Tanah Lot Tour with Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, and Waterfalls

One day, five icons of Bali. This Tanah Lot Tour with Ubud Monkey Forest, rice terraces, and waterfalls is built for a fast, organized hit of the island—handled by a private driver who keeps things moving and can even help with photos. I like that it groups the big-name sights into one day without making you plan every turn yourself, and it usually includes the entry fees so you’re not stopping for ticket errands. The main drawback to watch is timing: Bali traffic can be slow, and that can affect how close you get to ideal sunset plans at Tanah Lot.

My favorite part is the contrast. You go from the crowded-feeling coastal drama of Tanah Lot Temple to the thick jungle world of the Monkey Forest, where you’re looking at around 900 long-tail macaques in their habitat. Then you get that classic “wow” moment at Tegalalang rice terraces, with layered greens that look like someone turned landscape into a photo filter.

One more thing I’d consider before booking: the Ubud art stops are real places, but they’re also built for buying. If you’re not into woodcarvings, silver, painting, or batik, you may feel the day gets a bit shop-heavy between scenic breaks like Tegenungan Waterfall. Also, the day runs about 8 to 10 hours, so wear comfy shoes and plan for some walking.

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• Private driver + hotel pickup/drop-off: easier start, fewer logistics headaches.
• Tanah Lot Temple: a sea-rock temple that’s good for photos and often for sunset views.
• Monkey Forest Sanctuary: around 900 Bali long-tail macaques plus iconic spots like the dragon bridge area.
• Tegalalang rice terraces: a top Ubud photo stop with 1 hour on site.
• Tegenungan Waterfall: a short, active stop with a chance to go down near the plunge pool.
• Art villages (Mas, Celuk, Tohpati, Ubud): woodcarvings, silver jewelry, painting, and batik with explanations.

Value for $67: what you’re actually paying for

At $67 per person, this is one of those Bali day trips that makes sense because a lot is bundled: private transportation, an English-speaking driver, hotel pickup and drop-off, and entrance fees for the stops are included. Food and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to budget for that separately, especially if you end up hungry during the long road hours.

The “private” part matters here. You’re not sharing a van with a bunch of strangers and waiting while everyone argues about where to stand for photos. It’s your group only, so your driver can pace the day to fit what you care about—within reason and time.

One more practical perk: the tour uses a mobile ticket, which reduces the “where’s my printout” stress on travel days. Also, you’re usually booking about two weeks ahead on average, so it’s not a last-minute-only style of tour.

Tanah Lot Temple: sea-rock views, plus the sunset timing reality

Tanah Lot is famous for a reason. The temple sits on a rock formation just off the coast, so you get dramatic shoreline views and multiple viewing points for different angles. It’s one of those places where even if the crowd is thick, the scenery keeps rewarding you.

The tour schedule gives you about 1 hour at Tanah Lot, and admission is included. That’s enough time to walk around the main areas and take photos without feeling like you’re trapped in a single spot.

Now, the important consideration: the description frames Tanah Lot as a great sunset spot, but the day trip is structured as a long route starting earlier in the morning. One guest experience specifically noted they arrived in the afternoon, and sunset was not part of the plan at that timing. So go in with this mindset: Tanah Lot is beautiful at many times of day, but if sunset is your one big goal, plan for a flexible expectation.

Tip for your own comfort: this is a walking stop. Bring shoes that can handle uneven ground and a bit of crowd movement.

Tegenungan Waterfall: a short stop with real scenery payoff

Tegenungan Waterfall is the kind of stop that resets your eyes after temple and craft stops. You’ll have about 30 minutes, and entry is included.

The best part here is that the stop isn’t only “look from above.” The experience includes time to go down toward the pebbly base, and you may also be able to enjoy a dip in the plunge pool. Even if you skip the water, you still get that lush green feel around the falls that makes the photos look alive.

Because the stop is brief, treat it like a focused break. Don’t plan to do a long hike. You’re there for the immediate waterfall moment, quick photos, and (optional) water time.

Tegalalang rice terraces: your 1-hour photo window

Tegalalang is one of Bali’s most recognizable rice-terrace scenes. You’ll get about 1 hour, with admission included.

This is a classic stop for a reason: the stepped green layers give you instant structure for photos, and you can usually find multiple viewpoints as you walk along. It’s not just a picture background, either—it gives you a sense of how much work it takes to shape farmland into something this visually striking.

What to watch for: this stop can feel crowded depending on the day and time, and you’ll be walking on uneven paths to see angles. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates crowds, go a bit slower, and focus on finding calmer corners rather than chasing the “perfect spot.”

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud: 900 macaques, jungle energy

The Monkey Forest isn’t a zoo. You’re in a sanctuary environment where you can observe around 900 Bali long-tail macaques in their real habitat. The tour description also points to the Tri Hita Karana concept—peace and harmony—so it’s not only a wildlife stop. It’s wrapped in a spiritual and cultural setting.

You’ll have about 1 hour here. That’s enough time to see the highlights without feeling rushed, especially if your driver helps you plan which paths to start with first.

Expect iconic visuals like the dragon bridge, plus the mix of lush forest and river-canyon style scenery. There’s also a monkeys temple area, so you’ll feel the blend of nature and temple space as you move around.

Practical note: this is an active place. Even with a short time, you’ll do a decent amount of walking.

Artisan villages in Ubud, Mas, Celuk, and Tohpati: art stops with a sales vibe

This is the part that can be either fascinating or a little tiring, depending on your expectations. The tour includes visits where you can see and learn about woodcarvings, silver jewelry, painting, and batik across Ubud and artisan areas like Mas, Celuk, and Tohpati. There’s also mention of a local art historian guide at each stop, so you’re not only looking at products—you’re getting context about what you’re seeing.

Here’s the honest balance from real-world experience: some travelers feel these stops can start to resemble art markets. If you want deep craft education, ask specific questions early, not after you’re already in browsing mode. And be ready for pressure-free but persistent selling—because these locations are also built to sell.

Shopping strategy that keeps you sane:

• If you like something, compare prices later before committing. One guest even warned that the same type of sculpture can be found for far less at souvenir shops elsewhere.
• Watch for upsells like coffee tastings tied to the craft circuit. Luwak coffee shows up in experiences described with this style of itinerary, so if that’s not your thing, you can politely skip purchases.

Also, a few experiences included extra value beyond the expected stops, like an additional temple stop such as Mengwi when timing allowed. So if your driver has flexibility, the day can feel more personal.

How the whole day works: traffic, pacing, and staying flexible

The tour runs roughly 8 to 10 hours, and the island’s driving can be slow. In practice, that means you should build the day around patience, not a strict minute-by-minute plan.

One negative scenario that showed up in experiences: delays from traffic can cut into the scheduled sites, especially if you’re trying to hit multiple “must-see” moments at the exact time they’re most photogenic. When that happens, the tour may still be good, but you may lose part of what you thought you’d get.

So I recommend you travel with two attitudes:

• Choose what you care most about. For some people, that’s Monkey Forest. For others, it’s Tanah Lot or Tegenungan.
• Let your driver know your top priority early. If your first choice is sunset at Tanah Lot, say so at pickup—then you’ll know quickly whether the schedule can support it.

And yes, you’ll likely be in the car a lot. Bring something to keep you comfortable, since food isn’t included and you won’t want to start the day hungry.

Drivers make the difference: from picture-taking pros to quiet explanations

This tour is guided by an English-speaking driver, and in many cases, that’s where the magic happens. Plenty of experiences praised drivers for being professional, safe, and helpful with photos.

You’ll see names like Juli (including picture-taking and patience), Ockta (friendly and accommodating for photo moments), Kody (courteous and English well), Nyoman (friendly and knowledgeable), Dika (super, with extra helpfulness), Eka (friendly and family-friendly), Aldo (fun and informative), and even Madeles and Dex Guzz (both noted for flexibility and pacing). One guide named Jhuna was praised for adding extra places beyond the standard plan.

That said, not every driver is equally talkative or deep on cultural explanation. A couple experiences noted limited information sharing unless asked, or English limits. So if you want more than just directions, you should treat the driver like your on-the-day resource: ask questions while you’re driving. You’ll get more out of the time.

Who should book this day trip (and who should not)

This is a strong match if you want a high-impact sampler day. First-time Bali visitors often like it because it strings together major highlights—Tanah Lot, Monkey Forest, rice terraces, an iconic waterfall, and the craft circuit—without you needing to stitch together tickets and transport.

It’s also a good option for families, since people reported the day can work even with young children when the driver keeps the pace reasonable.

Where it may not fit:

• If you hate shopping stops. The artisan villages are part of the core structure.
• If you want a slow, museum-style cultural deep dive with lots of detailed explanation. This is more of a highlight tour with a driver-led flow.
• If sunset at Tanah Lot is your one non-negotiable. The schedule may put you there for afternoon views, not guaranteed golden hour.

Should you book Tanah Lot, Ubud, and waterfalls in one day?

I’d book it if you like variety and want to see several of Bali’s “most famous” spots in one organized private day for a price that includes entrance fees and transport. The best version of this trip is when your driver takes an active role—helping with photos, keeping the day smooth, and answering questions as you go.

I would think twice if you’re only interested in one or two stops, or if you’re very sensitive to time lost in traffic. In that case, it may be better to plan a slower day focused on just Ubud—or a dedicated Tanah Lot outing with sunset built in.

If you do book, set priorities, wear comfortable shoes, and go in ready for art stops. You’ll still come away with plenty of Bali character: sea temples, jungle monkeys, rice-terrace views, and waterfall greens all in one long day.

FAQ

What’s the price and what’s included?

The tour is listed at $67.00 per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off, private transportation, an English-speaking driver, local taxes, and entrance fees are included. Food and drinks are not included.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Is it a private tour?

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

Do I get tickets included for the stops?

Yes. Entrance tickets are included for the visited stops listed in the itinerary, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

Is there food or drink provided?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy or bring snacks/drinks during the day.

Can I cancel for free?

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 isn’t refunded.