Ubud City Tour II: Monkey Forest, Palace, Art Market, and Rice Terrace

Ubud City Tour II packs macaques, Balinese royal buildings, local shopping, a high-flying swing, and rice terraces into one private day. The Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Terrace are the strongest reasons to book, giving you both a memorable nature stop and Ubud’s famous farming views.

I like the direct hotel pickup, included entrance tickets, and the chance to travel with only your own group. Drivers such as Mera and Irwan have added useful cultural details during the drive, while Wena was praised for being attentive and professional. The main drawback is that the Palace stop is short and may feel underwhelming, and not every driver functions as a full sightseeing guide.

• About 340 macaques live at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a temple complex as well as a nature reserve.
• The private format keeps the day flexible, with pickup and drop-off available from Ubud and many south Bali addresses.
• Tegalalang offers the best scenery, with the option to walk among the rice fields for an additional farmer donation.
• Happy Swing Bali takes 90 minutes, so the schedule includes more than the four classic Ubud sights.
• The market is useful for souvenirs, including silver jewelry, batik, carvings, sarongs, and woven bags.
• The $65 price covers transport, tickets, taxes, and the driver, but not food or the rice-terrace donation.

Five Ubud Stops in One Private Day

This tour is designed for people who want a broad look at Ubud without arranging separate taxis, tickets, and transfers. You start at 9:00 a.m. and spend roughly eight hours moving between the city center, the Monkey Forest, the swing attraction, and Tegalalang.

The private setup matters. Only your group participates, and pickup and drop-off are provided from Ubud and many addresses in south Bali. That saves you from meeting a larger group at a central point, though road traffic can affect how much time you have at each stop.

The published duration is about eight hours, but one account describes leaving at 9:00 a.m. and returning around 3:00 p.m. Treat this as a full half-day or compact day rather than a rigid timetable. The order and exact length of each stop may shift with traffic and the pace of your group.

Sacred Monkey Forest: Ubud’s Most Memorable Stop

Your first stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where nature and religion share the same grounds. It is also a temple complex with major importance to local Balinese people, so this is more than a simple animal encounter.

About 340 crab-eating macaques live here. You should expect to see them during the one-hour visit, which gives you enough time to walk through the sanctuary and take photographs without rushing through in a few minutes.

The forest setting gives the stop much of its appeal. Ancient-looking temple structures and thick greenery create the dramatic feel promised by the tour description, while the monkeys provide plenty of movement and photo opportunities. One of the clearest tips from the feedback is simple: this is the part to prioritize if you want a memorable Ubud experience.

Your driver handles the included admission ticket, so you do not need to arrange entry separately. Still, keep your attention on your belongings and follow the sanctuary’s instructions around the macaques. The tour information confirms the animals are the focus, but it does not promise a private animal interaction or a special feeding session.

Allow the full hour. Cutting this stop short to spend more time shopping would usually be a poor trade, especially if this is your first visit to Ubud.

Ubud Palace: A Short Look at Royal Ubud

Ubud Palace, also called Puri Saren by local people, sits in the center of Ubud Village. Its central position makes it an easy addition to the route, and the 15-minute visit gives you a quick look at one of the city’s best-known cultural places.

The brief stop is also the weakest part of the day for many people. A quarter hour is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not enough for a detailed cultural visit. If you have already seen Balinese palaces or prefer longer time at active cultural sites, this may feel like a formality.

I would treat the Palace as a convenient orientation point rather than the main reason to book. It helps connect the modern town with Ubud’s royal past, but the schedule does not leave room for a long explanation or extended exploration.

This is also where the driver’s role matters. Mera and Irwan were described as offering useful details about Balinese culture during the drive. Wena was praised for being polite, attentive, and punctual, but one person found the service more like a driver than a guide. If you want detailed commentary at the Palace, ask your driver early in the day what kind of explanation is included.

Ubud Traditional Art Market: One Hour to Browse and Bargain

The Ubud Traditional Art Market is the shopping stop, with about an hour set aside for browsing. Stalls carry silver jewelry, precious stones, batik, T-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags.

This stop works best if you have a clear idea of what you want. The selection is broad, but the market can easily use up the entire hour without giving you a sense of the town beyond its souvenirs. If shopping is not part of your Bali plans, you may prefer a quick walk through rather than treating it as a major attraction.

For buyers, the hour is useful. You can compare several kinds of gifts in one place, from small wearable items to larger handicrafts. Take your time before committing, since the stalls offer overlapping goods and the first item you see may not be the only option.

The tour includes the entrance tickets, but your purchases are separate. Keep the market in perspective: it is a practical shopping stop, not a museum or a formal art lesson. The benefit is convenience, especially when you want to bring home several types of Balinese goods without organizing another shopping trip.

Happy Swing Bali: A 90-Minute Adventure Stop

Happy Swing Bali adds a more commercial, photo-focused attraction to a day that otherwise centers on temples, town life, and agriculture. The stop lasts about one hour and 30 minutes and is built around swinging from a cliff area with wilderness views.

That longer time allocation changes the feel of the tour. You are not simply pausing for a quick photograph. The swing is a substantial part of the schedule, so book this tour with the expectation that it is included in the main experience, not merely an optional side note.

This stop will suit you if you want an active photo opportunity and enjoy mixing cultural sights with a thrill attraction. If your priority is more time at the Palace, market, or rice fields, the 90 minutes may feel costly in schedule terms.

The supplied details confirm that admission is included, but they do not describe specific swing options, height limits, or extra photo packages. Ask the operator about any safety or participation rules that matter to you before booking. Most people can participate in the overall activity, but the information does not give a separate accessibility statement for the swing itself.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: The Day’s Best View

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the final major stop and one of the tour’s strongest points. From the high roadside position, you look down across rice paddies and slopes on the far side of the valley. The setting is described as cool and breezy, a welcome change after time in the city.

You can focus on photographs from the viewpoint or take a walk through the rice fields. The choice makes this stop more useful than a simple roadside photo break. A short visit gives you the classic view, while a longer walk lets you see more of the farming area at ground level.

There is one extra cost: if you trek in the rice terrace, you make a donation directly to the farmer. That donation is not included in the $65 price. The amount is not specified, so carry some local cash and ask your driver how the contribution works before setting out.

Give this stop the time it deserves. The listed visit is one hour, which is enough for the view and a short walk but not for an extended hike. If the rice terrace is your main reason for visiting Ubud, confirm how much walking your group can fit into the schedule.

What the Driver Adds to the Experience

The driver is central to how this tour feels. Transport is private, the car should be clean and punctual, and an English-speaking driver is included. All entrance tickets, service charges, and government tax are also covered.

The feedback points to a real difference between drivers. Mera shared many details about the sights along the way. Irwan was described as friendly and helpful with Balinese culture during the drive. Wena was professional, respectful, attentive, and on time, though the service was not necessarily a full guided tour.

That distinction is important. You are booking a private tour service with an English-speaking driver, not clearly a specialist historian or licensed cultural guide. You can still gain a lot from the journey if your driver enjoys explaining local life, but you should not assume every stop comes with a long interpretation.

Ask questions as you go. The drives between stops are your best chance to learn about places you pass, local customs, and the farming areas around Ubud. A quiet driver may provide excellent transport without much commentary, while a talkative one can make the same route feel much more informative.

Is $65 a Fair Price?

At $65 per person, the value depends heavily on your group size and transport needs. You receive private service, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, all entrance tickets, and service and government tax.

That package saves you from paying separate admission fees and arranging transport between five stops. It is especially useful if you are staying outside central Ubud or at a south Bali address and want door-to-door service.

Meals are not included. Neither is the donation for a rice-terrace trek. Your shopping at the market is also extra, of course. These are not surprising costs, but they matter when you compare this tour with a simple driver hire or a short city transfer.

The price is strongest for a small group that values convenience and a private car. Group discounts are available, though the exact saving is not provided. Since only your group participates, you are not sharing the sightseeing schedule with strangers, but the tour remains fairly packed.

Who Should Book This Ubud Tour?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time and want to cover Ubud’s best-known sights in one organized outing. It suits first-time visitors who want monkeys, a palace, shopping, a swing, and rice terraces without planning each transfer.

It is also a good match for people who value hotel pickup and prefer a private vehicle. Families, couples, and small groups can set their own pace within the day’s broad schedule, and group discounts may improve the value.

I would think twice if you want a slow cultural tour with long temple visits and detailed historical commentary. The Palace visit is only 15 minutes, the market takes an hour, and Happy Swing Bali uses 90 minutes that could otherwise go to a museum, village, or longer rice-field walk.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.6 rating from 17 reviews suggest a generally reliable experience, but the small number of ratings means you should focus on the structure of the tour rather than treating the score as a guarantee.

My Verdict on Ubud City Tour II

Book this tour if your goal is efficient sightseeing with private transport. The Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Terrace are the clear highlights, and the included tickets and hotel service make the $65 price easy to understand.

Go in knowing that Ubud Palace is a quick stop, the market is mainly for shopping, and Happy Swing Bali takes a large share of the day. If you want a full cultural guide, confirm what your driver provides. If you want a convenient introduction to Ubud with strong scenery and minimal planning, this is a sensible choice.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

How long does Ubud City Tour II last?

The tour is scheduled for about eight hours. One account describes a 9:00 a.m. departure and return around 3:00 p.m., so expect a substantial half-day rather than a fixed full-day schedule.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Ubud and many south Bali addresses.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the $65 price?

The price includes private tour service, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, all entrance tickets, and service and government tax.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Is the rice-terrace donation included?

No. If you trek in the rice terrace, the donation to the farmer is at your own expense.

How long do you spend at the Monkey Forest?

The planned visit lasts one hour, and admission is included.

What can you buy at Ubud Traditional Art Market?

The market offers items such as silver jewelry, precious stones, batik, T-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags.

Can most people participate in the tour?

The available information states that most people can participate. Specific requirements for the Happy Swing Bali stop are not provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.