REVIEW · MONKEY FOREST TOURS

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace

4.9 · 14 reviews From $23 Operated by My Travel Bali · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Monkeys, temples, and a real waterfall. This Bali day tour strings together Ubud nature and sacred sites with practical hotel pickup from key beach areas. You get a tight loop that feels like a mini-course in how Balinese people live, pray, farm, and snack.

I especially like the mix: Monkey Forest and the rice terraces give you that classic Ubud look, then the day pivots into holy rituals at Tirta Empul. The possible drawback is that guided explanations can vary, so if you’re hoping for deep culture talk in perfect English, plan to keep your expectations flexible.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

  • Convenient pickup from select areas including Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Ubud
  • Ubud Monkey Forest with long-tailed macaques roaming near temples and trees
  • Kanto Lampo waterfall in the Ubud countryside with chances to get close to the spray
  • Tegalalang rice terraces with the iconic layered view plus coconut plant scenery
  • Tirta Empul Temple at Manukaya for holy spring water purification rituals
  • Coffee plantation visit to learn about types of coffee and tea, with tasting experience

Price and What You Really Get for $23

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Price and What You Really Get for $23
At $23 per person, this is one of those Bali deals that works because it bundles the hard parts for you. You’re paying for a guided countryside day plus hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees only if you choose the option, and bottled water during the tour.

The value comes from how much ground you cover in one day. You hit a mix of famous sights without needing to piece together transport yourself, and that matters in Bali where routes can be slow. Also, lunch is not included, so treat this like a day trip where you’ll likely grab food on your own or later, not like an all-inclusive meal plan.

If you like full days with a clear route and minimal planning, this price makes sense. If you want a slow, flexible day with long breaks and no driving, you might find the schedule a bit packed.

Pickup, Meeting Points, and Why Timing Matters in Ubud

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Pickup, Meeting Points, and Why Timing Matters in Ubud
One reason I think this tour works well for visitors is the pick-up coverage. The service includes hotel pickup from multiple popular areas: Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Sanur, plus pickup in Ubud itself.

In practice, that means you can start your day without a taxi hunt. It also means your timing will depend on where you’re staying, since earlier stops usually set the pace. Bali traffic can be unpredictable, so it’s smart to build in patience and wear comfortable clothes that handle both car time and walking time.

Your guide’s style can also shape the day. In past experiences with guides like Laden and Reval, the tone was attentive and the flow felt smooth. And Reval in particular was described as willing to adjust the schedule when people asked.

Monkey Forest: What to Watch For Around the Macaques

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Monkey Forest: What to Watch For Around the Macaques
The Monkey Forest stop is the heart of the Ubud opening act. You walk into a leafy sanctuary where long-tailed macaques roam around trees and sacred temple areas. It’s fun, but it’s not a zoo experience where you forget the rules.

Here’s what I’d keep in mind. Expect close encounters, random curiosity, and quick photo moments that can turn into chaos if you’re not careful. Keep bags zipped and secure. Avoid dangling items like loose lanyards or phones hanging from your hand. If a monkey approaches, stay calm and follow your guide’s instructions.

Why this stop is worth it: it’s not just about seeing monkeys. It also gives you a sense of how daily spiritual space and animal life can overlap in Ubud. The best experience usually comes when you treat it like a shared environment, not a selfie set.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Getting Up Close Without Losing Your Head

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Getting Up Close Without Losing Your Head
Kanto Lampo is one of those waterfalls that feels like it’s part of the forest stage. This stop sits on the south side of Ubud, and the main appeal is simple: you can get close enough to feel the fresh spray and see the fall clearly.

What you should consider is how slippery things can get. Even if you’re only stepping around for photos, plan for wet surfaces and keep your footing steady. If you wear sandals, pick ones you trust on uneven ground.

This is also the kind of stop where the guide matters. Some experiences with guides like Tarisa included plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall rather than rushing through. That relaxed pace helps, because the waterfall experience improves when you stop trying to beat your own photo timeline.

Also remember: you’re out in nature for part of the day, so bring a small plan for small inconveniences. A towel is not listed as included, so if you’re sensitive to getting damp, pack a spare light layer or dry clothes.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: The Classic Bali View, With Real Farm Energy

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Tegalalang Rice Terraces: The Classic Bali View, With Real Farm Energy
Then you move into rice terrace country. Tegalalang is often the photo magnet, but the reason it’s still worth it is the feeling of place. You see terraced rice fields laid out across slopes, and the countryside look includes coconut plants that frame the view in a way most cities can’t fake.

What I like about this stop is how it balances beauty with function. Rice terraces are working landscapes, so the scene has texture and human effort behind it. Even if you’ve seen terrace photos before, seeing them in person gives you depth, scale, and that layered sense of distance.

Practical note: terraces usually mean some uneven paths. If you’re aiming for the best angles, you’ll want to step carefully and take your time. A guide who keeps the day flexible helps here too, because you can linger for better light and less crowd pressure.

Tirta Empul Temple in Manukaya: Sacred Spring Water Rituals

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Tirta Empul Temple in Manukaya: Sacred Spring Water Rituals
Tirta Empul is a major shift from the outdoor scenery into a sacred ritual setting. You’ll visit the holy spring water temple in Manukaya near Tampaksiring, where Balinese Hindus use purification rituals in the water.

This stop is meaningful because it’s not just sightseeing. It’s about observing and understanding spiritual practice in a place that is active and respected. Even if your guide doesn’t go super long on cultural lessons due to language limits, you’ll still feel the seriousness of the space.

What you should plan for is etiquette. Temples typically require modest dress and respectful behavior, and you’ll want to follow your guide’s instructions on where to stand and how to move. If you want to watch the purification process closely, be ready to do so from the right areas, not by roaming wherever it looks best for a photo.

Also, this is one of the stops where pacing matters. If the group feels rushed, it can be harder to appreciate the ritual atmosphere. That’s why I like tours that spend a real chunk of time here rather than treating it like a quick checkpoint.

Coffee Plantation Experience: What You Learn and Taste

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - Coffee Plantation Experience: What You Learn and Taste
After the temples and terraces, the coffee plantation visit is a lighter, more relaxed segment. You’ll see and experience learning about many types of coffee and tea, and tasting is part of the experience in the way the day is commonly run.

This stop is useful even if you’re not a coffee fanatic, because it turns a souvenir stop into an education moment. You get context for how coffee and tea are grown and processed, and you can compare flavors instead of just buying a bag because it smells good.

One thing to watch for is your shopping instinct. Plantation stops often lead into product sales. If you enjoy it, great. If not, treat it like a tasting lesson, not a must-buy event. The best value comes from knowing what you actually like, then deciding if the price fits you.

How the Guides Make or Break the Day

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - How the Guides Make or Break the Day
The biggest pattern in the experience quality is guide attention. Names that showed up with standout feedback include Laden, Reval, Tarisa, and bossreyy. Across those styles, the common thread was clear: people felt taken care of, not herded.

Reval stood out for being flexible with the schedule and for taking photos without making people feel awkward about it. Laden was noted as attentive, with everything feeling perfect. Tarisa was praised for being friendly, knowledgeable, and for organizing the day so you didn’t feel rushed at the waterfall.

Even with great guides, a realistic consideration is communication. One experience included clear difficulties with English skills, which can reduce how much cultural explanation you absorb. If language matters a lot to you, do yourself a favor: ask questions early, and if you sense gaps, focus on watching and observing instead of expecting detailed lectures at every stop.

What to Pack So You Don’t Feel Miserable

Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Waterfall, Temple & Rice Terrace - What to Pack So You Don’t Feel Miserable
This is a countryside day with a mix of forest, waterfall spray, temple etiquette, and rice terrace walking. You’ll want to be comfortable, not just photogenic.

Bring:

  • A small day bag you can keep zipped during the Monkey Forest
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip (wet ground can happen)
  • Light, breathable clothing that you can adjust for temple modesty
  • Water and a plan for lunch since lunch is not included
  • Sun protection, because the terraces and outdoor views can be bright

Also, keep your phone protected. The day has water and rain risk, even if it’s just waterfall mist.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This tour is a strong fit if you want a one-day hit list of Ubud’s biggest nature and culture icons, with hotel pickup and drop-off doing the heavy lifting. It’s also ideal if you like a guided day where you can focus on sights instead of navigation and timing.

It’s less ideal if:

  • You want a slow pace with long free time at each location
  • You strongly prefer very detailed cultural explanations in fluent English (since guide language can vary)
  • You’re not comfortable with crowds and movement at the Monkey Forest

There’s also an age note: it’s not suitable for people over 95 years. If you’re older, it’s worth thinking about walking effort and steps at terraces and temples, plus time in vehicles.

Should You Book This Ubud Nature and Temple Day?

I’d book it if you want good value, a clear route, and minimal logistics work. At $23, you’re getting a full countryside day with major stops like Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo, Tegalalang rice terraces, and Tirta Empul, plus a coffee plantation experience. The bottled water and pickup coverage also help keep the day easy.

I’d think twice if you hate getting wet, dislike any walking on uneven paths, or you need extremely consistent English guidance for cultural learning. In that case, you might prefer a smaller private tour where communication and pacing can be controlled more tightly.

If your goal is a memorable Ubud mix of nature, temples, and local food culture in one day, this is a practical, high-value choice.

FAQ

What places are included in the tour?

The tour includes Ubud Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo waterfall, Tegalalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul Temple (Manukaya near Tampaksiring), and a coffee plantation experience.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Ubud.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $23 per person.

What is included in the price?

Included items are bottled water, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all entrance fees if the option is selected (the listing notes entrance fees are included if chosen).

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

What languages are available during the tour?

The tour is offered in English and Indonesian.

Is it suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for people over 95 years.

FAQ

Do I have to pay right away?

The tour offers Reserve & Pay Later, so you can book and pay nothing today.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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