Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls – Private Tour

REVIEW · UBUD

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls – Private Tour

  • 5.07 reviews
  • From $24.65
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Operated by Driver Ubud · Bookable on Viator

A holy spring and two waterfall stops in one day. This private Ubud route hits the big-picture highlights—Tirta Empul for ritual water, plus Tegalalang’s rice views and two waterfall photo moments—without you having to plan the driving. I also like that the day comes with key entrance tickets already handled, so your time stays focused on the places, not the ticket lines.

The second thing I like is the human touch: the guides and drivers get praised for being punctual and friendly, with names like Koman, Made, Arlan, and Mangkok showing up in the feedback for clear explanations and smooth pacing. One caution: this tour includes most admissions but not lunch and not the Jungle Swing ticket, so you’ll want a little extra budget for food and that activity.

Key highlights to know before you go

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Key highlights to know before you go

  • Private transport for an easy door-to-door Ubud day (your group stays together)
  • Entrance tickets included for Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, Kanto Lampo, and Tibumana
  • Tirta Empul’s holy spring water ritual, with the option to join if you want
  • Bali Swing (Happy Swing Bali) for that sky-high, jungle-view feeling
  • Two different waterfall moods: Tibumana’s calmer vibe and Kanto Lampo’s dramatic rock view
  • Mobile ticket included, plus bottled water in the car

Price and value: what $24.65 buys you in Ubud

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Price and value: what $24.65 buys you in Ubud
At about $24.65 per person for a roughly 10-hour private outing, the value is less about fancy extras and more about logistics done for you. You’re paying for private transportation, bottled water, and the admission tickets for four major stops—Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, Kanto Lampo, and Tibumana Waterfall.

What’s not included matters too. Lunch is not part of the package, and the Ubud Jungle Swing (Happy Swing Bali) admission isn’t included. That’s the trade-off for keeping the core price lower while still covering the big entry fees. If you plan your meals and budget the swing ticket ahead of time, the math usually works out well.

The tour also runs with a “just your group” setup. That means you can move at a pace that fits your day—plus you avoid the stop-start feeling that comes with mixing into other groups.

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How the day flows (and why this order makes sense)

This is a full-day circuit built around variety: rice terrace scenery, a high-energy swing stop, a cultural water temple, lunch mid-route, then waterfall time to end with photos and views.

A typical rhythm looks like this:

  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace in the morning
  • Jungle Swing at Happy Swing Bali
  • Tirta Empul Temple for the water purification area
  • Lunch at a local restaurant around midday
  • Tibumana Waterfall for a calmer nature break
  • Kanto Lampo Waterfall to finish with a dramatic cliff-and-rock look

Even if the exact timing shifts slightly, the structure stays the same: you get the cultural stop before the waterfalls, then end with the best photo finish. That sequencing helps because waterfalls are all about timing and light, and you’ll usually want your last stop to feel like a finale.

Stop 1: Tegalalang Rice Terrace—scenery with real local farming behind it

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Stop 1: Tegalalang Rice Terrace—scenery with real local farming behind it
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Bali’s most recognized rice areas, just north of Ubud. The appeal is obvious once you’re there: steep terraced paddies, layers of green, and that feeling that the whole area is built for beautiful views.

What you’ll appreciate on a private tour is how quickly you can go from city life to countryside rhythm. You’re not just looking at scenery—you’re seeing an agricultural landscape shaped by local irrigation traditions. You’ll also have the entrance ticket included, which is one less friction point.

What to watch for: this is a popular sight, so the key is to treat it like a walking viewpoint. Plan on moving slowly, taking a few angles for photos, and then giving yourself time to actually look at the irrigation lines and terrace edges instead of only shooting from one spot.

Best for: people who want that classic Bali “rice terrace moment” without doing complicated transport planning on their own.

Stop 2: Happy Swing Bali (Ubud Jungle Swing)—the sky-high break from sightseeing

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Stop 2: Happy Swing Bali (Ubud Jungle Swing)—the sky-high break from sightseeing
After Tegalalang, the day shifts gears to Happy Swing Bali, where the big draw is the swing itself: you get elevated views over jungle and valleys, so the whole experience feels like you’re hanging above the greenery.

This is the stop where you’ll likely feel the “vacation brain.” The effort is physical, but it’s playful. And if you love pictures, it’s also one of the easiest places to get dramatic angles—because the viewpoint is literally built into the activity.

One practical note: Jungle Swing admission is not included. That means you should factor in the extra cost so there are no surprises mid-day. It also means you’ll want to decide ahead of time if you want to do the swing as soon as you arrive, or if you’d rather watch and focus on the scenery.

Best for: people who want a fun, high-energy activity to balance the temple and waterfall parts of the day.

Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple—holy spring water and a ritual you can join

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple—holy spring water and a ritual you can join
Next comes Tirta Empul Temple, near Tampaksiring. This is a sacred Hindu water temple known for holy spring water used in purification rituals. The tone here is different from the selfie-friendly stops. It’s calmer, more ceremonial, and it asks you to slow down.

A key value of having a guide on this stop is context. You’re not just walking through a beautiful temple area—you’re learning what the water purification rituals are for and how people use the space. The tour also explicitly invites you to tell your guide if you want to be part of the purification water ritual itself.

Consideration: temple areas usually have their own rules about behavior and how people participate. If you plan to join the ritual, ask your guide what to expect in terms of where to go and how to participate respectfully. If you just want to observe, you can still enjoy the spiritual atmosphere and the visual details.

Why this stop is worth it: it gives your day depth. Rice terraces and waterfalls are gorgeous, but Tirta Empul is where you understand why people in Bali still treat water, faith, and daily life as connected.

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Lunch around midday—where the schedule helps you

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Lunch around midday—where the schedule helps you
Lunch is built in around noon. It’s not included, but you do get taken to a local restaurant, which usually saves you the headache of finding a good meal while also keeping the day moving.

The practical upside of lunch being placed after Tirta Empul is energy management. You’ve already walked, waited, and focused for hours. A planned lunch stop helps you avoid the “we’re hungry and now we’re off-schedule” spiral.

My tip: since lunch isn’t covered, treat this as your moment to refuel for the waterfall stretch. Drink water, eat something satisfying, and don’t plan anything intense right after if you’re sensitive to heat.

Stop 4: Tibumana Waterfall—serene nature time without the rush

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Stop 4: Tibumana Waterfall—serene nature time without the rush
Tibumana Waterfall is described as a more peaceful, less crowded kind of waterfall experience. The vibe here is nature-focused: you get that cool outdoor break where your senses reset.

What makes Tibumana appealing in this kind of tour is contrast. After the swing’s high energy and the temple’s ceremonial calm, Tibumana is the “breathe for a minute” stop. It’s also a chance to explore Bali’s nature at a slower pace—stretch your legs, look for your best viewing angle, and take in the sound of the water.

What to know: the tour includes the entrance ticket for Tibumana. So you can spend less time on paperwork and more time walking the area and photographing.

Best for: anyone who wants a quieter waterfall stop rather than only the most famous, most crowded one.

Stop 5: Kanto Lampo Waterfall—rock formations and big photo angles

Tirta Empul temple, Jungle Swing and Waterfalls - Private Tour - Stop 5: Kanto Lampo Waterfall—rock formations and big photo angles
To finish, the tour takes you to Kanto Lampo Waterfall, known for its dramatic look as water flows over rock formations. The big appeal here is visual drama—this is the kind of waterfall where your photos actually look like what you remember from the moment.

Kanto Lampo is also noted as relatively easy to access compared to waterfalls that require long hikes. That matters because it makes your last stop feel like a win. You’re not spending your final hour grinding uphill. You can focus on enjoying the view and getting your images.

Photo advice that actually helps: keep an eye on where you can get height and where you can stand safely. Waterfalls can turn into slippery surfaces, so move carefully and don’t rush your framing.

Why this ending works: finishing with Kanto Lampo gives you a strong closing image, and it keeps the day memorable right up to the final moments.

Guides and driving: why punctuality matters more than you think

One of the most praised parts of this experience is the overall service. You’ll see a strong pattern in the feedback: drivers are punctual, friendly, and good at keeping things smooth. Names that show up include Made, Arlan, Koman, and Mangkok, often described as warm and helpful, with clear English for communicating what’s happening and what to expect at each stop.

For you, the practical payoff is simple:

  • You lose less time to confusion.
  • You get faster transitions between stops.
  • You spend more time actually doing the day, not managing it.

Also, private transport with air-conditioned comfort and bottled water makes a big difference in Bali’s heat. It’s not a luxury tour, but it’s a comfort-focused one—and that’s often the difference between a fun day and a tiring one.

What to pack (so the day feels easy)

This tour mixes temple time, scenic walking, and waterfall time. So pack like you’re doing all three—because you are.

Bring:

  • A camera/phone with battery (waterfalls and terraces are photo-heavy)
  • Comfortable shoes for walking around uneven outdoor areas
  • Water bottle care even though bottled water is provided (you might still want extras during breaks)
  • A plan for dry-to-wet changes if you want to get close to waterfall views

At Tirta Empul, if you plan to participate in purification, ask your guide what you should do and wear. Don’t guess and hope—use the person you paid to guide you.

Who should book this Ubud private day?

This tour is a good fit if you want:

  • A full-day hit list without stressful planning
  • A mix of culture (Tirta Empul) and nature (two waterfalls)
  • Included entry tickets for major stops to help control costs
  • A private driver who can keep timing under control and share context

If you prefer slower travel, fewer stops, and lots of free time, you might find this day a bit busy. But if you like your sightseeing packed into one smooth loop, this tour does that job.

Should you book this Tirta Empul, Jungle Swing, and Waterfalls private tour?

I’d book it if you want a one-day way to see a strong chunk of Ubud-area highlights—especially because transport and most admissions are included, and the guide service gets consistently strong mentions for punctuality and communication.

I’d pass or adjust if you know you won’t do the swing or you don’t want lunch arranged at a restaurant you didn’t choose. Since lunch and Jungle Swing admission aren’t included, you’ll want to treat those as add-ons and budget for them. If you’re the type who hates surprise costs, plan ahead.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transportation, bottled water, entrance tickets for Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, and Tibumana Waterfall, plus a mobile ticket.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Do I need to pay extra for the Jungle Swing?

Yes. Ubud Jungle Swing is not included, so you’ll need to pay for the swing activity separately.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is this tour really private?

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

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, with cut-off times based on the experience’s local time.

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