REVIEW · UBUD
Ubud Surounding Tour
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Wild monkeys and holy water—here you go.
This Ubud surrounding tour is built for a Balinese sampler that still feels personal: monkeys, rice terraces, a purification temple, luwak coffee, and a waterfall in one efficient loop. What I like most is the included admission tickets for the key stops, plus the round-trip pickup so you’re not wrestling with transport between far-flung villages.
Two more things make it work for real life: you get a private set-up (so the day moves at your pace), and the route is designed around iconic Ubud-area sights without skipping the cultural anchor at Tirta Empul. One thing to consider: you’ll want to come ready to get wet and change clothes, because the itinerary includes water activities (waterfall time plus the water ceremony/purification at the temple).
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Why this Ubud route feels efficient (not rushed)
- Price and value: what $63 really covers
- Pickup and private touring: the calm advantage
- Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal
- Stop 2: Tegalalang rice terraces with a little trekking
- Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the holy spring purification
- Stop 4: Segara Windhu coffee plantations and the luwak story
- Stop 5: Kanto Lampo waterfall, soaking, and photo time
- Timing and flow: making sense of the 1–10 hour window
- What to pack: small items that make a big difference
- Who should book this Ubud surrounding tour
- Should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Ubud surrounding tour?
- Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?
- Are entrance tickets included?
- What about lunch and dinner?
- Do I need a swim suit?
- Is it a private tour?
- What is the coffee stop about?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Private attention: your group goes with a guide and driver, not a cattle-car schedule.
- Tickets handled for you: admission tickets are included for the main cultural stops.
- Tirta Empul purification experience: a temple visit where you can take part in a refreshment ritual using fountains.
- Tegalalang rice terraces time: about an hour with a bit of trekking through the rice fields.
- Kanto Lampo waterfall: soak and photo time at Air Terjun Kanto Lampo, plus a rock you’ll see in lots of pics.
Why this Ubud route feels efficient (not rushed)

This tour is the kind of day plan that makes Ubud make sense. Instead of bouncing between random stops, it threads together the three themes most people come for: Balinese spirituality, iconic scenery around north Ubud, and the island’s food culture.
You start at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a place tied to local life in Padangtegal. Then you head to Tegalalang rice terraces, where the north Ubud view is the star and you can do some light walking among the fields. After that comes Tirta Empul Temple, the spiritual heartbeat stop where purification is part of the visit. Finally, you end with the sensory stuff: luwak coffee and a real waterfall with swim-and-photo energy.
The best part is how practical the pacing feels. Even though the itinerary includes multiple locations, you’re not expected to do everything like a marathon. The duration is listed broadly (about 1 to 10 hours), which usually means the tour can flex depending on traffic, timing, and how long you choose to stay at each stop.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Price and value: what $63 really covers

At $63 per person, the big value move here is simple: entrance tickets are included for several of the stops. That matters because Bali site fees can add up, and paying separately often leads to awkward waits or confusion while you’re on the clock.
Here’s what you can expect based on what’s included:
- Private transportation (round-trip)
- Bottled water
- Entrance tickets for the included sites
Lunch and dinner are not included, so plan on grabbing food on your own before or after, or bring snacks if you’re the type who gets hungry mid-day.
There’s also a small nuance worth noting: coffee plantation admission is listed as free for this stop, and luwak coffee is presented as an option to try. So the day is mostly “paid upfront,” with the only likely add-on being what you choose to purchase for yourself (like drinks or meals).
If you want a day that feels like you bought one ticket, got one driver, and walked into the main sites without paying again at each gate, this price makes sense.
Pickup and private touring: the calm advantage

Hotel pickup and return is listed as part of the tour, and that’s not just convenience—it’s time-saving. In Ubud, distances can be short on a map and still take time on the road. Having transport sorted means you can spend your energy on the places you paid to see.
The private set-up also matters. The experience is described as private, meaning only your group participates, and the guide isn’t balancing multiple groups at once. In practice, this tends to mean a more relaxed flow—less waiting for others, more chances to ask questions and adjust your timing.
One of the most praised parts of the experience is the driver. People highlight that the driver didn’t just drive; they accompanied you to different venues and explained what you were looking at. There’s also a useful detail: the driver shared information for contacting them again if you need transportation on other days. That’s the kind of practical help that can save you time later.
Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal

Your first major stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It sits inside the village area of Padangtegal, which owns it, and the sanctuary plays roles beyond tourism—spiritual, economic, educational, and conservation-related.
Plan to spend about 1 hour here. That’s a good window: long enough to take in the vibe and see the monkeys up close, without feeling like you’re stuck in the same spot too long.
The key thing to know is that this is an encounter with playful simians. They’re part of the attraction, but that also means you should keep an eye on anything they might grab—small items, loose sunglasses, and bags that are too easy to access. Don’t stress, just be smart and keep your stuff secure while you move around.
Possible drawback: monkey-forest energy can be unpredictable. If you’re the sort of person who prefers quiet, controlled environments, the presence of monkeys might feel distracting. Still, for many people, that’s exactly why this stop is worth starting with.
Stop 2: Tegalalang rice terraces with a little trekking

Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, about 30 minutes from the center of Ubud. This is one of those stops where the view is the point, but the view is only half the story.
You’ll have about 1 hour and the experience includes time to explore with a little trekking on rice fields. That’s ideal if you want your photos and your scenery, but also want to feel the geography under your feet instead of just standing in one spot.
One practical consideration: rice terraces can mean uneven ground and steps. You don’t need extreme hiking gear, but you do want decent footwear and a bit of comfort walking on paths.
Also, expect a mix of humidity and sun exposure. If you’re sensitive to heat, plan your pace and bring water—good news is bottled water is included in the tour.
Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the holy spring purification

Then you hit the cultural center of the day: Tirta Empul Temple, also known as a Holy Spring temple. This stop is about more than sightseeing. The temple visit includes a chance for purification using fountains.
You’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is plenty of time to both see the space and take part in the water ceremony at your own comfort level. The goal is refreshment—body and soul—through the ritual water flow.
Here’s the big practical tip: the tour specifically asks you to prepare a swim suit and extra clothes. That’s because you’ll likely get wet at the temple, not just at the waterfall. Don’t show up in clothes you’ll hate changing out of later.
Potential drawback: purification rituals are personal. If you’re unsure whether you want to participate in the fountain process, you can still enjoy the temple atmosphere and observe—but having swimwear gives you the option to join if the moment feels right.
Stop 4: Segara Windhu coffee plantations and the luwak story

After temple and terraces, you get a break that still connects to Bali’s food culture: Segara Windhu Coffee Plantations.
This stop includes time to learn about luwak coffee, a famous coffee associated with civets. The process, as explained in the tour description, goes like this: luwak (civet) eats coffee beans that are selected as good ones, then the beans come out through the animal’s poo, and from there the coffee is prepared.
You also get a chance to try the island’s famous luwak coffee. Since the tour description frames it as a chance to try (not a guaranteed tasting included at a set price), treat it like an option. If you don’t want to taste it, you can still enjoy the coffee plantation perspective and the story behind how it’s made.
Why this stop is worth it: it turns an item you might see on menus into an actual on-island production concept. It’s also a useful reset from wet and spiritual energy—coffee grounds you back in something practical and local.
Stop 5: Kanto Lampo waterfall, soaking, and photo time

Your final wow moment is Kanto Lampo Waterfall, referred to locally as Air Terjun Kanto Lampo. It’s described as a hidden deep-in-the-jungle kind of spot, and the vibe is very much about water and photos.
Plan on about 1 hour at this stop. You’ll have time to soak in the pristine water and get photos of the insta-famous rock that people come for.
Practical reality check: waterfall time is where your planning matters. Wear what you can get wet in, and use the swim suit and extra clothes the tour suggests. If you hate being cold after getting wet, bring a towel or something similar in your day bag.
Possible drawback: it can be slippery and damp. Go slow on the rock and take your time with footing. Also, waterfall access can depend on weather conditions, so keep in mind the overall experience requires good weather.
Timing and flow: making sense of the 1–10 hour window
The tour duration is listed from 1 to 10 hours, and that range isn’t random. In Bali, the biggest variables are travel time between Ubud-area stops and how long you personally want at each site.
A realistic way to plan your day:
- Expect multiple “anchor stops” where you’ll want time to see, take in the atmosphere, and not just rush photos.
- Build in buffer time for driving and small delays.
- Keep lunch flexible since lunch and dinner aren’t included.
If you’re trying to fit this into a tight schedule, book a day when you’re not racing off to another activity the moment you finish. Give yourself some breathing room so the waterfall and temple experiences don’t turn into a sprint.
What to pack: small items that make a big difference
The tour info is clear about what you should bring: swim suit and extra clothes. I’d treat that as a non-negotiable. If you show up dry and don’t want to change, you’ll miss part of what makes the day work.
Beyond that, bring basics that make the stops easier:
- Something to store wet clothes after (a small bag helps)
- Water-friendly footwear or sandals you’re comfortable getting damp (especially for the waterfall)
- Any personal items you need for comfort during temple visits
Bottled water is included, so at least you won’t have to hunt for hydration mid-day.
Who should book this Ubud surrounding tour
This is a great fit if you want:
- A cultural and nature mix in one day: monkeys, rice terraces, Tirta Empul purification, waterfall
- A plan that reduces decision fatigue, since entrance tickets and transport are handled
- Private attention rather than sharing your schedule with strangers
It may be less ideal if:
- You strongly dislike water-based stops or don’t want to bring swimwear
- You prefer only one type of activity (for example, strictly temples or strictly hiking). This day is intentionally varied.
Good news: the tour says most people can participate, which suggests the itinerary is designed to be accessible for a wide range of comfort levels. Still, the swim suit requirement means you should choose based on your own water comfort.
Should you book this tour?
If you’re trying to get the best of Ubud’s surrounding highlights without turning your day into logistics, I’d say yes. The value angle is strong because admission tickets are included for the major stops, and pickup/transport keeps the schedule smooth.
Book it if you like variety and you want to experience Tirta Empul as more than a photo stop—especially if you’re open to the water ceremony option. Also, if a great driver who actually explains what you’re seeing matters to you, this one has a clear track record.
Skip it only if you know you won’t want to get wet at the temple or waterfall, or if you hate anything involving monkeys at close range. Otherwise, this is the kind of Ubud day plan that gives you multiple memories instead of one.
FAQ
How long is the Ubud surrounding tour?
The duration is listed as about 1 to 10 hours, depending on timing and how long you spend at each stop.
Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?
Yes. The tour includes round-trip transportation from your hotel.
Are entrance tickets included?
Yes. Entrance tickets are included for the tour stops listed with included admissions.
What about lunch and dinner?
Lunch and dinner are not included.
Do I need a swim suit?
Yes. You should prepare a swim suit and extra clothes, since the itinerary includes water activities like the temple water ceremony/purification and the waterfall visit.
Is it a private tour?
Yes. It is described as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.
What is the coffee stop about?
You’ll visit Segara Windhu Coffee Plantations and learn about and have a chance to try luwak coffee, which is associated with civet processing of coffee beans.
What if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
























