Monkeys and rice views in one day. This half-day Ubud tour strings together Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegalalang Rice Terrace with included tickets and a private car, so you spend your time seeing stuff instead of figuring out logistics.

You’ll also stop at Ubud Palace and the traditional art market, but the biggest catch is pacing: the palace visit is short (about 15 minutes), so it may feel more like a quick orientation than a can-not-miss cultural moment.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private pickup and drop-off from Ubud and many south Bali addresses, which saves you hassle
• About 1 hour at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with admission included (and roughly 340 crab-eating macaques)
• A fast hit of Ubud Palace (around 15 minutes) plus tickets handled for you
• 1 hour at Ubud Traditional Art Market to browse batiks, silver jewelry, carvings, and more
• Happy Swing Bali for about 1.5 hours if you want a high-energy break and cliff-swing photos
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace for about 1 hour, with trekking optional and farmer donation at your own expense if you hike

How the 9am–Afternoon Timing Actually Works

This tour starts at 9:00am and runs for about 8 hours on the schedule, though the vibe is closer to a half-day sprint. The itinerary is built from timed stops—about 1 hour for Monkey Forest, 15 minutes for the palace, 1 hour at the art market, then roughly 1.5 hours for Happy Swing Bali before you finish with about 1 hour at Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

That timing matters if you’re on a tight Bali plan. Ubud traffic can be unpredictable, and the value of this style of tour is that it is structured around major sights without dragging you through a full day of back-and-forth. You’ll also be in a private group with an English-speaking driver, so you’re not stuck doing the slowest moving stop for everyone else.

One practical note: meals aren’t included. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does mean you should plan for lunch or a late snack on your own once you’re back in Ubud.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Temple Grounds Plus Real Macaques

This is the anchor stop, and for good reason. Ubud Monkey Forest (the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary) is both a nature reserve and a religious temple complex. That double identity changes the feel. You’re not just walking through a zoo-like attraction—you’re moving through a place that’s meaningful to local Balinese worshippers, with temple structures tucked into the trees.

You’ll have about 1 hour here, and the tour includes admission. The sanctuary is home to around 340 crab-eating macaques, so you should expect lots of monkey activity during your visit. In many half-day itineraries, Monkey Forest can be a quick photo stop. Here, the time is long enough that you can actually slow down, find a good viewpoint, and watch the monkeys interact without feeling rushed.

What I like for you: this stop is visually memorable right away. If you enjoy photos and people-watching, you’ll get plenty of chances without needing extra tours or an all-day ticket. It’s also a great place to reset your brain in the middle of a cultural day—lush greenery, temple shapes, and constant movement.

What to consider: Monkey Forest is popular. Even with good timing, you may feel a bit of crowd energy around the most photo-friendly areas. Also, because it’s a religious complex, treat it with basic respect—quiet voices and careful movement go a long way.

Ubud Palace in 15 Minutes: The Fast Stop You Can Still Enjoy

Ubud Palace (the Ubud Palace, associated with Puri Saren) sits in the center of Ubud village. The tour includes admission, but your time is brief—about 15 minutes.

Here’s the honest tradeoff. If you’re hoping for a deep, slow wander through architecture and royal history, this portion may feel short. Some people come away thinking the palace stop is fine but not the main event. The palace visit is best treated like orientation: you get a quick sense of the palace setting and the central Ubud vibe, then you move on while the rest of your day still feels exciting.

If you want to make this stop work for you, do it like this:

• Spend your first minutes looking at how the palace complex is laid out in the middle of town.
• Don’t over-plan photos here. Use your energy on Monkey Forest and the rice terraces, where the scenery does most of the talking.

The upside: having palace time slotted in means you don’t miss a core Ubud landmark, even if you’re not staying for a long temple-and-heritage day.

Ubud Traditional Art Market: Shopping That’s Also a Cultural Snapshot

After the palace, you’ll head to the Ubud Traditional Art Market for about 1 hour with admission included.

This market is the place where Ubud shows off its craft side. You’ll see a wide range of goods—silver jewelry, precious stones, batiks, T-shirts, beach sarongs, wood carvings, and cane work bags. The stalls can feel dense, so the value of the tour timing is that it gives you a structured window without turning into a half-day shopping marathon.

I like this stop because it’s practical. If you want one or two souvenirs that look local rather than generic beach-store items, this is where you can compare styles and materials quickly. It’s also the kind of place where browsing is part of the experience, even if you don’t buy much.

How to get more out of it:

• Decide what category you’re shopping for before you enter. Silver? Batik? Carvings? If you don’t pick first, the options can make you tired fast.
• Use the market time to ask about the product type you like, not just the price.

One consideration: if you dislike shopping crowds or price negotiations, you might find this portion less satisfying. But if you’re happy to browse and maybe pick up a small craft item, it’s a good use of an hour.

Happy Swing Bali: A High-Energy Photo Stop (That Can Be Optional in Spirit)

The itinerary includes Happy Swing Bali for about 1.5 hours, and tickets are included. This is the action stop in the middle of a cultural-and-nature day. The basic concept is swinging from a cliff with wilderness views around you.

This kind of stop isn’t for everyone. If you love adrenaline and you’re after bold photos, it can be a fun break that balances out the temple and rice-field segments. If heights or photo-driven attractions aren’t your thing, you can still treat it like a reset: a change of pace, quick energy boost, then back to scenery.

Because the tour keeps it to about 90 minutes, you should be able to fit your comfort level. You can spend time watching, taking photos if allowed, or doing the swing if it’s your style.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Views, Optional Trek, and the Donation Detail

The last major scenery stop is Tegalalang Rice Terrace. You’ll get about 1 hour here, with admission included.

This is the portion that tends to win people over fast. The terraces offer wide, sloping views down into rice paddies, and the high roadside location is described as cool and breezy, which makes it easier to enjoy even when it’s warm in Ubud.

The itinerary also includes the chance to capture photos or take a hike. If you choose trekking, there’s an extra detail: the donation to the farmer is at your own expense. That means you should treat the donation as part of your planning, like a small fee for using paths connected to working land.

How to enjoy Tegalalang without stress:

• If you like easy walking, do a short route for views and photo angles, then come back and regroup.
• If you want more movement, budget your energy for the trek and plan the donation you’re comfortable giving.

One small timing thought: because you only have about an hour, pick a goal fast. Long hikes can eat up time fast, so decide whether you want maximum views or maximum walking.

Price and Value: Is $65 Worth It for This Mix?

At $65 per person, this tour feels like it hits a key value sweet spot for Ubud. Why? It bundles a lot that normally adds up:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (private transfers)
• An English-speaking driver
• All entrance tickets
• Service and government tax

The price does not include meals, and trekking in the rice terrace may add the farmer donation. Still, even with those add-ons, the structure is clear: you pay up front for the “hard part” (transport timing and entry fees), and you spend your energy enjoying the places.

Where value depends on you: this itinerary has different “intensity levels.” Monkey Forest and Tegalalang deliver big scenery and natural drama. The palace is quick, and the market is what you make of it. If those match your interests, $65 can feel like a smart way to taste Ubud without spending the whole day planning.

Also, the tour is private for your group, which matters on a short itinerary. Less wasted time means more time in the places you actually bought the tour for.

Driver Style Makes a Difference (So Choose Your Expectations)

You’ll have an English-speaking driver, and they may add helpful context on the drive. The bigger lesson I’d pass to you is simple: your experience can swing based on whether your driver acts like a guide versus a calm chauffeur.

In the stories tied to this tour, drivers like Irwan are described as friendly and able to share Balinese culture during the drive, which can make the whole day feel more connected. Others, like Wena, are described as nice and attentive but not necessarily providing much guiding talk. And then there’s Mera, who shared interesting details along the way and helped lift the experience.

You don’t control the driver, but you can control your mindset. Go in expecting a comfortable ride and clear timing first. Then, if you get a more talkative driver, you’ll feel the bonus.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This Ubud City Tour II is a strong match if you want:

• Big Ubud highlights without committing to a full-day schedule
• A day plan that includes nature + culture + shopping
• Included entry tickets and pickup, so you avoid ticket juggling and route planning

It may be less ideal if:

• You only care about one or two specific sights and dislike shorter stop times
• You’re expecting a long, slow palace or temple deep dive
• Shopping marketplaces are a chore for you

If you’re traveling with limited time but still want to check the boxes—monkeys, rice terrace views, and Ubud craft culture—this tour fits the bill.

Should You Book Ubud City Tour II?

Yes, I’d book it if your priority is a compact, well-paced Ubud hits list. The combination of Monkey Forest (with real macaque action and temple grounds) plus Tegalalang Rice Terrace (with breezy views and optional trekking) is the heart of the value.

I’d pause before booking if palace time is a deal-breaker for you. The Ubud Palace visit is brief, and it doesn’t always land as a highlight. But if you treat it as a quick landmark stop rather than the centerpiece, the day still works.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours (approx.), starting at 9:00am.

How much does this Ubud tour cost?

It costs $65.00 per person.

What stops are included on the tour?

You’ll visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Palace, Ubud Traditional Art Market, Happy Swing Bali, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pick up and drop off are included, including pickup from Ubud and many south Bali addresses.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entrance tickets are included for the stops listed on the itinerary.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Is there a cost if I trek at Tegalalang Rice Terrace?

If you do trekking at the rice terrace, a donation to the farmer is at your own expense.

Does the tour offer private service?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity with only your group participating.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00am.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.