Bali Full Day Tour: Highlights of Ubud and Hidden Waterfall

This full-day route is interesting because it stacks Ubud classics with a waterfall you reach by walking into a cave-like setting, all in one well-paced day. I love the private pacing that lets you tweak the day as you go, and I love the Mount Batur lunch view over Lake Batur.

The only catch is time. At about 10 hours, you’ll be moving between stops, so if you’re hoping for a slow, meandering day with lots of “just one more coffee” breaks, this might feel a bit tight.

The upside is that the logistics are handled. You get pickup offered, an air-conditioned vehicle for the drives, and admission tickets are included for the sights on the route.

Key highlights to notice before you go

• Private tour flexibility: you can adjust your day on the spot, since it’s only your group
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: long-tailed macaques in a sacred forest setting (1 hour, ticket included)
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace walking time: 45 minutes to move through the fields and take in the views
• Kintamani lunch with Mount Batur panorama: buffet lunch with Lake Batur in sight
• Kehen Temple stop: a royal temple site in Bangli Regency that feels less crowded
• Tukad Cepung Waterfall: an outdoor cave setting, reached after a short ride from Kehen Temple

Ubud, five stops, one smooth plan that saves your energy

This tour is built for visitors who want a lot of variety without hiring multiple drivers or cramming your day with buses. You’ll start in Ubud and keep working outward, hitting both headline Ubud sights and quieter spiritual sites. The driving is done in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Bali when the day heats up.

The value angle here is simple: you’re paying for your day to run on schedule. Admission tickets for each stop are included, lunch is taken care of, and bottled water is included too. That means you can spend your mental energy on seeing things instead of figuring out tickets, timing, and transport.

One more signal to like: the overall rating is strong, with a 5-star average and a 99% recommendation rate across 168 ratings. In practical terms, that usually points to reliable guides and smooth timing, not just pretty photos.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary first, where the forest is the whole point

You kick off at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. Expect a sacred forest environment where long-tailed macaques live peacefully in their natural habitat. You’ll have about 1 hour here, and admission is included.

Why starting here works: it’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time just watching the animals and the rhythms of the setting. If you come later in the day, you might find the light less forgiving for photos, and you’ll have less energy left.

The main consideration is obvious but worth saying plainly: this is a monkey sanctuary. If you dislike close encounters with monkeys, you’ll want to manage expectations and keep your distance.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace, your 45-minute window for green views and walking

Next you’ll drive about 30 minutes to Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This is one of Bali’s best-known rice landscapes, with rice fields spread out like a chain across the hills. You get 45 minutes here, and admission tickets are included.

What you can do with your time is more than just standing and snapping pictures. The route gives you time to walk between the fields, stand among the green, and take in the spread. Even if you’re not a serious hiker, that walking time is the key benefit, because it lets you feel the slope and depth of the terraces instead of only seeing them from one angle.

A practical tip: keep your movements steady. The paths in terrace areas can be uneven, and you’ll be here for a short window, not a long stroll.

Mount Batur and Kintamani, lunch with a big view

After rice terraces, you head toward the Kintamani area, where lunch is served with a panorama view of Mount Batur and the calm stretch of Lake Batur. You’ll have about 1 hour for this stop, and the package includes admission as listed.

This is the emotional payoff stop on the day. The rice terraces give you texture, the lunch area gives you scale. It’s also a good break from the frequent walking, because you’re centered on a meal and a viewpoint.

If you care about views, I’d treat this as more than a lunch stop. Arrive with a little patience, because settling in and finding your best angle is part of getting value out of the hour.

Kehen Temple in Bangli Regency, a royal temple that feels quieter

After lunch, you’ll visit Kehen Temple, located in Bangli Regency. This is described as a sacred temple that served as the royal temple of the Bangli Kingdom, and it’s noted as being less touristic than some of Bali’s other marquee temples.

You’ll have about 1 hour here, with admission included. This stop is valuable because it adds a different kind of Bali. Instead of just scenery, you get a sacred place with a lineage tied to the Bangli Kingdom, and a site that has remained sacred generation to generation.

The trade-off: you’re not getting a long, slow temple experience. It’s one hour, so you’ll want to focus on what’s in front of you, not chase every detail like you would on a full afternoon temple walk.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall, walking into the cave-like setting

Just about 20 minutes from Kehen Temple, you’ll reach Tukad Cepung Waterfall. The setting is what makes this stop memorable: it’s located deep under green jungle, and you see it within an open cave setting.

You get 1 hour here, with admission included. That hour includes time to reach your viewing area and actually take it in. This kind of waterfall experience is different from a roadside cascade. The cave setting changes how the water looks and how you experience the space, even if you’re only there for a short visit.

The main consideration is physical effort. The overall day calls for moderate physical fitness, and a cave-like waterfall spot usually means some uneven walking and changing surfaces. Wear shoes that have grip and give yourself time.

How the 10-hour day actually runs, from 8:00am pickup to the hotel drop-off

The tour starts at 8:00am. The day is built around short visits with enough time to see, walk a bit, and reset between stops.

Here’s the rhythm you should expect:

• Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, about 1 hour
• Stop 2: Tegalalang Rice Terrace, about 45 minutes
• Stop 3: Kintamani area lunch with Mount Batur views, about 1 hour
• Stop 4: Kehen Temple, about 1 hour
• Stop 5: Tukad Cepung Waterfall, about 1 hour

Then you drive back to your hotel at the end of the tour.

The big win is you’re not bouncing between separate bookings. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the traveling in between, which keeps you comfortable while you’re crossing Bali’s Ubud region.

You should plan your energy around the schedule. This is the kind of day where you’ll feel best if you eat the lunch properly and hydrate, which is supported by bottled water included.

Price and group discounts: is $89 a good deal for you?

The price is listed at $89.00 per person, and it’s a private tour. Private tours usually cost more than shared ones, but they pay you back in two ways: you get control over timing and you don’t spend your day waiting for other people.

Here’s the part to think about honestly. The day is private, but the overall pricing can vary with group size since group discounts are offered. If you’re going solo, the per-person cost can feel higher because there isn’t another person to split the private vehicle and guide time.

Still, the inclusion list helps justify the price:

• Lunch buffet included
• Bottled water included
• Admission tickets included for the stops
• Air-conditioned vehicle included
• All fees and taxes included
• Private tour included

So you’re not piecing together a bunch of extra costs mid-day. If you’re traveling as a couple or small group, it tends to be a stronger value because the private experience stays intact but the per-person cost drops with group pricing.

Also, this tour is popular. On average, it’s booked about 15 days in advance, which suggests you should lock it in earlier if your dates are firm.

What’s included, what’s not, and what you’ll want to bring

You’ll be covered for several core items that make the day easier:

• bottled water
• lunch buffet
• air-conditioned vehicle
• all fees and taxes
• private tour

Not included: alcoholic beverages. That’s good to know if you like to unwind with a drink at lunch.

What to bring is mostly common sense based on the route. You’ll be walking at least two of the stops (the rice terrace and the waterfall area), and you’ll be in a cave-like waterfall setting. Comfortable shoes with grip are the smartest choice. Also, bring something light you can use if you get damp at the waterfall or if you want a layer during changing conditions.

Fitness note: the tour says moderate physical fitness is recommended. If you have mobility limits, you might want to consider whether 10 hours of short walks and uneven ground is manageable for you.

Guide quality can make or break a day like this

One reason this itinerary tends to work is the guide and driver. In one example, a guide named Eka was described as flexible, knowledgeable, and careful about safety. Another guide was praised for being kind, funny, and good at explaining what you were looking at.

Even if the route is fixed, the people running it can change your experience a lot. A good driver helps with timing, a good guide helps you notice the parts that are easy to miss when you rush.

Should you book this Bali full day Ubud tour?

I’d book this if you want a smart first taste of Ubud and nearby sights, especially if you have limited time. It’s built for efficiency without feeling like a race, with private pacing, included tickets, and a lunch stop that’s more than just a filler meal.

I’d think twice if any of these are dealbreakers for you:

• You hate monkey encounters and don’t want to be around macaques
• You need a very slow day with long unstructured wandering
• You’re traveling solo and cost feels too tight, since private pricing can be higher without a group

If you fit the first group, this is the kind of day that helps you see a lot of Bali without the mental load of planning every transport step yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Bali Full Day Tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs for about 10 hours and starts at 8:00am.

Is pickup included, and is this tour private?

Pickup is offered, and it’s a private tour. Only your group participates.

What stops are included on the itinerary?

The tour includes Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, lunch at the Kintamani area with Mount Batur views, Kehen Temple, and Tukad Cepung Waterfall.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. Admission tickets are included for each listed stop.

What’s included in the price, and what’s not?

Included are bottled water, a lunch buffet, an air-conditioned vehicle, all fees and taxes, and the private tour. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before start does not get a refund.