Bali Ubud Tour

REVIEW · UBUD

Bali Ubud Tour

  • 5.06 reviews
  • From $80
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Operated by Susila Bali Tour · Bookable on Viator

One day in Ubud can feel like a whole new Bali. This private tour stitches together the big sights and the everyday rhythm of central Bali, with hotel pickup, a clean A/C vehicle, and point-to-point driving so you’re not doing map gymnastics all day.

What I like most is how easy it is to make the day fit your pace. Your guide Susila Bali Tour (often with standout English skills) helps you keep moving smoothly, and you also get bottled water plus WiFi onboard, which matters in the heat.

The one catch: several of the stops are not included in the price, so your total day cost will likely be higher once you add entrance tickets for places like the Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul, and Tegenungan Waterfall.

Key highlights at a glance

Bali Ubud Tour - Key highlights at a glance

  • Private tour for your party: flexibility without waiting around for strangers
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off: start and end where you’re staying
  • A/C vehicle + bottled water + WiFi onboard: comfort for a long day
  • Monkey Forest Sanctuary: chance to see over 700 grey long-tailed macaques in a paved sanctuary
  • Tirta Empul Temple: visit a major holy spring temple complex in Manukaya
  • Tegenungan Waterfall time: a scenic spot where swimming is possible

Price and logistics: what $80 really buys you

At $80 for about 10 hours, this is a solid value if you want a private day in Ubud without handling transport. The big practical win is that pickup and drop-off are included from areas like Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran, and you travel in an air-conditioned car with bottled water and WiFi.

The tour is also truly private, meaning it’s just your group. That tends to matter more in Bali than you might expect. Schedules can get thrown off by road conditions, crowds, or simply what you feel like doing when you arrive—this tour is set up so your guide can help you adjust your timetable.

Now the part to plan for: entrance tickets and lunch are not included. Admission tickets are listed as not included for the Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, and Tegenungan Waterfall. The Ubud Art Market entry is noted as free, which helps, but don’t assume the day will be all-inclusive after checkout.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.

Your day plan in plain English (and how long you’ll actually spend)

Bali Ubud Tour - Your day plan in plain English (and how long you’ll actually spend)
This tour follows a simple rhythm: roughly one hour per main stop, then driving between them. With a total duration of about 10 hours, you’ll feel like you had a full day out, not just a quick drive-by of Ubud.

Here’s the itinerary as it’s paced:

  • Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (about 1 hour)
  • Ubud Traditional Art Market (about 1 hour)
  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace (about 1 hour)
  • Tirta Empul Temple (about 1 hour)
  • Tegenungan Waterfall (about 1 hour)

That structure is useful. Each stop gets enough time to look around, take photos, and move on without stress. If you’re the type who hates rushing, a private setup helps because you can usually spend a few extra minutes at the places you like most.

Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal

Bali Ubud Tour - Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal) is a nature-meets-culture visit. You’re walking paved pathways through a leafy setting, and the sanctuary is home to over 700 grey long-tailed macaques.

What I like about this stop is the way it’s designed for wandering. You’re not just watching from afar—you can move through the sanctuary on paths, which makes it feel like an experience rather than a drive-by photo stop.

A practical consideration: this stop is listed with admission not included, so you’ll want to budget for the entrance ticket cost separately. Also, if you’re visiting with kids, I’d treat this as a “watch and observe” outing and plan your time accordingly, since macaques are part of the environment here.

Stop 2: Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud)

Bali Ubud Tour - Stop 2: Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud)
Next up is the Ubud Traditional Art Market, locally known as Pasar Seni Ubud. This is a full-on browse stop for Bali-style crafts—silk scarves, lightweight shirts, statues, kites, handmade woven bags, baskets, and hats.

One helpful detail: the market’s admission is listed as free. So even if you’re not planning to buy much, you can still spend your hour here without worrying that you’ll be paying another ticket just to look around.

The value of this stop is simple: you get a sense of what people actually buy and use. And if you want practical souvenirs—things you can wear or pack for later—this is the type of place where you can compare styles quickly.

Stop 3: Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the SUBAK irrigation idea

Bali Ubud Tour - Stop 3: Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the SUBAK irrigation idea
The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is famous for its views of rice paddies and the SUBAK irrigation system. SUBAK is described as a traditional cooperative irrigation system passed down over generations, tied to how rice growing works in this area.

This stop is listed with admission not included, so again, plan on separate tickets. But beyond photos, the point here is to understand that these terraces aren’t just scenic—they’re built around a community-based way of managing water.

If you like cultural context, SUBAK gives you a thread to pull on. It turns what could be a simple viewpoint visit into something you can explain to yourself while you look.

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Stop 4: Tirta Empul Temple and the holy spring setting

Bali Ubud Tour - Stop 4: Tirta Empul Temple and the holy spring setting
Tirta Empul Temple is one of the main cultural-religious stops in the itinerary. It’s described as a major temple complex and holy mountain spring in the village of Manukaya in central Bali. There’s also a traditional tale tied to the setting, about good versus evil.

This is the stop where the day shifts from markets and views into something more spiritual and place-based. You’re spending about an hour here, which is enough time to see the main areas and take in the meaning without feeling trapped on a checklist.

Like the other major sites, admission tickets are not included. If you want to keep your budget under control, it helps to remember the tour price covers transport and guide time, not entry fees.

Stop 5: Tegenungan Waterfall for forest views and possible swimming

Bali Ubud Tour - Stop 5: Tegenungan Waterfall for forest views and possible swimming
The final stop is Tegenungan Waterfall. It’s described as a beautiful waterfall around Ubud with forest views, and it’s noted as a good place to swim.

This is where comfort matters most. Driving, walking, and then water conditions all play a role. Since the tour requires good weather, you’ll want to think about how today’s conditions might affect your waterfall time. When weather is poor, the experience may be rescheduled or refunded, so you’re not stuck paying for a tour that’s unsafe to enjoy.

Admission tickets for Tegenungan Waterfall are not included, so budget for that separately. Also, since swimming is possible, bring whatever you need to enjoy the water—within reason, and based on what your comfort level is once you arrive.

What makes Susila’s guiding style matter for your day

Bali Ubud Tour - What makes Susila’s guiding style matter for your day
The most praised part of this tour, again and again, is the guide. Many people single out Susila for clear communication—his English is described as excellent—and for being able to explain history and traditions in a way that makes the stops click.

Beyond language, there’s a practical edge: Susila is described as flexible, able to adapt to what the group wants and adjust the timetable. In a private tour, that flexibility is the difference between following a rigid script and actually having a day that feels yours.

There’s also a people-and-places angle. The reviews describe him as not only knowledgeable about temples and tourist spots, but also willing to drive you to local spots for lunch. Even though lunch itself isn’t included in the tour price, having a guide who can point you to decent options can save you time and stress.

And yes, there’s the small thing that adds up: he’s described as being willing to take photos. When you’re moving between multiple Ubud highlights, having someone who’s ready at the right moment can mean better memories with less fuss.

Best fit: who will like this tour most

This is a great fit if you:

  • Want a private, air-conditioned day without figuring out transport across Ubud
  • Like a mix of nature, temple culture, and craft browsing
  • Prefer a plan with clear stops, but still want flexibility inside that plan
  • Are okay paying entrance fees separately and arranging your own lunch

It’s also a good choice for first-timers who want the main Ubud hits in a single day. But if you’re the type who hates paying extra for tickets at each stop, you might want to compare costs first (especially if you’ll be adding multiple entrances).

A realistic cost check (so you don’t get surprised)

Here’s how the money usually shakes out:

  • Tour price: $80
  • Included: pickup/drop-off, private A/C transport, bottled water, WiFi onboard, parking fees
  • Not included: entrance tickets (Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, Tegenungan Waterfall) and lunch

So the tour is good value for what it handles—time, comfort, and a private guide. You just need to budget separately for entrances and meals. If you plan for that upfront, it stays a smart deal.

Tips for enjoying each stop without slowing down

Because each stop is about one hour, you’ll enjoy the tour more if you show up ready to walk and look. A few practical ways to do that:

  • At the Monkey Forest, think of it as a guided stroll through a sanctuary, not a quick photo dash.
  • At the art market, treat the hour as browsing time—use it to decide what you actually want to carry home.
  • At Tegalalang and Tirta Empul, expect to spend part of your time simply taking in the place, then moving on.
  • At Tegenungan Waterfall, decide early if you’ll swim. If you will, give yourself time to shift plans smoothly.

Weather also matters. The tour is dependent on good weather, and that’s especially relevant if you’re planning to enjoy the waterfall fully.

Should you book the Bali Ubud Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient private day in Ubud with hotel pickup, A/C comfort, and a guide who can explain what you’re seeing while keeping the schedule flexible. The combination of major sights—Monkey Forest, art market, rice terraces, Tirta Empul, and Tegenungan Waterfall—adds up to a very complete Ubud overview without you having to coordinate everything yourself.

Skip or reconsider if you’re traveling ultra-light on entrance fees and don’t want to add extra ticket costs for multiple stops. Also, if weather is unpredictable during your dates, you’ll want to be comfortable with the possibility of a change in schedule, since this experience depends on good conditions.

If you’re aiming for a smooth, guided “greatest hits” day with clear communication and real flexibility, this one earns its strong reputation—especially with Susila at the wheel.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

Do I need to pay for entrance tickets?

Entrance tickets are not included for the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tegenungan Waterfall. The Ubud Traditional Art Market is listed as free.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are WiFi on board, parking fees, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and private transportation.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is provided.

Where does the tour pick you up from?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran.

What’s the mobile ticket detail?

Mobile ticket is included, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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