REVIEW · KUTA
Best of Ubud: Rice Terrace, Temple and Waterfall Private Tour
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Rice fields, temples, and a waterfall in one day. This private Ubud tour pulls together the big hitters with entrance tickets included and hotel pickup, so you lose less time figuring out transport and tickets. I like how it lets you spend real time at iconic spots like Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The one catch: it is a full 8–10 hour day, so if you love just one place, you’ll want to plan to linger and skip the rest.
What makes it work is the way the day can flex. The vehicle is air-conditioned, your driver is punctual, and they’ll wait while you explore at each stop instead of rushing you through. One potential drawback to keep in mind is that the tour packs in a lot of sites, so you may feel like you’re sampling rather than settling in—unless you choose carefully and tell the driver what you want to prioritize.
I also liked that the tour includes a practical temple detail: a sarong for entering Balinese temples. In the reviews, guide/driver names like Ketut and Wayan show up, and the common theme is responsiveness—so you can shape the day a bit to your pace without extra hassle.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About
- Why This Private Ubud Day Feels Easier Than DIY
- Tegenungan Waterfall: The Easy Win for Photos and a Real Jungle Feel
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: The One Spot Worth Slowing Down
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Shade, Temples, and Close-Up Wildlife
- Ubud Temple Moments: Sarongs, Spring Water, and Old Stone
- The purification spring temple (holy water)
- Mas Village and wood carving
- Celuk Village and gold/silver handiwork
- Batuan Temple: ornate carvings from about 1020 AD
- Swinging Over Jungle (Optional) and the Value of a Slow Lunch Break
- Ubud Palace, Pasar Ubud, and Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
- Pasar Ubud across from the palace
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Price and Logistics: Does $67.41 Actually Add Up?
- Who Should Book This Best of Ubud Private Tour?
- Should You Book This Private Ubud Tour?
- FAQ
- What’s the duration of the Best of Ubud tour?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Are entrance tickets included?
- Is lunch included?
- Is the jungle swing included?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

- Entrance tickets included at major stops, so you’re not juggling cash for entry fees
- Private pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle from many Bali areas
- Flexible timing on site—your driver will wait while you look around at your pace
- Ubud classics in one loop: Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang, Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, and more
- Sarong provided for temple visits, which saves you from last-minute shopping
- Optional jungle swing exists, but it’s on your own expense
Why This Private Ubud Day Feels Easier Than DIY

Ubud sites are great, but they’re spread out. This tour’s main value is simple: private transportation plus pickup from your hotel lobby, then drop-off at the end back at the meeting point. You get a car that’s set for comfort with fuel surcharge, parking fees, and air-con covered—so your day isn’t built around traffic, parking hunts, and ticket lines.
This is also built for people who don’t want a fixed-routine day. The day is described as customizable, and you can skip some sites if you want more time at a specific place. In reviews, drivers are described as punctual and willing to wait at attractions, which matters when you want photos, shade breaks, or just a slower walk.
The tour is priced at $67.41 per person for a private outing lasting about 8–10 hours. For many first-timers, that price makes sense because the entry tickets are included and you’re not paying separately for separate day tours, separate cars, or add-ons just to get between locations.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Kuta
Tegenungan Waterfall: The Easy Win for Photos and a Real Jungle Feel

The day often starts with Tegenungan Waterfall, and it’s an easy choice if you want something dramatic right away. You’ll find the waterfall framed by tropical jungle, and there are two common ways to enjoy it: from the viewing platform or by heading down toward the water. The stop is about 1 hour, and admission is included.
Here’s what makes it worth your time: it’s one of those places where the scenery does the work. You don’t need a long walk to get the key view, and you can decide on the fly whether you want to go closer to the water or stay up top for safer footing and quicker photos.
The practical consideration: waterfalls can mean uneven ground and lots of steps, especially if you go down to the water. Give yourself a relaxed attitude, wear shoes you trust, and plan your time so you’re not sprinting for the next stop.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: The One Spot Worth Slowing Down

If you want the most famous rice-terrace experience in the Ubud area, Tegalalang is where most people aim. This stop also runs about 1 hour, with an admission ticket included. Expect green rice paddies, a stroll through the fields, and a chance to see how farmers handle daily routines.
What I like about this kind of stop is that it isn’t just about a view. You’re walking through working farmland, so the scene has movement: people tending, small paths, and that classic layered look over the valley. It’s the kind of place where timing matters too—golden light helps, but even in softer light the terraces photograph well.
In reviews, the tour is described as flexible enough to spend extra time at Tegalalang. That’s smart advice. If you love photos, this is the place to ask for a slower pace, not the place to rush so you can collect another temple stamp.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Shade, Temples, and Close-Up Wildlife

Then comes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, again about 1 hour with admission included. This is described as a tropical rain forest with tall, shady trees, and it’s home to monkeys you can see up close. The forest also contains three temples, which gives the visit more structure than a basic zoo-style stop.
For me, this is one of the strongest stops because it’s both sensory and scenic. You’re in a shaded canopy, surrounded by greenery, then you also have temple areas that break up the walk. Even if you’re not a temple person, the setting tends to feel different from the rice terraces—cooler shade, more sound from the forest, and smaller pockets of interest.
The practical consideration is simple: it’s a sanctuary with active animals. You’ll want to move carefully through areas where monkeys are around and keep your attention on what’s happening right in front of you. A one-hour slot is usually enough, but if you’re a wildlife fan, this is another stop where asking for extra minutes can pay off.
Ubud Temple Moments: Sarongs, Spring Water, and Old Stone
A big reason people like Ubud is how temples and daily life blend. In this tour, you’ll see multiple temple-style experiences and ancient sites, with several entry tickets included.
The purification spring temple (holy water)
One stop is centered on a petirtaan (bathing structure) with holy spring water, where Balinese Hindus go for ritual purification. The description is clear that the temple pond has fresh spring water flowing. If you want a deeper look at how spirituality shows up in everyday practice, this is one of those stops that feels more grounded than a quick photo-op.
Mas Village and wood carving
Mas Village is described as the center of Bali wood carving. This is the kind of place where you can see the craft close to where it’s made, and it adds variety to a day otherwise packed with landscapes and views.
Celuk Village and gold/silver handiwork
Celuk Village focuses on high-grade gold and silver handicrafts, especially jewelry. It’s a nice contrast to wood carving because it highlights different tools, different materials, and different design styles. Even if you don’t buy, watching the work and browsing what’s on offer can be part of the experience.
Batuan Temple: ornate carvings from about 1020 AD
Batuan Temple is described as founded in 944 saka (1020 AD), and it’s described as nearly 1000 years old. It’s known for elaborate carvings and decorative ornaments with shrines. This is one of the most historical-feeling stops in the day, and it rewards people who like details.
A practical note: the tour includes a sarong for entering Balinese temples, which is a real time-saver. You don’t have to figure out where to rent or buy one right before you go in.
Swinging Over Jungle (Optional) and the Value of a Slow Lunch Break
The tour includes a mention of a jungle swing experience—“soars over a dense jungle of palm trees and the Ayung River”—with memorable photos possible. It also notes that you can do jungle swing on your personal expenses, which means it’s not part of the included package costs.
There’s also a mention of dining at a restaurant with jungle views. Even if lunch isn’t included in the tour price, this is a helpful clue: you might be able to combine your free time with a meal rather than treating lunch as a separate mission.
My advice: if you’re the type who wants the swing shot, do it when you’re not rushed. Swinging takes time, and you’ll want space afterward to reset before your next stop.
Ubud Palace, Pasar Ubud, and Campuhan Ridge Walk

This day also hits central Ubud in a way that feels practical, not just ceremonial.
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
The Ubud Palace is described as the official residence of the royal family of Ubud. It’s a historical building complex, and it’s a strong contrast to the more nature-based stops. Even a quick visit helps you understand why Ubud became known as a cultural center.
Pasar Ubud across from the palace
Pasar Ubud sits opposite the palace and is open daily. The description highlights paintings, silk scarves, lightweight shirts, and handmade woven bags. If you want to pick up a small souvenir that feels tied to local craft, this is a good spot to browse without adding a separate shopping detour.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Campuhan Ridge Walk is included as a stop with 1 hour and free admission. It’s described as a mellow hiking trail with sweeping hilltop views. This is ideal when you want a break from formal sights—just walking, looking, and taking in the Ubud feel.
The possible drawback here is pacing. With so many parts of the day filled, you’ll want to treat this as either your decompression walk or your photo walk—not both under pressure.
Price and Logistics: Does $67.41 Actually Add Up?

Let’s talk value in plain terms.
You pay $67.41 per person, and you’re getting:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned private transportation
- Entrance tickets included
- Sarong for temples
- Parking fees, plus fuel surcharge
Lunch is not included, so you’ll still budget for food. Gratitudes (tips) are also not included, which is normal.
So why can it still be good value? Because the cost is bundling the parts that usually eat your time and cash on your own: transport between scattered areas and entry tickets. Private touring also helps if you’re traveling with a small group and you don’t want to wait on other people or change your plans around a fixed schedule.
Where it might not be worth it is if you’re the type who wants one location to be the whole day. This tour is designed to cover multiple highlights. If you prefer depth over variety, you’ll want to use the skip flexibility and spend extra time at what matters most to you.
Who Should Book This Best of Ubud Private Tour?
This tour is a good fit if:
- You want an easy first-timer Ubud day with the top nature and culture stops
- You care about comfort and efficiency, with pickup and drop-off
- You like the idea of customization, especially spending more time at Tegalalang and Monkey Forest
- You prefer a set day structure where entrance tickets are handled
It may not be ideal if:
- You hate long days and want only one or two sights
- You’d rather build a private itinerary with total control, including your own ticket planning
Should You Book This Private Ubud Tour?
If you want the smart move—see the key Ubud icons without the stress—this is the kind of tour that makes sense. The included tickets, the sarong, and the private, punctual driver who waits are the main reasons it works. I especially think it’s worth it for people who know they want Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and also want waterfall and temple time without fighting logistics.
If you’re unsure, pick the places you care about most, then use the tour’s flexibility to skip what you can. Treat it like a highlights package, not a slow travel week—and you’ll come away with great photos, a full day of Ubud energy, and fewer headaches than DIY.
FAQ
What’s the duration of the Best of Ubud tour?
The tour runs about 8 to 10 hours.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup is offered from many Bali areas (including Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran, Canggu, Legian, Denpasar, and Benoa Harbor). The driver meets you at your hotel’s lobby, with the time based on your booking.
Are entrance tickets included?
Yes. Entrance tickets are included, and a mobile ticket is provided.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
Is the jungle swing included?
The chance to do jungle swing is mentioned, but it’s described as being on your personal expenses, so plan to pay separately if you want to do it.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount is not refunded.
























