Ubud Monkey Forest – Tegalalang – Kintamani – Mount Batur Full Day Tour

Monkey selfies are just the start. This full-day route links classic Ubud sights with big northern views, mixing temples, craft shopping, and nature stops in one organized plan. I especially liked Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, with its carved temple structures and the feeling of sharing space with monkeys as they go about their day. When my group got a driver like Gusti, it also helped the day feel smoother and more personal.

I also really enjoyed the Kintamani Highland portion because the volcano-and-lake setting gives you dramatic views from Penelokan. Even when the day gets busy, that highland break feels like a real payoff stop, not just a photo stop between other locations.

One thing to think about before you book: entrance fees can be a confusion point. The itinerary notes tickets as not included at multiple stops, even though the tour summary says admission is included for Price A, so I’d confirm your exact ticket package before you go. Also, it’s a long day, roughly 8 to 10 hours, so wear shoes you can handle.

Key takeaways before you go

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: carved temple details plus a straightforward look at how people coexist with monkeys
• Penelokan viewpoint in Kintamani: the stop built around views of Mount Batur and the surrounding lake area
• A mix of culture and outdoors: market time, rice terraces, plus Goa Gajah and Tegenungan waterfall
• Comfort matters: hotel pickup, air-conditioned private vehicle, and bottled water
• Entrance fees need a quick check: multiple stops list admission fees as not included, so confirm ahead

A value-packed Bali day, from Ubud to Kintamani and back

This is one of those all-in-one Bali days that works well when you want variety without wrestling with transport all day. You start in Ubud and you end the day still in the Ubud area, with a loop that hits Monkey Forest, the rice terraces at Tegalalang, the highlands around Kintamani, and then two nature and temple stops before finishing at Puseh Batuan Temple.

The price is low enough to feel like a “why not” day trip, especially because you get hotel pickup and return transfers, private air-conditioned transport, fuel, and bottled water. The tour is also set up as a private experience for your group, with an English-speaking driver, so you are not just sitting on a bus waiting for strangers to load up at every stop.

The best part is how the day is paced: each major location has a realistic time window, so you can actually walk around a bit instead of getting rushed through everything. The trade-off is simple. You spend a lot of hours in the vehicle between these places, so this is best for people who enjoy switching scenery every hour or two.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: temple carvings and monkey etiquette

The day’s first big wow moment is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This is not a zoo. It’s an active temple area where monkeys move through an environment that includes carved artwork, sculptures, and a temple setting.

What makes this stop special is the contrast. You get the human side first, the temple structures and ornamentation, and then you get the animal side right in front of you. Monkeys are free to roam, and your job is to act like a polite visitor sharing the space, not like you are in charge.

A practical note: keep your hands and bags secured. Even if you never plan to feed anything, monkeys often see movement and shiny items and decide it’s worth checking out. If you want great photos, use a calm approach and keep your distance. Enjoy watching the behavior, but don’t crowd the animals or the people praying.

Time-wise, you’re there for about one hour, which is usually enough to see the main temple areas and wander at an easy pace. If you love details, you’ll want to slow down a little to take in the carvings and sculptures that frame the sanctuary areas.

Ubud Traditional Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud): what to buy, and when to slow down

Next is Pasar Seni Ubud, a traditional art market across from Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace. This is your chance to browse silk scarves, lightweight shirts, and other craft items that are common in Ubud shopping streets.

Two things I like about market time on a tour like this:

First, it’s scheduled. You don’t have to hunt for it on your own or wonder if you picked the right area.

Second, it comes with a real block of time, about two hours, so you can compare prices and actually decide what you want instead of grabbing the first item you see.

One consideration: markets can feel intense, especially if you are tired. I recommend going in with a plan, like buying one or two clothing items or one small souvenir. If you try to buy everything, you’ll end up stressed and spending more than you meant to.

About entrance: the stop info is a little messy. The market section lists an admission figure, but it also indicates admission is free. Since fees can vary by day or by what the operator includes, check what your booking includes before you arrive so you’re not surprised.

Tegalalang rice terraces: classic photos, better walking

Then you get to Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of the Bali spots that has basically become an Instagram default. That can make people assume it’s been overrun. But the rice terrace area still feels like a real working landscape, with layered fields and walkable paths that let you view the scenery from multiple angles.

Expect this to be busy, because everyone wants the same photo angle. What helps is how the time is set: about one hour. That’s long enough to get a few good shots, walk a bit, and decide where you want to pause. If you only do the first viewpoint you reach, you’ll miss a better angle a short walk away.

Bring water and watch your footing. The terrain can be uneven near the edges of terraces and along footpaths. Also, consider timing inside the hour. If you start at the busiest photo point, you can move after a few minutes and still get clean views.

Admission is listed as a paid entry (IDR 20,000 per person). Like the rest of the day, your exact inclusion depends on your ticket package, so confirm your option before pickup.

Kintamani highlands and Penelokan: Mount Batur views that feel worth the drive

Kintamani is where the route earns its northern reputation. Here you get the highland area with views of Mount Batur and the lake area, plus nearby village settings around the volcano area.

This stop is about two hours, and that matters. Volcano viewpoints look amazing, but you often need a bit of time to find the angle you like, take breaks, and wait for a clearer view if weather shifts. The highlight described here is the view of Mount Batur from Penelokan.

A tip: if clouds build, don’t treat the first view as your only chance. Give it time. You can sometimes catch the mountain better a little later, especially if visibility improves.

Admission is listed as IDR 20,000 per person for Kintamani Highland. Again, the tour summary says admission can be included for a specific pricing tier, but the stop-by-stop details list tickets as not included, so verify what you booked.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): a mysterious cave in rice paddies

After the highland viewpoints, the tour shifts to a historic-feeling site with natural calm: Elephant Cave, locally known as Goa Gajah. The name comes from its close proximity to the Elephant River, but the attraction is the cave area itself.

Inside, you’ll find a mysterious cave setting, relics, and bathing pools placed within a green garden-like environment with rice paddies nearby. The feel here is different from the monkey sanctuary. There, it’s lively and animal-forward. Here, you get a quieter pace and more of a contemplative walk through the site.

Time is about one hour. That’s enough to see the main cave areas and the pool area without turning it into a long archaeology tour. If you like atmosphere over facts, this is a good stop.

Admission is listed at IDR 50,000 per person. Make sure you have cash or whatever payment method is accepted onsite, unless your booking includes this ticket package.

Tegenungan Waterfall: easy access from Ubud, big visual payoff

Next comes Tegenungan Waterfall, one of the waterfalls closest to Ubud. The drive is described as around 30 minutes from Ubud, down paved village roads lined with rice fields.

That drive is half the experience. You’re going from town energy into a greener area before you even see the falls. It also helps you understand why this is such a popular half-day to full-day stop for Ubud-based itineraries.

You’ll spend about two hours here. That time is useful. Even if you don’t climb into every angle, you can watch the falls, take photos, and enjoy the break from temple and market hopping.

Admission is listed at IDR 20,000 per person. The waterfall is also a place where weather matters. If it’s raining hard or visibility is poor, your view can change a lot, so go with flexible expectations and good shoes.

Puseh Batuan Temple in Batuan Village: ritual space and craft-focused surroundings

The final cultural anchor is Puseh Batuan Temple in Batuan Village. Batuan Village is described as made up of traditional Balinese compounds with natural surroundings, and the focus here is on how residents maintain traditions and rituals.

This stop is about one hour. That hour is less about rushing through big monuments and more about watching how temple and everyday life connect. The provided info also points out that many villagers work as traditional craftsmen or artists, so the area can feel creative rather than purely touristic.

Admission is listed as IDR 20,000 per person. As with other stops, confirm your ticket package if you want the admin hassle to stay low.

Price and logistics: what the $29 really gets you

At $29 per person, this tour is positioned as a budget-friendly full-day way to see a lot. The value isn’t just the low rate. It’s the fact that you get a private setup, with hotel pickup and return transfers, plus a private air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking driver. Bottled water is included, which sounds small until you are nine hours into a hot day.

Here’s the reality check. The itinerary also lists entrance fees for multiple stops as not included. Meanwhile, the inclusion notes say admission tickets are included for Price A only. That means what you pay can vary based on the package you select or the operator inclusion level you choose.

So before you go, do this one simple step:

Confirm whether each listed attraction admission fee is included in your booking, especially for Monkey Forest, Tegalalang, Kintamani Highland, Goa Gajah, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Puseh Batuan Temple.

Also consider the pacing and time in the car. The tour is 8 to 10 hours. That’s long, but it’s still realistic for Bali if you go into it ready for movement. If you prefer slow travel, you’ll likely want fewer stops.

The best fit: who will enjoy this full-day loop most

This tour is a great match if you want:

• A structured day with pickup, one driver, and a smooth route through major Ubud-area highlights plus northern viewpoints
• A balance of culture and nature, with temple time, a market block, terraces, volcano views, a cave site, and a waterfall
• A low-cost way to see a lot without arranging everything on your own

It’s also a good pick for first-timers who want a sample menu of Bali’s variety in one day. The mix of Ubud art shopping with Kintamani and the waterfall helps you get a broader sense of the island’s regions.

If you hate long travel days or you want a very unhurried pace, you might feel rushed. In that case, consider choosing fewer stops and spending longer in each place. But if you like variety and can handle a full day, this works well.

Tips that make the day smoother (and more fun)

Based on the way this day is structured, a little prep goes a long way:

• Wear comfortable shoes with grip for rice terrace paths and the waterfall areas
• Bring a light layer. Mornings and mountain-adjacent areas can feel cooler than Ubud
• Keep valuables secure around the monkey forest
• Budget time for lunch and snacks even though no meal stop is listed in the route details
• If visibility is cloudy near Kintamani, stay flexible and use the two-hour window to catch better views

And if you get a driver like Gusti, take advantage of the guidance. One of the strongest signals from the experience with him was how friendly he was and how much he shared about culture while getting everyone from stop to stop. That kind of human touch makes a “sightseeing day” feel more like a story.

Should you book this Ubud to Kintamani full-day tour?

Book it if you want a well-rounded Bali day and you like the idea of seeing multiple big highlights without planning transport. The combination of Ubud culture, Tegalalang terraces, and Kintamani’s Mount Batur views gives you both classic and dramatic scenery, and the private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and a driver keeps it practical.

Don’t book it if you’re very sensitive to entrance-fee surprises or if a long 8 to 10 hours sounds like too much. Also, because ticket inclusion is not perfectly consistent in the details, confirm what your booking includes for entrances.

If you check your ticket package and go in ready for a full day, this tour is excellent value for the number of places you get.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud to Kintamani Mount Batur full-day tour?

The tour runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Is hotel pickup and return transport included?

Yes. The tour includes hotel pickup and return transfers, plus private air-conditioned transportation.

Is this a private tour or shared with other groups?

It is a private tour/activity. Only your group participates.

Do I get an English-speaking guide or driver?

Yes, an English-speaking driver is included.

Are admission tickets included in the price?

Admission ticket inclusion can depend on your selected package. The tour notes say tickets are included for Price A only, but the stop details list entrance fees as not included for multiple attractions, so confirm what you’re paying for before you go.

What attractions are included in the itinerary?

You’ll visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Traditional Art Market, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Kintamani Highland (Mount Batur viewpoint from Penelokan), Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah), Tegenungan Waterfall, and Puseh Batuan Temple.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Does weather affect the tour?

Yes. The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.