Ubud in one action-packed day. This tour strings together the classic stops you came for, with hotel pickup and a smart route that hits Puseh Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

I love the focus on big-name Ubud sights without turning the day into a blur of random errands.

I love that the entry fees are included, so your budget stays predictable. I also like the English speaking guide setup, and one guide named Juli was praised for strong English and for being attentive to the group’s needs.

The day runs about 9 hours and starts at 8:30 am, so plan an unhurried evening after. One possible drawback is Monkey Forest, where you should expect crowded walkways and lots of close-up macaque moments.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Batuan Temple is old enough to feel serious (founded in 1020 AD), with stone carvings and sculptures, about 45 minutes.
• Tegenungan Waterfall is the green-valley main event, given about 1 hour to enjoy the cascade view.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace is built for photos, with cliffside terraces and palm-lined edges, about 45 minutes.
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a real macaque community, with 700+ gray long-tailed monkeys, about 1 hour.
• You can add one extra stop near your hotel for no extra charge, on request, from a menu of options in Ubud and south Bali.
• Pickup coverage is wide for south Bali bases, including Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

How the 8:30 am Ubud loop actually runs

This is designed as a full-day Ubud circuit, roughly 9 hours total, starting at 8:30 am. The big win is that you do not need to coordinate transport, because you get round-trip pickup and drop-off and ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle.

Your route is timed by stop length: 45 minutes at Puseh Batuan Temple, 1 hour at Tegenungan Waterfall, 45 minutes at Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and 1 hour at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Those four blocks add up to about 4.5 hours on the ground, and the rest of the day is for driving and transitions.

It is also a private tour, meaning only your group participates. That matters in Bali, where traffic can slow things down, and a private setup lets your guide handle the day’s flow for your schedule.

Puseh Batuan Temple: 1,000 years of stone work, no rush

Stop 1 is Puseh Batuan Temple, an ancient Hindu temple known for stone carvings and sculptures. The temple was founded in 944 Saka, which converts to 1020 AD, making it nearly 1,000 years old. You get about 45 minutes here, and admission is included.

What I like about starting at a temple first is that it sets the tone. You go from modern Ubud into a place where stone detail and sacred space do not rely on crowds to feel meaningful.

Practical note: this stop is listed as including the entry ticket, which helps keep the day smooth. For temple visits, I recommend wearing clothes that let you move comfortably, because you will likely spend that time walking around the grounds rather than just standing at one viewpoint.

Tegenungan Waterfall: one hour to enjoy the green valley views

Stop 2 is Tegenungan Waterfall, described as a huge waterfall surrounded by forest. This is where the scenery becomes the centerpiece, with a green valley panorama and the cascading water as the main visual.

You get about 1 hour, and admission is included. The timing is long enough to enjoy the view and take your photos without feeling like you are sprinting through, but not so long that you are stuck in one spot if you want a slightly different angle.

A key consideration here is comfort. Waterfall areas can be humid, paths can feel slick, and standing in one place for a long time can get tiring. I suggest planning for good traction and staying hydrated, especially since this is a full-day outing and food is not included.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: cliffside palms and a 45-minute photo walk

Stop 3 is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Ubud’s most recognizable photo destinations. The terraces sit against a cliff and are lined with palm trees, creating a scenic, postcard-style backdrop as you explore.

You get about 45 minutes here, with admission included. That duration is a good match for the way rice terrace visits work: you walk some, look around, and pause for photos. It is not a quick stop where you barely get your camera out, but it is also not long enough that you lose your momentum for the rest of the day.

If you are picky about photos, this is the moment to slow down a bit. The terraces have depth, and small changes in position can make the scene look totally different. I like that the tour gives you time rather than rushing you through like a checklist.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: 700+ macaques, plan your reactions

Stop 4 is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a natural forest sanctuary home to gray long-tailed macaques. The description notes there are more than 700 monkeys living in the forest, and you get about 1 hour to explore with admission included.

This is the most unpredictable stop, because the monkeys are not just a background detail, they are the point. The upside is energy. The paths, the branches, and the forest atmosphere all become part of the experience.

The drawback is that you should treat this as a “stay alert” visit. With so many monkeys around, you will want to keep a steady grip on personal items and be ready for close-range moments. If you have never visited before, go in with patience and do not expect a quiet, controlled museum vibe.

Optional add-ons near your hotel, how to choose the right one

One of the more generous aspects of this tour is the option to add an additional stop near your hotel for no extra charge. It is listed as on request, and the exact choices depend on where you are staying, but the range is wide.

If you are in the Ubud area, options include Puri Saren Palace, Campuhan Ridge Walk, and Saraswati Temple. If you are based in Sanur, you can request Sanur Beach, Sindhu Market, and Sindhu Beach. From Tanjung Benoa, the list includes Benoa Harbour, Benoa Square Bali, and Caow Eng Bio Chinese Buddhist Temple.

Other bases have their own add-on menus: in Nusa Dua, Nusa Dua Beach, Bali Collection, and Museum PASIFIKA; in Jimbaran, Jimbaran Fish Market, Jimbaran Bay, and Samasta Lifestyle Village. If you are in Kuta, options include Nusa Kuta Beach, Waterbom Bali, and Ground Zero Monument. Seminyak adds Seminyak Beach, Double Six Beach, and Seminyak Square. Canggu options include Berawa Beach and Nelayan Beach. Denpasar includes stops like Bali Orchid Garden, Level 21 Mall, and Transmart Carrefour.

Here is how I’d choose, plain and simple:

• Pick a food and people stop if you want flavor and shopping time, like markets.
• Pick a walk or viewpoint stop if you want less standing still than a temple or waterfall.
• Pick a beach stop if you want something calmer to balance the monkey and waterfall energy.

Also, since this tour is already packed, add-ons are best when they match your energy level. One extra stop can make the day feel more tailored, but too much can turn your “one great day” into “all day, tired feet.”

Why the guide matters, and why Juli is a standout name

The tour includes an English speaking driver/guide. That matters more than people think, because you are traveling across different styles of attractions: an ancient temple, a waterfall, a rice terrace, and a monkey sanctuary.

The reviews highlight guide quality, and one praised guide is named Juli. The comments point to two practical strengths: Juli spoke great English and stayed attentive to the group’s needs. That kind of attentiveness can make the difference between a day that feels stressful and one that feels organized, even when locations are busy.

If you want to get more from the day, use the guide like a tool. Ask for timing help (where to stand for photos, how to move efficiently through crowded areas) and ask basic questions about what you are seeing. Even with a set itinerary, a good guide turns “I visited a place” into “I understood what I was looking at.”

Price and value: why $57 can work for a full Ubud day

At $57.00 per person, this tour can be a solid value for a full-day Ubud highlight loop, especially because many key costs are handled for you. You get a private air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and drop-off, and an English speaking guide.

Most importantly, admission fees are included, along with parking fees and gas/petrol. Those are the costs that often sneak up when you plan independently. When you add transport plus ticketing plus parking, the day can get expensive fast, particularly on a route that includes multiple paid attractions.

What is not included is food and drink, and gratuities are optional. So I’d treat this like a day trip where you budget for snacks, water, and a meal plan around your itinerary. If you are the type who gets hungry mid-walk, bring a small snack just in case.

One more value clue: the tour is commonly booked about 23 days in advance. That usually signals steady demand, which matters when you want a specific route without the hassle of last-minute vehicle planning.

Who this Ubud tour fits best

This tour is a great match if you:

• Want a classic Ubud highlights day without renting a car.
• Like having time at major stops, not just quick photo stops.
• Prefer an easy plan where entry tickets are handled.
• Are staying in Ubud or a wide range of south Bali areas and want round-trip pickup.

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate crowds and want a quieter wildlife experience.
• Prefer very slow travel with lots of extra time at each spot.
• Need a flexible day with frequent changes, because the route includes fixed stops with set durations.

The good news is that the route balances “scenery” and “culture.” You start with a centuries-old temple, then get waterfall and rice terrace views, and finish with the monkey forest energy.

Should you book this Ubud day?

Yes, I think this is worth booking if you want a structured Ubud day that covers the big names in about 9 hours, with pickup included and admission fees already paid. The best part is the combination of an efficient route and included costs, so you spend your mental energy enjoying the sights instead of price-checking tickets in each location.

I would book it with confidence if you like clear logistics and an English speaking guide who can keep the day moving. And if you are tempted by the optional add-on near your hotel, choose one that matches what you want most, a walk, a temple, a beach, or a market, then let the rest of the day stay focused.

FAQ

What is the start time for pickup?

Pickup starts at 8:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The tour is about 9 hours.

Is the tour private?

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

What are the main stops on the itinerary?

The main stops are Puseh Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entry and admission fees are included.

Do you get hotel pickup and drop-off?

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

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drink are not included, and you can purchase them during the day.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.