BALI :Sanctuary Monkey forest, rice terrace Water temple

Ubud packs a lot into one day. This nine-hour Bali tour links the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Petanu Waterfall, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Water Temple, and a coffee plantation visit for $19 per person. It is a useful way to cover several major Ubud sights without arranging separate drivers, tickets, and stops.

I especially like the mix of nature and culture, from forest paths and rice fields to a spring-fed temple and village waterfall. I also like the chance to spend the day with a private or small-group guide, with guides such as Kadek, Nano, Ari, and Wayan praised for being patient, kind, punctual, and willing to adjust the pace.

The main drawback is that this is a full day with several stops, so the schedule may feel busy. Some entrance fees, lunch, and the popular rice-field swing are not included, and the published information is unclear about which admission tickets are covered. Ask for a clear cost breakdown before you go.

Key points at a glance

• The Sacred Monkey Forest covers 12.5 hectares, with 186 recorded plant and tree species, along with plenty of macaques and shaded walking paths.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace gives you Bali’s classic rice-field view, but the optional swing costs extra and the paths require comfortable shoes.
• Petanu Waterfall is a small village waterfall, about 15 meters high, with clear water and the possibility of swimming.
• Gunung Kawi Sebatu is the quiet cultural stop, with shrines, spring-fed pools, lotus flowers, and carp.
• The coffee visit includes about 15 coffee and tea varieties, plus an explanation of how beans are picked and prepared.
• The $19 price is strong value for transportation and sightseeing, but you should budget separately for lunch, admission charges, and optional activities.

A full Ubud day without arranging five separate visits

This tour is designed for visitors who want to see several well-known Ubud sights in one day. Pickup is available from hotels, and you are asked to wait in the lobby from 10 minutes before the arranged time. Pickup from Nusa Dua and Uluwatu costs extra, so this trip makes the most sense if you are staying in Ubud or another covered pickup area.

The small-group option is useful, but the exact feel of the day may depend on how many people are booked. Some bookings may operate almost like a private outing. One solo visitor spent the day with Kadek, while other experiences praised guides including Nano, Ari, Kadek Tonik, and Wayan.

That personal attention matters. Kadek Tonik was noted for adapting the day to personal preferences and allowing time to visit each place at a comfortable pace. Nano was praised for explaining the stops clearly and checking that everything was going well. Ari received strong marks for kindness and professional service, while Wayan was described as staying close and helping throughout the day.

You should still think of this as a sightseeing circuit, not a slow retreat. Five major stops, transport, lunch time, and coffee tasting fill nine hours quickly.

Sacred Monkey Forest, where nature and temple space meet

The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud is the tour’s most famous stop. The forest covers 12.5 hectares and contains 186 species of plants and trees. That gives the visit more substance than a simple animal encounter. You are walking through a shaded forest area that also forms part of Ubud’s spiritual and cultural setting.

The monkeys are the main attraction, but they are not tame pets. Keep your belongings secure, do not feed them, and follow the local instructions. Sunglasses, food, loose objects, and anything dangling from a bag may attract unwanted attention. The rules are simple: no feeding animals, no smoking, and no littering.

I like this stop for travelers who want an easy introduction to Bali’s wildlife and temple atmosphere. It is also a good photography location, though you need to pay more attention to your possessions than you would in an ordinary park.

People with animal allergies should think carefully before booking. The tour is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the forest paths may be less comfortable if walking is difficult.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the extra-cost swing question

Tegalalang is one of Ubud’s signature sights. The stepped rice fields show how farming has shaped the hills around Ubud, and the terraces are the reason many visitors make the trip north of the town.

You can expect paths and viewpoints rather than a simple roadside photo stop. Comfortable shoes are important, especially if you want to walk beyond the first viewing area. A hat, sunscreen, and water will help because parts of the visit may leave you exposed to the sun.

The tour includes a visit to the rice terrace, but the swing is not included. This is worth knowing before you arrive. The swing may look like part of the main attraction, but it is an optional extra with its own charge. If you want to keep the day close to the advertised $19, you can enjoy the rice views without adding it.

Your guide can also help with photos. One particularly useful detail from the feedback is that guides may take time to help create good pictures. Ask politely, but do not assume unlimited photography assistance if the group is large.

The rice terrace is a scenic stop, yet it is also the most likely place for the day to feel commercial. You may find extra charges and activity offers around the viewpoint. Go for the terraces first, then decide if any paid option suits you.

Petanu Waterfall, a compact stop with clear water

Petanu Waterfall is described as being in the middle of a village, with a drop of about 15 meters and clear water. Its village setting gives it a different feel from a large, developed waterfall attraction.

The waterfall may be the most active part of the day. You can bring swimwear if you would like to bathe, although the published information does not clearly promise swimming conditions or changing facilities. One useful point is that a visitor specifically wished the option to bring swimming things had been made clearer. I would pack a swimsuit, towel, and a spare set of dry clothes if you want to be ready.

Wear shoes with a good grip. Water, steps, and uneven paths can make a short waterfall visit more demanding than it first appears. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so consider your comfort with walking before booking.

This stop also gives you a break from temples and sightseeing viewpoints. You can hear water, take photographs, and, if conditions allow, cool off. Do not treat it as a guaranteed swimming session, but do bring the right clothing if that possibility appeals to you.

Gunung Kawi Sebatu, the quiet temple stop

Gunung Kawi Sebatu, also called Pura Tirta Dawa Gunung Kawi Sebatu, is the most peaceful cultural stop on the route. It is known for ancient shrines, gardens, spring-fed pools, lotus flowers, and carp.

The temple is valuable because it offers more than a quick photo. The clear pools and ponds are part of the site’s religious character, and the setting invites a slower visit. You should dress and behave respectfully, follow local customs, and avoid treating the temple as a backdrop only.

I would give this stop extra attention if you prefer quiet places over famous attractions. The Monkey Forest and Tegalalang are major Ubud draws. Gunung Kawi Sebatu provides a calmer contrast and may be the place where the day feels most connected to local Balinese tradition.

The description calls it one of Bali’s least visited temples, but you should not expect complete solitude. It remains part of a planned sightseeing route. Still, it is a good choice for anyone who wants a temple visit with water, plants, and a more restful pace.

Coffee tasting, from bean to cup

The coffee plantation visit adds a practical food and farming element to the day. You can see how coffee is made, from picking the beans through preparation and drinking. About 15 types of coffee and tea are available to taste.

The tasting is not simply a cup of ordinary coffee. It is a chance to compare different drinks and learn about the work behind them. You can also try civet coffee, described as one of the most famous coffees in the world.

Civet coffee raises questions about animal welfare and production methods, so I would ask how the coffee is sourced before buying anything. The supplied information confirms that it is offered, but it does not explain the sourcing practices. You can taste, ask questions, and choose not to purchase.

This stop also serves a practical purpose. After walking through the forest, rice terraces, waterfall area, and temple grounds, sitting down with coffee or tea gives the day a quieter pause. It may appeal to curious food lovers, but anyone who dislikes plantation sales stops should keep expectations measured.

What the $19 price really covers

At $19 per person, this is an inexpensive way to connect several Ubud attractions. You receive hotel pickup in the covered areas, transport between stops, a visit to the Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Petanu Waterfall, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, and a coffee plantation tour.

The value is strongest if you want breadth. Organizing five stops independently would take more time and require finding transport for each part of the day. A guide also gives you help with timing, directions, cultural context, and photographs.

You should not treat $19 as the total cost of the day. Lunch is not included. Entrance tickets are listed as not included in one part of the information, while another part says the Monkey Forest entrance is included and the activity includes several visits. That contradiction needs clarification before booking.

The swing is extra, and pickup from Nusa Dua or Uluwatu carries an additional cost. Ask these three questions before payment:

• Which entrance tickets are covered?
• What is the extra pickup fee from my hotel?
• How much do lunch and the rice-field swing cost?

If the $19 price covers transport and the main sightseeing route, it remains good value. If several admission fees are added, compare the final amount with a private driver or another small-group option.

How to prepare for nine hours in Ubud

Comfortable walking shoes are the most important item. You will likely encounter forest paths, rice terrace routes, temple grounds, and a waterfall area. Flip-flops may be fine for a short café visit, but they are not the best choice for the whole day.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, and drinking water. The rice terraces and waterfall area may expose you to the sun, while the forest and temple provide more shade. A camera is useful, especially if your guide helps with photographs.

Pack swimwear and a change of clothes if you want to be ready for the waterfall. This is sensible preparation, but swimming is not guaranteed by the details provided.

You should also dress respectfully for Gunung Kawi Sebatu and behave carefully around the monkeys. Do not feed animals, smoke, or litter. If you have animal allergies or mobility limitations, this is not the right choice.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Bali plans are still changing.

Who should book this Ubud tour?

I would recommend this tour to first-time Bali visitors who want to see several major Ubud sights in a single day. It suits people who value convenience, hotel pickup, a guide, and a low starting price more than a slow, specialized visit to one location.

It is also a good fit for solo visitors. The experience with Kadek shows that a solo booking may receive very personal attention, depending on availability. Couples and small groups can also benefit from the simple transport arrangements.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long sightseeing days, prefer to avoid commercial stops, or need step-free access. The route includes walking, a waterfall area, temple grounds, and animal encounters. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or animal allergies.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable introduction to Ubud with strong variety: monkeys, rice fields, clear water, a spring temple, and coffee tasting. The guides are the biggest strength, with repeated praise for punctuality, kindness, patience, flexibility, and help with photographs.

Skip it if you want a quiet day focused on one temple or one natural site. Also skip it until you confirm the entrance-fee details if your budget is tight. For most first-time visitors staying near Ubud, the route offers a practical amount of Bali in nine hours, as long as you prepare for walking and extra costs.

FAQ

How long does the Bali Ubud tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours.

What attractions are included in the route?

The route includes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Petanu Waterfall, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Water Temple, a coffee plantation, and a visit to Ubud Village.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $19 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included from hotels in the covered service area. Nusa Dua and Uluwatu pickups require an additional cost. You should wait in your hotel lobby from 10 minutes before pickup.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is the rice terrace swing included?

No. The swing is an optional extra and is not included.

Are entrance tickets included?

The published details are inconsistent. One section says entrance tickets are not included, while another says the Sacred Monkey Forest entrance is included. Confirm the exact ticket coverage before booking.

Can I swim at Petanu Waterfall?

The waterfall has clear water, and swimming may be possible, but swimming conditions and facilities are not specified. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes if you want to be prepared.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera. Swimwear may also be useful for the waterfall.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people with animal allergies.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.