Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls

REVIEW · TABANAN

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls

  • 4.916 reviews
  • 10 hours
  • From $36
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Operated by Excellent Bali Fun Tour · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating★ 4.9 (16)Duration10 hoursPrice from$36Operated byExcellent Bali Fun TourBook viaGetYourGuide

Monkeys, coffee, and big views in one day. You get Sangeh Monkey Forest with temples and playful wildlife, plus Tegalalang Rice Terrace for classic Bali photos. The one thing to think about is Swing Heaven: if you do not ride or pay for an activity, the stop can feel a bit like a quick photo viewpoint with limited payoff.

For value, I like that this is a private group day with an English-speaking driver and hotel pickup. Transportation is covered for about 10 hours, and bottled water is included. Just remember the add-ons (ATV, rafting, swing) cost extra, so your final bill depends on how adventurous you go.

Key highlights worth your attention

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Key highlights worth your attention

  • Sangeh Monkey Forest: temples plus wild monkeys, with a strong reminder to keep your distance
  • Satria Agrowisata coffee tasting: Luwak coffee sampling as part of the day
  • Swing Heaven: giant swing area where access and experience may depend on paid activities
  • Suwat Waterfall photo stop: you get the entrance covered, but plan for slippery, muddy steps
  • Tegalalang break time: time built in for photos and walking at your own pace
  • English-speaking driver + private transport: easier logistics than DIY hopping around

Why this Ubud-based day feels efficient (and fun)

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Why this Ubud-based day feels efficient (and fun)
Bali can swallow whole days if you play the “hop on, hop off” game. This plan is built like a tight loop: pick up, hit the signature sites around Ubud, then wrap back down to drop-off areas. I like that you are not spending the day just looking for parking or figuring out which road goes where.

You also get a nice mix of Bali moods. One hour you are in a sacred forest with monkeys and temple structures. Next you’re in a coffee stop where Luwak coffee is the star. Then you’re back outdoors again at waterfalls and rice terraces, with photo pauses that do not feel rushed on paper.

The best part for many people is the rhythm. It is not one long bus ride followed by one huge attraction. It is a sequence of short, distinct stops that keeps energy up. The main trade-off is that it is a busy day, so you will want comfortable shoes and you should expect a moderate amount of walking.

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

Pickup, timing, and how to avoid a bad start

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Pickup, timing, and how to avoid a bad start
Your day starts with hotel pickup from several areas around southern and central Bali, including places like Ubud, Kuta, North Kuta, Denpasar, and Kuta Selatan. Drop-off returns you to one of six areas, which helps a lot if you do not want to end the day stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Pickup timing gets sent via WhatsApp as needed. The practical tip I’d follow: be ready in the lobby about 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup window. Bali traffic can shift, and your driver will likely be trying to keep the whole loop on track.

This is a private group setup, so you are not squeezed into a shared minibus with strangers. You also have English speaking support from the driver, which matters when you want clarity at stops, especially at places where rules and wildlife behavior matter.

Duration is set to about 10 hours of transportation and sightseeing flow. That means you get a full day, not just a half-day checklist.

Ubud lunch and the classic terrace-meets-temples pacing

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Ubud lunch and the classic terrace-meets-temples pacing
The day anchors in Ubud, and the schedule includes time for lunch at about the halfway mark. You are set up for a traditional Balinese lunch at a local restaurant, with time set aside for that meal (around an hour). This is one of those underrated parts of a tour: when lunch is included in the day structure, you are less likely to waste time hunting down something simple near a tourist site.

After lunch, the day keeps moving through Ubud’s signature outdoors stops, starting with the forest and then switching to coffee and adventure. The Tegalalang Rice Terrace stop also gets built-in break time and photo time, which is important because rice terraces are best enjoyed slowly. You want time to step aside, find a spot out of the busiest photo lines, and take your own angles without feeling like you are being chased by the clock.

If you are the type who likes to keep switching between “look” and “walk,” this pacing suits you. If you prefer one long chill block with fewer transitions, this may feel too active.

Sangeh Monkey Forest: temples, monkeys, and practical wildlife respect

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Sangeh Monkey Forest: temples, monkeys, and practical wildlife respect
Sangeh Monkey Forest is the kind of stop that sounds like a cliché until you’re actually there. It is playful, chaotic in the best way, and it also carries a sacred tone because of the ancient temple elements in the area.

You are scheduled for about an hour for visit and sightseeing. That is enough time to see the main temple area and spend moments watching monkey behavior without turning it into a long ordeal. But you should treat this as wildlife, not an attraction ride.

Based on what guides have been like on similar days, I strongly suggest you keep your focus on safe behavior: do not startle the monkeys, keep belongings secured, and follow local guidance if something changes around you. The tour notes also emphasize respecting local customs and wildlife, which is the right mindset here.

From a comfort standpoint, plan for walking on uneven ground. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and keep your phone/camera protected when monkeys get too curious. If you’re coming with small children or you’re easily stressed by animals, this is the stop where you’ll want extra patience.

Coffee at Satria Agrowisata: Luwak tasting as part of the story

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Coffee at Satria Agrowisata: Luwak tasting as part of the story
Next comes Satria Agrowisata, a coffee plantation stop with coffee and coffee tasting (about an hour). The big highlight is Luwak coffee, often presented as a special and high-demand coffee style.

Here’s how I’d think about this stop: even if you are not a hardcore coffee nerd, this is a good reset between outdoors-heavy segments. It is shade, sitting time, and a chance to learn the basics of how coffee is processed and why Luwak coffee gets attention.

The tour structure makes the tasting part of the experience rather than a hard sell. You can usually get something out of it just by paying attention and asking questions about what you’re tasting. The practical move is to keep cash on hand if there are purchase options, since personal expenses are not included for activities.

If you do not care about coffee at all, you can still use this hour to regroup, hydrate, and get back your legs before the adventure stops.

Swing Heaven: the giant swing attraction and the cost question

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Swing Heaven: the giant swing attraction and the cost question
Swing Heaven is where the day turns into pure adrenaline marketing. The description is all about giant swings and the idea of flying without wings. It’s a popular photo stop because the structure is dramatic and the view angles are strong.

But here’s the real-world caution that I think matters: some people find this stop underwhelming if they do not plan to pay for a ride or activity. One common frustration is that you may feel you are paying for access to the best part of the experience, while just looking at the swing spot does not feel worth the time.

The tour is still set to include time for visit and sightseeing (about an hour). So you are not just getting a 10-minute drive-by. Still, decide in advance what you want:

  • If you want the swing experience itself, plan your budget.
  • If your priority is photos only, expect that you might need to pay for the most impressive viewpoints or photo moments.

Also, note that swing experiences can be couple-oriented in how people choose to do them, and it can feel pricey if you are not sure you want to go for it. The good news: even if you skip the paid activity, you might still get a memorable photo moment from the area—just don’t assume it will feel complete without any spending.

Suwat Waterfall: a photo stop that rewards good shoes

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Suwat Waterfall: a photo stop that rewards good shoes
Suwat Waterfall is scheduled as a photo stop plus a visit (around an hour). The tour includes entrance tickets for waterfalls only, which helps keep costs predictable compared with adding your own sightseeing tickets all day.

This is also the stop where you should be most thoughtful about footwear. Mud can show up fast, and walking paths near waterfalls can get slippery. One practical tip from people who have done this kind of route: bring water shoes or shoes that can handle wet, muddy ground.

Even if you are not planning to hike far, you’ll probably walk a bit to get to the best angles. That means you should bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. If you’re bringing a change of clothes or beachwear, this is the day segment where it could actually come in handy.

From a pacing perspective, this is a nice contrast: after coffee and swing excitement, the waterfall brings the day back to calm, nature-focused moments. It is not a full-day trekking affair, but it gives you a genuine Bali outdoors payoff.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: built-in break time for better photos

Bali: Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ancient Temple, Waterfalls - Tegalalang Rice Terrace: built-in break time for better photos
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of the most recognizable rice-terrace areas around Ubud, and the tour gives it space to breathe. You have a break time plus photo stops, visit, and sightseeing, set for about an hour.

This is the best stop to slow down. Rice terraces are all about angles, layers, and finding a viewpoint that feels good to you. If you rush, you end up with cookie-cutter photos and sore feet.

The tour’s structure helps because you are not stuck doing a constant “one photo then move on” routine. You can step out, pause, and take in the view. Just keep in mind it is still outdoors, with sun and uneven walking.

Bring sunscreen and a hat, and consider keeping some cash handy for small on-site purchases if there are options like drinks or snacks. You’re also on the tour’s loop, so being ready to move when your driver calls you helps the day stay smooth.

Transportation and what you really get for $36

The price listed is about $36 per person for a 10-hour day. For many people, that’s the biggest value hook: hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation for the day, bottled water, and parking fees are included.

Entrance tickets are included for waterfalls only, which matters because waterfalls can add up if you do everything independently. Beyond that, most other things in the day are handled through the planned stops, not separate paid admissions that you must manage yourself mid-trip.

What is not included is where your personal spending can change quickly: activities like ATV, rafting, and the swing experience itself (when applicable) are extra. The tour also notes that your personal expenses for those activities are your responsibility.

So the value equation becomes simple:

  • If you enjoy the sights and use paid add-ons only if you want them, the cost makes sense.
  • If you plan to do every adrenaline activity, you’ll pay more on top, and the $36 becomes just the base transportation and guide time.

When guides make a difference: English support and backup plans

A tour like this stands or falls on the driver’s ability to manage flow. People have highlighted English communication and helpful guidance, including names like Angga and Ahyar in their experiences.

What stands out from those reports is how the day adapts when conditions change. For example, rain can affect walking sections and photo time. In one instance, a guide adjusted the plan by skipping a few steps and bringing good backup ideas to still deliver a satisfying experience.

That matters because Bali weather can be unpredictable. If you go in with flexible expectations and a good attitude, you’ll usually end up with a day that feels more tailored to what’s possible that day.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This package works well if you want a one-day Bali sampler with major highlights: monkeys and temples, Luwak coffee tasting, a swing-style adrenaline stop, a waterfall moment, and the classic Tegalalang rice terrace.

It may be a mismatch if you want a low-walking day. There is a moderate amount of walking throughout, and several parts of the route involve uneven paths and outdoor heat.

It is also not suitable for:

  • pregnant women
  • people with back problems
  • wheelchair users

If any of those apply, you’ll likely be more comfortable with a different format that reduces walking and avoids rough terrain.

If you are comfortable with active sightseeing and you like photos, this is a strong choice. If you prefer a slow museum-and-café day, you might find it too packed.

Should you book this Ubud Monkey Forest and waterfalls day?

I’d book it if you want an organized way to hit multiple top Bali stops in one 10-hour block, with private transport and English support. I also think it’s a solid value if you plan to enjoy the sights and only pay for extra activities if you truly want them.

I would pause before booking if Swing Heaven is your only reason for choosing the tour and you do not want to pay for the swing experience. That stop can feel like a disappointment when you only want to look, not participate.

If you’re the type who likes structure, wants a driver to manage timing, and enjoys switching between monkeys, coffee, waterfalls, and rice terraces, this kind of day makes sense. It is an efficient loop with enough variation to keep your interest—and enough practical planning built in to make the day feel easy.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, about 10 hours of transportation, bottled water, parking fees, and entrance tickets for waterfalls only.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You have a scheduled traditional Balinese lunch at a local restaurant with time allotted for the meal.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is 10 hours.

Is the driver/guide English-speaking?

Yes. The driver provides English support, and the group is private.

Are the activities like ATV, rafting, or the swing included?

No. Personal expenses for activities such as ATV, rafting, and the swing are not included, so you’d pay separately if you choose to do them.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems, and it is also not suitable for pregnant women.

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