REVIEW · TOURS
Ubud Surounding Tour
Five Ubud stops, one smooth plan. I like that admission tickets are included, and I like the private attention so you can ask questions as you go. This is the kind of day that helps you connect the dots between Balinese daily life, Hindu rituals, and the island’s natural beauty.
You’ll start in Ubud and move through five major sights without having to coordinate rides between each one. I also appreciate the practical touches like round-trip pickup and bottled water, which keeps the day from turning into logistics instead of sightseeing.
One consideration: this tour depends on conditions, and the waterfall part is weather-sensitive. If the skies don’t cooperate, you may need to adjust your expectations for photos and getting into the water.
In This Review
- Key points to help you plan
- The “surrounding Ubud” idea, and what it means for your day
- Price and value: what $63 per person buys you
- Pickup, private transportation, and the value of a driver who actually helps
- Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal
- Stop 2: Tegalalang rice terraces and the short trek through working fields
- Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the purification water springs
- Stop 4: Segara Windhu coffee plantation and the luwak coffee story
- Stop 5: Kanto Lampo waterfall, soaking time, and photo readiness
- Time, pacing, and how to avoid a rushed feeling
- What’s included, what’s not, and how that affects your budget
- Weather matters, especially for Tirta Empul and the waterfall
- Packing list you’ll actually use (swimwear counts)
- Who this tour suits best
- Should you book the Ubud surrounding tour?
- FAQ
- What is the price for the Ubud surrounding tour?
- How long is the tour?
- Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?
- Are entrance tickets included?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I need swimwear for this tour?
- Is luwak coffee included?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- What should I know about tickets and confirmation?
Key points to help you plan

- Private driver flow keeps each stop from feeling rushed or confusing
- Tickets included for the big sights means fewer pay-at-the-door hassles
- Sacred sites + water rituals at Tirta Empul call for swimwear and a change of clothes
- Tegalalang terraces include a short walk through the rice fields, not just a photo stop
- Luwak coffee chance lets you see how the coffee story works in Bali
- Kanto Lampo waterfall timing is better with the right gear, even if you only dip your feet
Not decided yet? These Ubud trips held up when we went through them.
The “surrounding Ubud” idea, and what it means for your day

This isn’t a single-sight tour. It’s a best-of loop around Ubud that stitches together animals, rice agriculture, temple ritual, coffee culture, and a waterfall, all with one pickup and one return. That matters because in Ubud, travel time between attractions can eat up your energy fast.
The pacing is built around classic Ubud anchors: the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul Temple, a coffee plantation stop, and Kanto Lampo Waterfall. If you’re trying to understand how Balinese culture sits beside daily work on farms and in religious life, this route gives you those connections in one morning or afternoon style outing.
It’s also explicitly private. That means you’re not stuck waiting behind a group who moves like a slow tide.
Price and value: what $63 per person buys you
At $63 per person, you’re paying for five things that usually cost extra when you travel independently: transportation, entry tickets, and guided interpretation at several stops. Entrance tickets are included, which is a big deal for a multi-stop day, because temple and sanctuary fees add up quickly.
You also get private transportation and bottled water. That doesn’t sound glamorous, but it keeps you from hunting for cash, swapping tickets, or walking thirsty between places. The only missing piece is meals, so you’re responsible for lunch and dinner.
This is also booked about 15 days in advance on average, so it’s not a last-minute gamble. If you want the smooth “one driver, one plan” experience, planning ahead tends to help.
Pickup, private transportation, and the value of a driver who actually helps

You’ll get convenient round-trip transportation from your hotel area, and the tour ends back at the meeting point in Ubud. In practice, that turns the day into a simple routine: get picked up, visit the sites in a logical order, then return.
The strongest positive signal here is how the driver supports the experience at each venue. There’s clear emphasis on the driver accompanying you to different spots and explaining what you’re seeing. That matters a lot in places like monkey forests and working temples, where small etiquette rules can save you both time and awkward moments.
If you need to keep exploring after the tour, one account notes that the driver shared contact info for other transportation days. That’s a useful detail because Ubud is easier when your transport doesn’t become a new planning project each morning.
Stop 1: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal

Your first major moment is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, located within the village area of Padangtegal. This matters because the forest is more than a tourist attraction. It’s described as an important spiritual, economic, educational, and conservation center tied to local stewardship.
What you should expect on the ground is a busy mix of paths, greenery, and long-tailed macaques in close proximity. You’ll likely spend about an hour there, which is enough time to see the main areas without turning it into an all-day wandering project.
Practical consideration: monkey zones can be unpredictable. Keep bags zipped, avoid dangling items, and don’t treat the monkeys like entertainment props. If you’re visiting during your day’s heat, you may also want sunscreen and a bottle of water, even though bottled water is included on the tour.
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Stop 2: Tegalalang rice terraces and the short trek through working fields

Next up is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, around 30 minutes from the Ubud center. This stop is famous for a reason: the terraced rice fields create a stepped pattern across the slopes, and you get views in multiple directions as you move.
Instead of only standing and taking photos, this stop includes time to explore the area with a little trekking along the rice fields. About an hour is planned, so you can enjoy the walk without needing hiking experience or training.
Two practical notes. First, wear shoes with grip because paths around terraces can be uneven. Second, bring your camera expectations down a notch if it’s overcast or raining. Terraces still look great, but lighting changes quickly.
If you’re interested in how Balinese life is tied to agriculture, this is one of the most direct stops on the route. You’re not just seeing a view, you’re seeing a working landscape that shaped daily routines for generations.
Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the purification water springs

Tirta Empul Temple is known as a holy spring temple, and it’s one of the most meaningful stops on the whole tour. This isn’t just about viewing temple buildings. You can participate in a purification process at the sacred fountains.
Plan for time to follow the flow of the water ceremony. About 1 hour 30 minutes is allotted, which helps you take it at a comfortable speed rather than feeling like you’re being pushed through a checklist. The temple includes fountains where people go for purification, and the tour description specifically calls out refreshment of the body and soul.
What to bring matters a lot here. You’ll want swimwear and extra clothes because you may get wet during the water steps. Even if you do only part of the ritual, you’ll feel better prepared if you can change afterward.
Etiquette helps, too. Keep your voice low, follow staff or guide directions, and avoid walking into others’ space. If you’re sensitive to crowds, consider going into the temple with flexibility in mind, since sacred sites can be active.
Stop 4: Segara Windhu coffee plantation and the luwak coffee story

After temples and water, you shift to coffee culture at Segara Windhu Coffee Plantations. The tour includes a chance to try the island’s famous luwak coffee, which is tied to civets.
Here’s the key idea, in plain terms: the luwak (civet) eats selected coffee beans, and after digestion the beans are collected. The coffee story in Bali is built around that process, plus the selection of beans described as coming from the better ones.
The tour lists this stop as about one hour, and it’s marked as admission ticket free. That suggests you’re paying for the experience value and transport around the stop rather than a big paid entry fee here.
A balanced approach helps on coffee plantation days. Coffee tasting can be fun, but keep your expectations realistic: it’s still a tourist-facing operation, even when it connects to real local agriculture. Ask your guide what’s typical, what’s production, and what’s marketing, and you’ll get more out of the visit.
Stop 5: Kanto Lampo waterfall, soaking time, and photo readiness

You finish with Kanto Lampo Waterfall, referred to by locals as Air Terjun Kanto Lampo. This is described as a hidden deep-in-the-jungle style experience where you can soak in pristine water and take photos near the famous rock.
Plan for about one hour here. That may sound short, but waterfalls work best as a focused stop: get down, take pictures, enjoy the water for a bit, then head back before the light and crowds shift.
Gear is the whole game. The tour specifically tells you to prepare a swim suit and extra clothes for both the waterfall and the temple water ceremony. That’s good advice because wet clothing is the fastest way to turn a great day into an uncomfortable ride.
Also think about footing. You’ll likely step on slick surfaces, so sturdy footwear helps. If you’re not into getting wet, you can still enjoy the scenery and photos, but you’ll enjoy it more if you’re prepared for mist in the air.
Time, pacing, and how to avoid a rushed feeling
The itinerary lists about 1 hour at the Monkey Forest, about 1 hour at Tegalalang, about 1 hour 30 minutes at Tirta Empul, about 1 hour at the coffee plantation, and about 1 hour at Kanto Lampo. Those site times add up to roughly 5.5 hours, before you factor in travel between stops.
That makes this a “most of the day” type outing, even if your final duration can vary. The tour description says duration is approximately 1 to 10 hours, which likely reflects differences in pickup time, pacing, and conditions.
My practical suggestion: treat it like a flexible half-day to full-day. Don’t schedule a long dinner plan right after unless you’re okay with a later return.
If you want a more relaxed pace, your private setup is the advantage. You can ask your driver for a slower turn at the rice terraces or a bit more time at one stop, as long as you still respect shared flow at places like Tirta Empul.
What’s included, what’s not, and how that affects your budget
Included in the cost:
- private transportation
- bottled water
- entrance tickets
Not included:
- lunch
- dinner
This matters because many tours advertise low prices but then stack on extra ticket and meal costs. Here, the big entrance tickets and transport are covered, which makes the $63 price feel more like a true package.
Still, eat smart. Since lunch is not included, you should plan either a pre-arranged meal before pickup or a simple plan to grab something near your return. Bringing a snack can also help, especially if you want to keep energy steady between stops.
One more detail: the tour offers mobile ticketing. That can be handy when you’re moving around often and don’t want to keep track of paper tickets.
Weather matters, especially for Tirta Empul and the waterfall
This tour requires good weather. That doesn’t just mean the day might be rescheduled. It also affects comfort, traction, and how enjoyable the waterfall stop will feel.
If rain comes through, the temple water ceremony can still be meaningful, but the overall atmosphere changes. The waterfall part can turn into more mist than photos, and slippery footing becomes more important.
If conditions are poor, you may be offered a different date or a full refund. Either way, it’s worth checking the forecast and being ready to be flexible.
Packing list you’ll actually use (swimwear counts)
Bring:
- swim suit for Tirta Empul purification steps and Kanto Lampo waterfall time
- extra clothes so you can change afterward
- comfortable shoes with grip for terraces and waterfall areas
- sunscreen and sunglasses, especially around the open terrace views
The tour description also says it ends back at the meeting point, which helps you plan your clothing and comfort knowing you have a return trip.
If you’re the type who hates damp clothes for the whole rest of the day, pack your change immediately. It’s the small move that keeps the last stop fun instead of miserable.
Who this tour suits best
This is a strong fit for you if you want:
- a cultural day in Ubud beyond a single landmark
- entrance tickets handled for you
- a private driver who stays with you and explains what matters at each stop
- a mix of animal viewing, agriculture, temple ritual, coffee culture, and a waterfall
It may be less ideal if you’re hunting for pure relaxation. This route is structured, with several stops and water-related activities built in. You’ll have a great day, but it’s not the slow “wander at your own speed” kind of day unless you coordinate that with your private guide and keep expectations flexible.
Should you book the Ubud surrounding tour?
Yes, if you want a practical, organized way to experience major Ubud highlights in one connected route. The biggest reasons I’d book are straightforward: entrance tickets included, pickup and bottled water, and a private setup that can make etiquette-heavy spots like Monkey Forest and Tirta Empul feel easier to handle.
I’d skip or think twice if weather is a gamble for your travel dates, because the waterfall experience and overall comfort depend on conditions. Also, if you hate the idea of carrying swimwear, this route will feel like extra work instead of fun.
If you’re trying to get real context for Balinese life, this itinerary does that job well. You leave with stories from the forest, the rice terraces, a sacred water temple ritual, coffee culture, and an end-of-day nature moment.
FAQ
What is the price for the Ubud surrounding tour?
The price is $63.00 per person.
How long is the tour?
The duration is approximately 1 to 10 hours.
Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?
Yes. The tour includes convenient round-trip transportation from your hotel, and it ends back at the meeting point.
Are entrance tickets included?
Yes. Entrance tickets are included in the cost.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and dinner are not included.
Do I need swimwear for this tour?
Yes. The tour advises you to prepare a swim suit and extra clothes for the waterfall and for the water ceremony at the temple.
Is luwak coffee included?
The itinerary includes a coffee plantation stop that includes the chance to try luwak coffee.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
What should I know about tickets and confirmation?
You should receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the tour uses a mobile ticket.
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