Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tirta Empul Temple Tour

Ten minutes in Ubud and you feel it. This tour packs big sights into one smooth day: Monkey Forest close-up time with long-tailed macaques, sweeping Tegalalang rice terrace views, and the spiritual stop at Tirta Empul. I also like how it combines temples, nature, and shopping instead of doing three look-at-the-view pauses in a row. One thing to consider: it’s a long 10-hour day with a lot of moving between different outdoor and sacred spaces.

What really makes this circuit work is the human touch and the pacing. The tour caps at 15 travelers and includes an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup, so you spend less time coordinating and more time actually seeing. The guide name that pops up most is Mangkok, with comments that he’s professional, funny, and quick to explain what’s going on—exactly the kind of guide who helps you enjoy tricky places like a monkey sanctuary and a working temple.

Key highlights you’ll feel all day

• Monkey Forest time with hundreds of macaques close-up (and plenty of chances for photos)
• Tegalalang rice terraces for classic Ubud views, plus time near the Jungle Swing area
• Tirta Empul Temple and its holy spring water purification ritual
• Tibumana Waterfall with a calm, shallow pool where swimming and relaxing are part of the vibe
• Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Ubud) for gifts and easy browsing

Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Hundreds of macaques up close

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is lush, green, and full of life. The headline here is simple: you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys while you explore the grounds. If you like wildlife that’s active (not staged, not behind a wall), this is the stop that gives you the strongest wow-factor early on.

The visit is planned for about 2 hours, which is just enough time to see how the sanctuary works without feeling rushed the whole walk. It also matters that the entrance fee is included, so you don’t waste your energy figuring out tickets while you’re there.

Practical reality: monkeys move fast and they have opinions. Expect them to come toward you, ignore you, or completely relocate their attention within seconds. That’s part of the fun, but it’s also why a guide helps. A good guide keeps the group oriented and helps you avoid wasting energy on confusion—especially when you’re trying to get a photo and not lose your place.

Best for: animal lovers and photo people who don’t mind a little unpredictability.

Possible drawback: it can feel busy and chaotic in the most exciting way, so if you prefer quiet nature walks, this might be more stimulating than you want.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Jungle Swing time

Next up is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Bali’s most recognizable views. These rice paddies are carved into hillsides and layered down the slopes, creating that classic Ubud look where green fields step down toward the valley. The stop runs about 1 hour, which is short but workable because the main goal is viewpoints, photos, and soaking in the scale.

One nice touch is that the tour doesn’t treat the terraces as just a look-out point. It also gives you time near the Ubud Jungle Swing area. Now, here’s the money detail: the swing fees themselves are not included, even though you’ll still have time associated with that stop. In other words, you can go for the scenery and decide on the swing later—if you want it, you’ll pay the extra.

If you’re the type who likes to plan your energy, this stop is a good fit. You can spend more time at photo angles if you want calm pacing, or keep it moving if crowds and stairs feel like too much. Either way, you’re getting the signature Ubud panorama without turning the day into a full-time hiking project.

Best for: people who want a real viewpoint hit in a short window.

Possible drawback: the terraces are popular, so expect crowds in peak hours and be ready for some walking on uneven ground.

Tirta Empul Temple: water purification and temple etiquette

Tirta Empul Temple is where the tour shifts from outdoor sightseeing into something more spiritual. This sacred Hindu water temple is famous for its holy spring water, used in a purification ritual. The idea here isn’t just sightseeing—this is an active temple space tied to long-standing beliefs about cleansing and renewal.

You’ll spend about 2 hours here, with entrance included. That time matters because temples like Tirta Empul aren’t one-and-done. There’s space to observe what’s happening, move at a respectful pace, and get your bearings without feeling like you’re sprinting from one angle to another.

A guide helps a lot at temples, especially when you’re not fully sure what is appropriate to photograph or how people participate. Mangkok gets praised in the notes for explaining things clearly, and that kind of framing makes a purification ritual easier to understand instead of just watching quietly while guessing.

Best for: anyone who wants more than scenery and likes culture with meaning.

Possible drawback: dress and behavior expectations are part of visiting temples, so plan to follow local guidance from your guide on the spot.

Tibumana Waterfall: a calmer break with a swim option

After temples, you get nature again—Tibumana Waterfall. The setting is described as serene, surrounded by lush greenery, and the waterfall cascades into a shallow pool below. The part I’d pay attention to is that this pool is suitable for swimming and relaxation.

You’ll have about 2 hours for this stop, with entrance included. That’s valuable because waterfall visits can get squeezed into quick photo stops. Here you have time to cool off, stretch your legs, and reset before the day’s final stretches.

As always with waterfalls, conditions can change with rain and water flow, so it’s smart to be flexible. But the overall rhythm is clear: this is your decompression moment in the middle of a busy circuit.

Best for: people who want a more peaceful nature stop and the chance to actually enjoy the water, not just photograph it.

Possible drawback: it’s outdoors, so heat and humidity can hit harder than you expect—bring water and take breaks when your body asks.

Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Ubud): practical shopping time

One of the smarter inclusions is Ubud Traditional Art Market, also called Pasar Ubud. You get about 1 hour here, which is a focused window for souvenir hunting without turning shopping into the whole day.

What I like about this kind of stop is that it’s not just a photo-op. It’s the chance to buy everyday Balinese items—gifts for family, snacks, small crafts, and things that feel more locally made than the typical tourist rack. It’s also a chance to see how the market atmosphere differs from the sanctuary and temple areas.

Quick advice: set a small budget before you walk in. Markets can be fun, but time is limited and impulse buys are easy when everything is interesting. With only an hour, you’ll get more out of a plan like gifts first, then browse.

Best for: souvenir shoppers who want a local market feel.

Possible drawback: if you hate shopping or pricing chatter, you may find this the least relaxing stop.

How the small-group format shapes your day

This tour is capped at 15 people, and it uses an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup offered. That combination matters more than it sounds. In Bali, distances and traffic can be real, and having a driver-organized route turns the day into something you can actually enjoy.

Because it’s a group format (with group discounts), you also share the day with a handful of other people rather than being locked into a fully private schedule. If you like chatting lightly, it can add energy. If you want quiet, you can keep to yourself and still get the guide support you’d need.

Mangkok is a standout name in the feedback for a reason: on tours like this, the guide isn’t just a driver who points. He’s what makes multiple very different environments click together—monkey sanctuary logistics, rice terrace viewpoint flow, and temple participation context.

Bottom line: the small group and included transport make this feel like one coordinated day instead of a series of separate errands.

What $24.30 really covers in Ubud

The price is listed at $24.30 per person, and the tour runs about 10 hours. For that, you’re getting:

• Pickup offered and round-trip transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees included for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tibumana Waterfall
• Bottled water

Not included:

• Bali Swing fees
• Lunch

So how does the value pencil out? The tour includes the expensive-sounding parts that can add up fast: multiple attractions with their own entrance costs. Then it also layers in market time and optional swing access without making you pay for a private guide for every minute.

The only financial “surprise” to plan for is lunch and swing fees if you choose them. If you come in ready with those expectations, the rest of the day feels like a cost-efficient way to hit the major cultural and nature anchors around Ubud.

Also, this is often booked about 44 days in advance on average. That’s not a guarantee of anything, but it’s a hint that people plan Ubud days early—mainly because full-day schedules are easier to lock in before your flight or hotel timing gets real.

Who this tour fits best (and who might not)

This is a great match if you want a single, organized Ubud day that covers the classics and then adds a quieter nature stop. The mix—monkeys, rice terraces, a purification temple, a waterfall swim option, and a market—works well for first-timers and for anyone who wants variety without planning every turn.

It’s especially good if:

• You like both culture and nature
• You want entrance fees handled for multiple stops
• You prefer a small group pace rather than full solo planning
• You care about having a guide explain what you’re looking at (Mangkok is frequently mentioned for that)

It might not be the best match if:

• You dislike busy environments, since monkey forest and rice terraces can be crowded
• You want a fully relaxed day with long breaks (this is still a full 10 hours)
• You only want off-the-beaten-path nature, because two of the stops are among Ubud’s most famous sights

Should you book this Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tirta Empul tour?

I’d book it if your goal is to get a lot of meaningful Ubud in one day without turning it into logistics work. The included entrances are a big part of the value, and the route makes sense: start with high-energy monkeys, shift into terraces, then go for temple meaning, and finish with a refreshing waterfall break before market time.

Skip it only if you already have a temple plan, hate market shopping, or you’re chasing a very slow, quiet vibe. In that case, you might prefer fewer stops and more time at each.

If you do book, go in with two smart expectations: it’s a long day, and the swing is an extra cost if you choose it. With that mindset, this tour is one of the more efficient ways to experience Ubud’s nature-and-culture mix.

FAQ

What stops are included in the Ubud tour?

You’ll visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, Tibumana Waterfall, Ubud Traditional Art Market, and Ubud Jungle Swing time.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 10 hours.

Is pickup provided?

Yes, pickup is offered, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Entrance fees are included for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tibumana Waterfall, plus bottled water.

What is not included?

Bali Swing fees and lunch are not included.

Is there a group size limit?

Yes, the maximum group size is 15 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start time aren’t accepted.