Ubud Small Group Tour: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces and more

Ubud packs waterfalls, temple rituals, rice farming, art, and monkeys into one busy corner of Bali. This tour gives you a practical taste of it all, with Tegenungan Waterfall, the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, and Tirta Empul in one day.

I like the small maximum of nine people, which keeps the outing more personal than a big coach trip. I also like the guides’ role: Dewa, Yogi, Eddy, Gusti, Patu, and others are praised for explaining Balinese customs, taking photos, and staying calm in heavy traffic.

The catch is time. Ubud traffic can stretch the drive from Kuta or Seminyak to 1.5 or 2 hours, and entrance fees are often extra. You see a lot, but this is a sampler, not a slow day in the countryside.

Key points before you book

• Five very different stops: Waterfall, sacred forest, art market, rice terraces, and a holy spring give you a broad first look at Ubud.
• Small-group format: The group can include no more than nine people, and some bookings may operate as a private tour.
• Guides make the difference: Dewa, Yogi, Eddy, Gusti, Patu, Yansu, and Bello are named as helpful local guides who explain culture and assist with photos.
• Budget price, extra costs: The advertised price is $18 per person, but most entrance fees and lunch are not included unless you select an inclusive option.
• Expect a long day on the road: The planned experience lasts about 7 hours 30 minutes, while some descriptions call it a 10-hour trip. Traffic and pickup locations matter.
• Cash is useful: Entrance tickets, lunch, drinks, personal purchases, and the optional Tegalalang Swing require extra money.

What this Ubud day tour actually gives you

At $18 per person, this is priced as an easy introduction to Ubud rather than a fully packaged luxury outing. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, and insurance. That is a useful bundle if you are staying in Kuta and do not want to arrange several rides yourself.

The low headline price needs a careful look. Admission to Tegenungan Waterfall, Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul can add a noticeable amount unless you choose a tour option that includes entrance fees. Lunch and other drinks are also extra, as is the Tegalalang Swing, listed at IDR 200,000.

I would budget for the published entrance charges: IDR 30,000 for Tegenungan, IDR 100,000 on a Monkey Forest weekday or IDR 120,000 on a weekend, IDR 50,000 for Tegalalang, and IDR 75,000 for Tirta Empul. Confirm the exact booking option before paying, since one booking experience showed confusion over whether admission was included.

That still can be good value. You are paying for the vehicle, route planning, a local guide, and the chance to cover several places in one day. If you are comfortable with a quick pace and added entrance costs, the price is attractive.

Tegenungan Waterfall starts the day with a cool break

The first stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, with about 1 hour 15 minutes scheduled. It is a smart opening stop because the water and shaded setting offer a change from the vehicle after pickup and the drive toward Ubud.

You can expect a scenic stop rather than a long nature walk. The waterfall is a good place to take photographs and get your first feel for Bali’s inland scenery. The admission fee is not included in the basic option, so keep cash ready.

The main drawback is that a waterfall stop can feel brief if you want a long swim or a quiet hour by the water. The tour has four more major stops ahead, so the guide must keep the day moving.

Monkey Forest brings close contact with Bali’s macaques

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary receives about 1 hour 15 minutes. This is one of the more memorable stops because the monkeys move freely around the forest paths, temples, and stone carvings.

You will want to keep your bag and belongings secure. One guide had to help remove a monkey that jumped onto a visitor and began opening a backpack. That story is useful advice, not just a funny moment. Do not treat the animals like tame pets, and listen when your guide tells you how to handle your belongings.

The forest is also more than a wildlife stop. It connects Bali’s spiritual life with dense forest, old stonework, and daily offerings. Your guide can help explain what you are seeing, which adds much more than a quick walk with a camera.

Monkey Forest admission costs more than several of the other stops, with different weekday and weekend rates. If you want a calm, empty forest visit, the scheduled time and busy Ubud traffic may not deliver it. If you enjoy lively animal encounters and cultural scenery, it is likely to be one of your favorite sections.

Ubud Traditional Art Market adds shopping and lunch

The schedule includes the Ubud Traditional Art Market, with about an hour assigned to this part of the day. The supplied details also describe lunch around this portion of the outing, including an authentic Balinese meal at an additional cost.

This is where you can look at local crafts, souvenirs, and everyday market goods. You may find the market useful for a first look at Balinese shopping, but an hour is not long if you want to browse slowly, eat, and bargain.

Lunch is not included, so ask your guide about the available place and price before ordering. Patu is praised for taking a couple to an inexpensive lunch spot with good views, and other guides are described as helping with local food choices. That kind of local direction can save time and help you avoid wandering around hungry between stops.

Do not expect a long restaurant meal here. The day is built around seeing several sights, so lunch works best as a practical pause rather than the main event.

Tegalalang shows Bali’s famous rice terraces

Tegalalang Rice Terraces receive about 45 minutes, making this one of the shortest stops. The terraces are the visual highlight for many people, with layered rice fields and narrow paths cut into the hillsides.

You can walk through the terraces and take photographs, but the short schedule limits how far you can go. If you want a long rural walk, this tour may feel rushed. If you mainly want the classic view and a quick look at how the fields are arranged, the time should be enough.

The optional swing costs IDR 200,000. It is not part of the basic tour price, so you can skip it if you prefer the terraces themselves. One French-speaking visitor used the free time to take the swing with the extra payment, which shows that the option can fit into the schedule, but it adds another cost.

Your guide can give the terraces more meaning by explaining farming and offerings. Dewa is specifically praised for discussing rice fields and Balinese offerings, while Yogi is credited with helping visitors find good photo spots. I would treat this stop as a short scenic visit, not a full hike.

Tirta Empul closes the route with sacred water

The final major stop is Tirta Empul Temple, with about 1 hour 15 minutes. This temple complex is known for its holy mountain spring and remains an important place for Balinese spiritual practice.

It is the stop where a good guide matters most. You are not simply looking at a temple gate and taking a photograph. Dewa has been praised for explaining local stories, customs, and the meaning of offerings at Tirta Empul. That context helps you understand why the spring matters and how to behave respectfully.

The entrance fee is listed at IDR 75,000 unless your chosen option includes admission. Dress and conduct should be respectful at any temple, and your guide can explain the local expectations during the visit.

Ending here gives the route a strong cultural finish after the waterfall, animals, market, and rice fields. The tradeoff is that you may reach Tirta Empul after a full day of driving and walking, so comfortable shoes and patience help.

The guides are the main strength

The strongest part of this experience is the human service. Dewa is repeatedly described as kind, patient, and clear when explaining local culture. Yogi receives praise for handling traffic, taking photographs, and helping with the Monkey Forest. Eddy is described as easy to talk with and good at making the outing feel personal.

Gusti is praised for his local knowledge and for explaining each stop in a way that added meaning. Patu is noted for strong English, good camera skills, and quick help when a monkey climbed onto a backpack. Bello is praised for knowing useful times to visit the sights and for helping a solo visitor get good pictures. Yansu is described as sharing local culture and traditions.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not assume you will receive a particular person. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: the guide is not just a driver. You get help with photos, explanations, route decisions, and the small practical problems that come up during a busy day.

The driver’s role matters in Bali. Traffic between the coast and Ubud can be heavy, especially from Kuta or Seminyak. A calm driver and air-conditioned vehicle make the long transfers easier, but you should not book this expecting every minute to be spent sightseeing.

Timing, traffic, and group size

The stated duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes. Elsewhere, the trip is described as a 10-hour outing, and the stop times alone add up to more than five hours. This difference likely reflects pickup routes, traffic, and the way the tour is described, so allow a full day.

Pickup and drop-off are included, which is a real benefit if you are based in Kuta. The tradeoff is that collecting people from different hotels can add time before the first stop. The drive to Ubud may take 1.5 to 2 hours from Kuta or Seminyak, according to the practical guidance provided with the experience.

The group maximum is nine. That is small enough for easier conversation and a better chance to ask questions, but it is still a shared outing. Some bookings may effectively become private if other places are not sold, but you should not count on that.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is also near public transportation, though the included hotel transfer is the simpler choice for this route.

What to bring and what to budget

Bring cash. You may need it for entrance fees, lunch, drinks, the swing, souvenirs, and personal expenses. Bottled water is provided, but meals and other drinks are not.

Wear shoes suitable for walking around a waterfall, forest paths, temple grounds, and rice terraces. The tour information does not promise a long hike at any stop, but the day involves several types of surfaces and repeated getting in and out of the vehicle.

Keep belongings close in Monkey Forest. A closed bag is better than an open backpack, and you should avoid dangling items that could attract the animals.

Your phone or camera will get plenty of use. Guides including Dewa, Yogi, Bello, and Patu are praised for taking photographs, which is especially useful for solo visitors and couples who want more than self-timer shots.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Kuta, have limited time, and want a broad first look at Ubud without arranging transport for each sight. It suits solo visitors, couples, and small groups who value a guide and do not mind a busy schedule.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors to Bali who want cultural explanation, not just transport. The combination of Tirta Empul, offerings, rice farming, Monkey Forest, and local food gives you a useful introduction to several sides of the island.

I would hesitate if you want long walks, quiet temple time, or freedom to linger at one place. The 45 minutes at Tegalalang is short, and traffic can eat into the day. You also need to check the admission-fee option carefully, since the $18 price does not automatically cover every ticket.

The free-cancellation policy is useful if your plans are still shifting: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is efficient sightseeing with a helpful local guide. For $18 before many entrance fees, you get hotel transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, water, insurance, and a route that covers the main Ubud highlights in one day.

Skip it if you want a slow, independent visit or dislike long drives and fixed stop times. For most first visits from Kuta, though, the mix is sensible. Check whether your selected option includes admission, carry cash, guard your bag around the monkeys, and allow the whole day for traffic.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience is listed as approximately 7 hours 30 minutes. Some descriptions refer to it as a 10-hour trip, so you should allow a full day, especially if you are picked up in Kuta or Seminyak.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is nine people.

Is the tour available every day?

Yes. The experience is described as available every day, including last-minute bookings.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included only with the private or small-group options that specifically include admission. Otherwise, Tegenungan Waterfall, Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul fees are extra.

How much does the Tegalalang Swing cost?

The optional swing costs IDR 200,000.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals and other drinks are not included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Drinking water is included.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking tour guide is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.