a comfortable pace.

Drivers make the difference: Mera, Wena, and Irwan as examples

This tour runs on English-speaking driver service, and that can mean two different experiences depending on the person you get.

In one highlighted day, a driver named Mera shared lots of interesting details about sights along the way, and that storytelling made the route feel richer even during transit. On another day, a driver named Wena was described as very nice and attentive, but not operating as a full-on guide, so the cultural context around the drive was limited.

Then there’s Irwan, who was described as friendly and as teaching a lot about Balinese culture during the drive. Even the small details mattered, like being on time and keeping the car clean.

So here’s the advice I’d give you: treat the driver as your “moving point of view.” If you want more culture, ask questions when you pass landmarks on the way to each stop. If you’re more into logistics and want calm pacing, the driver can simply handle driving and keeping you on schedule.

Either way, the practical benefit is the same: you’re not navigating. A clean car, smooth timing, and clear pickup and drop-off are not flashy, but they make a big difference on a packed day.

A realistic schedule for your 9:00 am start

Your tour begins at 9:00 am, and it runs for about 8 hours. In real-world terms, that means you’ll be moving through multiple places with tight time windows: Monkey Forest, a short Palace visit, an hour market, a longer swing stop, and a final rice terrace hour.

That pacing is the point. You’re not doing one site slowly. You’re collecting the main highlights without turning Ubud into a full-day endurance event.

To keep the day smooth, I’d plan around these realities:

• You’ll want comfortable shoes for Monkey Forest and the rice terrace area.
• The swing stop may be active and time-based, so don’t schedule anything right before it.
• You’ll likely miss meals unless you plan for quick breaks, since meals are not included.

Also, note the tour includes pickup and drop-off from Ubud and many south Bali addresses. If you’re staying farther out, confirm the pickup area when you book, so you don’t lose time to route juggling.

Who should book this Ubud City Tour II (and who should pass)

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• Monkey Forest plus rice terraces in one day without organizing transport
• A structured way to see Ubud Palace and the Traditional Art Market
• A full itinerary that feels like highlights, not a deep study course
• A simpler day when you’re short on time, since it fits a half-day style pace

You might want to skip or adjust expectations if:

• You want a long, slow palace visit with detailed explanations, since the Palace time is short
• You care less about shopping and more about one site in depth
• You dislike adventure activities, since Happy Swing Bali is included as a scheduled stop

The good news is that even with these trade-offs, the route is built around two major crowd-pleasers: macaques at Monkey Forest and the scenic draw of Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Should you book Ubud City Tour II?

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes arriving, ticking off the best-known highlights, taking photos, and still having energy left for the rest of Ubud, I’d say yes, book it. For $65, getting private transfers and entrance tickets bundled together saves planning and reduces “where do I go next” stress.

I’d make the decision based on one question: are your top Ubud priorities Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Terrace? If yes, this tour does that well. If you’re more focused on palace culture depth or a totally relaxed day with long breaks, you may find the schedule a little tight, and you’ll need to manage your expectations about the shorter Palace and market segments.

FAQ

What is the price for Ubud City Tour II?

The tour costs $65.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. The tour includes hotel pick up and drop off, and it also mentions pickup from Ubud and many south Bali addresses.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. The tour includes all entrance tickets for the included stops.

What is not included in the price?

Meals are not included. Also, if you do trekking in the rice terrace area, there is a donation to the farmer at your own expense.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s listed as private, meaning only your group will participate.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The tour includes a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.