Ubud : Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace, Waterfall, Swing

Nature comes first on this Ubud day trip. For $26 per person, you get a private, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, parking, and entrance fees for most stops. I especially like the mix of waterfalls and rice terraces, plus the chance to adjust the day with a helpful driver such as Jero Andi. The main drawback is time in the car. Traffic can eat into the eight-hour schedule, and the optional swing, lunch, and personal costs are extra.

I also like that this is a private tour rather than a fixed group outing. That matters when you want to linger at a waterfall, skip a stop, or add a short detour. Still, the route covers a lot of ground, so you should expect a busy day rather than a slow, quiet look at Ubud.

Key details before you book

• Private vehicle for your group: Hotel pickup, drop-off, parking, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.
• Six main sightseeing stops: The day includes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Ubud Swing, Agro Santi Coffee Plantation, Tibumana Waterfall, and Kanto Lampo Waterfall.
• Most entrance fees are covered: The monkey forest, rice terrace, coffee plantation, and waterfalls are included. The swing ticket is not.
• Lunch costs extra: A meal stop at Warung Dewa Malen is part of the route, but you pay for your own food.
• Plan for traffic: The day lasts about eight hours, but road delays can reduce time at each attraction.
• Flexible guiding is a major benefit: Jero is praised for being punctual, professional, kind, and willing to add stops or adjust the plan.

What you get for $26 per person

The price is strong for a private Ubud excursion. You are not simply paying for admission to one attraction. The cost covers transportation, hotel pickup and return, parking, and entrance fees for several of the main stops.

That makes the tour especially useful if you are traveling with family or friends and can share the vehicle. Group discounts are also offered, though the exact discount is not specified. At the listed rate, you avoid arranging several separate rides across Ubud and nearby Bangli Regency.

The price does not cover everything. You pay separately for lunch, the Ubud Swing, and personal expenses. The swing is the largest optional cost to consider, since the tour includes a 45-minute visit but not the ride itself.

I would think of this as a sightseeing circuit with a driver, not a fully hosted cultural tour at every stop. Your experience will depend heavily on the guide assigned. Jero Andi receives especially warm praise for safe driving, local help, photography, and making small changes to suit the day.

Starting at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The first stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal, Ubud. The forest covers about 12.5 hectares and is home to long-tailed macaques, along with the shaded paths and religious setting that give the place its name.

You have about one hour here, with admission included. That is enough for a clear look around, but not a leisurely visit to every corner. The forest is more than a quick animal stop. Its trees, stonework, and temple setting create a distinctly Ubud experience before the tour moves into the countryside.

Keep your belongings secure around the monkeys and follow the sanctuary rules. The schedule gives you time to see the area, but it does not suggest a long wildlife visit or a private animal encounter.

There is one detail worth checking before departure. One account describes visiting a monkey forest rather than the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary by name. Since the supplied tour information names the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, ask your driver to confirm the exact entrance and stop on the day.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the value of an early start

Tegalalang is one of Bali’s best-known rice-growing areas, with fields arranged in terraces and watered by traditional Balinese irrigation. The carefully maintained steps create the layered view that makes this stop popular.

The scheduled visit lasts one hour and includes admission. That should give you time for photos and a walk, though the experience can feel rushed if traffic has already delayed the vehicle.

The rice terraces are valuable because they show working agriculture rather than a simple photo backdrop. You can see how the slopes are shaped for cultivation and irrigation. The visit also gives the day a useful change of pace after the forest.

An early pickup may help, but the tour does not state a fixed starting time. Ask about departure time when you book, especially if seeing the rice terraces before the busiest part of the day matters to you. The route is flexible, but traffic remains a real concern.

The Ubud Jungle Swing is optional for a reason

The Ubud Jungle Swing gets 45 minutes, but the swing ticket is not included. That split is important. You can visit the attraction without committing to the extra ride, or pay separately if the high-swing photos and views are a priority.

The swing is aimed at people who want a more dramatic photo stop than a standard viewpoint. I would treat it as an add-on, not one of the core values of the package. The tour still works well if you skip it, since the waterfalls, forest, rice terrace, and plantation form the main day.

Because the ticket price is not provided, ask for the current cost before you go. That lets you judge the full price honestly rather than treating $26 as the final amount.

Coffee at Agro Santi Plantation in Kintamani

The coffee stop takes about 30 minutes and includes admission. Agro Santi Coffee Plantation is in Kintamani, a highland area associated with Bali coffee. The stop is designed to explain traditional coffee cultivation and production.

Half an hour is a short visit, so expect an introduction rather than a full farm day. You might learn how coffee is grown and processed, then sample or purchase products depending on what is offered at the plantation. The supplied details confirm the educational plantation visit, but they do not promise a particular tasting menu or buying arrangement.

This stop adds local food and farming context to a day otherwise centered on scenery. It also gives you a break from waterfalls and walking. If coffee interests you, ask the driver how much time is available and what the visit includes.

The Kintamani location also helps explain why traffic matters. The route links several areas around Ubud and nearby Bangli, rather than keeping you in one compact neighborhood.

Lunch at Warung Dewa Malen

A 45-minute stop is set aside for Warung Dewa Malen, a restaurant or food stall along the route. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately for your meal and drinks.

The useful part of this arrangement is flexibility. The food stop can be handled according to agreement with the driver, rather than forcing you into a long formal meal. That works well if you want a quick lunch, need a particular food option, or prefer to spend more time at a waterfall.

Do not expect the $26 price to cover the meal. Also, the supplied information does not provide a menu, prices, or dietary details. If food is important to your plans, ask Jero or Call Bali Drivers what choices are available that day.

Tibumana Waterfall offers a quieter forest setting

Tibumana Waterfall is in Apuan Village, Bangli Regency. The one-hour stop takes you into a green forest setting where the waterfall feels removed from the roads and busier sightseeing areas.

The attraction is described as a beautiful natural site with a cool atmosphere. You should have enough time to see the falls and enjoy the setting, though the schedule does not promise a long swim or a particular set of activities.

This is one of the tour’s strongest stops for people who want natural scenery. The forest setting gives the day more than postcard views. It also provides a welcome contrast to the commercial feel that can come with a swing or plantation stop.

Wear footwear that works for wet conditions and uneven paths. The tour information does not give trail details, so you should not assume a flat, fully paved route. Most people can participate, but anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for current access information before booking.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall closes the sightseeing circuit

Kanto Lampo Waterfall receives another hour. The falls are described as a tiered cascade about 15 meters high, with water flowing over natural rock formations.

This stop has a different look from Tibumana. Instead of one simple vertical drop, Kanto Lampo is known for its stepped flow and close-up views. The sound of moving water and the forest atmosphere make it a good final nature stop.

Admission is included. As with Tibumana, the information does not guarantee swimming conditions, changing facilities, or a specific amount of time in the water. Plan to enjoy the falls as a scenic stop unless your driver confirms more.

Visiting two waterfalls in one day gives the tour a clear advantage for nature lovers. The tradeoff is repetition. If you prefer temples, museums, or Ubud town streets, you may find the program too focused on outdoor sights.

A private driver changes the pace

The private format is one of the best reasons to choose this experience. Only your group participates, so you can discuss changes with the driver instead of waiting for strangers.

That flexibility appears in the way Jero Andi handled other days. He is praised for being on time, professional, safe, and willing to add stops, help with food, and take photos and videos. Another strong point is his English, which helped with local explanations and practical questions.

You should still keep expectations realistic. A private driver can adjust the order or make an extra stop, but traffic and opening conditions can limit what fits into eight hours. The itinerary is full, with seven listed stops including lunch.

One account noted that the day did not include Ubud town itself, despite the tour’s Ubud name. If you want the market, palace, or central streets, ask before departure. Another day included Ubud Water Palace, Abian Desa Rice Terrace, and Bali Bird Park instead of the exact listed route, showing that arrangements may change when agreed with the driver.

Timing, comfort, and practical planning

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, as is an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Bali, where a comfortable car can make a long day much easier. Private transportation also means you are not managing separate taxis between rural attractions.

The advertised duration is about eight hours. With the monkey forest, rice terrace, swing, coffee plantation, lunch, and two waterfalls, the schedule is active. You will spend a meaningful part of the day driving, particularly if roads are slow.

Bring water, sun protection, and a change of clothes if you plan to get close to the waterfalls. The tour information does not state that towels, meals, or swing tickets are supplied, so plan around the listed exclusions.

Confirmation is sent at booking. The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the day, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a lot of Ubud-area scenery in one day and prefer a private car. It suits families, couples, and small groups who value pickup service and the ability to adjust the route.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Bali’s forest, farming, coffee, and waterfalls without planning several separate bookings. The strong points are practical rather than flashy: a driver who can help, included admission at most stops, and a route with plenty of visual variety.

You may want another type of day if you dislike long drives, want a slow cultural visit, or mainly want to explore Ubud town. The swing costs extra, lunch costs extra, and traffic may leave less time at each attraction than you expect.

Should you book the Ubud nature tour?

Book it if your priority is a full day of outdoor sights at a low per-person price. The two waterfalls, rice terrace, monkey forest, and coffee plantation give you a broad mix, while private transportation lets you make reasonable changes.

Before paying, confirm the exact monkey forest, pickup time, swing price, lunch plan, and whether Ubud town can be added. If you accept that the day will include plenty of driving, the $26 rate offers very good value. If you want depth at one place, choose a shorter, more focused outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the Ubud tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is the Ubud Swing ticket included?

No. The Ubud Swing admission ticket is not included and must be paid separately.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch at Warung Dewa Malen, or another agreed food stop, is not included.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included for the listed attractions except the Ubud Swing. Parking fees are also included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.