One day, two photo-chases and a monkey show. This full-day Ubud route is built around the Bali Swing and the Monkey Forest, with a door-to-door driver so you spend less time waiting and more time doing. I love that the swing includes a trainer safety briefing and lets you choose heights from 5m to 20m, but you should know the tour asks for good physical fitness.

You’ll roll out around 8:30am for about 10 hours, and it runs as a small group (up to 15). There are two ways to book: an all-inclusive option that bundles entrances and lunch, or a transport-only option where you pay the activity fees as you go.

If you’re aiming to photograph Ubud from above, this is one of the better-structured day trips. Just plan to manage your stuff around the monkeys, because they can be curious with phones and bags.

Key things I’d pay attention to

• Bali Swing heights from 5m to 20m with a short safety briefing before you go
• Two booking styles: all-inclusive (tickets + lunch) or transport-only (pay as you go)
• Batuan Temple stop with architecture that goes back to the 10th century
• Ubud Monkey Forest with real jungle energy and lots of close-up photo moments
• Small group size up to 15 plus a private door-to-door feel
• Complimentary mineral water during the tour

Why this Ubud day trip feels worth the time

Ubud can eat a whole day fast, mostly because roads are slow and traffic can scramble your schedule. This tour tries to fight back with a private, door-to-door setup and a full loop of stops that are all close to each other in the Ubud area.

The big draw is the contrast. You get the big adrenaline moment first with the Bali Swing, then you shift into calmer cultural stops like Batuan Temple, plus scenic rice terraces, a coffee plantation visit, and finally the Monkey Forest. It’s not a slow, sit-and-stare day. It’s a full day with clear payoffs.

If you want a “one ticket, many memories” day, this works. You can also choose how much you want handled in advance.

Your pickup and transport: the real value in a private day

This is one of those tours where the transport details matter because Ubud’s roads can be time thieves. You get pickup from a long list of areas around southern Bali (Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran are named), plus an English-speaking driver.

The tour also keeps the feel efficient: private door-to-door means you’re not waiting around for other groups to get ready. One review highlighted the driver experience strongly, with Andreas described as friendly, polite, and very helpful with tickets and information. That kind of hands-on support makes the day smoother, especially if you’d rather not figure out entrances and timing yourself.

Two practical notes you should keep in mind:

• You’re doing a full-day plan, so you’ll want to treat this like a day trip that starts early and stays active.
• You’ll be on the move between several stops, so bring patience for road time.

Picheaven Bali Swing: heights, safety briefing, and how to get great photos

The headline stop is the Bali Swing at Picheaven Bali Swing. You’ll get there by car from your pickup, then the team gives you a safety briefing. From there, you can choose swing heights ranging from 5m up to 20m, and the swing time is about 30 minutes.

What I like about this setup is that it gives you choices without turning your day into a complicated booking process. You can start smaller if you’re nervous and still work your way up, or go big if you’re confident. Either way, the swing is the kind of activity that turns a regular Ubud day into a “wow” memory.

Photo strategy tip that’s worth your attention: plan for motion and for the fact you’ll be swapping between holding your phone and listening to instructions. If you’re doing phone photos, get your settings ready before you start, because once you’re strapped in, your attention should be on the trainer’s cues.

Also, expect optional souvenir photos. The tour info says souvenir photos are available to purchase, but they are not included—so if you want them, budget a little extra.

Batuan Temple and craft villages: cultural stops that don’t feel like filler

On the way through, the tour includes time for craft activity you can actually watch, not just window-shop. You’ll pass places where people make traditional items such as batik painting, wood carving, and silver and gold smithing. This is a nice middle step between the swing adrenaline and the more nature-focused parts of the day.

Then there’s Batuan Temple, described as an ancient temple from the 10th century, with architecture that looks intentionally detailed rather than plain. Even if you don’t know Balinese temple customs, you can usually tell when a site is old and still cared for.

Why this is valuable: these cultural stops help break up the day so it doesn’t feel like only attractions. The temple and craft moments give context for why Ubud looks the way it does and why so many visitors come for more than photos.

One consideration: it’s an active day, so you’ll want to be comfortable walking and standing for short periods while you look around and move to the next stop.

Rice terraces and a coffee plantation stop: scenic + practical pacing

After the swing, the itinerary flows into the nature and food culture side of Ubud. You’ll visit a coffee plantation, and you’ll also stop at rice terraces.

Even when coffee plantation visits can be hit-or-miss on other tours, the key here is pacing. You’re not jumping straight from a high-adrenaline swing into a long, slow lecture. The day gradually cools down: first the temple and crafts, then the scenic terraces, then the monkey forest finale.

If you like photos that show scale—fields, steps, and the way water shapes agriculture—rice terraces deliver. And a coffee stop adds a grounded, everyday local experience, the kind of thing that makes your trip feel more like travel and less like a theme park day.

If you dislike shopping-heavy stops, go in with open eyes and treat the coffee plantation as a tasting and cultural moment rather than a must-buy situation.

Ubud Monkey Forest: enjoy the show, manage your phone, and watch the vibe

The final major attraction is Ubud Monkey Forest, with entrance included in the all-inclusive option. This is where the day turns lively.

The strongest advice I’d give you from the overall tone of the experience: watch your phone. Monkey Forest monkeys are known for curiosity, and the tour description and feedback both point to the same practical issue—if you’re filming or holding a phone out in the open, keep it secure. I’d also avoid dangling bags or loose items where they can reach.

What I like about this stop is that it’s not just about wildlife viewing from a distance. It’s active, close-up, and full of natural behavior—so it feels less staged than many attractions.

One drawback to plan for: you’ll likely be moving through crowded paths where monkeys approach quickly. If you hate the feeling of animals getting too close, you may find the experience stressful. If you’re fine with lively wildlife energy, it can be a memorable finish to the day.

Price and what you actually get: transport-only vs all-inclusive

The listed price is $28.67 per person, and the tour is often booked about 26 days in advance. Whether it’s a great value for you depends on which package you choose and how much you want pre-booked.

All-inclusive package

This option bundles:

• Transport
• Bali Swing activities plus entrance
• Entrance tickets to Batuan Temple, rice terrace, and Ubud Monkey Forest
• Lunch
• One bottle of mineral water is complimentary

If you like knowing your day is “covered,” this is the simplest way to do it. It also helps if you don’t want to figure out separate tickets or entrance fees during a busy travel day.

Private transport only

This option includes:

• English-speaking driver and petrol (transport only)
• You pay entrance tickets and activity fees on a pay-as-you-go basis
• Lunch is not included

This can be a good deal if you already know you’ll buy tickets anyway and you want flexibility. The tradeoff is you’ll manage the entrance fees yourself once you arrive.

If I’m advising you to choose quickly: pick all-inclusive when you value time and simplicity, pick transport-only when you’re comfortable handling entrances and possibly swapping plans based on what you feel like on the day.

Fitness, weather, and practical expectations for a smooth day

The tour info explicitly notes a requirement for strong physical fitness level. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete, but it does mean the day involves enough walking and movement to take you out of a “sit most of the time” comfort zone.

Also, this experience requires good weather. Since the swing is weather-dependent, you should plan for the possibility of rescheduling if conditions aren’t right.

Finally, remember the tour runs about 10 hours. That’s long enough that your comfort depends on your pacing: snack and hydrate early, and don’t plan on long breaks between stops.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want another plan)

This works especially well if you want:

• A big Bali photo moment with the swing
• A day that mixes nature, culture, and wildlife
• A more efficient setup than hopping on random group tours
• A driver who can handle details, like ticket support (Andreas came up as an example of this helpful style)

It might be less ideal if:

• You hate the idea of animals approaching close (Monkey Forest’s behavior can be intense)
• You want an ultra-relaxed day with minimal walking
• You’re uncomfortable with the physical demands signaled by the fitness requirement

It’s also a solid choice for families, and one review called out the swing as a hit for kids—though you’ll still want to judge your own comfort with height and motion.

Should you book this Bali Swing + Monkey Forest day?

If your goal is a complete Ubud day with famous stops packed into a smart route, I think this is a strong pick. The swing is the centerpiece, Batuan Temple adds meaningful culture, rice terraces give you that classic Ubud scenery, and the Monkey Forest gives you an energetic ending.

Book the all-inclusive version if you want the day to feel pre-planned and simpler. Choose transport-only only if you’re comfortable managing entrances yourself and you’re okay giving up the included lunch and ticket bundling.

My final advice: if weather looks iffy, stay flexible. The swing depends on it, and that’s the core moment you’ll want to protect.

FAQ

What time does the full day Bali Swing Temple and Monkey Forest tour start?

The start time is 8:30am.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 10 hours.

What’s included in the all-inclusive package?

The all-inclusive option includes transport, Bali Swing activities and entrance, entrance tickets to Batuan Temple, rice terrace, and Ubud Monkey Forest, plus lunch and a complimentary 1 bottle of mineral water.

What does transport-only mean?

Transport-only includes private transport with an English-speaking driver and petrol. Entrance fees and activities are not included, so you’ll pay them on a pay-as-you-go basis, and lunch is not included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you choose the all-inclusive package.

Is pickup included, and what areas do drivers pick up from?

Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup areas listed include Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran.

What if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Best Day Trip in BaliMount Batur Jeep Sunrise & Natural Hot SpringBali White Water Rafting at Telaga Waja RiverMount Batur Sunrise Trekking Guide