Ubud Small Group Tour: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces and more

Ubud in one day means waterfalls, cheeky monkeys, rice terraces and a temple spring, with someone else handling the drive between them. At $18 per person, this is an appealing way to see several very different sides of Bali without planning each transfer yourself.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at nine, keeps the outing more personal than a large coach trip, and the route mixes nature, local culture and sacred sites rather than repeating one kind of stop. Guides such as Dewa, Yogi, Gusti and Eddy have been praised for explaining local customs and helping with photos.

The trade-off is time and cost beyond the headline fare. The day is described as about 7½ hours, but another trip description calls it 10 hours, and the stops have separate entrance fees unless you select an inclusive option. Expect a long day, and check exactly what your booking price covers.

• Five varied stops: Tegenungan Waterfall, Monkey Forest, the Ubud Traditional Art Market area, Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Tirta Empul.
• A genuinely small group: No more than nine people, with the possibility of a booking becoming a private tour.
• Hotel transfers included: Pickup and drop-off are part of the package, a useful saving of time and transport planning.
• Fees need checking: The $18 starting price does not necessarily include admission to the main sights.
• Lunch is not included: You will need money for food, drinks beyond the supplied water, and personal purchases.
• A good first look at Ubud: The route gives you a broad introduction, though brief visits are no substitute for a slower stay.

A one-day sampler of Ubud

This trip is built for you if your Bali schedule is tight but you still want more than a beach day. In one outing, you move from a waterfall to a forest sanctuary, then to rice terraces and a temple fed by a holy spring. That range is the main value: the stops show how nature, daily life and religious practice sit close together around Ubud.

The tour starts from Kuta, with hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle. If you are staying in Kuta or Seminyak, allow for a substantial drive to the Ubud area. One participant noted that the trip between Seminyak or Kuta and Ubud can take 1½ to 2 hours in traffic. That is not a guaranteed travel time, but it is a sound reason to keep your plans for the evening flexible.

The advertised duration is approximately 7 hours 30 minutes. At the same time, the trip description calls it a 10-hour outing, and some participants describe it as a 10-hour day. The exact length may depend on traffic, pickup location and time at each stop, so treat this as a full-day commitment rather than a precise clockwork schedule.

You travel with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to nine. That cap matters on a day with several stops: it is easier to ask questions, hear explanations and keep the group moving than it would be with a busload. A booking may even become a private outing if no other participants join, though that is not something to count on.

Tegenungan Waterfall: a cool start

The first stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, with about 1 hour 15 minutes scheduled. The waterfall offers a change of pace from the drive and a chance to enjoy the water and surrounding greenery. It is a strong opener for a route that later shifts toward temples and cultural sights.

Admission is not included in the basic option. The listed fee is IDR 30,000 per person unless you choose an option that includes entrance. Keep some local cash handy, and check your booking details before departure so you know whether you will pay on the day.

The stop is not simply a quick roadside photo. An hour and 15 minutes gives you more breathing room than a brief look, but it still sits within a packed program. If you prefer a long swim or a slow visit, this is not designed as a stand-alone waterfall outing.

Monkey Forest: bring a calm head and a closed bag

Next comes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, with about 1 hour 15 minutes for a walk among the trees and monkeys. The animals are a big part of the fun, but they are also opportunists. One participant described a monkey trying to open a backpack, with the guide stepping in to help. Keep your belongings secure and follow your guide’s advice around the animals.

Several guides have been praised for making the walk more than a photo stop. Dewa has been credited with sharing local culture, while Yogi was described as quick to help when a monkey got interested in a bag. Those are useful qualities here: a relaxed, attentive guide can make the visit easier to manage and more informative.

Admission is extra unless you selected an inclusive option. The supplied fee details list IDR 100,000 for a weekday rate, described as per booking, and IDR 120,000 for a weekend rate, described as per person. Since those units differ, confirm the amount for your date and group before you go.

Lunch and the Ubud market stop

The third listed stop is the Ubud Traditional Art Market, with an hour allocated. The trip description also places lunch around this point, describing a Balinese meal before the rice terraces. But meals are listed as not included, so budget separately and do not assume lunch is part of the fare.

The available details do not make clear how much of this hour is intended for the market itself versus eating nearby. If shopping is a priority, ask your guide how the time will be divided. The schedule is short, so think of this as a quick taste of the area rather than an unhurried market visit.

One participant appreciated being taken to an inexpensive lunch spot with a view. That can be a real advantage of travelling with a local guide: you may get a practical recommendation you would not have found on your own. Still, your meal choice and bill are yours to cover.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: the big view

The Tegalalang Rice Terrace stop lasts about 45 minutes. Its steep, patterned fields are among the clearest visual contrasts on this route, and several participants singled out the terraces as a favourite. Gusti was praised for explaining the rice fields and the offerings associated with local customs, giving the scenery a cultural context as well as a photo opportunity.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a look and a short walk, but it is not a leisurely hike. The terrain can involve uneven paths, so choose footwear you can walk in comfortably. The listed entrance fee is IDR 50,000 per person unless it is included in your selected option.

A Tegalalang swing is available for an additional IDR 200,000. It is entirely optional, and the extra charge makes sense only if the swing itself is a priority for you. The terraces are worth seeing without it; you do not need to add every paid activity to make the stop worthwhile.

Tirta Empul: a sacred spring, not just a photo stop

The final scheduled visit is Tirta Empul Temple, with about 1 hour 15 minutes. The temple complex is known for its holy mountain spring, and it gives the day a quieter, more reflective finish after the waterfall, monkeys and rice fields. A guide can help explain the customs and meaning of the place, so this is a good time to ask questions rather than rush from one viewpoint to the next.

Dewa has been praised for sharing stories about the temple, rice offerings and local traditions. The English-speaking guide is included, but the depth of explanation can depend on the person leading your group. Names mentioned by past participants include Dewa, Yogi, Gusti, Eddy, Yansu, Patu and Bello; you should not assume a particular guide will be assigned.

Admission to Tirta Empul is listed at IDR 75,000 per person unless your option includes it. Respect the temple’s religious setting and follow your guide’s instructions. The available information does not specify clothing rules or whether a purification ritual is part of the tour, so do not assume either is included.

What the $18 fare really buys

The starting price is low for a day that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, drinking water and insurance. The small group size adds value, too. You are paying for someone to connect the stops and handle transport, not merely for a ride from one attraction to another.

But $18 is not necessarily the whole bill. The entrance fees for the waterfall, Monkey Forest, rice terrace and Tirta Empul are excluded unless you select a private or small-group option with entrance fees. Meals, other drinks, personal expenses and the optional swing are also extra. Add up the admission costs for your date before deciding that the lowest displayed price is the best deal.

There is a wording wrinkle in the Monkey Forest fee: the weekday rate is listed as IDR 100,000 per booking, while the weekend rate is IDR 120,000 per person. Confirm this directly when choosing your option. The other listed fees are IDR 30,000 for Tegenungan, IDR 50,000 for Tegalalang and IDR 75,000 for Tirta Empul, each per person.

The tour’s overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 78 ratings, with 97 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centres on the guides: people describe them as friendly, helpful, good at explaining local culture and willing to take photos. Those qualities are especially valuable on a compact itinerary, where a good guide can add meaning to a fast-moving day.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this tour if you have limited time, are visiting Ubud for the first time, or would rather not arrange several drivers and admission stops yourself. It also suits solo visitors who want company without joining a large group. The maximum of nine keeps the outing small, and a private trip may result if your booking is the only one.

It is less suitable if you want to spend half a day at one site, shop at length, or set your own pace throughout. Each stop has a defined time window, and the transfers can make the day longer than the nominal duration suggests. If you already have several days in Ubud, you may prefer to visit fewer places independently and stay longer at each.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Confirmation is received at booking, the tour runs every day, and service animals are allowed.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a practical first look at Ubud’s nature and culture, and you are comfortable with a full day of stops, driving and extra admission costs. The combination of hotel transfers, a group capped at nine and a guide who can explain local customs makes the basic fare attractive, provided you check which entrance fees are covered.

Skip it if your ideal day means lingering at the terraces, lingering over lunch or choosing each stop as you go. And before paying, confirm the tour’s actual expected duration and your fee option. That small check can prevent the $18 starting price from becoming a surprise.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The stated approximate duration is 7 hours 30 minutes, though the trip is also described as a 10-hour outing. Allow for a full day, especially if you are travelling from Kuta or Seminyak.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How large is the group?

The group is capped at nine participants. A booking may become a private tour if no other participants join.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes. The tour includes an English-speaking guide.

Are entrance fees included in the $18 price?

Not necessarily. Entrance fees are included only with the private or small-group option that specifies entrance fees. Check your selected option before booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals and drinks other than the supplied drinking water are not included.

What extra fees are listed?

The listed charges are IDR 30,000 for Tegenungan Waterfall, IDR 100,000 for Monkey Forest on weekdays or IDR 120,000 on weekends, IDR 50,000 for Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and IDR 75,000 for Tirta Empul, unless your option includes admission. The weekday Monkey Forest rate is described as per booking, while the weekend rate is per person, so confirm the amount.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.