Ubud Rice Terraces, Temples & Waterfalls — Full Day Private Tour
The most comprehensive private day tour of Ubud available — covering the full range of what makes the Ubud region extraordinary: Tegalalang's UNESCO rice terrace landscape, the holy water ritual at Tirta Empul, Tegenungan Waterfall for swimming, a traditional coffee plantation, and the Sacred Monkey Forest in one 9-hour private day with a local guide. This is the tour for visitors who want to experience the complete depth of Ubud rather than a single highlight. See all available waterfall options in the region at our Bali waterfall tours from Ubud guide.
Tour at a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Full day from your hotel with private guide, typically 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
All entrance fees, private guide, and transport included
Tegalalang Rice Terrace — the most iconic landscape in Ubud
Tirta Empul Temple — Bali's most sacred spring temple and purification ritual
The most famous waterfall near Ubud, swimmable, with jungle pool
Check Dates and Book Your Spot
This comprehensive private tour runs daily from Ubud. Book with free cancellation and select your date below.
The Complete Ubud Day — Five Iconic Experiences
What's Included
Ubud is often described as Bali's cultural capital, but that phrase flattens what is actually a very layered place. This tour is structured to let you experience those layers in a single day: agriculture, spirituality, natural beauty, wildlife, and culinary tradition — each as a genuine encounter rather than a rushed photo stop.
The day begins at Tegalalang Rice Terrace north of Ubud, where the famous stepped paddy fields fall away from the road into a valley. The UNESCO recognition reflects not just the visual drama of the terraces but the 1,000-year-old subak irrigation cooperative that manages the water flow between every field — a system that is both ancient and still actively functional. Your guide walks you through the terraces and explains what you're looking at: not just landscape, but a living agricultural and spiritual practice.
Tirta Empul follows — Bali's most sacred spring temple, where holy water has flowed from the same natural spring since the 10th century. The purification ritual involves moving through a series of spring-water fountains, each with a specific spiritual purpose. This is not a tourist recreation — Balinese come here regularly for genuine spiritual purification, and the ritual has been conducted in the same way for centuries. Your guide explains each step and accompanies you through the process.
Tegenungan Waterfall is the natural counterpoint to the spiritual dimension of the morning. The wide cascade into a jungle pool is 15 metres high, the water is cool and clear, and swimming is allowed — the combination of jungle shade and cold mountain water is exactly what a morning in the tropics requires.
The coffee plantation and Monkey Forest complete the day: plantation as a window into Balinese agricultural tradition, the forest as 12 hectares of living nature reserve in the heart of Ubud.
- ✓ Private driver-guide for 9 hours
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ubud area
- ✓ All entrance fees (Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, Tegenungan, Monkey Forest)
- ✓ Sarong for temple visit (provided)
- ✓ Coffee and tea tasting at local plantation
- ✗ Lunch (your guide recommends the best options at each stop)
- ✗ Optional jungle swing at Tegalalang (approx. $10 if desired)
Full Day Private Tour Itinerary
How to Make the Most of a 9-Hour Private Day in Ubud
A 9-hour private day with five stops requires good pacing. Here is what experienced travelers recommend:
- Tell your guide your priorities at pickup — if you want more time at the waterfall for swimming or more time at the monkey forest, the itinerary is flexible
- Tegalalang is best before 9:30 AM — after that the swing parks fill up and the terrace paths get busy; your early start handles this
- Bring two sets of clothes — one for the temple and rice terrace (modest), one for Tegenungan (swimsuit under clothes), and shoes that can get wet
- The coffee tasting is a natural break in the morning pace — use it to ask your guide about the day ahead and adjust timing if needed
- The monkey forest at 3:00 PM is quieter than the morning sessions — an advantage of the tour's sequencing
- Book at least 2 days ahead — with 421 reviews this tour has consistent demand
Who This Tour is Best For
This comprehensive tour suits:
- First-time visitors to Bali who want to experience the full range of what Ubud offers in a single day
- Travelers with a 2-night Ubud stay who want to cover all the major highlights at a comfortable pace
- Families and couples who want culture, nature, and wildlife combined rather than just a waterfall or just a temple
- Anyone who wants a local guide's interpretation of what they're seeing — not just transport between sites
Not Suitable For
- Travelers with significant mobility limitations — Tegenungan has steep stairs; the monkey forest has uneven paths; Tirta Empul has stone paving
- Those who prefer a single focused experience — this tour covers a lot of ground and moves between sites at a steady pace
- Visitors with a fear of wild monkeys — the monkey forest involves close proximity to 700 free-roaming macaques
What to Bring
- Swimsuit under your clothes for Tegenungan
- Modest top for temple and rice terrace visits (sarong provided for Tirta Empul)
- Shoes that can get wet for Tegenungan — sandals are fine
- Closed bag with no dangling straps for the monkey forest
- IDR cash for lunch, optional activities, and drinks
Not Allowed
- Immodest dress inside temple areas — sarong provided
- Feeding monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest
- Drones at Tegalalang and Tirta Empul without a permit
Complete Ubud Day Tour — FAQ
How is this different from the most-reviewed private tour (tour-4)?
This tour (tour-8) emphasises breadth — covering Tegalalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul, a coffee plantation, Tegenungan, and the Monkey Forest across 9 hours. The most-reviewed private tour covers similar highlights in 8 hours at the same starting price, with a route optimised for pace and flexibility. Both are excellent — this tour adds the coffee plantation stop and allows slightly more time per location.
How early does the tour depart?
The 7:30 AM departure is deliberate — Tegalalang is significantly quieter before 9:00 AM, and reaching Tirta Empul by 10:15 AM ensures the ritual pools are not too crowded. Your guide times every stop to minimise waiting and maximise experience quality.
Is the Monkey Forest safe for children?
Yes, for children aged 8 and over with appropriate adult supervision and guide accompaniment. The monkeys are wild and will approach close range, which children often find exciting and occasionally startling. Your guide manages the interactions and keeps the group moving safely through the forest. Very young children or those who are easily distressed by animals should discuss with the operator before booking.
Can we skip the coffee plantation if we prefer more time elsewhere?
Yes — this is a private tour and any stop can be shortened or skipped on your request. The coffee tasting is included in the price but not mandatory. If you'd prefer to spend that 30 minutes at the rice terrace or arrive at Tirta Empul earlier, tell your guide at pickup.
What happens if it rains during the day?
The tour runs in all weather. At Tegenungan, rain makes the falls more powerful and dramatic. The temple and rice terrace visits are less pleasant in heavy rain — your guide carries light rain ponchos and knows covered viewing points. If a specific stop is unsafe in current conditions, your guide will advise an alternative.