Best Of Ubud Tours

REVIEW · JIMBARAN

Best Of Ubud Tours

  • 5.075 reviews
  • From $50.67
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Operated by Bali Journey Tours · Bookable on Viator

Ubud can feel like a lot, fast. This private day tour is built to help you hit the classic sights without making transportation a full-time job. You get flexible start timing, round-trip transfers from select hotel areas, and a driver who works as your guide all day.

What I like most is the mix: you’re not only looking at famous places, you’re also learning what they mean to Balinese life. I also love that many entrance tickets are included, so you can keep moving and not get stuck at the last second. For example, guides like Putu and Putu Rika are praised for being sharp on details and for helping with photos along the way.

The main consideration is simply the weather. Since it’s an all-day outdoor route, you’ll want good conditions for the waterfall, the terraces, and the swing.

Key things to know before you go

Best Of Ubud Tours - Key things to know before you go

  • Hotel-area pickup and round-trip transport so you start and finish with less hassle
  • Private tour feel with only your group, plus an English-speaking guide/driver
  • Tickets handled up front for several major stops, while the art market and palace are free
  • A guide who helps with photos, not just directions (Putu Rika and Putu are noted)
  • A full day (8 to 10 hours) that moves through temples, nature, and culture in one loop

Ubud Highlights in One Private Day From Your Hotel

Best Of Ubud Tours - Ubud Highlights in One Private Day From Your Hotel
This is a simple idea done well: a private, full-day sightseeing route through Ubud’s most-visited cultural and nature stops, with transport taken care of. The tour is designed so you can enjoy the sights instead of spending your energy on maps, parking, and figuring out where to wait.

One big advantage is the door-to-door flow. You get round-trip transfers from select area hotels, and pickup is offered. That matters in Bali, where travel time can be unpredictable and “quick” plans can turn into wasted hours.

Because it’s private, you’re not sharing the day with strangers. That usually means you can take a little longer at the places you care about and keep the pace where you’re comfortable. It’s also listed as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

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Price and Inclusions: What You Actually Get for $50.67

The price is $50.67 per person, and the tour is scheduled for about 8 to 10 hours. At first glance, it sounds like a bargain. The value check is in what’s included.

Here’s what you can count on being covered:

  • All fees and taxes
  • Bottled water
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Private transportation
  • English speaking driver as a guide

You also get entrance tickets included for multiple stops. That reduces the usual Bali “add-ons” feeling where you keep paying new entrance fees all day.

What’s not included is food and personal expenses. So plan on covering lunch and snacks yourself. If you know you get hungry on long sightseeing days, bring some cash or plan meals around the timing of the art market and palace stop.

Also keep this in mind: group discounts are listed as part of the offering. If you’re traveling with friends or family, that can improve the per-person value.

Choosing Your Route: Flexible Timing With a Set Sight Plan

Best Of Ubud Tours - Choosing Your Route: Flexible Timing With a Set Sight Plan
The tour timings are flexible for your convenience. That’s useful because Bali has a strong daily rhythm—outdoor time can feel better earlier or later depending on heat and your energy level.

Even with flexible timing, the day follows a set set of major stops. The flow is built around mixing spiritual sites, nature photo stops, and cultural stops in Ubud itself. In total, the sightseeing time adds up fast:

  • 40 minutes at a local temple
  • 1 hour at Tegenungan Waterfall
  • 40 minutes at Tegalalang rice terraces
  • 1 hour for the swing activity
  • 40 minutes at the Monkey Forest
  • 1 hour at the traditional art market
  • 30 minutes at Ubud Palace

That’s why the day lands in the 8 to 10 hour range with driving time.

Pura Puseh Desa Batuan: Start With a Real Local Temple

Your day kicks off at Pura Puseh Desa Batuan. This is a Bali Batuan Temple in the Batuan countryside, looked after by local residents. It’s designed with Balinese ornamentation, including the temple roof structure and decorative style that makes these early stops feel more meaningful than just a quick photo stop.

This first stop is smart for two reasons. First, it sets a tone for the day—Balinese temples aren’t only scenery. Second, temples tend to be easier before the rest of your day gets busy. You typically get a focused block of time (about 40 minutes), which is enough to see what makes the architecture special without feeling rushed for the rest of the route.

A practical note: temple visits often come with dress expectations in Bali. The tour includes admission for this stop, but you’ll still want to show up ready for respectful temple viewing.

Tegenungan Waterfall and Tegalalang Rice Terraces: The Nature Stops That Matter

Next up is Tegenungan Waterfall. This is described as a beauty and waterfall area near Ubud, specifically located in Tegenungan Kemenuh town in Sukawati, Gianyar. It’s about an hour at the waterfall, with admission ticket included.

This stop is one of the reasons to do the tour instead of trying to DIY it. You get guided timing and transportation sorted, which is a big deal for a place that’s part of the day’s outdoor program.

Then you move on to Tegalalang Rice Terrace (Tegallalang). This area is famous for views of rice paddies and for the subak system, the traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system. The tour timing here is about 40 minutes, with admission ticket included.

What makes this stop more than a simple view is the idea of the rice terrace as a living system. The subak isn’t just scenery—it’s a traditional method tied to local organization and farming practices. Even if you don’t go deep into technical details, seeing it explained helps you look beyond the postcard.

One consideration: both the waterfall and the rice terraces are weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, the tour notes that it requires good weather, and in bad conditions it may be canceled with an offer of a different date or a full refund.

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Natural Terrace Swing at D’Alas: Fun With a Big Payoff for Photos

After the terraces, you get about an hour at the Natural Terrace Swing, located at D’Alas. This is Bali Swing, and the whole idea is that you swing in the middle of views with a forest and rice-countryside feel.

The tour includes admission for this stop (about 1 hour). That inclusion is helpful because swing activities can become expensive if you’re paying everything separately on the spot. Here, at least one major part of the activity cost is already handled.

Now, here’s the balanced take: if you’re not into height-based activities, you might not love this portion. But if you like easy fun and you want a photo that looks like Bali in one frame, this is the kind of stop that justifies its space in the day.

Also, because it’s listed as an included experience block, your guide can help you time it in a way that doesn’t steal your best daylight from the rest of the route.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: More Than Just Cute Faces

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the next stop, and it’s within the village of Padangtegal. The tour is clear that locals view the Monkey Forest as an important spiritual, economic, educational, and conservation center for the village and surrounding area.

You’ll have about 40 minutes here, with admission ticket included. That time window is long enough to get your bearings and see the area in motion, but short enough that you’re not stuck there for half the day.

The value of this stop is the framing. If you only treat monkeys like a photo prop, you miss the point. Knowing that the forest is tied to conservation and education helps you understand why the area is protected and managed.

One practical expectation: this is a popular attraction type, so you should plan for active animal behavior. Keep your attention on your belongings and your surroundings, especially around people feeding or moving quickly.

Ubud Art Market and Puri Saren Palace: Culture, Souvenirs, and Royal Spaces

The day then shifts into Ubud proper with two culture-centered stops.

First, you’ll visit the Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) for about 1 hour. The art market is described as located in the heart of Ubud, opposite Puri Saren Royal Ubud. Entrance is free for this stop, so you can browse without pressure to “make it worth it” through an entrance fee.

This is a good time to shop for small, local souvenirs made by Balinese artisans. You might find traditional items that feel more connected to daily life than mass tourist imports.

Then you go to Ubud Palace (Puri Saren) for about 30 minutes. This palace is described as an Ubud King Palace used as a governance center in the empire era. It’s known for Balinese traditional style, including wood carving details.

The palace stop being free is also a nice perk. You’re getting a meaningful cultural look for free, while the earlier nature and sanctuary stops handled entrance fees for you.

If you want photos here, go at a slower pace. The palace feel is in the details, not just the big view. And since you’re in Ubud center, it’s easier to keep the flow of the day without adding driving complexity.

Guide, Photos, and Pace: What a Great Day Looks Like

The biggest takeaway from this kind of private day is how much a good guide changes the experience. You’ll have an English speaking driver as a guide, and the guide quality is a clear highlight. Names like Putu, Putu Rika, and Rika come up because they’re praised for being informative and for communication and personality.

There’s also a practical plus: some guides will take pictures for you. That’s not just nice. It solves a real problem. When you’re at scenic stops like the terraces, waterfall, and swing, getting good shots can mean trading time and awkward angles with your own phone timer. Having someone else help keeps the day fun and keeps you in the frame.

Pace is another factor. The schedule balances quick entry time at multiple sights with enough time at each place to actually feel like you saw it. If you love photos, you’ll find it easy to focus on a few strong moments at each stop rather than trying to do everything everywhere.

Weather, Comfort, and Small Logistics That Save Your Day

This tour requires good weather. Since multiple stops are outdoor—waterfall, rice terraces, and the swing—if you arrive on a bad weather day, it can be less about comfort and more about whether the planned activities can run smoothly.

You’ll also be in an air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water included. That helps when you’re out in heat, especially during midday driving between Ubud and the surrounding areas.

Food is not included, so plan your meal timing around the day. The tour includes an art market hour and palace time afterward, which can be convenient for a meal break if you coordinate with your guide.

Finally, you get a mobile ticket. That’s one less thing to manage on arrival.

Who This Private Ubud Tour Fits Best

This is a strong match if you want:

  • A full-day Ubud route that mixes temples, nature, and culture
  • Hotel-area pickup without you having to arrange separate transfers
  • A guide who can explain what you’re seeing, not just point the way
  • Included entrance tickets for multiple stops, so you control your total spending

It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling as a small group and want the private vibe without spending time planning a route.

If you’re the type who only wants one or two sights and hates long days, you might find this schedule packed. But if you like variety and want a “see a lot, learn a bit” day, this one works.

Should You Book Best Of Ubud Tours?

If your goal is to cover Ubud’s major highlights in one smooth day, with transport and many entrance tickets already handled, I’d say it’s worth booking. The value comes from the combination: private pacing, included admissions at key stops, and a guide/driver who’s praised for being communicative and for taking photos like Putu Rika.

I’d only hesitate if you know you’re highly weather-sensitive or you really dislike swing or monkey-related attractions. Since the tour needs good weather and includes outdoor activities, your best experience will come when the day stays clear and you’re ready for a full schedule.

FAQ

Can I choose the timing of my Ubud tour?

Yes. The tour timings are flexible for your convenience, so you can choose a start time that works better for your day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes round-trip transfers from select area hotels.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is approximately 8 to 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What entrance fees are included?

Admission tickets are included for the temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, the Natural Terrace Swing, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The Ubud Traditional Art Market and Ubud Palace are listed as free.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food isn’t included, and personal expenses aren’t included either.

What’s included besides transport and tickets?

Included items are all fees and taxes, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and an English speaking driver as a guide.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time for a full refund.

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