Pick 5 Destinations: Customized Ubud Tour

Want Ubud on your terms? This private custom tour lets you design the day around your pace, not a fixed bus schedule. I like that you can pick up to five stops from a menu that ranges from the Monkey Forest to Mt. Kawi, so you can balance famous and calmer spots. I also like the easy pickup from Ubud and south Bali with an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water waiting for you.

The one drawback to plan for: entrance fees and lunch are not included, so your final total depends on which five places you choose—and how many you add that require tickets.

On paper it’s 8 to 10 hours, which is a full-day loop through Ubud and nearby areas. What you’re really buying is a driver, comfortable transport, and freedom to choose the mix—temples, terraces, waterfalls, and one high-adrenaline photo stop if you want it.

Key points to know before you pick your five stops

• Pick up to five attractions from a long menu and keep the day flexible
• 2-way hotel pickup covers Ubud plus many south Bali areas
• Air-conditioned car and bottled water make the long day feel easier
• Entrance fees are on you while fuel, parking, and transport are included
• Your guide-driver matters: names like Agung Rai, Winata, and Sakha show up in top feedback

A private custom Ubud day: how the day is built

This is a private, custom tour, meaning it’s just your group in the vehicle. You’ll start with pickup from your hotel area (and yes, pickup is listed for a wide range: Ubud; Sanur; Kuta; Legian; Seminyak; Canggu; Denpasar; Nusa Dua; Jimbaran; Uluwatu). You get an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and parking and fuel handled for you.

Then comes the core idea: you select up to five places. The tour is designed so you can move quickly from stop to stop, or slow down if you want more time to look, walk, and take photos. It’s not “see everything.” It’s “see the things you actually want,” which is a big deal in Bali, where one extra stop can turn a relaxed plan into a rushed one.

You’ll also want to understand what’s included versus what’s not. Transport, bottled water, and pickup are included. Entrance fees are explicitly not included, and lunch is also not included—so you’ll budget for tickets at each site and decide where you’ll eat.

Price and value: what $34.62 really covers

At $34.62 per person, the value is strongest if you want a private car for the day and you’re picky about the stops. You’re not just paying for driving—you’re paying for a full-day plan that you customize, with a driver to handle the order of places and the transport between them.

The “watch out” part is simple: the ticketed sites can add up. Every listed stop that’s marked as requiring admission has you buy on the spot, including big names like Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Bali Swing, Tirta Empul, Mount Kawi, Elephant Cave, and the waterfalls. Since you pick up to five, your final cost is directly tied to your selection.

If you’re booking with friends, check the group-discount angle (it’s listed as a feature). Private tours can get pricey when it’s only two people, but group travel can make the math friendlier.

Your stop list: 12 real options, choose up to five

Below is what each option looks like in practice, plus the tradeoffs. Since the tour is built around selecting your five, use this like a menu to assemble your day.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

This is a true Ubud classic: a thick forest walkway where you move under shade and spot wildlife like monkeys, birds, lizards, and butterflies. The visit is set at about 1 hour, which is enough time to walk the main paths without turning it into a long endurance test.

The consideration is that this is a popular nature-and-wildlife stop, so it can feel busy depending on the day. If you prefer calmer, quieter vibes, the menu gives you other options like Mt. Kawi.

Ubud Traditional Art Market

The Art Market is all about browsing handmade goods and picking up souvenirs. You’ll spend around 1 hour walking around, and the guide-style advice here is straightforward: bargain for prices with local vendors.

A small upside: it’s a natural place to add early in the day because it doesn’t require stairs or swimming gear. A small caution: if you hate shopping or crowds, you’ll want to keep your time tight and skip lingering.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace

Tegalalang is one of those “you get why people come” stops. You’ll see rice terracing across green areas and do a short trek along the rice paddies for better views. The time block is about 1 hour and it’s often chosen for photos, including the kind people post as an Instagram highlight.

The tradeoff: terraces involve walking on uneven ground. If you want a gentler day, keep your other picks lighter and save the most active stop for later when you’re warmed up.

Real Bali Swing

This is the adrenaline-and-photo stop. The focus is on the giant jungle swing and the idea of zipping for a memory you’ll actually use later. You’re given about 1 hour here, which usually works for photos and the activity itself.

The consideration is timing and energy. If you’re already stacking active stops (temples with stairs, terraces with walking), the swing can be the point where the day starts to feel heavier.

Mount Batur

This is described as a top lunch/view choice, with an overlook of the volcano and the lake. Your visit is about 1 hour, which can work nicely as a planned break: you stop, enjoy the view, and handle your meal without rushing to the next ticketed site.

The tradeoff is that it’s a viewpoint stop, not a shaded stroll. If you’re sensitive to heat, you’ll want to be ready with sun protection and water.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul is a major temple stop where locals do holy blessing rituals for cleansing the body and soul. The tour allows about 1 hour, which gives you time to look around and understand the significance without feeling like you’re sprinting.

You might also see the chance to participate in the cleansing blessing is mentioned, though details aren’t spelled out here. In practical terms, treat this as a cultural/spiritual site first, not just a photo stop.

Mount Kawi

Mount Kawi is an archaeological stop with temple shrines built into a cliff face. This one comes with serious stairs: it says you reach it after walking around 600 stairs down and the same way up. The time block is about 1 hour.

The obvious consideration is physical effort. If your priority is comfort and easy walking, you might swap Mount Kawi for a less stair-heavy option. If you want a quieter, more dramatic setting, this is one of the most distinct menu choices.

Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)

Goa Gajah is another archaeological option. You walk down about 80 stairs to reach the temple pieces and the main cave area with old ornaments. It’s set at about 1 hour.

The tradeoff is that it’s stair-based and cave-focused, so you’ll want comfortable shoes and a steady pace. It’s also a good choice if you want archaeology that feels different from the typical Bali temple postcard.

Tibumana Waterfall

Tibumana is an east-side waterfall option with a blue lagoon feel from mountain water. It’s described as a nice place for swimming, and the visit time is about 30 minutes.

The consideration: a short visit means you’ll likely do a quick swim or short pause for photos, not a long relaxation session. If you really want waterfall time, consider pairing it with only one or two other active stops.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Kanto Lampo is a very popular photo waterfall. You’ll go for the water splash and the sun rays effect that creates dramatic pictures. The visit time is about 30 minutes.

The tradeoff is that “popular for photos” often means “popular for sharing space.” If you hate waiting or shoulder-to-shoulder moments, you may want to treat this as a quick stop and not overstay.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan is called the closest waterfall to central Ubud and also the most popular hangout spot. The time is about 30 minutes, and it’s described as a good place for swimming.

There’s also a brief note about options for mobility concerns, but the details are cut off, so you’ll want to plan based on what your body can handle. Compared with the others, this one is often chosen when you want something easy to reach and lively.

Batuan Temple

Batuan Temple is a shorter cultural stop, about 30 minutes. It’s described as a village shrine connected to the concept of Tri Kahyangan or Tri Murti, taught around the 10th century by Mpu Kuturan, plus the temple is tied to the villagers and Balinese painting culture.

The consideration: it’s short. This is a great add-on if you want cultural context without turning the day into a long temple marathon.

How to build a great five-stop itinerary without stressing

You can think of your five stops in “blocks.” Each block has its own energy level, and mixing them well makes the day feel like a win instead of a checklist.

A simple approach:

• Start with an easy anchor: Art Market or a single nature walk like Monkey Forest.
• Add one active walking stop: Rice Terrace or Bali Swing (pick one if you want to stay sane).
• Choose a cultural core: Tirta Empul or Elephant Cave or Mount Kawi (only if you’re ready for stairs).
• Pick one water break: one waterfall is usually plenty for a 30-minute slot.

One classic combo that matches the menu’s strengths: Monkey Forest + Art Market + Tegalalang Rice Terrace + Bali Swing + Mount Batur. It covers nature, local life, photos, adrenaline, and a view-lunch break.

If you’re more temple-focused, try Tirta Empul + Elephant Cave + Batuan Temple and add one waterfall (Tibumana tends to sound like the best “swim break” choice). Save Mount Kawi for a separate trip if you want to fully enjoy the stairs instead of surviving them.

And if your goal is mostly water and photos, you can build a day around Tibumana + Kanto Lampo + Tegenungan plus one rice terrace and one market stop. It’s busy energy, but the time slots are clearly set.

Timing reality: 8–10 hours goes faster than you think

The tour gives you a wide window—about 8 to 10 hours. The stop durations are built around roughly one-hour blocks for many major attractions and about 30 minutes for the waterfall-style stops.

That means your day can fill up fast if you stack multiple “big ticket” sites plus stairs. Mount Kawi and Elephant Cave are the ones that can change how you feel physically. If you’re choosing them, do it with intention: keep the other stops simpler and plan your shoes and pace around that.

Also remember: you’re buying entrance tickets separately at each site, and that can add small delays. It’s not a problem, it’s just part of the day—so don’t choose five places if you prefer a slow, linger-and-nap schedule.

Driver quality is part of the experience: Agung Rai, Winata, Sakha

Even with a custom itinerary, your driver can shape how smooth the day feels. In strong feedback, I see a theme: drivers who explain what you’re seeing and who adapt to your pace.

Agung Rai is highlighted for Balinese culture and history insights, which matters because it turns stops from “photo opportunities” into places with context. Winata is described as extremely accommodating, taking people wherever they chose and giving time to activities rather than forcing a tight script. Sakha gets praise for a luxurious car, plus being considerate and patient while the group did activities.

That’s a useful takeaway for you: when you book, think about what kind of day you want. If you want stories, ask for more context. If you want a lighter day, tell the driver you’ll want more time per stop and fewer side errands.

Should you book it? My straight answer

Book this customized Ubud Tour if you want control. It’s ideal when you like the idea of selecting up to five places—mixing major Ubud hits with calmer archaeological and temple stops—without dealing with arranging rides and sequencing yourself.

Skip it (or at least consider a shorter plan) if you hate planning at all. You’ll have to choose your five, and entrance fees plus lunch will add to the base price. Also, if your mobility is limited, be careful with stair-heavy picks like Mount Kawi and Elephant Cave.

FAQ

FAQ

How many attractions can I choose on this tour?

You can select up to five places to visit.

Where does pickup start from?

Pickup is offered in Ubud and from many south Bali areas, including Sanur, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Denpasar, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, and Uluwatu.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Is the tour completely private?

Yes. It’s private, so only your group participates.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. All entrance fees are not included, and you buy them on the spot.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What’s included besides the transportation?

You get an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, bottled water, fuel surcharge, and parking fees.

Do I need to pay extra for the vehicle and pickup?

No. Pickup is free from the listed areas, and transport details are included. You still pay entrance fees separately.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. 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 paid is not refunded.