Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours

Reviewed · UBUD, MONKEY FOREST & CAMPUHAN

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews From $71 Operated by Bali Travel Planners · Bookable on Viator
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Your day in Ubud gets a big variety. You’ll hit three iconic nature/culture stops plus a rice-terrace day club feeling, all with private, air-conditioned transport. The main thing I’d watch is that some time blocks are short, and Cretya can create extra spend depending on what you choose to do there.

What I like most is the mix: Celuk Village for hands-on craft context, then Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary for a classic Bali wildlife scene. I also like that the plan includes all entrance tickets, so you’re not juggling fees between stops. The possible drawback is timing: Celuk and Tegenungan are each about 30 minutes, so if you want to linger, you’ll feel the clock.

If you’re booking ahead, this one averages about 7 days in advance, which usually helps you lock in a good slot. It runs about 10 hours with pickup in Jimbaran, and you’ll ride with an English-speaking driver guide. In one standout case, driver Putu was called out for being fun and well organized, which matters because this route is a lot to fit into one day.

Key highlights you’ll care about

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Key highlights you’ll care about

  • All entrance tickets included, so budgeting is simpler
  • Private transportation with AC, plus English-speaking driver guide
  • Celuk Village craft stop focused on silver and gold making
  • Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with a full hour in the sanctuary
  • Cretya Ubud for 3 hours with rice-terrace views and day club access
  • Tegenungan Waterfall plus an option to view from the top if walking is an issue

A private Ubud day that fits Celuk, monkeys, Cretya, and Tegenungan

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - A private Ubud day that fits Celuk, monkeys, Cretya, and Tegenungan
This tour is built for people who want a single, well-paced day that covers Bali’s three big “mood types”: art/craft, nature/wildlife, and scenic-water breaks. You start with a culture stop, move to a sanctuary, then switch to a social-meets-scenic break at Cretya, and finish with Tegenungan Waterfall.

The big win is that you don’t have to coordinate transport between these places yourself. You get private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver guide, and that removes a lot of hassle from a long day.

Also, you’re not stuck in a large group. This is a private tour/activity, so only your group participates. That helps if you want a bit more control over how you move through each stop.

More around Ubud, from the Monkey Forest to the Campuhan ridge

Price and logistics: what $71.03 really buys

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Price and logistics: what $71.03 really buys
At $71.03 per person for about 10 hours, the real value is that the price bundles the stuff people usually forget to include: all entrance tickets. That matters on Bali days like this, because fees add up fast once you start hopping between attractions.

What’s included:

  • Private transportation (AC vehicle)
  • English-speaking driver guide service
  • Pickup offered
  • All entrance tickets

What’s not included:

  • Lunch
  • Any extra costs at Cretya day club
  • Any special event with extra cost at Cretya

So the cost isn’t just transport. It’s also access. If you’d otherwise pay separate admission fees for each stop, this pricing starts to look more reasonable.

A practical note: Cretya can be the wild card for spending. The tour includes the visit, but it does not cover lunch or all costs at the day club, and special events have extra charges. If you plan to treat Cretya like a simple scenic hangout—rather than a full spend day—that’s how you’ll keep the day closer to the listed price.

Stop 1: Celuk Village for silver and gold craft context

Celuk Village is famous for silver and gold making. You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, with admission included, and the focus is on learning how stunning, contemporary pieces are inspired by nature.

This is a great “reset” stop early in the day. It’s not rushed in a stressful way, but it’s also not a deep workshop. You’ll come away with a clearer sense of why certain Bali designs look the way they do—nature-inspired forms translated into metal and jewelry.

The main consideration with a 30-minute block: if you love shopping or want extra time to ask detailed questions, this stop may feel short. I’d treat Celuk as the moment to get your bearings and decide if you want to circle back later on your own time.

Stop 2: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and how to plan your hour

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of Ubud’s most popular attractions for a reason. You get about 1 hour in a natural forest sanctuary that’s home to grey long-tailed macaques.

A forest setting changes your pace. You’ll likely do a lot of walking on uneven ground and under trees, so the hour can feel fuller than you expect. This is also the kind of place where small moments matter: watching how the macaques move through the canopy and along pathways.

One smart way to enjoy this stop is to stay present with the environment rather than treating it like a checklist. The sanctuary has a living, natural feel, and your photos will look better when you’re not constantly rushing between shot ideas.

If you’re traveling with kids, this stop is generally fine for most people since the tour says most travelers can participate, but you should still treat monkeys with respect. The tour doesn’t provide extra safety rules here, so use common sense: keep distance when possible and avoid actions that provoke.

Stop 3: Cretya Ubud (3 hours) for rice-terrace views and day club time

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Stop 3: Cretya Ubud (3 hours) for rice-terrace views and day club time
Cretya Ubud is where the tour changes tone. Instead of forests and crafts, you’re switching to a scenic rice terrace background plus a restaurant and day club vibe.

You’ll get about 3 hours at Cretya, with admission included. That’s plenty of time to do the practical things: relax, enjoy views, and decide whether you want to spend more inside the day club area. It’s also the longest stop on the itinerary, which tells you this is meant to be a true break, not a quick photo stop.

Two things I particularly like about this part of the day:

  • The time buffer: 3 hours gives you options when the rest of the day is action-heavy.
  • A view-based pause: rice terraces do a great job of cooling down your energy after Monkey Forest.

Now the important caution: kids under 18 years old are not allowed to go to the pool. So if your group includes teens or younger kids and your plan includes pool time, you’ll want to adjust expectations. Also, the tour does not include lunch or all costs at Cretya, and special events can cost extra.

If you’re the type who likes your day “pretty and relaxed,” Cretya can be the best part of the route. If you prefer strictly low-cost sightseeing, think of Cretya as scenery plus a drink or snack you budget for, rather than a guaranteed spend-included experience.

Stop 4: Tegenungan Waterfall for a quick, scenic ending

Tegenungan Waterfall is the finale, and it’s a strong one. You’ll have about 30 minutes, with admission included, to enjoy the mesmerizing falls amid lush greenery.

The tour description also gives you two ways to enjoy it:

  • You can go for swimming or bathe under the natural springs.
  • If you can’t walk, you can still see the waterfall view from the top.

That flexibility is useful. Waterfall access can vary depending on the terrain and how your body feels that day, and this at least gives you an option. Even if you choose not to swim, the viewpoint can still deliver a classic waterfall look.

The tradeoff is the same as with Celuk: 30 minutes is short. If swimming is a priority, plan your energy for it. If you just want photos and a quick soak of the atmosphere, 30 minutes is usually enough—especially when you’re wrapping up a 10-hour day.

Who this tour suits best (and who may want changes)

This tour is a good match if you want a single-day sampler of Ubud without the stress of figuring out transport and entrances. It’s especially appealing if you like the idea of pairing nature and animals with a social scenic stop at Cretya.

You’ll probably enjoy it if:

  • You want private comfort with AC and pickup
  • You appreciate organized timing rather than open-ended planning
  • You like viewing rice terraces and waterfalls in one day
  • You’re okay with a long day (about 10 hours) and short stop windows at Celuk and Tegenungan

You might want to reconsider or adjust your expectations if:

  • You hate “time-boxed” sightseeing and want longer stays at each attraction
  • Pool time matters for kids under 18 (since the pool is restricted)
  • You want a strictly predictable budget, because Cretya has extra costs possible (including special events)

Practical tips for a smoother day

Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours - Practical tips for a smoother day
Here’s how I’d make this tour feel easier in real life.

First, plan for uneven pacing. Celuk and Tegenungan are quick, so use those minutes intentionally. In Celuk, focus on craft inspiration rather than trying to do a full shopping spree. At Tegenungan, decide early whether you’re swimming/bathing or just enjoying the view from the top.

Second, pack for a mixed day. You’ll be outside in a sanctuary, then at a day club area, then at a waterfall. Wear footwear that works on natural paths and have a plan for wet areas at the waterfall.

Third, treat Cretya as a choice point. The tour includes your visit time, but not all costs. If you want to keep spending controlled, go in ready with a budget for anything beyond what’s included—especially since special events cost extra.

Finally, go in with the right attitude toward monkeys. The sanctuary is a natural home, not a zoo performance. Stay respectful and let them have their space, because the experience is better when you’re observing the environment calmly.

Should you book this Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest tour?

Book it if you want a well-structured, private day that mixes craft, wildlife, rice-terrace relaxation, and a waterfall finish without you doing logistics. The value is strongest when you’d otherwise pay separate admissions, because entrance tickets are included and you get AC transport plus an English-speaking driver guide.

I’d hold off if you’re the kind of traveler who wants long, unhurried time in just one place. This route is designed to cover a lot, and Celuk and Tegenungan are brief by design. Also, if your group depends on pool access for someone under 18, that restriction is a real factor.

If you do book, my best advice is to treat Cretya as your built-in slow-down moment and keep the earlier stops focused. That way, the day feels like a sequence, not a sprint.

FAQ

How long is the Cretya Ubud and Monkey Forest Sanctuary tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and you travel in a private vehicle from the Jimbaran area.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Admission tickets for the stops are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Can children access the pool at Cretya?

Kids under 18 are not allowed to go to the pool.

What costs might be extra at Cretya?

All costs at the Cretya day club are not included, and special events with extra cost are also not included.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts, and free cancellation is available.