All Inclusive: Monkey Forest, Rice terrace, Holly Spring Temple

Four stops, one smooth car ride in Ubud. This private day strings together Monkey Forest and photo time, plus rice terraces and Tirta Empul, with an optional giant swing stop if you want a fun extra.

I love how it packs the big hits into one routing, starting with the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and then heading to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace without wasting time. I also love the human factor: my guide Eka was described as kind, friendly, and professional, and that kind of calm makes a full itinerary feel easy.

One drawback to consider is how “efficient” it is. The waterfall and Tirta Empul temple portions are brief, so plan for views and photos, not long hangs. Lunch also isn’t included, so you’ll want to sort food on your own.

Key points to know before you go

• A single private car day: you get your group only with a guide and driver, and pickup is offered
• Real monkey time: Sacred Monkey Forest has about 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques in a 12.5-hectare sanctuary
• Working rice fields at Tegalalang: a short walk through traditional farming areas you can see up close
• Waterfall and temple are quick stops: think viewpoints and photos, especially if you’re pressed for time
• Optional giant swing: you can add an Instagram-friendly swing moment without derailing the day

A packed Ubud day for Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and holy springs

This is the kind of Ubud itinerary that makes sense if you want a lot of variety without spending your whole holiday behind a wheel. In one day, you get wildlife, agriculture, a waterfall viewpoint, and a major temple tied to water worship.

The tone is practical. You’re not just ticking off names, you’re moving through a logical north to central route, guided by someone who can point out what you’re seeing as you go. That’s the difference between a scattered hop and a coherent day.

And yes, you can add an optional giant swing stop. If you’re the type who likes a single big photo moment, it fits without turning the whole trip into a side quest.

Price and what you really get for $67.24

At $67.24 per person, this tour isn’t expensive when you look at what’s included. You’re getting private transportation, a private guide/driver, and entrance fees, plus a sarong provided for temple needs.

Here’s the value angle: the “hidden” costs on Bali days usually come from stacking tickets and transport. This package bundles the entrances and the car in the price, so your day is easier to budget.

The one clear cost you should expect is lunch. It’s not included, so you’ll either plan to eat near your last stop or grab something earlier and keep it simple.

Also, the tour is popular enough that it’s often booked about 51 days in advance on average. If your dates are fixed, I’d treat it as something to reserve early rather than last-minute.

Pickup, private car setup, and why your guide matters here

You’ll start with pickup offered, then move between sites in a private car with your guide and driver. Since it’s private, you avoid the “everyone waits, everyone rushes” rhythm you get on larger group tours.

The guide role is especially important on this kind of day because each stop has a different pace and a different etiquette. A good guide helps you shift gears, like from monkey-forest wandering to rice-terrace walking to temple behavior.

In the experience feedback you shared, Eka was specifically called out as super kind, friendly, and professional, and that he made the day easy and fun. That tracks with what you want on a full 8-hour day: clear explanations, smooth transitions, and fewer awkward pauses.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: 700 macaques in a 12.5-hectare sanctuary

This stop is your wildlife anchor for the day. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is set in a 12.5-hectare forest area and is home to around 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques living in the wild.

What you’ll experience is a mix of nature walk and close-up animal spotting, with the added twist that this is also a sacred place. That means you’ll want to watch how you behave around monkeys and around the temple spaces inside.

Plan your time here for roaming at a comfortable pace and taking photos when you catch good angles. Since the tour allocates about 1 hour, you’ll likely feel good if you keep moving, but you won’t feel rushed if you pause often for pictures.

A small consideration: monkeys can be unpredictable anywhere in the wild. I’d keep bags closed, hold onto small items, and avoid treating the situation like a petting zoo. The best photos tend to come from patience, not chasing.

Tegalalang rice terrace: the short walk through real farming life

Next up is the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, north of Ubud. This is where the scenery turns from forest to agriculture, and the vibe shifts to slower, greener, and more human-scale.

The point of this stop is to see traditional farmer activity in daily life, not just a view from a roadside platform. You’ll have time for a short walk among the lush green rice fields and get a feel for how the terraces are used.

Expect about 1 hour here. That’s enough time to walk a bit, find a photo angle, and still return to your car without sprinting.

Tip for getting better photos: bring one flexible plan for light. In a place like Tegalalang, you’ll often find great shots from a side angle where terraces stack up. If you wait for the perfect moment, you may run out of time, so I’d aim for strong images early in the hour and then keep exploring lightly.

Tegenungan Waterfall: quick access to jungle views and photo time

After the terraces, you head to Tegenungan Waterfall. The waterfall sits within green tropical jungle, and you can either go down toward the water or stay up higher to watch and photograph.

One thing to notice from the schedule: this is listed as about 1 minute for the stop window. That doesn’t mean you’ll be at the exact same viewpoint for only a minute, but it does signal that this part of the day is treated as a fast photo and view break.

So go in with the right expectations. If what you want most is a quick stop with strong views and easy photos, you’ll probably be happy. If you’re hoping for a long, leisurely waterfall hangout, this itinerary may feel too tight for that.

If you do decide to go down to the water, wear grippy footwear. Even if you only spend a few minutes near the splash zone, the ground can get slick.

Tirta Empul Temple: holy springs tied to Lord Indra

Your final cultural stop is Tirta Empul Temple, one of Bali’s famous temple complexes known for its holy springs. It’s a place of worship connected to Lord Indra, who is described here as the embodiment of Lord Vishnu, the god of water.

This stop is the most “meaningful” shift in the day, even if the time is brief. Temples require a different mindset than monkey forests or rice terraces, because you’re stepping into a living religious setting.

The tour includes a sarong, which is the sort of detail that makes your visit smoother. When a temple setting asks for leg covering, having it ready means you can focus on being respectful rather than scrambling at the gate.

Like the waterfall, the temple stop is listed as about 1 minute. Again, treat it as a short visit with photos and key views, not a long ceremony or extended exploration.

Still, even a short temple stop can land well if your guide points out what to look for. You’ll come away with a better sense of how water worship is woven into Balinese spirituality, especially since this temple is specifically linked to the holy springs and Lord Indra.

Optional giant swing: a single photo stop without derailing the day

There’s an optional stop at an Instagram-friendly giant swing. This is the kind of add-on that works best when you treat it as a quick “yes” or “no,” not a major plan.

If you go for it, keep it as a single photo moment. The rest of the day is already packed, so don’t turn the swing into the main event unless you’re happy with shorter time at the other stops.

If you skip it, you’ll keep the flow moving and protect your energy for the more hands-on parts, like walking in the monkey sanctuary and the rice terrace areas.

All-in-one routing, photo timing, and how to pace yourself

The bigger win with this tour is simply the routing. You’re not trying to figure out transport between separate attractions on your own. A private car plus a guide means you can spend more brainpower on what you’re seeing and less on logistics.

It also says there’s plenty of time for taking photos. That matters because on Bali days, it’s easy to rush. Here, you have short planned walks and pauses that make it realistic to stop for pictures without feeling like you’re constantly sprinting.

My practical advice: decide in advance which stop is your top priority. If monkey photos matter most to you, spend a few extra minutes at Monkey Forest and move briskly through the rest. If rice terrace views are your focus, treat that hour as your “slow hour” and keep the other stops efficient.

Also remember lunch is not included. If you get hungry, you’ll have to handle it yourself, so don’t let hunger steal your photo time. A snack plan can be the difference between a fun day and a distracted one.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different day)

This tour fits best if you want variety in a single Ubud day. Wildlife, rice terraces, waterfall views, and a major temple all show up, so it’s ideal for people who like to keep their itinerary active.

It’s also family-friendly in the sense that kids are more than welcome, and most travelers can participate. Since you’re in a private car, families usually appreciate the smoother transitions and fewer waiting issues.

This tour may not be the best fit if you’re the type who wants deep, slow time at one place. Because the schedule is tight, you’ll likely feel the pace at the shorter stops, especially at the waterfall and Tirta Empul temple.

If you’re after a more relaxed temple experience or a longer nature walk at the waterfall, you might consider splitting your day into fewer stops with more time per location.

Should you book this private Ubud landmark tour?

Book it if you want an organized, private way to see the key Ubud highlights in about 8 hours, with entrance fees and a sarong handled for you. The $67.24 price makes sense because you get private transport, a guide and driver, and ticketed entries bundled together.

Skip it or adjust expectations if you want long stays at each site. This is built for photos, short walks, and efficient sightseeing, not half-day lounging.

If you’re deciding based on guide quality, the name Eka stands out from your provided feedback as kind, friendly, and professional, and that kind of guidance can turn a “packed” day into a genuinely easy one. If that style sounds good to you, this tour is a strong choice.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour runs for about 8 hours.

Where does this tour take place?

It’s in Ubud, Indonesia.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $67.24 per person.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group will participate.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees are included, along with sarong and all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What optional extra is available during the day?

There’s an optional stop at an Instagram-friendly giant swing.

Are mobile tickets used?

Yes, the tour includes mobile ticket access.

What is the cancellation policy?

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