Saraswati Temple, Monkey Forest & Ubud Waterfalls Day Tour
Ubud's most photographed water temple, a cascading waterfall just outside town, and long-tailed macaques living among ancient stone shrines — this tour links Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Pura Taman Saraswati, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary into one 8-hour day, with optional stops at Ubud Market or a coffee plantation along the way. For a full overview of every waterfall day trip from Ubud, see the temple and waterfall day tours near Ubud.
Tour at a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Full-day tour with a choice of small-group, private, or Premium option
Guide and transport included; several stops (temple entry, art market, coffee plantation) are optional add-ons
The tour's opening stop — a wide cascade set against a lush green backdrop
A water temple in the heart of Ubud, fronted by a lotus pond
Jungle sanctuary in central Ubud with ancient temples and free-roaming long-tailed macaques
Check Dates and Book Your Spot
This tour departs daily from Ubud as a small-group, private, or Premium option. Select your date to confirm availability and book with free cancellation.
Four Ubud Highlights, One Day
Tegenungan Waterfall opens the day — a wide cascade set against a lush green backdrop, roughly 30 minutes outside central Ubud. Its scale and easy access make it a popular photo stop, and it's a dramatic way to start the tour before the crowds build.
From there the route continues to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Bali's best-known stepped paddies, for panoramic views over the valley.
Pura Taman Saraswati — the Saraswati Temple, signposted around Ubud as the Water Palace, — is one of the most photographed spots in Ubud. The lotus pond in front of the temple gates fills with pink and white flowers, and the carved sandstone shrines beyond it reflect in the still water. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, art, and music, and the temple remains an active site of daily offerings.
Optional stops along the way include Ubud Palace, the Ubud Traditional Art Market for crafts and textiles, and — near the end of the day — a coffee plantation or Celuk Village, known for its silver and gold jewellery craftsmanship. The Sacred Monkey Forest closes the core itinerary: a jungle sanctuary in the heart of Ubud where long-tailed macaques live alongside ancient Hindu temples.
Day Tour Itinerary
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Morning
Hotel pickup
Your guide collects you and explains the day's route and tour option (small-group, private, or Premium).
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First stop
Tegenungan Waterfall
Photo stop, guided visit, and sightseeing at the cascade. About 1 hour.
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Next
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Guided sightseeing among the stepped paddies. About 1 hour.
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Midday
Saraswati Temple
Visit the lotus-pond water temple in central Ubud. About 30 minutes.
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Early afternoon
Ubud Palace & Art Market (optional)
Optional stops at Ubud Palace and the Ubud Traditional Art Market for crafts, textiles, and shopping. About 45 minutes combined.
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Afternoon
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Walk through the jungle reserve — ancient temples and free-roaming long-tailed macaques. About 1 hour.
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Late afternoon
Coffee plantation (optional)
An optional, no-cost stop for a coffee tasting before the drive back. About 30 minutes.
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Return
Return drop-off
Drop-off across Ubud and South Bali — the return drive runs about 90 minutes depending on your location.
Visiting the Monkey Forest Safely — What Your Guide Won't Always Tell You
The Sacred Monkey Forest is genuinely wild — the macaques are not trained and interact with visitors on their own terms. Most visits are completely uneventful, but there are a few things worth knowing:
- Don't carry food or bags with food smell — monkeys can smell food through a zipped bag and will investigate
- Sunglasses are a target — they look like a shiny object to curious juveniles; wear them on your nose rather than on your head
- Don't pull your hand away if a monkey touches you — sudden movements can be read as aggression; stay calm and let your guide redirect them
- Young monkeys are cute but their mothers are protective — don't approach babies or crouch down to photograph them at close range
- The temples inside the forest are active religious sites — approach quietly and follow your guide's instructions on access
Who This Tour is Best For
This tour suits:
- Visitors who want a full day mixing waterfall, rice terraces, temple culture, and wildlife rather than picking just one
- Travelers happy with a menu of optional add-ons (temple entries, art market, coffee plantation) instead of one bundled price
- Photography-focused travelers — Tegenungan, the rice terraces, the lotus temple, and the monkey forest are all highly photogenic
- Groups deciding between a small-group, private, or Premium tour option
Not Suitable For
- Travelers with only a half day free — this is a full 8-hour itinerary
- Anyone wanting every stop's entrance fee bundled into the ticket price — several are pay-as-you-go add-ons
- Visitors with a fear of primates — the monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest are wild and will approach within arm's reach
- Wheelchair users, and anyone who cannot manage steps and uneven ground
- Travelers who want to bring pets, alcohol or a picnic — none are allowed
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes for the rice terrace and monkey forest paths
- Modest clothing for the temple visits
- A closed bag with no food smell for the monkey forest
- Sunscreen, water, and cash for the optional stops
Not Allowed
- Feeding the monkeys — actively discouraged for visitor and animal safety
- Flash photography during active temple ceremonies at Saraswati
Saraswati Temple & Waterfall Tour — FAQ
What is Tegenungan Waterfall like?
Tegenungan is this tour's opening stop, a wide cascade about 30 minutes outside central Ubud with an easy, accessible viewing area. Its scale and lush green surroundings make it a popular photo stop before the day's other sites.
Where does this tour start, and does it reach my hotel?
Two meeting points are offered on the group option: Ubud Palace, or Central Parking in Kuta. The operator states this tour is built for guests starting in the south, north or east of the island, naming Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Seminyak and Candidasa. If your drop-off is somewhere other than your pickup point, a surcharge applies, so confirm both addresses when you book.
Is Saraswati Temple open to tourists?
Yes — the outer areas and lotus pond are open to respectful visitors. Your guide will advise on which areas are accessible during your visit.
Are the monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest dangerous?
The monkeys are wild and can scratch or bite if they feel threatened, but incidents with guided visitors are rare. Your guide walks you through the forest, explains how to behave, and steps in if a monkey becomes too persistent.
What are the optional add-ons on this tour?
Ubud Palace and the Ubud Traditional Art Market are optional stops earlier in the day, and a coffee plantation or Celuk Village (known for silver and gold jewellery) is offered near the end at no extra cost. You can skip any of these without changing the core itinerary.
How does this compare to a tour built around more than one waterfall?
This tour pairs one waterfall with rice terraces, temple culture, and the monkey forest — better if you want a mix of nature and culture in one day. If your priority is seeing multiple waterfalls, the rice terrace, water temple and waterfall private tour covers three cascades in one trip.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate. There is some hiking, with steps and uneven natural paths at Tegenungan Waterfall and the Tegalalang rice terraces. The operator lists the tour as unsuitable for wheelchair users. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes if you plan to get near the waterfall spray.