REVIEW · BEST OF UBUD TOURS
Ubud Tour : Best of Ubud with All inclusive
Book on Viator →Operated by Bali Natural Tours · Bookable on Viator
Eight hours, three temples, and big photo time. This all-inclusive-style Ubud day pairs classic sights—Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul—with door-to-door private transfers so the day feels smooth instead of stressful. You’ll hit Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and a coffee plantation stop with an English-speaking driver.
I love how the private transport does the hard work for you: pickup, parking, petrol, and an air-conditioned ride. I also like that entrance fees are included, which helps you avoid the usual stack of little payments. One watch-out: lunch is not included, so you’ll want to plan for a meal during the day (or budget cash for it).
In This Review
- Key Points at a Glance
- Why This Ubud Route Works So Well
- Pickup, Timing, and the Real-Life 8:30am Start
- Batuan Temple: Black-Palm Roofs and Spiritual Architecture
- Tegenungan Waterfall: A Dramatic Break With Real Stairs
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temples, Macaques, and Keeping It Safe
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace and a Coffee Plantation Stop
- Tirta Empul Temple: Sacred Springs and the Story Behind Them
- How the Driver-Guide Makes or Breaks the Day
- Price and Value: What You’re Actually Getting for $62
- Practical Packing Tips for Temples, Stairs, and Wet Footing
- Should You Book Best of Ubud With All Inclusive?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the Best of Ubud tour?
- Do I need to drive in Ubud?
- Where does pickup and drop-off happen?
- Which temples and sights are included?
- Are entrance fees included?
- Is lunch included?
- Is this a private tour?
- Is there a minimum age?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key Points at a Glance
- Door-to-door pickup from many south Bali areas plus Ubud makes this feel like a true day trip, not a logistics puzzle
- Three temple hits: Batuan Temple, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and Tirta Empul Temple, each with its own vibe
- Tegenungan Waterfall time (2 hours) with a cool break from temples and plenty of chances for photos
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace + coffee plantation for that Ubud signature mix of scenery and tasting
- Private, English-speaking driver helps you understand what you’re seeing and keeps your pace realistic
Why This Ubud Route Works So Well
This tour is built for people who want the best-known Ubud sights without trying to stitch together a schedule on your own. The route is very “Ubud staples,” but it’s also practical: temples first, then scenery breaks, then temple again, so the day doesn’t feel like one long push for photos.
What makes it better value than a DIY day is the private 2-way transfer and the fact that the big ticket costs—entrance fees—are bundled. That means you can spend your energy on timing, photos, and actually soaking in the sacred-and-scenic rhythm of the region.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Pickup, Timing, and the Real-Life 8:30am Start
The tour starts at 8:30am and runs about 8 hours. You’ll have hotel return transfer/pickup in areas like Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Tuban, Jimbaran, Sanur, Tanah Lot, Ubud, Tanjung Benoa, and Nusa Dua (plus others in the same general zone). For many people, that alone is the difference between a relaxed day and a day that starts with hunting for meeting points.
You get super comfort air-conditioned transport and mineral water. The schedule is ambitious, but it’s also set up with realistic stop lengths: you’re not rushing through every site in a blur. Still, consider this: the day includes multiple “photo-friendly” areas and one waterfall with stairs, so plan to wear clothes you don’t mind getting warm, damp, or dusty depending on the weather.
Batuan Temple: Black-Palm Roofs and Spiritual Architecture
Batuan Temple is your first major stop, with about 1 hour on-site. This is a Hindu temple where the focus is less on big spectacle and more on architecture and spiritual significance. The highlight here is the temple’s unique black palm roof, which gives it a different look than the more famous big-name temple photos.
What I like about starting here is the tone it sets. Before the monkeys and waterfalls, you get a quieter, more grounded Ubud temple experience. It’s a great way to reset your eyes too—after a morning of travel, you’ll appreciate the slower pace and the chance to look at carvings, roof shapes, and temple layout.
Tegenungan Waterfall: A Dramatic Break With Real Stairs
Then the tour switches gears to Tegenungan Waterfall, with around 2 hours there. This is known for its amazing scenery, a cool atmosphere, and clean water. The stepping zone has various steps going down, so your comfort matters more than you might expect.
If you go in expecting a simple viewpoint, you might be surprised by how active the walking is near the falls. Bring comfortable footwear and give yourself a little time to find the angle you like best. Also, plan your photos with the steps in mind—some viewpoints are easier to reach than others, and the best “dramatic” shots often require a bit of effort.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temples, Macaques, and Keeping It Safe
Next up is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary for about 1 hour. This is where you’ll see gray macaques roaming among Hindu temples in a forest setting. It’s one of those places where the scenery is only half the story—the monkeys are the other half.
A few practical thoughts if you’re planning your photos and behavior here: keep a steady distance, avoid sudden movements around macaques, and treat the area like it’s their home as much as it’s your attraction. The tour pacing gives you enough time to look around and take photos without feeling like you’re trapped there all day.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace and a Coffee Plantation Stop
After the monkeys, you get into classic Ubud scenery: Tegalalang Rice Terrace for about 1 hour. The terraces are famous for their verdant, terraced look, and this is the part of the day where you’ll probably spend extra time choosing viewpoints and setting up the best photo.
The tour also includes a stop where you can see coffee being made at a plantation, and there’s time for coffee tasting. In Ubud, these plantation stops can vary a lot in quality, so what I like here is that it’s not just a quick drive-by—there’s time built in to see the process and experience it as part of the day’s rhythm.
If you’re sensitive to heat, this is also where timing matters. Rice terraces can feel exposed, so bring sun protection and plan to move at a pace that keeps you comfortable between photos.
Tirta Empul Temple: Sacred Springs and the Story Behind Them
Your last temple stop is Tirta Empul Temple, also known as Pura Tirta Empul, with about 2 hours. This is described as a holy temple and mountain spring in central Bali, and it’s set around a legendary story with themes of good versus evil.
What makes this stop especially worth the time is the combination of setting and purpose. You’re not just looking at a temple building—you’re also seeing the sacred spring context that gives the site its meaning. The longer time allocation helps, because you don’t have to rush your way through.
As with any temple, plan for smart casual dress and respectful behavior. The tour includes entrance fees, so you can focus on the experience rather than scrambling for tickets and payments.
How the Driver-Guide Makes or Breaks the Day
This is a private tour, and the driver-guide quality shows up fast. In the provided experiences, guides such as Adi, Alit, Aris, Komang, and Kadek came through with excellent English, safe driving, and the kind of helpful explanations that make temple visits feel clearer.
A big plus: some guides are described as accommodating with your asks and able to adjust how the day flows. That matters because Ubud traffic and timing can shift. Even when the itinerary stays on track, the ability to stay calm and keep the day moving with good communication is a real comfort.
Price and Value: What You’re Actually Getting for $62
At $62 per person for an about 8-hour private tour, this price can be a strong deal if you compare it to paying separately for transport, guide help, and entrance tickets. What you’re getting includes hotel return pickup and drop-off in many areas, petrol, parking fees, mineral water, air-conditioned comfort, entrance fees, and a private tour with an English-speaking driver.
The one cost you should plan for is obvious: lunch is not included. If you eat lunch at a place you’d choose anyway, this is easy to manage. If you’re hoping for a no-extra-cost day, you’ll likely end up spending a bit for a meal and snacks.
Overall, this tour feels priced for people who want a tidy schedule with fewer moving parts. It’s not trying to be cheap, but it is trying to be simple and complete for a single day in Ubud.
Practical Packing Tips for Temples, Stairs, and Wet Footing
The tour asks for smart casual dress. In real life, smart casual usually means: comfortable clothes you can move in and footwear that won’t hate stairs.
For this itinerary, these are the spots that can affect your comfort:
- Tegenungan Waterfall: the steps down matter, and the area can feel cooler and damp
- Rice Terrace and coffee plantation: you’ll be in open-air sun for parts of the day
- Monkey Forest and temples: keep your look respectful and avoid anything too tight or inconvenient
Also, the tour provides mineral water, which helps. Still, if you’re the type who likes extra hydration, bring a little buffer for your own peace of mind.
Should You Book Best of Ubud With All Inclusive?
Book it if you want a private, door-to-door Ubud day that hits the major hits: Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul—with entrance fees and transport handled. This is especially good for couples, small groups, and anyone who’d rather not deal with navigation, parking, and timing.
Skip or reconsider if you have a strong need for a fully meal-included day, because lunch isn’t included. Also, if you hate stairs or you’re very sensitive to changing conditions around waterfalls, you might feel the physical side of Tegenungan more than you’d like.
If you’re aiming for a well-paced highlight tour with English-speaking guidance and fewer logistics headaches, this is a solid pick.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
It starts at 8:30am.
How long is the Best of Ubud tour?
The duration is listed as 8 hours (approx.).
Do I need to drive in Ubud?
No. You get private 2-way transfers with pickup and drop-off, plus an English-speaking driver.
Where does pickup and drop-off happen?
Pickup and return drop-off are available in areas including Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Tuban, Jimbaran, Sanur, Tanah Lot, Ubud, Tanjung Benoa, and Nusa Dua.
Which temples and sights are included?
You’ll visit Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Tirta Empul Temple, plus a coffee plantation stop.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. Entrance fee is included for the stops.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
Is there a minimum age?
The minimum age is 5 years.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
