Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall

Tour review · TOUR REVIEWS

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall

5.0 · 7 reviews From $24 Operated by Driver Ubud · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Jungle noises, then waterfall spray. This Ubud day packs Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the Tegalalang rice terraces, and two famous waterfalls into one easy route with a private local guide. I like that you get guided order and context, not just a random hopscotch of stops.

Two things I really like: the included admission tickets for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, and both waterfalls, and the way your guide can shape the day around what you care about. In my view, that mix of convenience and flexibility is what makes this tour feel worth it.

One consideration: lunch and Bali Swing are not included. You’ll likely spend extra at the sites, especially if you want to actually swing at Happy Swing Bali (the tour gives you the time, but the swing itself is on you to pay).

Key highlights to know before you go

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - Key highlights to know before you go

  • Private guide and driver means you are not stuck waiting around in a crowd.
  • Tickets included for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tibumana, and Kanto Lampo.
  • Air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water help when Ubud traffic and heat hit.
  • Happy Swing Bali is a timed stop, but Bali Swing costs are listed as not included.
  • Flexible planning when weather changes is a real strength, especially on waterfall days.
  • Guides like Mangkok, Bagong, and Mawe are praised for safety, patience, and helpful photo moments.

A Day Built for Ubud Icons, Monkey Forest to Two Waterfalls

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - A Day Built for Ubud Icons, Monkey Forest to Two Waterfalls
This is the kind of full-day tour that makes Ubud feel “efficient” in a good way. Instead of spending half your vacation figuring out routes and entry lines, you get a driver, a guide, and a plan that focuses on the main picture-perfect hits around Ubud.

What you’ll get is a day that moves through different “Bali modes.” First comes jungle and temples at Monkey Forest, then classic rice-terrace views at Tegalalang, then the thrill angle at Happy Swing Bali, and finally cooling down with Tibumana and Kanto Lampo waterfalls. It’s a lot of variety for one day, and that variety matters if you only have limited time in Ubud.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.

Private pickup and an air-conditioned car that actually helps

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - Private pickup and an air-conditioned car that actually helps
Pickup is offered, and the ride is in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water. That might sound basic, but it’s one of the practical differences between enjoying a full day and just surviving it. Ubud roads can eat time, and the heat can drain you fast, so having a comfortable base matters.

This is also a private tour, meaning only your group goes. No shared scramble to find seats, no “where are you?” moments. Your guide is there for you, and the day runs at a pace that fits your questions, not just a fixed photo schedule.

Monkey Forest in Padangtegal: temples, jungle, and long-tailed macaques

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary sits in Padangtegal Village, Ubud. The main idea here is that you’re not just seeing animals. You’re in a sacred site and conservation sanctuary with lush jungle, ancient temples, and a free-roaming population of Balinese long-tailed macaques.

Expect a sensory overload in the best way: you hear them first, then you spot them above you in the trees, moving like they own the whole place. The tour focuses on the sanctuary side, so it feels more grounded than the typical grab-a-photo zoo vibe.

Practical note: this is a 2-hour stop with admission included, so you can take your time. You don’t have to rush through the temple areas to “check the box,” and that usually leads to better photos and less stress.

Tegalalang rice terraces: the walk you remember more than the ticket

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - Tegalalang rice terraces: the walk you remember more than the ticket
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Bali’s most famous views, north of Ubud. You’ll spend about two hours here, with admission included. What makes Tegalalang worth it is that it’s not only a viewpoint. It’s a working landscape with traditional irrigation systems, and you can walk through the terraced area to get different angles.

There’s also the human factor. People come here because the layers look unreal, but the real payoff is being able to move around and catch the way the light hits the rice. If you like scenic wandering, this stop is satisfying.

One caution, based on real experiences from guides and guests in Bali: if you’re not into scenic walks, you might find the rice terrace stage more “photo-time” than “experience-time.” I’d treat it as a view-and-stroll stop, not a deep cultural museum kind of visit.

Happy Swing Bali: the views are built in, but the swing is not

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - Happy Swing Bali: the views are built in, but the swing is not
Happy Swing Bali is on the route for about two hours. This is where your day adds a thrill element. Bali Swing-style attractions are popular because they give high-up views of jungle areas and valleys, and often you’ll feel the height in a way that makes the photos look dramatic.

Here’s the money reality. The tour lists Bali Swing as not included, even though the stop is part of the day. So you can plan to pay for the actual swing experience separately.

My advice: decide early if you truly want the swing. If you do, budget extra. If you just want the scenery, treat this as your “lookout and photos” break and keep spending under control.

Here's some more things to do in Ubud

Tibumana Waterfall: quieter, calmer, and easier to enjoy

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - Tibumana Waterfall: quieter, calmer, and easier to enjoy
Tibumana Waterfall is described as a hidden gem in Bangli Regency. It’s known for serene, unspoiled beauty and, importantly, for being less crowded than many other waterfall spots. That matters because the best waterfall memories usually come from breathing, not elbowing.

Your time here is about two hours, with admission included. If rain or heat changes the feel of the day, Tibumana’s calmer vibe can make it a great recovery stop, giving you a softer landing after the denser Monkey Forest and the busier rice terraces.

If you’re sensitive to crowds, or you want waterfall time that feels more like a nature break, Tibumana is the one that tends to deliver that relief.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: close access and a cliff-face look

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - Kanto Lampo Waterfall: close access and a cliff-face look
Kanto Lampo Waterfall is in Gianyar Regency near Ubud. The big practical advantage is that it’s relatively easy to access compared with waterfalls that require longer hikes. Your time here is also about two hours, with admission included.

This stop is ideal for people who want the waterfall payoff without feeling like the day is turning into a trekking challenge. You get the dramatic fall visuals, plus enough time to enjoy the area rather than rushing.

Also, having two waterfalls in one day gives you contrast. Tibumana is framed as peaceful and less crowded, while Kanto Lampo is known for being more straightforward to reach. Together, they let you pick what you respond to most.

How the guide makes this tour feel personal (Mangkok, Bagong, Mawe)

Ubud Monkey Forest, Scenic Rice Terrace with Swing and Waterfall - How the guide makes this tour feel personal (Mangkok, Bagong, Mawe)
This is where this tour earns its strong reputation. Guides in this program get praise for being careful and attentive drivers, plus genuinely helpful on site.

Names that came up clearly: Mangkok, Bagong, and Mawe. The common thread is style:

  • Mangkok is repeatedly described as professional, safe, careful, and funny, with a pace that keeps the day moving without feeling chaotic.
  • Bagong is praised for being helpful and patient on a full-day tour.
  • Mawe stands out for thoughtful flexibility when weather suddenly changed, then adjusting the plan so the day still worked.

There’s also the human-help angle. One review specifically called out assistance for getting in and out of the vehicle for someone who needed extra help. That’s a real quality for mixed groups and it can make the whole day feel easier.

Language support came up too. If Spanish is in your toolkit but not much more, you might rely on a mobile translator, and the guide support in this group is set up for that kind of communication.

Finally, photos. Several comments mention that guides took or helped capture nice pictures. If you want good photos without micromanaging angles, that matters.

Food timing: you’ll taste Balinese flavors, but you bring lunch budget

The tour says your guide will take you to a local restaurant to taste real Balinese foods. That sounds promising, but the pricing list says lunch is not included.

So plan for this in your budget. You’ll likely have a meal stop inside the day, but you should expect to pay for what you order.

I like this approach because it keeps the day authentic. A good guide usually knows which dishes fit the moment, and you’re not stuck with a tourist menu that looks like Bali but tastes like generic. Just remember, the tour price covers the attractions, not your appetite.

Tickets, time, and transport: what the schedule really means

The day runs about 10 hours and includes four major attraction stops plus a swing stop. Each listed stop is around two hours, with admission included for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Tibumana, and Kanto Lampo. That means most of your “paid time” is spent at places you can actually enjoy, not on long ticket hunting.

You’ll also get mobile ticket access, which helps reduce friction. When you land at attractions and have to figure out where to show your booking, stress piles up. Mobile tickets reduce that, especially during busy periods.

Transportation is in your favor too. Air-conditioned car plus water makes a full-day route far more manageable, particularly if you’re doing more than one waterfall.

Price and value: how $24.65 makes sense on paper

At $24.65 per person, the pricing is low for a private, full-day route with multiple admissions. What makes it work is the way the tour price covers tickets for the biggest paid entries:

  • Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary admission
  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace admission
  • Tibumana Waterfall admission
  • Kanto Lampo Waterfall admission

It also includes pickup (offered), an air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water. Those “transport plus entries” costs can add up quickly if you plan them yourself.

Where the value math changes is in the extras:

  • Lunch not included
  • Bali Swing not included

So think of the $24.65 as paying for the core day and the main entry fees. Then you add your personal choices: food and any swing activity you want to actually do.

If you want a day that stacks the major Ubud icons efficiently, this price-to-content ratio is strong.

Who this tour suits best

This tour is a good match if:

  • you want one organized day that hits Ubud’s top nature and culture stops
  • you prefer a private guide over group pacing
  • you like variety, from jungle to terraces to waterfalls
  • you value safety and clear help, especially around vehicle boarding and site navigation

It may be less ideal if:

  • you only want one or two stops and hate “high tempo” days
  • you’re not interested in scenic walks and would rather spend more time relaxing
  • you strongly dislike paying extra on site, since lunch and the swing are not included

Should you book the Ubud Monkey Forest and waterfalls day?

If your goal is a full Ubud day that’s structured, ticketed, and guided, I think it’s a solid choice. The biggest selling points are the combination of private guiding, included admissions for four key sites, and guides known for being safe, patient, and flexible when weather changes the plan.

Before you book, decide two things: how much you care about Tegalalang rice terraces as a walk, and whether you want to pay for the actual swing at Happy Swing Bali. If you line those up with your budget and energy level, this is the kind of day that gives you a lot of Bali in one go without feeling random.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud Monkey Forest and waterfalls tour?

It runs about 10 hours (approx.) as a full-day experience.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered.

What is included in the tour price?

Included are an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and admission tickets for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tibumana Waterfall, and Kanto Lampo Waterfall.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Is Bali Swing included?

No, Bali Swing is listed as not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

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.