Ubud Private Tour: Monkey Forest – Tirta Empul Temple

A Ubud day that hits the big sights, without the chaos. This private tour strings together Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul, and waterfall and rice-terrace scenery, plus an evening food stop, all with hotel pickup by an air-conditioned vehicle. It’s the kind of route that helps you see a lot in one day while still keeping things personal.

I like the convenience of hotel pickup and return transfers, especially when you want to avoid juggling drivers between sites. I also like that it’s built as a true private experience, so your schedule feels more like a plan for you, not a school bus for everyone.

The main consideration is tickets. The tour lists admission tickets as included for a “Price A” portion, but the specific major entrances listed for the big stops have separate prices in IDR, so you’ll want to budget for those when you total up your day.

Key things to notice before you go

• Private, air-conditioned transport keeps the day comfortable across multiple Ubud-area landmarks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off means less time coordinating, more time actually sightseeing
• Monkey Forest to Tirta Empul is a smart pairing of nature, art, and spirituality in one run
• Tegenungan Waterfall includes big scenery plus nearby snacks and viewing spots
• Gianyar Street Night Market turns the day into a real dinner plan, not just photos
• A weather-dependent day is worth keeping flexible in your plans

Private Ubud Day With Hotel Pickup and A/C Comfort

This tour is designed for a full day, roughly 8 to 10 hours, with pick-up from your Bali hotel and return at the end. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in Bali, especially when you’re bouncing between forest paths, temple steps, and open-air viewpoints.

The private format is the other big reason this works. You’re not sharing the schedule with a crowd that has to wait for the slowest person in line. It’s still a structured day, with set stops and guided time at each location, but you get the comfort of doing it at your pace.

One more practical detail: it’s offered with mobile ticket convenience and group discounts, which can be a plus if you’re traveling with friends or family. And if you like having options, the provider also notes that you can discuss a flexible itinerary and costs.

The Value Math: $35 Per Person, Tickets, and the All-Inclusive Option

The advertised price is $35 per person. That’s often the kind of number that gets you through the door, then you hit the real costs when entrance fees start stacking up. Here’s what helps you make a smart decision.

The tour includes:

• Hotel pick up and return transfers
• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water
• Admission tickets (Price A)

But it also lists entrance fees for the major sights as not included, with specific IDR amounts for:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (IDR 80,000)
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace (IDR 10,000)
• Tirta Empul Temple (IDR 50,000)
• Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) (IDR 50,000)
• Tegenungan Waterfall (IDR 20,000)

So, what’s the takeaway? If you want a simple, one-payment day, choose the all-inclusive option if it’s available when you book. If you don’t, plan for separate ticket payments at several stops.

Also, timing matters. Since you’re doing multiple paid entrances in one long day, the total you pay on site can feel bigger than the $35 headline suggests. Still, private transport plus a tightly planned route can be a good value when you’d otherwise spend time and money piecing together taxis, ticket lines, and transfers.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temple Carvings and Close-Range Wildlife

You’ll start at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with about 1 hour on the grounds. This is one of Ubud’s most recognizable places, and the appeal is easy to understand: it’s not only about monkeys. You also get carved artwork, sculptures, and a temple setting where the monkeys move freely around visitors.

This is a good first stop because it sets the tone for the day. You’re in a green, shaded environment, you can slow down with photos, and you get that mix of culture and nature that makes Ubud feel distinct from other parts of Bali.

What to expect:

• A dense sanctuary environment with lots of carved details and temple elements
• Monkeys roaming in the same space you’re walking through, since they’re free there

Possible drawback? Because this is a popular attraction, you’ll likely be navigating crowds and busy photo moments around certain viewpoints. Also, the entrance fee (IDR 80,000) is separate, so it’s one of the pricier add-ons listed for this itinerary.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Famous Views, Still Worth Your Time

Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, also about 1 hour. Yes, it’s the rice terrace you’ve probably seen a hundred times. It’s touristy, and a lot of people show up for photo angles. Still, the terraces are truly scenic, and the route earns its fame.

Why it’s worth including:

• You get a classic Ubud landscape moment
• The terraces are visually strong even when you know it’s a well-known stop

A practical consideration: it’s a photo-focused location, so you may spend time waiting for good angles or stepping around other visitors. And like the Monkey Forest, the entrance is not included in the base ticket list here, with a separate IDR 10,000 fee.

Tirta Empul Temple: Holy Spring Water and Ritual Purification

The day shifts from landscapes to spirituality at Tirta Empul Temple, known locally as Pura Tirta Empul. You’ll have about 1 hour here, and it’s centered on the Holy Spring concept.

Here’s the key idea to understand before you go: the temple has a pond fed by a spring that gives out fresh water regularly. For Balinese Hindus, the water is holy, connected with amritha (a sacred essence). People come for ritual purification, meant to cleanse the soul and ward off evil.

What makes this stop different from a typical “temple photo” experience is the focus on water and ritual use. Even if you’re not participating, you’ll be watching a living tradition in a place built for it.

Cost-wise, there’s a separate entrance fee listed at IDR 50,000. It’s not just a quick stop, either. The route gives you time to take it in without rushing, which is important for places with active ritual space.

Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah): Ancient Pools in a Garden Setting

After Tirta Empul, the itinerary includes Elephant Cave, also known as Goa Gajah, with about 30 minutes. This is a shorter stop, so it’s one to treat like a focused “hit the highlights” visit.

Why it’s memorable:

• It’s called Elephant Cave due to its close proximity to the Elephant River
• Inside, you’ll find a cave setting with relics and ancient bathing pools
• The surrounding area includes green rice paddies and a garden feel

This stop works well in the middle of the day because it’s atmospheric. You get a break from standing in open light, then you move on.

The drawback is purely time. With only 30 minutes, you won’t have long to wander slowly and take it all in at a relaxed pace. The entrance fee listed here is IDR 50,000, so it’s another separate payment if you’re not using the all-inclusive option.

Tegenungan Waterfall: A 20-Meter Drop With Cliffs and a Grotto

Next up is Tegenungan Waterfall for about 1 hour. This stop is built for scenery lovers. The description says you’ll see a white cascade pouring over black stone cliffs into a quiet pool.

The height is listed at about 66 feet (20 meters), which helps you set expectations. This isn’t a tiny trickle, so it’s worth it for the visual impact.

What you can look for on-site:

• A view of the main waterfall
• Climbable cliffs (so there may be some physical parts depending on where you want to go)
• A secret smaller waterfall
• Simple food stalls nearby
• A charming grotto that houses a sacred spring

Consideration: the tour gives you about an hour, and waterfall time can stretch fast once you’re photographing and exploring. If you hate crowds at popular viewpoints, you might find peak hours a bit tight.

The entrance fee listed is IDR 20,000.

Gianyar Street Night Market: Dinner by the Crowd Lights

You close the day at the Gianyar Street Night Market, with about 1 hour. This is where the tour becomes more than sightseeing. It turns into a food-focused end to your Ubud loop.

What makes it useful:

• The market starts at nightfall, typically opening around 4 to 5 pm and running until 12 am depending on the season
• It’s packed with Balinese and Indonesian delicacies at reasonable prices
• There are stalls and options for both savory and sweet choices
• Traditional clothing is also sold, so you can snack and browse without it feeling random

Even though the tour description doesn’t guarantee a specific menu, it fits the pattern of guided tours that treat this as your final dinner plan. The vibe here is practical: you get variety, you can point, you can taste, and you can keep moving through your own personal “greatest hits” order.

Entrance fees for the market aren’t listed as included, so again, if you want fewer decisions, check the all-inclusive option during booking.

What a Good Guide Changes on a Route Like This

A day like this can be either smooth or stressful, depending on how it’s handled. The standout theme in the guide experience connected to this style of tour is customer focus and patience.

If you’re partnered with a guide like Gusti (a name that shows up in connection with this Ubud route), you can expect a more relaxed flow. That matters because you’re packing in:

• Forest walking time
• Temple watching time
• Rice terrace photo time
• A cave visit
• A waterfall with viewpoint choices
• A night market dinner sprint

A patient guide also helps when you want to linger longer at one stop and move quickly through another. And since this is private, that kind of flexibility matters more than it would on a group tour.

Timing Tips for an 8 to 10 Hour Ubud Route

Even without changing the stops, you can make this day feel better with a few habits.

First, plan your energy for a “many texture day”: forest paths, stone temple areas, and then wet-feeling waterfall views. Bring comfortable shoes and be ready for uneven ground at at least one or two stops.

Second, think about your photo priority. Tegalalang and Monkey Forest tend to eat time because good angles take patience. If you’re not chasing perfect shots, tell your guide early, and you’ll get through faster.

Third, save your strongest appetite for the night market. The market is your real dinner payoff, and after waterfall and cave stops, you’ll be ready to graze.

Who This Private Tour Fits Best

This tour suits you if you want:

• A private day in Ubud with hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport
• A route that combines nature, culture, and food
• A schedule that covers major highlights without you coordinating separate rides

It’s also a good match for couples and small groups who don’t want to wait in line for long or deal with “everybody meets here” chaos.

If you only want one or two big sights, a shorter custom day might be a better fit. But if you like the idea of stacking experiences, this route is built for you.

Should You Book This Ubud Private Tour?

I’d book it if you value convenience and want a single day that covers the strongest Ubud hits: Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul, Tegalalang rice terraces, Goa Gajah, Tegenungan Waterfall, and a proper end at the Gianyar Street Night Market.

I would pause and check the ticket details first if you hate surprise costs. Since the listed entrance fees for the main sights are separated, the best choice is usually the all-inclusive option so you don’t have to budget IDR on the fly across multiple stops.

Finally, keep an eye on weather. The experience is noted as requiring good weather, and if conditions are poor, you might be offered a different date or a full refund.

If that sounds like your kind of day, this private Ubud loop is a solid way to see a lot, eat well, and keep the logistics from stealing your time.

FAQ

What is the price per person for this private Ubud tour?

The price is $35.00 per person.

How long does the tour take?

It runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Do you get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, hotel pick up and return transfers are included, with convenient pickup from many areas.

Is this tour private?

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

Are the attraction tickets included?

Admission tickets are listed as included for Price A, but the specific entrance fees shown for major stops (Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, Elephant Cave, and Tegenungan Waterfall) are listed as not included.

Does the tour use mobile tickets?

Yes, it includes mobile ticket access.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is offered. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.