Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall

REVIEW · TIRTA EMPUL & WATER TEMPLE TOURS

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall

  • 5.031 reviews
  • From $40.00
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Operated by Agus Indrawan · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (31)Price from$40.00Operated byAgus IndrawanBook viaViator

A day in Ubud beats guessing where to go. This private tour strings together Tegenungan Waterfall and the Tirta Empul holy-water temple with stops for rice terraces and a coffee farm swing, all with pickup and drop-off from your Ubud hotel area. I like the photo-friendly pacing and the way the route can be tweaked on the fly, guided by local know-how. One drawback: entrance fees and lunch aren’t included, so you’ll want to budget a bit beyond the $40 price.

You’ll start early (between 07:00 and 08:00), then spend about 1 hour at each main stop, finishing back around Ubud. It’s a smart way to cover several Central Bali highlights without burning your day on traffic and directions, and with mineral water included to keep you comfortable. The tour runs about 5 to 7 hours, depending on timing and how long you linger for photos.

Key points to know before you go

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall - Key points to know before you go

  • Private driver + pickup/drop-off in Ubud: less hassle, more time at the sights
  • Tegenungan Waterfall: classic waterfall views in southern Ubud, about 1 hour
  • Tirta Empul Temple (holy-water cleansing): a ritual temple stop in Tampak Siring village
  • Kumulilir coffee and tea tastings: plus the jungle swing photo moment
  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace: iconic terrace views in the Tegalalang village area
  • Entrance fees not included: plan to pay on site for most stops

A Private-Driver Day That Lets You Hit Ubud Without Stress

If you’re trying to “do Ubud” in a single day, you need two things: good timing and someone who knows the roads. This tour gives you a private driver and includes pickup and drop-off from your Ubud accommodation area. That means you can spend your energy on temple etiquette, waterfall angles, and rice-terrace viewpoints, not on navigating.

The schedule is built for a full morning-to-afternoon run. Your start time is typically between 07:00 and 08:00, and the day usually comes in around 5 to 7 hours. Each main stop is about 1 hour, so you get enough time to wander and photograph without feeling stuck in one place too long.

I also appreciate the small but practical touch: you get mineral water supply during the tour. On Bali heat days, that matters more than it sounds.

One more thing that helps: the experience is private, meaning it’s just your group. And the provider, Agus Indrawan, is set up to guide your day as a flexible circuit rather than a rigid checklist.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.

Dewa Putu Toris: The Art Stop With a Real Community Angle

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall - Dewa Putu Toris: The Art Stop With a Real Community Angle
Your first stop is Dewa Putu Toris, an artisan art painting stop. You’ll spend about an hour here, and admission is not included. What makes this stop more than a quick shop stop is the community context: you can look at artwork and learn about the talent from 200 artisans in Ubud.

For me, that hits a sweet spot in Ubud visiting. You’re not only chasing scenery. You’re also seeing how the “craft” side of Bali connects to daily life and local work. If you like art, it’s worth slowing down and paying attention to the process and the people, not just the final pieces.

Practical note: because admission is separate, I’d treat this stop like a paid add-on you choose to engage with. If you’re the type who loves art and wants souvenirs, you’ll likely feel it’s worth your time. If you’re strictly temple-and-nature only, you may find it shorter than you hoped, but it still works as a cultural warm-up before the water and ritual sites.

Tegenungan Waterfall: Water Views and Photo Time, in One Easy Block

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall - Tegenungan Waterfall: Water Views and Photo Time, in One Easy Block
Next up is Tegenungan Waterfall, which the tour frames as a great sightseeing stop in the southern Ubud area. Plan for about 1 hour here, and again, the admission fee is not included.

This is the kind of stop where your best experience comes from simple choices: where you stand, where you point your camera, and how you pace your walk. With only an hour, you’ll want to move at a steady pace and decide early where you want your main shot. Once you pick a spot, you can do a quick second round for alternate angles without feeling rushed.

If you’re sensitive to crowds or want quieter time, going early in the day helps. Since the tour starts between 07:00 and 08:00, you’re arriving while the day is still getting going, not when everyone is already there.

Also, waterfalls mean misty surfaces and slippery ground in places. You don’t need to be nervous, but you do want to keep an eye on your footing so your photos don’t turn into an awkward scramble.

Tirta Empul Temple: The Holy Water Cleansing Experience

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall - Tirta Empul Temple: The Holy Water Cleansing Experience
Then you’ll head to Tirta Empul Temple, described as one of the most ritual cleansing temples in Tampak Siring village. It’s another about 1 hour stop, with entrance fees not included.

This is the spiritual anchor of the day. Instead of looking at nature from a distance, you’re stepping into a place where cleansing rituals are part of the temple’s living purpose. Even if you don’t participate in rituals yourself, watching respectfully from the right distance can be powerful. You’ll likely notice the temple setting feels structured and intentional, not like a random viewpoint.

What I’d focus on here is attitude and observation:

  • Let your guide set the rhythm.
  • Watch for where people are going and what areas you should avoid.
  • Keep your pace calm, because this isn’t a “run-and-click” stop.

One consideration: since the tour does not include entrance fees, you’ll want to have some cash or payment ready for the temple entry and any on-site rules. Plan to pay this as part of your overall day budget.

Kumulilir Coffee and Tea Tasting: Swing Photos Without the Whole Production

At Kumulilir, you’ll visit a coffee farm area with tastings—coffee and tea, plus the well-known jungle swing photo moment. The stop is about 1 hour, and admission is not included.

This is one of those Ubud experiences that can be either fun or over-commercial, depending on how you approach it. The way this tour frames it—tasting included, time-limited, and paired with the rest of Ubud—makes it feel more like a break in the day than a time sink.

If you’re a coffee/tea person, you’ll probably enjoy the tasting portion because you get a chance to compare flavors rather than just buying a souvenir. If you’re not, you can still enjoy it for the setting and the swing photo. The key is to treat the swing as a photo stop with a timer, not as a long activity that hijacks your day.

Practical tip: because this is an additional paid location (admission not included), don’t rely on the $40 tour price to cover it. Decide in advance whether you want to do both tastings and the swing moment, or whether one is enough.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Iconic Steps, Your Own Tempo

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall - Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Iconic Steps, Your Own Tempo
After the coffee farm, the tour heads to Tegalalang Rice Terrace in the Tegalalang village area. Expect about 1 hour, and admission is not included.

Rice terraces in Bali are famous for a reason: you see layers of green (or golden-brown depending on season) stepping down the slopes, with endless photo angles. What makes this stop work within a 5–7 hour day is the time box. You can walk, find a viewpoint, take photos, then return to the path without feeling stranded for hours.

I like structuring this stop in your head like this:

  • Arrive and scan for the best “main” view.
  • Take a few photos quickly to capture the terrace lines.
  • Then slow down and enjoy the walk rather than treating it like a checklist.

Because the tour starts early, you’re more likely to get comfortable light and fewer people than later in the day. Still, terraces tend to attract visitors, so plan to share space and keep your time tight when pathways get narrow.

Also, terraces can be uneven. Wear shoes that handle dirt and steps well, so your enjoyment isn’t interrupted by foot fatigue.

How Agus Indrawan Helps You Shape the Route

Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall - How Agus Indrawan Helps You Shape the Route
The experience provider is listed as Agus Indrawan, and the strongest element of the day is the way your guide can make the route feel personal. One reason people rate this tour so highly is that they connect with the guide and learn from conversation, not just from staring at sights.

I’d take that seriously. If your guide asks what you care about—waterfalls vs. temples vs. photo stops—you can often get small adjustments. That’s the difference between a day that feels like transport and a day that feels like a plan.

Because it’s private, you’re not stuck with a group schedule that only works for someone else. You can ask for slightly different timing inside the same stops (for example, spending a bit longer at Tirta Empul than at a nearby viewpoint) as long as the driver can keep you on track for the rest of the circuit.

Price and Value: What You’re Actually Paying For

This tour is priced at $40.00 per person, running about 5 to 7 hours. For that cost, you’re getting several high-value pieces:

  • Private tour with your own driver
  • Pickup and drop-off from your Ubud accommodation area
  • Mineral water
  • Stops across multiple categories: waterfall, temple, coffee/tea farm, rice terrace

Where it changes the math is what’s not included. The tour explicitly notes that entrance fees are not included and lunch is not included. That means your real day budget is tour price plus on-site admissions and your meal choice.

You should also consider the “out of area” note. If you’re outside the Ubud area, there’s an extra $10 per car. If you book as a solo traveler, the tour notes a policy that tries to find someone to join your trip. If they can’t, the price may increase by 250K. In practice, that means you should confirm how they handle solo bookings so you don’t get surprised at the end.

Still, even with entrance fees and lunch added, this tour often feels like good value because it’s bundling a full day of driving and multiple locations under one organized plan. You’re basically paying for time saved and a smoother route.

Best Fit: Who This Ubud Day Trip Works For

This tour is especially good if you:

  • Want a one-day overview of Central Bali highlights without planning
  • Like a mix of culture (temple) and nature (waterfall) plus a couple of photo-ready viewpoints
  • Prefer a private driver instead of figuring out transportation between scattered stops
  • Appreciate a guide who can explain what you’re seeing as you go

It’s also a nice option for people who want structure but still have room to ask questions. With 1-hour blocks and a private vehicle, you’re not trapped in a long, exhausting itinerary.

If you only want temples or only want hiking, you might find some stops feel too short. But for most first-time Ubud visitors, the pacing hits a practical sweet spot.

Should You Book This Ubud Sightseeing Tour?

If you want a well-paced Ubud day that covers Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and a coffee farm swing in one organized run, I think this is a solid booking. The strongest reasons are simple: private pickup/drop-off, a guide who can talk you through what you’re seeing, and enough time at each stop to enjoy it instead of just passing through.

Book it if you’re ready to handle entrance fees separately and you’ll plan your own lunch. Bring comfy shoes for terraces and wet stone areas around waterfalls, and decide in advance if you want to focus on the coffee tastings, the swing photos, or both.

If you’re flexible and like the idea of tailoring the day a little with your guide, this one fits the way most great Bali days actually work.

FAQ

What is included in the $40 per person price?

Pickup area in Ubud, a private tour, and a mineral water supply are included. Entrance fees and lunch are not included.

Are entrance fees included for the temples and attractions?

No. Entrance fees are not included for the listed stops (Dewa Putu Toris, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Kumulilir, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace). One Ubud stop is listed as admission free.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 5 to 7 hours, with about 1 hour spent at each main stop.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is between 07:00 am and 08:00 am.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your Ubud accommodation area are included.

What if I’m traveling alone?

If you only have 1 person, the tour notes that they will try to find someone to join you. If not, there is an extra charge of 250K.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

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