Ubud has long been considered Bali’s cultural and spiritual center, and this full-day route is built to show why — moving from a forest sanctuary and terraced hillsides in the morning to ancient rock-cut temples and a sacred purification spring by early afternoon. Rather than concentrating on one theme, the itinerary blends nature, agriculture, taste, and ritual into a single loop through the hills north of Ubud town. It is the kind of day that gives visitors a genuine feel for how the region’s landscape and beliefs are intertwined, from the terraced rice fields that shape the local economy to the temples where Balinese Hindus still come to pray and bathe.
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The morning begins at the Monkey Forest, a shaded sanctuary of banyan trees and stone shrines where the resident long-tailed macaques roam freely among visitors, before the road climbs toward the layered green slopes of Tegallalang Rice Terrace, one of the most photographed farming landscapes in Bali. A stop at a local coffee plantation follows, with the chance to sample a flight of Balinese coffees and teas, including the well-known Luwak coffee, before lunch at a nearby restaurant. The afternoon turns more contemplative with visits to Gunung Kawi Tampak Siring, where royal memorials are carved directly into a river cliff face, and Tirta Empul, the holy spring temple where locals and visitors alike take part in a ritual purification bath beneath rows of carved water spouts.
This tour is a strong fit for anyone who wants to understand Ubud beyond its cafes and shops, whether it’s a first visit built around the region’s biggest highlights or a repeat trip focused on temples and rice terraces specifically. Expect roughly nine hours on the road and on foot, with a comfortable, air-conditioned private car and an English-speaking driver handling the route between stops. Modest clothing for the two temple visits, a hat and sunscreen for the open terrace viewpoints, and some cash for entrance tickets and lunch are all worth having ready, and the itinerary can be adjusted before the day if there’s a particular stop worth lingering at longer.
? Tour Itinerary
08.00 – Pick up from your hotel
09.00 – Visit Monkey Forest Ubud
10.30 – Explore Tegallalang Rice Terrace
11.30 – Stop at Coffee Plantation ☕ (taste Bali coffee, tea, and Luwak coffee)
12.30 – Enjoy Lunch at local restaurant
14.00 – Visit Gunung Kawi Tampak Siring Temple
15.00 – Visit Tirta Empul Holy Spring Temple (purification ritual)
16.30 – Return to hotel
⏱ Duration
Approx. 9 hours
What To Bring
- Modest clothing (for temple visit)
- Hat & sunglasses
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Cash for entrance fees & meals
