Sangeh Monkey Forest, Jatiluwih & Batukaru Temple Tour

Monkey Forest without the crush. This private full-day Bedugul route is designed for less-touristy stops and big nature hits, from Sangeh’s monkeys to rice terraces and waterfall views. You also get a proper mix of temples and scenery, with chances for classic photos at the lake area.

What I like most is the Sangeh Monkey Forest vibe: beautiful, and far less packed than Bali’s usual monkey stops. The second win is Jatiluwih—UNESCO rice terraces with a calm feel that makes your photos look better without trying too hard.

The only real drawback: this is a long day (about 8 to 10 hours) with lots of driving between highland sights, so build in patience and comfortable shoes.

Key highlights worth marking on your map

• Sangeh Monkey Forest with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere
• Leke Leke Waterfall as a less-visited stop with a solid 45-minute break
• Jatiluwih UNESCO rice terraces for a quiet, scenic hour
• Luhur Batukaru Temple in a forest setting, tied to Hindu Mahadewa worship
• Bedugul lake and twin-lakes viewpoints plus photo time at Handara Kosaido Gate
• Guide Wi getting you extra value with an added stop when possible

A Day Through Bali’s Bedugul Highlands From Ubud

This tour is aimed at the Bedugul highlands—cooler air, dramatic greens, and temples that feel like they belong to the forest, not to a shopping strip. The route blends wildlife, waterfalls, rice terraces, and Hindu sites, so you’re not stuck doing one theme all day.

It also runs as a true private tour: only your group rides together in an air-conditioned minivan. That matters in Bali, where public transport and shared shuttles can turn “sightseeing” into “stop-and-wait.”

Start time is 8:30 am, and the whole day clocks in around 8 to 10 hours. Plan for a full day of movement—great if you like to see a lot, less great if you want a slow breakfast and a short stroll.

Price and Logistics: Is $75.99 Good Value?

At $75.99 per person, the price makes sense for what you’re getting: door-to-door pickup, air-conditioned transport, and included admission tickets for the main stops listed (Sangeh Monkey Forest, Leke Leke Waterfall, Jatiluwih, and Luhur Batukaru Temple). The tour also includes a mobile ticket, which reduces the last-minute fuss.

What’s not included: lunch. You’ll have a traditional Balinese lunch at a local restaurant, but it’s own expense. So budget for that meal separately so you don’t end the day doing math with sweaty hands.

Two practical tips on logistics:

• Smart casual dress is requested. Think breathable tops and long pants you don’t mind getting a little dusty.
• Water is your friend. Bedugul is cooler than the coast, but you’ll still walk, climb stairs, and stand for photos.

One more point: the tour offers group discounts. If you’re traveling with friends or family, it can be worth asking how discounts apply before you book.

Sangeh Monkey Forest: Beautiful, and Fewer Tourists

Sangeh Monkey Forest is often praised as one of Bali’s prettier monkey spots, and the big difference here is the crowd level. This is the kind of stop you can enjoy without feeling like you’re standing inside someone else’s itinerary.

You’ll spend about 30 minutes there, and the admission ticket is included. That time is long enough to walk the paths, take photos, and watch the monkeys without rushing through it like it’s a checklist item.

Practical advice for the monkey part:

• Keep your phone secure and your hands to yourself. A monkey that wants attention will find it.
• Avoid carrying snacks in open view, even if it feels like you’re being careful.
• If a monkey approaches, don’t panic-step backward. Stand still and let it decide it’s bored.

If you’re the type who loves wildlife but hates chaos, this stop is a strong match.

Leke Leke Waterfall: A Less-Visited Break in the Day

Next up is Leke Leke Waterfall, described as one of the most beautiful and less-touristy waterfall options in Bali. It’s a 45-minute stop with admission included, which is a useful duration: long enough to get a couple of viewpoints, short enough to keep the day moving.

This is the kind of place where timing and weather matter. Rain can make the area slippery, but it can also make the waterfall look fuller. Either way, wear shoes with grip and take your time on any steps.

What you can expect:

• A nature-focused stop, with fewer “instant selfie” vibes than more famous waterfalls.
• A chance to cool off and reset during the heavier parts of the day.

If you hate rushing scenic stops, 45 minutes feels like the right balance here—especially when you’re juggling multiple temples and viewpoints later.

Jatiluwih Green Land: UNESCO Rice Terraces That Feel Quiet

Then you hit Jatiluwih, known for being the biggest and most beautiful rice terrace area in Bali—and it’s UNESCO. You’ll have about 1 hour, and admission is included.

This is one of the rare sightseeing hours in Bali that can feel calm. When the terraces stretch out and the air is highland-cool, the photography becomes easier because the setting is already doing the work.

A few practical ways to get more out of your hour:

• Bring your camera and be ready to pause. The best views often come after you stop walking.
• If you want a less crowded feel, aim to start photographing shortly after you arrive, not in the middle of the busiest moment.
• Wear sunscreen anyway. Highland sun can still sneak up on you.

Jatiluwih is also a good “breather” stop: after monkeys and a waterfall, rice terraces give your eyes a slower, wider scene.

Luhur Batukaru Temple: Forest Setting and Hindu Mahadewa Ties

After the terraces, the day turns more spiritual with Luhur Batukaru Temple. The site is described as one of Bali’s most beautiful temples set in the forest, and it’s tied to Hindu worship dedicated to Mahadewa.

You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, with admission included. That’s enough time to walk the temple area at a respectful pace, take in the setting, and understand the general feel of the place without turning it into a race.

What makes this stop worthwhile is the atmosphere. A temple in the forest tends to feel quieter and more grounded than one located in a dense tourist strip.

A couple of etiquette reminders that help everywhere in Bali:

• Dress modestly and avoid anything too revealing.
• Follow any local guidance on where to stand and where not to go.
• Keep your voice down—quiet is part of being respectful here.

If you like temples with nature around them, Batukaru is a strong anchor for the day.

Lake Bratan, Ulundanu, and Banyumala Waterfall in the Bedugul Mix

The tour also highlights Lake Bratan and its famous temple, Ulundanu Temple, often called the Floating Temple. You also get mention of Banyumala Waterfall, which adds another nature hit beyond Leke Leke.

Even if you’re not a hardcore temple person, Lake Bratan is the kind of stop that changes the day’s rhythm. The water adds scale, the sky and hills give you that highland feel, and it works as a visual reset after forest and terraces.

As for Banyumala Waterfall, treat it as your second “water break.” If you’re sensitive to slippery paths, take it slow and don’t let photo timing push you into unsafe footing.

This part of the day is where the tour’s value really shows: instead of only one big attraction, you’re stacking multiple Bedugul highlights—temple + lake + waterfall—without needing to plan each transfer yourself.

Handara Kosaido Gate and Twin Lakes: Where the Photos Happen

The tour includes time for photos at Handara Kosaido Gate, plus views of the Twin Lakes area. This is the classic “let’s get the shot” moment, and it’s also a nice change of pace: you’re not only walking and worshiping, you’re stopping for views.

If you’re traveling with friends, this is a good spot for everyone to regroup. If you’re traveling solo, it’s a good place to slow down and just watch how the lake and sky shift as clouds move.

Photo advice (simple but effective):

• Shoot from a couple angles instead of one quick frame.
• Try different light directions—highland light can change fast.
• Don’t block paths. Wait your turn and keep it moving.

The Twin Lakes viewpoints are a great payoff for the long driving hours, because they give you something wide and calm that the monkey forest can’t.

The Guide Factor: Why Wi’s Extra Stop Matters

One of the biggest reasons people rate this tour so high is the guide. In the feedback I saw, Wi is called out as fabulous and specifically praised for going the extra mile to make sure the group sees as much as possible—and even adding an extra stop for the day.

That’s not a small detail. In a long 8 to 10 hour itinerary, the difference between a good guide and a great one is timing, pacing, and knowing when to squeeze in a useful additional moment.

If you want maximum value, this is where you’ll feel it:

• You’re not just transported from place to place.
• You’re guided through the day’s logic—how to hit the highlights without wasting time.

A private tour is only as good as the person steering it. Wi’s attention seems to be a big part of why this one gets recommended.

Lunch, Shoes, and Small Planning Things That Save Your Day

Lunch is included as a traditional meal, but it’s listed as own expense. So treat lunch as a separate budget item, not something covered in your $75.99.

Bring or plan for:

• Comfortable shoes: you’ll be walking around forest areas, waterfalls, and temple grounds.
• A light layer: Bedugul can feel cooler than you expect, especially if you’re in shade.
• Sun protection: even in highlands, you can get burned.

Also, smart casual is the requested dress style. That’s easy in practice—just skip anything too formal and don’t wear anything you can’t comfortably walk in.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This tour is ideal if you want Bali that feels more like the interior than the usual beachfront circuit. It also suits you if you like a mix: monkeys, waterfalls, temples, and rice terraces in one day.

It’s especially good if:

• You want fewer-crowd experiences, like Sangeh Monkey Forest.
• You care about nature scenes and photo-worthy viewpoints.
• You prefer private pacing over hopping between groups.

You might want to choose something else if:

• You hate long travel days. Between multiple Bedugul stops, it’s active.
• You’re expecting a fully relaxed, minimal-walking day.
• You can’t handle uneven, natural terrain around waterfalls and temple areas.

If you’re okay with a full itinerary and you like variety, this tour has a lot going for it.

Should You Book Sangeh Monkey Forest, Jatiluwih & Batukaru?

If your goal is a private, high-value day in Bali’s Bedugul region, this is a strong choice. You’re getting included admissions for the main listed stops, air-conditioned transport, and a route that hits both nature and temples without feeling single-note.

Book it if you want:

• A less crowded monkey experience
• UNESCO-level rice terrace time
• A forest temple that feels more secluded than many tourist sites
• A guide who pays attention to maximizing your day (Wi gets mentioned for this)

Skip or reconsider if you’re looking for an easy half-day with minimal driving. This one is for people who like to see a lot, learn a few things along the way, and return to your base tired in a good way.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8 to 10 hours (approx.).

Is pickup included from Ubud?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you’ll travel in an air-conditioned minivan.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What does the $75.99 per person price include?

The tour price is $75.99 per person and includes pickup/transport, plus admission tickets for several main stops (Sangeh Monkey Forest, Leke Leke Waterfall, Jatiluwih Green Land, and Luhur Batukaru Temple).

Do you use mobile tickets?

Yes. The tour offers a mobile ticket.

Is lunch included?

A traditional Balinese lunch is part of the day, but it’s listed as own expense at a local restaurant.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.