Private Full Day Tour to Ubud Highlights with Giant Swing

The giant swing is the attention-grabber here, but this private Ubud day trip gives you much more than a photo stop. You move from ancient trees and temple courtyards to rice fields, a spring-fed water temple, and a waterfall, with your own English-speaking driver-guide rather than a full busload.

I like the private car and flexible pacing, especially for families or couples who do not want to wait for other groups. I also like the mix of classic Ubud sights: Tirta Empul’s living Hindu ritual gives the day more meaning than a string of photo stops.

The main catch is time. Five major stops in 7 to 8 hours make for a full day, and the swing takes about two hours on its own. Lunch is not included, bottled water is not supplied, and the optional swing dress costs an extra $20.

Key points to know before booking

• Picheaven Bali Swing includes many photo setups, from a giant canyon swing to nests, beds, a tandem bench, and a Stairs to Heaven backdrop.
• Your private English-speaking driver-guide handles the day, with past guides including Rian, Yogi, Wayan, and Ketut Agus Wihantara.
• Admission fees are included, along with private transport, fuel, parking, and the swing photographer using your mobile phone.
• Tirta Empul is more than a sightseeing stop, since you can watch or take part in a Hindu purification bathing ritual.
• Tegenungan Waterfall requires a walk downhill, so bring suitable shoes, swimwear, and a change of clothes if you plan to enter the water.
• The $73 price is strongest for a small private group, since the cost covers the car, driver-guide, parking, fuel, admissions, and a full day of stops.

A full day from Seminyak to Ubud

This tour begins with pickup at your Bali hotel or accommodation in Seminyak. The drive to Ubud and between the attractions takes time, so the private format matters. You are not tied to the interests or delays of another group, and the driver can adjust the order of stops.

The planned day lasts about 7 to 8 hours. That is enough to see all five places, but not enough for long visits at each one. I would think of this as a broad introduction to Ubud, not a slow cultural tour with hours at every temple and rice-field path.

Your driver-guide is part chauffeur and part local escort. Names associated with this service include Rian, Yogi, Wayan, and Ketut Agus Wihantara. The strongest praise has centered on prompt pickup, careful driving, patience, clean vehicles, and a willingness to adjust the schedule. One family even described Ketut as good with children, which matters when a long Bali day includes several stops.

The private setup also gives you room to ask for a brief stop at a shop or convenience store. That is useful because water and lunch are not part of the package. Bring a bottle and some snacks, or use a flexible stop to buy them.

Sangeh Monkey Forest and its old temple grounds

The first stop is Sangeh Monkey Forest, planned for about one hour. This is not the same attraction as Ubud’s better-known Sacred Monkey Forest in the town center. Sangeh is known for tall pala trees, a cooler shaded setting, playful monkeys, and three old temples inside the forest.

The walk follows paths under the trees. Along the way, you may see monkeys, lizards, and butterflies. The forest has a spiritual role for local people, and it has also served as a place connected with community life, education, and tree conservation. That gives the stop more substance than a quick animal photo opportunity.

You should keep your belongings secure around the monkeys and follow local instructions. The tour information describes them as cheeky and playful, which is a friendly way of saying they are active animals that should not be treated like pets.

One hour is enough to walk through a section of the forest and see the temples. It is not enough for a long, unhurried exploration. If you are mainly interested in temples and forest scenery, tell your driver early that you would like to use the full hour here rather than add extra shopping time later.

Two hours of swings and photo spots at Picheaven Bali Swing

Picheaven Bali Swing is the most staged part of the day. You get about two hours here, with access to a large swing that reaches over a canyon and green valley. Staff help with poses and take pictures using your mobile phone.

The giant swing is the headline activity, but the many smaller setups are what make the visit take so long. The available photo areas include:

• Tandem bench swing
• Libra Swing
• Romantic bed swing
• Jungle bed
• Egg nest
• Onion nest
• Titanic photo spot
• Jungle stone
• Heart nest
• Bird nest
• Stairs to Heaven

This is a good fit if you want a collection of polished holiday photos without arranging a separate photographer. The staff keep taking pictures while you move between poses, and the photos go onto your own phone. You do not need to pay a separate photographer fee, though the quality and number of final images may depend on the staff member and your phone.

The main practical issue is that this stop can feel long if you are not interested in staged photos. Two hours is a major portion of a 7 to 8 hour tour. Anyone with a fear of heights should think carefully before booking, and the experience is not recommended for people with acrophobia, asthma, or epilepsy.

A swing outfit can be rented for $20 per dress, but it is not included. You can avoid that added cost by wearing light, comfortable clothing that works for both the swing and the rest of the day. A change of clothes is still wise, particularly if you plan to swim later.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace, with time for a short walk

Tegalalang Rice Terrace gets about one hour. The view features stepped green paddies with coconut trees rising above them. From a viewpoint, you can simply take in the scene, or you can walk a short way among the terraces.

I like this stop as a counterweight to the swing. The swing is designed for photographs; Tegalalang gives you a more familiar picture of rural Bali, shaped by farming and irrigation. You can slow down here, even if only for a few minutes, and enjoy the changing views as the terraces fold through the valley.

The word terrace should be taken literally. Paths can be uneven, and a short walk is not the same as a flat stroll. Comfortable shoes will help. If you have limited time, the viewpoint offers an easier way to see the rice fields without committing to a longer walk.

The tour does not include lunch, so this is a sensible point to discuss food with your driver. The schedule may allow a meal or a quick purchase, but no restaurant or lunch stop is promised as part of the package.

Tirta Empul, where the spring still feeds the temple pools

Tirta Empul is planned for one hour and gives the day its clearest cultural focus. The temple is built around a bubbling spring. Water flows into purification baths, pools, and fish ponds before continuing toward the Pakerisan River.

You can watch Hindu devotees carry out a ritual bathing practice, or you can ask your driver-guide or temple authority how to take part. The formal sequence is intended for pilgrims and devotees, so this is a place to follow instructions rather than treat the bathing pools as a casual swimming area.

That distinction is important. You may be able to try the purification ritual, but you should approach it with respect and learn the proper routine first. Bring suitable clothing and be ready to follow temple requirements. The tour details do not specify a separate clothing rental or exact dress code, so asking locally is the sensible choice.

One hour lets you see the spring, temple area, and bathing pools, with some time to observe the ritual. It is a compact visit, but it adds a genuine religious dimension to a day otherwise built around scenery and photographs.

Tegenungan Waterfall and the final walk downhill

The last stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, also allotted about one hour. You reach the falls by walking down a trail beyond the shops. The route offers views of a green valley, with the falling water as the main focus.

You can take pictures from the trail and its designated photo spots, or swim at the waterfall if conditions and your comfort allow. Pack a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes if you want to enter the water. A water bottle and sunscreen are also useful, since the day includes outdoor walks and sun exposure.

The return walk is uphill. That is the main physical point to remember at this stop. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but anyone who finds stairs or uphill walks difficult should plan a slower pace and discuss it with the driver.

Tegenungan is a pleasant finish because it changes the rhythm again. After temple grounds and viewing platforms, you get the option of a cool swim. If you are tired, you can skip the water and enjoy the view instead.

What the $73 price really covers

At $73 per person, the value depends on how many people are in your private group. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, fuel surcharge, parking fees, an English-speaking driver-guide, and admission to the listed attractions. It also includes the photographer service at Bali Swing, using your mobile phone.

That is a useful bundle. On an independent day, you would still need to arrange transport, pay fuel and parking, purchase admission tickets, and manage directions between several places. The private vehicle also removes the stress of driving Bali roads yourself.

For a solo visitor, $73 is a larger spend than joining a group. For a couple, family, or small group, the price becomes easier to justify because you are paying for a private vehicle and guide rather than simply buying entry to one attraction.

You should budget separately for lunch, drinks, snacks, and the optional $20 swing dress. The package does not include bottled water, though you can ask the driver to stop at a convenience store. One past complaint involved the absence of water, and the operator’s response made clear that it is not part of the package.

Who will enjoy this private Ubud day?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad first look at Ubud and prefer not to drive. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who want their own schedule. The stated age range is 7 to 60, and the tour notes that most people can participate.

It works especially well for people who want photographs. The swing has many setups, staff help with poses, and the photographer uses your phone. You can also collect a mix of forest, rice-field, temple, and waterfall pictures in one day.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, slow visit at each place. The swing takes two hours, while the monkey forest, rice terrace, temple, and waterfall each get roughly one hour. People with asthma, epilepsy, or a fear of heights are advised not to book.

The private format can help if your group has different priorities. One person can spend longer taking swing photos, another can focus on the temple, and the driver can help keep the day moving. Still, you should agree on your must-see stops before leaving the hotel.

Booking, cancellation, and what to pack

Wear light, comfortable clothing and practical shoes. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, snacks, a swimsuit, a towel, a camera, and some small cash. A change of clothes is especially useful after the waterfall or temple bathing ritual.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is offered from your accommodation. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows Bali local time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the convenience of a private car, a friendly driver-guide, and a wide selection of Ubud highlights in one long day. The best reasons are the included admissions, careful driving reported by past customers, flexible stop timing, and the unusual combination of Tirta Empul and the giant swing.

Skip it if the swing feels like a distraction, if you want a slow temple-focused day, or if downhill and uphill walking will be uncomfortable. At $73 per person, it is a sensible value for a small private group that wants variety and easy transport. Pack your own water, leave room for lunch, and treat the temple ritual with care.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel or accommodation in Bali, including Seminyak.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with private transportation and an English-speaking driver-guide.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. Admission tickets for the listed stops are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring snacks and some petty cash or ask the driver about stopping to buy food and drinks.

Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?

Yes, you may take a dip at the waterfall if you wish. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes.

Is the swing dress included?

No. A dress can be rented for $20 per dress, but you can also wear your own light, comfortable clothing.