REVIEW · MONKEY FOREST TOURS
Bali Ubud Tour: Monkey Forest, Waterfall & Rice Terrace
Book on Viator →Operated by Diana Bali Tours · Bookable on Viator
Ubud is busy, but this route makes sense. It’s a full-day loop built around the Monkey Forest and the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, plus coffee, lunch, an art market, a waterfall, and a temple. I love how the timing keeps you moving without feeling like you’re sprinting. I also love the cultural explanations from your English guide and driver, the kind you’ll actually remember later. One thing to plan for: temple visit rules apply, so it may not fit everyone the same way.
The value here is that a lot of the day is already handled: admission tickets, lunch, bottled water, and a private air-conditioned vehicle. That means fewer stops to sort out cash and tickets, and more time noticing what’s in front of you. You’ll still want to pace yourself, though, because the day runs about 9 to 10 hours.
It starts at 8:30 am, with pickup offered, and it’s only your group in a private setup. The trade-off is that you’re committing to a long day of early-to-late driving and walking, with some crowds at the most famous photo stops.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Feel in the Day
- Why This Ubud Day Route Works (Monkey Forest to Batuan Temple)
- Entering the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Without Wasting Your Hour
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: How to Get Two Hours That Actually Feel Like Two Hours
- Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation: Watch the Process and Taste What You’re Buying
- Lunch at d’Alas Warung: A Real Break From the Road
- Ubud Art Market and Artisan Time: Souvenirs, Culture, and the Village Option
- Tegenungan Waterfall: Green Valley Views and a Stay-Comfortable Plan
- Batuan Temple: A Historic Stop With Clear Visitor Rules
- Price and Value: Why $79 Can Be a Good Deal for an All-Day Private Tour
- Getting the Most Out of Your Day (Without Turning It Into a Sprint)
- Should You Book This Ubud Monkey Forest, Waterfall, and Rice Terrace Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Bali Ubud tour and what time does it start?
- Is pickup available for this tour?
- What’s included in the tour price?
- Are admission tickets included?
- Are there any restrictions for visiting the temple?
- Is there free cancellation?
Key Highlights You’ll Feel in the Day

- Private, all-in-one Ubud circuit: One driver, one flow, and no need to juggle transport between far-flung sights.
- Monkey Forest with real wild-animal energy: You’ll enter a sanctuary with over 700 grey long-tailed macaques and walk shaded pathways in a nutmeg forest.
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace time on the ground: You get about two hours to actually look, not just glance from a viewpoint.
- Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation as an activity stop: You can watch the process and taste coffee while enjoying the views.
- Lunch at d’Alas Warung: A dedicated food stop focused on authentic Balinese cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients.
- Tegenungan Waterfall plus Batuan Temple: Nature and culture in one day, with clear rules to keep in mind for the temple.
Why This Ubud Day Route Works (Monkey Forest to Batuan Temple)

This tour is built for people who want the classic Ubud hits, but in a structured way. You’re not hopping between random pickups and ad-hoc tickets. Instead, you’re on a private schedule that clusters nearby areas, then checks off the big-name sights around Ubud and nearby villages.
Because the stops are all tied to short, focused time blocks, you don’t end up spending half your day “in transit” wondering what you missed. You also get included admissions at key places, so the itinerary feels like a complete day rather than a loose list of options.
The other smart part is balance: you get a wildlife sanctuary, then a landscape-style stop (rice terraces), then a food/culture day (coffee and lunch), then markets and crafts, and finally waterfall + temple. It’s the kind of mix that gives you variety without needing to plan a separate day for every interest.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Entering the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Without Wasting Your Hour
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Padangtegal) is one of those places where your brain goes into photo mode instantly. It’s home to over 700 grey long-tailed macaques, and the paths wind through a leafy nutmeg forest. You’ll have about one hour here, which is just enough time to walk the main routes, take photos, and enjoy the odd thrill of being around so many monkeys at once.
What I like about doing this stop early in the day is that it’s easier to stay calm and observant. When it’s not too late, you can slow down and look at how the sanctuary is organized, not just chase quick snapshots. Also, starting with this kind of “attention-grabber” helps set the tone for the day that follows—especially if you’re coming in fresh from hotel pickup.
A real consideration: this is still a wildlife area. Even if you’re not doing anything special, expect lots of movement and noise around the paths, and plan to keep your belongings secure and your walking steady. If you prefer quiet, you may want to time your pauses carefully and not get stuck in the busiest parts.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: How to Get Two Hours That Actually Feel Like Two Hours

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Ubud’s most photographed areas for a reason. It’s known for those layered green plots and wide valley views, and you get about two hours there with admission included. That time window matters, because rice terraces are best when you can move slowly, spot different angles, and take in the depth of the fields.
Here’s the practical angle: build in a few short breaks. After Monkey Forest, your legs may feel like they want a breather, and after driving you’ll still benefit from some slow wandering. If you’re into photos, two hours lets you adjust your viewpoint when light and crowds shift.
One drawback to keep in mind is that this stop is popular. Expect plenty of people, and be ready for stair steps and uneven ground depending on where you walk. If you’re traveling with anyone with mobility issues, this is one of the stops you’ll want to take extra care around.
Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation: Watch the Process and Taste What You’re Buying

Next you’ll head to Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation, an agrotourism stop where you can see the coffee-making process and taste coffee directly. You’ll spend about one hour, and admission is included.
I like this stop because it’s not just “look at a view and leave.” It’s a way to connect what you’re seeing in Bali to what people actually do—cultivation, processing, and then tasting. Even if you’re not a coffee super-fan, the experience helps you understand why coffee tasting tourism is such a common thread in Bali.
The best approach here is to treat it as an information-and-taste hour, not a deep course. There’s limited time, so don’t expect every detail of the process to be taught from start to finish. If you’re interested in specific questions—like how coffee selection or processing changes flavor—ask your English guide. This is exactly the kind of thing guides usually enjoy explaining.
Lunch at d’Alas Warung: A Real Break From the Road

Your day includes lunch at d’Alas Warung Restaurant, with about one hour set aside. The restaurant focuses on authentic Balinese food, using healthy homegrown ingredients and aiming for quality across its dishes. You can also expect creative dishes that experiment with traditional spices and flavors from across Bali.
This is a smart inclusion because your schedule is packed with walking and driving. A planned lunch stop means you’re not searching for food last-minute or eating something that doesn’t agree with your stomach. Plus, “all fees and taxes” being included helps keep lunch from becoming a surprise cost.
One practical note: with one hour, you’ll want to choose what you want to eat quickly so you’re not rushed. If you’re traveling with picky eaters, you might ask your guide what dishes are most commonly enjoyed before you sit down. It’s the kind of small prep that makes the meal easier.
Ubud Art Market and Artisan Time: Souvenirs, Culture, and the Village Option

After lunch, you’ll visit the Ubud Art Market (pasar seni ubud). It’s known as a hub for artistic expression, and you’ll have about one hour to browse. This stop is best if you like handmade crafts and want a sense of what’s being sold in Ubud daily, not just what looks good in a postcard.
Here’s how to get more out of the market time: don’t treat it like a checklist. Use your guide’s help to understand the types of art and where they come from. If you’re looking for gifts, think about weight and packaging, because some items can be easy to damage in transit.
Then there’s the artisan village choice. The tour offers a selection of art communities, such as Celuk for gold and silver smithing, Mas for wood carving, or Batuan for a painter community. You’ll choose one, and this part of the day is where the experience shifts from shopping to observing craft more closely.
A possible drawback: if you’re not excited about arts and crafts, you might feel like you spent time where you could have had another nature stop. The flip side is that if you like seeing how things are made, this is where the day becomes more than sightseeing.
Tegenungan Waterfall: Green Valley Views and a Stay-Comfortable Plan
The tour then moves to Tegenungan Waterfall, a nature stop that’s popular for its green valley panorama. You’ll have about two hours here, with admission included.
Two hours is a decent amount of time for a waterfall stop because it allows more than one kind of experience. You can spend time at the main viewing area, then move to quieter spots if available, and still have time for a snack break or photos without feeling rushed.
But waterfalls also mean practical challenges. Plan for humid air and possible slick surfaces, and expect you may do some uneven walking depending on where you stand. If you’re tempted to swim, check the area conditions first and keep safety in mind.
Batuan Temple: A Historic Stop With Clear Visitor Rules
Your final cultural stop is Batuan Temple (also known as Pura Puseh Batuan), located in the village of Batuan just a short drive from Ubud. You’ll spend about one hour, with admission included.
This stop is visually striking and historically significant in its setting, and it’s a good moment to slow down after waterfall energy. Temples have a different pace, and it’s one of the few stops on this tour that feels like a reset button.
Important note for planning: women in a period are not allowed to visit the temple. If you’re traveling with someone in that situation, it’s worth confirming the best alternative with your guide before you go, so the day doesn’t get stressful at the last moment.
If you’re going, keep your expectations respectful and simple. This is a functioning religious site, so treat it like one. Even when you’re taking photos, keep space for worshippers and movement.
Price and Value: Why $79 Can Be a Good Deal for an All-Day Private Tour
The price is $79.00 per person, and the day runs roughly 9 to 10 hours. On paper, it’s not a “budget backseat ride,” because you’re getting a private air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, bottled water, and included admissions across multiple sites. You’re also getting lunch, which can be a big swing factor on day trips.
The real value question is whether you’d rather pay separately for admission tickets, transportation, and a guide. Here, a lot of that groundwork is already handled. That matters because Bali can be a place where small costs add up fast—until you realize you’ve spent the same amount as the tour anyway.
Group discounts are listed as available, which can make it even better if you’re traveling with friends or family. Still, even solo, the “all fees and taxes” detail is what keeps it from turning into a surprise-cost day.
Getting the Most Out of Your Day (Without Turning It Into a Sprint)
This tour is set up so you can see a lot, but you’ll enjoy it more if you travel with a calm mindset. Keep water with you (bottled water is included), wear comfortable shoes, and be ready for warm weather during outdoor time at the terraces and waterfall.
Timing helps you. You start at 8:30 am, and the itinerary flows from monkey sanctuary to rice terraces, then coffee and lunch, then market and waterfall, finishing with the temple. That structure reduces backtracking and helps you experience each place in a different mood.
Also, use the guide’s English to ask small questions as they come up. In one version of this experience, the guide and driver named Ketut is praised for taking time to explain local customs and answer questions clearly. That’s a good reminder: your enjoyment grows when you treat the day as guided learning, not just sightseeing.
Should You Book This Ubud Monkey Forest, Waterfall, and Rice Terrace Tour?
Book it if you want an easy full-day Ubud plan that covers the major sights around town, with admissions and lunch handled. It’s especially worth it if you like a mix of wildlife, views, food, crafts, and a temple stop without having to organize each piece yourself.
Skip or consider a lighter alternative if you dislike crowds at famous viewpoints, or if a long 9–10 hour day feels like too much. Also think carefully if you need temple access for someone affected by the temple visitor rule.
If your goal is to see Ubud in one well-run day and still have time to enjoy it instead of wrestling logistics, this is a strong choice.
FAQ
How long is the Bali Ubud tour and what time does it start?
The tour runs about 9 to 10 hours, and the start time is 8:30 am.
Is pickup available for this tour?
Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour meets near public transportation.
What’s included in the tour price?
Lunch, all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and bottled water are included.
Are admission tickets included?
Yes. Admission tickets are included for the listed stops such as the Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation, and the other paid sites on the route.
Are there any restrictions for visiting the temple?
Women in a period are not allowed to visit the temple.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

























