REVIEW · UBUD
Best of Ubud Waterfalls, Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Swing Tour
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Photo-ready waterfalls, no scooter stress. This tour strings together three of the most popular Ubud waterfall stops—Kanto Lampo, Tibumana, and Tukad Cepung—with the famous rice views at Tegalalang, so you’re not wasting your day routing around Bali traffic and turnoffs.
I love the two-way hotel pickup and air-conditioned private car. I also love the photo payoff: a swing over the Tegalalang rice terrace for that classic aerial shot, then more dramatic waterfall angles later.
One thing to keep in mind: the stops move fast, and several of the waterfalls involve stairs and slippery footing. Bring water shoes if you plan to get close to the basins.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- How this Ubud waterfall circuit actually saves your energy
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: swing views and included entry
- Kanto Lampo Waterfall: short walk, strong photo angles
- Tibumana Waterfall: stairs, palms, and a calmer feel
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall: cliffs and that light-through effect
- Uma Pakel Agro Tourism: coffee, herbal tea, and the optional swing
- Timing, pacing, and what to pack for ~10 hours
- Price and value: what $29 covers, and why that matters
- Guide energy: you’ll feel the difference
- Who should book this best-of Ubud day trip
- Should you book this tour? My practical take
- FAQ
- What locations does this Best of Ubud tour include?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- How long is the tour?
- Are entrance tickets included?
- Is the swing at Tegalalang included?
- Is there another swing option?
- Does the plantation stop include coffee or tea?
- What’s included in the transportation?
- Is this tour private?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Do I need to print a ticket?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Three waterfall stops in one day: Kanto Lampo, Tibumana, and Tukad Cepung, with entry tickets included
- Tegalalang swing photo time with included access at the rice terrace
- A second swing option at Uma Pakel Agro Tourism (not included, so you choose your add-on)
- Coffee and herbal tea tasting on the plantation stop
- A/C private transport with bottled water, plus pickup from many Ubud and south Bali hotels
- Guides who help with timing and photos, including support for solo travelers
How this Ubud waterfall circuit actually saves your energy

Ubud days can go sideways fast if you self-drive. Roads can be slow, parking can be a puzzle, and you’re still left figuring out where to stand, when to go, and how to connect multiple attractions without burning the whole day. This trip reduces that friction with a private air-conditioned car and two-way transfers from many hotels.
The route also makes practical sense. You’re not just “doing waterfalls” in a random order. You start in the rice-and-waterfall zone with Tegalalang first, then hit Kanto Lampo and Tibumana while you’re still fresh for stairs and short walks. Tukad Cepung comes last, when you can focus fully on its dramatic rock-and-light look.
Because it’s a private format, you get to move as a group through the day, not wait behind a long line of strangers. That matters when your goal is photos and calm exploring, not sprinting from one bus to another.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: swing views and included entry

Your day kicks off at Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a place that’s instantly recognizable even if it’s your first time in Ubud. The main value here isn’t only the famous terraces. It’s the way the panoramic rice views pair with the swing experience.
You’ll have about two hours here, and the entrance ticket is included. The experience is designed for you to slow down enough to frame photos—especially once you’re up on the swing—without worrying about tickets or timing.
What to expect on the ground:
- You’ll be moving between viewpoints and photo spots, with uneven terrain.
- If you’re doing the swing, it’s worth keeping an eye on your timing so you’re not rushing at the end of the session.
Tip that helps: wear something you can move in, because you’ll likely step on gravel or damp areas around the terrace paths. You do not need hiking boots for this stop, but you do need stable footing.
Kanto Lampo Waterfall: short walk, strong photo angles

Next up is Kanto Lampo Waterfall, a stepped waterfall where the water cascades over rick-like formations. The good news is access is straightforward. You’re just about 5–10 minutes from the car park, so you don’t lose half your day to a long trek.
You get about two hours at this stop, with entrance included. The timing window is long enough that you can:
- take the classic overview shots,
- then move closer for the wetter, more texture-heavy angles.
A practical note: waterfall areas can get slick. If you’re aiming for close-up photos in the basin area, water shoes are a smart move. They help you focus on the photos instead of managing every step like it’s a tightrope.
If you want the best flow, coordinate with your guide on where to position yourself first. Guides often help with the order of viewpoint stops so you’re not blocking others or wasting time walking in circles.
Tibumana Waterfall: stairs, palms, and a calmer feel

Tibumana Waterfall is another two-hour stop with entry included. This one comes with a key detail: you descend stairs to reach the view. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it does change your day.
Why it’s worth it:
- The setting includes rice fields and palm trees, so your photos have layers, not just falling water.
- Tibumana is known for being a great photo spot with less crowd pressure than the busiest headline waterfalls.
Expect the rhythm to be similar to most Bali waterfall visits:
- You’ll want a few minutes to settle your footing.
- Then you’ll move into your photo positions, and finally decide how close you want to go.
If you’re traveling with anyone who struggles with stairs, make sure everyone is comfortable with the descent before you start. This is one of those “easy until it isn’t” situations—mostly because of footing, not distance.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall: cliffs and that light-through effect

Your final waterfall stop is Tukad Cepung Waterfall, famous for its light effects. This is the kind of place where the setting matters as much as the water. You’re not only photographing the waterfall; you’re photographing the way the surroundings frame it.
You’ll have about two hours, with entrance included. The cliffs and rock structure create that distinctive look, and it’s a strong spot for camera work—especially if you enjoy composing shots with the natural frame.
Practical consideration: you may be dealing with wet surfaces and steps again, so the same footwear logic applies. If you’re planning to go into the basin area, prioritize traction.
Also, give yourself time to experiment. With light-through scenes, moving your position slightly can change your entire shot. Your guide can help with simple timing cues—when to stand where, and when it’s best to settle into a longer photo session.
Uma Pakel Agro Tourism: coffee, herbal tea, and the optional swing

After the waterfalls, you shift into the plantation stop at Uma Pakel Agro Tourism. This is where the day adds a more relaxed, cultural-food element after the active waterfall segments.
There are two parts to this stop based on the tour description:
- You get to sample Balinese coffee and herbal tea.
- You can do a swing above coconut trees with a view toward the rice terraces.
The important detail: this stop’s main added activities are not included (the swing ticket is listed as not included). That means you can treat it as an optional upgrade. If you already did the included swing at Tegalalang, you’re not required to add this one—but it can be a fun second aerial photo opportunity.
How I’d approach it for your best day:
- If you’re photo-driven and legs still feel okay after the stairs, consider the swing option.
- If your priority is rest, stick to the plantation tasting and viewpoints.
Either way, you’re getting a useful contrast: waterfalls for drama and movement, plantation time for taste and slower pacing.
Timing, pacing, and what to pack for ~10 hours

This is an about 10-hour private day trip. With five stops total, you’ll notice the pacing is built around steady transitions rather than long lingering.
Here’s what that means for you:
- You’ll likely spend close to the full allotted time at each stop, without big gaps.
- Your stamina matters most during the transitions, especially where stairs are involved.
What to pack (based on how waterfall days work in Ubud):
- Water shoes if you want to get close to waterfall areas
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone/camera
- A light rain layer, because conditions around waterfalls can change fast
- A small towel or quick-dry cloth if you plan to spend time at basins
And one simple strategy: eat and hydrate steadily through the day. You’ll have bottled water provided, but don’t treat it as the only hydration.
Price and value: what $29 covers, and why that matters

At $29 per person, this tour is positioned as a strong value route because the big-ticket items are largely accounted for. The inclusions list entrance tickets for:
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Kanto Lampo Waterfall
- Tibumana Waterfall
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall
You also get:
- a private air-conditioned car
- driver/tour guide
- bottled water
What is not included:
- alcohol
- foods and drinks unless specified
- entrance tickets for optional sites (like the additional swing option)
So the real question is not just price—it’s whether you’re buying time and stress reduction. You are. You’re paying to avoid self-driving between multiple waterfall locations, and you’re paying for the included entry fees to the major stops.
If you were self-driving, you’d still spend on fuel, parking, and ticket lines. You’d also spend time deciding where to go next. This tour compresses that into one guided plan.
Guide energy: you’ll feel the difference
Good guides make the difference between a “nice day” and a day that actually flows. The tour’s guide support shows up in how the day is paced and how helpful the route navigation is once you’re at the stairs and photo spots.
From the guide names associated with this experience, you might get someone like Abdi, Gusti, Mangkok, Gede, Inyoman Tanaya, Ketut, or Kadek Ari Darva. What stands out in the tour experience quality is practical help:
- walking groups down to waterfall areas so you don’t feel lost
- explaining where to spend your time for the best views
- helping with photos, including support for solo travelers so you can get shots without awkward setup time
If photo time is a priority, tell your guide early. A quick note at pickup—something like what kinds of shots you want—helps them nudge your timing so you’re not always waiting for the next group moment.
Who should book this best-of Ubud day trip
This tour fits best if you want:
- multiple Ubud waterfall stops in one day without self-drive hassles
- included entry to the main sights and a smooth route plan
- big photo opportunities (rice terrace swing plus waterfall basins)
- a guide to handle the practical stuff while you focus on seeing
You might choose differently if:
- you dislike stairs or have mobility limits
- you want a super slow, unstructured day with lots of downtime between stops
For most people, though, it’s a smart “great hits” format: short walks, set time windows, and a clear flow from rice terrace to three waterfall styles to plantation tasting.
Should you book this tour? My practical take
Book it if you like planning that works. This is the kind of day trip where you get a lot of view variety—stepped waterfall, stair-based jungle views, and cliff-framed light scenes—without making you do route math.
Skip or rethink if you want extra quiet, because the itinerary is 10 hours and the stops are time-boxed. You’ll still get time to explore, but the day is built for efficiency.
One more reason to lean yes: you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That flexibility makes it easier to commit while you’re still syncing schedules.
If you’re in Ubud and aiming for photos, this is one of those tours that gives you both the drama and the structure. Just show up with good traction and a camera that’s ready for wet rocks and shaded light.
FAQ
What locations does this Best of Ubud tour include?
It includes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, Tibumana Waterfall, Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and a stop at Uma Pakel Agro Tourism.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Pickup offered is available from many Ubud and south Bali hotels, with 2-way transfers included.
How long is the tour?
The duration is listed as about 10 hours.
Are entrance tickets included?
Entrance tickets are included for Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, Tibumana Waterfall, and Tukad Cepung Waterfall.
Is the swing at Tegalalang included?
The tour overview says the swing above Tegalalang Rice Terrace is included.
Is there another swing option?
Yes. There’s an additional swing at Uma Pakel Agro Tourism, but the information lists it as not included (optional/add-on).
Does the plantation stop include coffee or tea?
Yes. You’ll be able to sample Balinese coffee and herbal tea on the plantation.
What’s included in the transportation?
You get a private air-conditioned car, a driver/tour guide, and bottled water.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s described as private, so only your group participates.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.
Do I need to print a ticket?
No. It offers a mobile ticket.
If you tell me your travel dates and which hotel area you’re starting from, I can suggest how to plan your day around the 10-hour timing and best photo order.
























