This route mixes adrenaline and spirit in a way Bali does well. I love the private-door pickup options and how the day stays efficient: waterfall, temples, viewpoints, then Ubud’s famous monkey forest. I also like that you get a real photo highlight with the jungle swing, plus cultural breathing space at Tirta Empul. The one drawback to plan around is that the big “headline” stops come with extra entrance fees (the swing alone costs a lot), so your final cost climbs after the $37 base price.

You’ll typically ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver/guide, and you don’t have to fight your way through route changes. In at least one guide experience that came up, the tour team communication was especially smooth with an English-speaking guide named Krishna.

One more thing I like: the day is long enough to feel like you changed scenery, but structured enough that you won’t be stuck improvising. Start early (8:30 am) and wear shoes you can handle for wet rock and forest paths.

Key highlights worth your time

• Private vehicle with hotel pickup across a wide set of Bali areas, so the day starts without logistics stress
• Tirta Empul holy water temple for ritual bathing at a sacred spring used by local Hindus
• Jungle swing for high-jungle views and very straightforward photo payoff
• Mt. Batur/Kintamani viewpoint that links you to the caldera and lake below in one planned stop
• Ubud Monkey Forest with a jungle walk among long-tailed macaques in a protected sanctuary

How this 9-hour combo tour works (and why it’s a smart use of time)

This is built for people who want a “greatest hits” day without hopping between half a dozen independent tours. You start around 8:30 am and are out for about 9 hours, with a set route that strings together five major experiences: Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, a Bali swing, Kintamani highlands (Mt. Batur area), and Ubud Monkey Forest.

Because it’s private, you’re not squeezed into a rigid bus schedule with strangers. It also means your driver/guide can help you keep momentum—useful when roads are slow or stops run long. The trade-off is that your comfort level depends on your group pace. If your group wants extra photos, slower walks, or bathroom stops, you’ll want to keep an eye on timing so you don’t feel rushed later.

Price and value: the $37 base plus entrance fees that add up

The tour price is $37 per person, and it usually gets booked about 17 days in advance on average. That base cost includes the private air-conditioned vehicle, parking fees, and the driver/guide service, plus pickup and drop-off across many Bali areas.

What’s not included is where your budget can swing quickly. You’ll pay entrance fees directly for the main paid stops:

• Tegenungan Waterfall: IDR 30,000
• Tirta Empul Temple: IDR 75,000
• Jungle swing: IDR 200,000
• Kintamani Highland: IDR 50,000
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: IDR 120,000

The biggest add-on is clearly the swing. If you’re price-sensitive, treat the swing as the flex point. The tour notes also say the swing ride can be optional depending on what you want that day. That single decision can make the difference between feeling like great value and feeling like you overpaid for photos.

Food and drinks are also not included, so plan to buy water and snacks along the way (and budget for a meal if your day stretches past lunch).

Pickup and meeting: how to keep the day stress-free

A big practical win here is the pickup coverage. You can be collected from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, or Denpasar, and you return to the same area afterward.

This matters because Bali driving times can eat your day. When you start with pickup already set, you avoid the awkward part: where to meet, how to get there, and whether you’re coordinating with a driver who doesn’t know your exact hotel.

Start time is 8:30 am. Be ready in the lobby and plan to be punctual. Even with a private setup, the day is timed to hit multiple stops, so a late start can ripple through the whole schedule.

Stop 1: Tegenungan Waterfall—jungle feel, crowds, and wet shoes

Tegenungan is the classic “big Bali waterfall” stop: a huge waterfall in the south Ubud area with a lush-green jungle setting. It’s also one of the most visited waterfall attractions, which usually means you’ll want to arrive with realistic expectations: you’re going for the wow factor, not solitude.

Plan for practical conditions. You’ll likely be near wet rock and uneven ground. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet or scuffed. Bring a dry bag if you have a phone you want to protect. If you love photos, this is a stop where timing and angle matter, so don’t just take one shot and leave.

The value of this stop is simple: it’s the day’s early energy boost. It wakes everyone up before you transition into temples and calmer cultural sites.

Stop 2: Tirta Empul Temple—holy water spring and ritual bathing

Then you shift gears to Tirta Empul, which literally means holy water spring. This isn’t a random temple stop for photos; it’s tied to ongoing Hindu purification bathing practices by local worshippers.

Expect the atmosphere to feel more intentional and less “tourist attraction” than you might get elsewhere. People come to use the sacred springs for ritual cleansing, and that makes your visit feel grounded in real living tradition—not just architecture.

Practical note: sacred sites often have clothing expectations. The tour data doesn’t spell out dress rules, so I’d bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees, or plan to follow what’s offered on site. Be respectful around people in the ritual spaces. Even when you’re just there to observe, your behavior sets the tone.

This stop is worth it because it’s different from everything else on the route. Waterfall is nature wow. Tirta Empul is human water tradition.

Stop 3: My Swing Bali—fast photo payoff, but the cost is the big question

This is your adrenaline and your Instagram moment: jungle swing with a spectacular jungle view. You’ll get time to ride and take photos, and the experience is designed to be visually dramatic.

Here’s the key decision: the entrance fee for the swing is IDR 200,000, and that’s the largest single add-on listed. If your group wants action and photos, it’s probably a yes. If your group is mostly there for temples and views, treat it as optional.

The tour notes do say the swing ride can be optional and that you can choose the swing based on your preferences. So think of this as a menu item, not a mandatory ritual. Make the call early enough that you don’t lose time later.

One more practical tip: swing locations can get busy, and photo sessions can take longer than expected when people want different angles. If you’re the type who likes to move fast, tell your driver/guide your target ride time.

Stop 4: Kintamani Highland—Mt. Batur and the lake below

From swing to viewpoint: you head to the Kintamani highlands, stopping in the Mt. Batur region. The draw is the majesty of Mount Batur and the lake below it.

This is one of those stops that rewards you for patience. Views can shift with clouds and haze, so give it a little time before you declare the sky “done.” It’s also described as an area with hiking trails and tracks—so you might find short walks possible depending on conditions and your comfort.

Why this stop matters in the overall day: it gives you the “Bali is not just beaches” perspective. It ties the day’s jungle energy to a bigger volcanic story, without requiring a whole hike day.

Stop 5: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary—jungle walk, monkey energy, and rules

Finally, you land in Ubud Monkey Forest, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This is a real habitat for more than 700 long-tailed macaques, and you walk through the forest around them.

This is fun, but it’s also a place where your behavior matters. Don’t tease, don’t crowd monkeys for selfies, and keep valuables secure. If you’re carrying food, keep it hidden until you’re done walking past other people who might be feeding or handling items.

One reason the day feels memorable is that it’s interactive in ways you can’t fully predict. In one of the experiences that came up, someone even described getting the chance to hold a wild monkey—so there may be moments where monkeys approach closely or staff may guide certain interactions depending on what’s happening that day. That said, don’t count on it. Treat the forest as a walk-with-wildlife experience, not a guaranteed encounter.

Custom stops and how to shape the day to your group

Even with the core route, this tour is private and flexible. The day can include optional add-ons depending on where you’re picked up and what you care about.

For example, there are optional ideas such as:

• Ubud pickup: explore a market for local souvenirs
• A hilltop view area with mellow hiking trails
• Temples with lotus ponds
• For other areas: beach stops like a black sand surfing beach (Canggu area) or well-known seaside zones like Jimbaran and Nusa Dua
• For Sanur: market shopping or a beach area tied to speedboats (Lembongan/Nusa Penida connections)

What I’d do with this flexibility: choose one optional add-on if your group wants variety, not three if your goal is a relaxed day. Every extra stop costs time, and your day already hits multiple “high concentration” places (water, temple, swing, monkeys). Add smartly, not randomly.

What to pack and how to pace the day

This tour touches wet areas, sacred spaces, and a jungle wildlife walk. I’d pack like this:

• Water and a small snack if you get hungry between stops
• A changeable layer (temples and higher viewpoints can feel cooler)
• Shoes that can get wet and still grip
• Phone pouch or a zip bag for water and dust
• Cash for entrance fees (you’ll pay on site), plus any souvenirs

Pacing tip: group your energy. Start strong at the waterfall, shift into calm mode at Tirta Empul, then go photo-heavy at the swing, and let the highland viewpoint and monkey forest be slower walks rather than sprint sessions.

Who this tour fits best

This tour is a great match if you:

• Want a single-day Bali sampler that hits both nature and culture
• Prefer private pickup over self-driving or catching multiple shuttles
• Love photos but also want at least one meaningful stop like Tirta Empul
• Are staying in Ubud or nearby areas (or can make pickup convenient)

It may not be the best fit if your group hates crowds. Both Tegenungan Waterfall and the Monkey Forest can bring in lots of visitors. And if you’re strictly budget-focused, the entrance fees—especially the swing—are a real add-on you’ll feel.

Should you book Jungle Swing, Volcano, Water Temple, Monkey Forest, and Waterfall?

I’d book it if you want a day that feels like Bali in contrast: waterfall power, sacred water rituals, jungle fun, and volcanic views, all stitched together with easy pickup. The main value is the efficient private format plus the chance to check off multiple bucket-list-style stops without planning each transfer yourself.

I’d think twice if you’re skipping paid highlights to keep costs down. The swing is expensive, and the Monkey Forest and Tirta Empul also have notable entrance fees. If your group will definitely want fewer paid stops, ask your driver/guide early about what you can adjust—especially around the swing.

If you like structured sightseeing, don’t mind a long day, and want a mix of sacred and silly in the same timeline, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

What’s included in the $37 per person price?

The price includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and drop-off from many Bali areas listed by the operator, an English-speaking driver/guide, parking fees, and gas/petrol. Food and drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included for the waterfall, temple, swing, viewpoint, and monkey forest?

No. Entrance fees are listed as not included and you pay on site for Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, the swing, Kintamani Highland, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

How much do the main entrance fees cost?

The listed entrance fees are IDR 30,000 for Tegenungan Waterfall, IDR 75,000 for Tirta Empul Temple, IDR 200,000 for the swing, IDR 50,000 for Kintamani Highland, and IDR 120,000 for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

What time does the tour start, and how long does it take?

The tour start time is 8:30 am and the duration is about 9 hours.

Is hotel pickup available, and where does it go?

Pickup is offered from Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar, with drop-off back in the same general areas.

Can the swing or other stops be optional or customized?

Because it’s a private tour, you can customize stops by request. The notes also say the Bali swing can be optional and that additional stops may be added depending on your pickup area.