Gunung Kawi Rice Terrace Swing And Waterfall Private Guided Tour

The appeal here is simple: one long day brings together Ubud’s classic sights, from temple pools and rice terraces to a waterfall and a photo-ready swing. You also get a private vehicle, an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, onboard Wi-Fi, bottled water, and a snack with coffee or tea.

I like the personal schedule and the chance to ask questions at each stop. I also like the cultural touches, especially the temple visit, local home connection, Balinese lunch option, and craft stops mentioned in the tour overview. The main caution is that the swing experience and entrance-fee wording are not completely clear, so you should confirm what your package covers before setting out.

Key Points at a Glance

• Six major stops in about 10 hours: You visit the Sacred Monkey Forest, Happy Swing Bali, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, Tampaksiring, and Tegenungan Waterfall.
• Private transport from Nusa Dua: Your own group travels in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide and onboard Wi-Fi.
• A strong photo focus: The swing, bird-nest viewpoint, flower fields, rice terraces, temple grounds, bridges, and waterfall all offer picture opportunities.
• Culture beyond the photo stops: The wider experience includes Balinese customs, a local home, temple traditions, and local crafts such as batik, wood carving, and silverwork.
• Lunch costs extra: A Balinese meal is available at an additional cost of about $4 per person.
• Check the swing details first: The swing activity is optional, and one booking party found that paying an entrance fee did not give them the full swing experience.

One Long Day From Nusa Dua to Ubud

At $22.67 per person, this tour is priced as a low-cost private day out, but the final bill deserves a close look. Lunch is extra, estimated at about $4 per person, and the additional information says some private guided visits may require entrance payments of roughly $18 per person. That conflicts with the separate statement that all entrance tickets are included.

I would ask the operator to spell out the total cost before booking. Find out if the quoted price covers every listed stop, or only the standard entry package. This matters because a low headline price can change quickly once lunch, optional activities, and attraction fees are added.

The tour lasts about 10 hours, which is a full day rather than a quick half-day outing. That gives you time to see a wide section of the Ubud area, but it also means a long stretch in the vehicle. The private format helps: you are not tied to a large group’s pace, and you can ask the guide to clarify local customs or help with photographs.

Pickup is offered, and the tour is listed for Nusa Dua. Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, with Wi-Fi available between stops. Bottled mineral water, a snack, coffee or tea at a rest area, insurance, and an English-speaking guide are included in the package description.

One practical point deserves serious attention. A very poor account describes the driver appearing to fall asleep while driving later in the day. That is a safety concern, not a minor service complaint. If your driver seems tired, speak up immediately and ask for a break or a change of driver. The provider should treat this as a strict safety issue.

Sacred Monkey Forest and the First Hour in Ubud

The day begins at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where you have about an hour. The stop is presented as a chance to see tropical forest, ancient temple features, and a bridge over the Campuhan River while your guide helps with photographs.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you a first look at Ubud’s mix of greenery, religious sites, and photo-friendly paths. The word monkey is important here: this is not only a forest walk. You are visiting a sanctuary where monkeys are part of the setting, so keep food and loose belongings secure and follow the guide’s instructions.

The advertised admission is free, though the wider package says entrance tickets are covered. Since the timing is limited to one hour, do not expect a slow, detailed walk through every corner. You will get an introduction and a handful of scenic views before moving on.

I like having a guide at the start of the day because it gives you a chance to ask about Balinese customs before reaching the temples. One highly praised guide named Adi was described as friendly, helpful with questions, and good at taking photographs. Adi may not be the guide assigned to your booking, but that praise points to the kind of personal service this private format is meant to provide.

Happy Swing Bali and the Optional Photo Session

The second stop lasts about an hour at Happy Swing Bali. You can see the famous swing setting, try the swing as an optional activity, and use a bird-nest photo spot. A dress is also listed as available at no extra charge with the swing activity.

This is the most Instagram-focused part of the day. If you want dramatic photos in a swing or nest, this stop is likely to be a highlight. If you are less interested in staged photographs, the stop may feel less essential than the temple or rice terrace.

The key detail is that the swing itself is optional. One booking party reported seeing the swing area near the entrance but not being allowed to explore it fully, even though an entrance fee had been paid. The operator explained that the swing activity could be chosen on arrival and that the entry ticket was included in the package.

That explanation still leaves room for confusion. Before you leave, ask three direct questions: Does my fee include entry to the swing venue? Is the actual swing ride extra? Can I walk through the full area if I do not ride? Clear answers will prevent an awkward surprise.

Allow time for queues or changing into the complimentary dress if you choose that option. The one-hour schedule may be enough for a few photos, but it may feel rushed if the site is busy.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Lunch Choice

Tegalalang Rice Terrace gives you the classic northern Ubud view: green terraces dropping through the countryside with jungle scenery beyond. You have about an hour here, and the tour describes the view as stretching broadly across the area.

This stop is less about a single monument and more about seeing how farming shapes the land. The terraces are a reminder that Bali’s famous scenery is also working agricultural ground. Your guide can add value by explaining local customs and the role of rice cultivation, though the amount of explanation will depend on the individual guide.

Lunch is available at a local Balinese restaurant and is not included. The estimated cost is about $4 per person, which is modest, but you should still confirm whether that estimate covers your preferred meal and drinks. The overview also mentions a traditional restaurant, so you can expect the meal option to be part of the cultural side of the day rather than a fast stop at a generic chain.

I would not spend too long chasing the perfect photograph here. The schedule is already full, and the day includes several other scenic stops. Use the hour to enjoy the view, ask a few questions, and eat if you choose the lunch option.

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple and Balinese Belief

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple is one of the more meaningful stops because it shifts the day from scenery and staged photographs toward Balinese religious life. You have about an hour, with the guide explaining the temple’s story and setting.

The tour connects the site with the ninth-century holy man Rsi Markandya, who was traveling toward Mount Agung in hot weather when he found the place associated with the temple. That historical detail gives the visit a clear sense of place, even if the stop itself is fairly short.

You should treat this as an active place of worship, not simply a photo backdrop. The listing emphasizes local culture and customs, so this is a good moment to ask your guide what behavior is suitable and how the temple is used. The exact dress requirements are not stated in the supplied details, so ask the guide before entering if you are unsure.

This may be one of the strongest stops for someone who wants more than Bali’s most photographed views. It also breaks up the day nicely. After the monkey forest, swing, and rice terrace, a temple visit adds a quieter and more thoughtful part to the route.

Tampaksiring’s Flowers, Coffee, and Tea

Tampaksiring is scheduled for 40 minutes and includes complimentary coffee and tea at a rest area. The tour also highlights flower fields, including marigolds and roses, as another place for photographs.

The shorter visit makes sense here. You can pause, take pictures, enjoy a drink, and stretch your legs without turning the rest stop into another long attraction. The fresh climate of the village is presented as part of its appeal, though the exact setting and size of the flower area may vary.

This is also the point where the practical design of the tour becomes clear. Ten hours with six stops can feel tiring, so small breaks matter. Coffee, tea, water, and a snack are useful inclusions, especially if lunch timing shifts or you spend longer than expected at an earlier stop.

Do not confuse this with a full coffee plantation tour. The information provided only promises coffee and tea at a rest area, along with flowers and photo opportunities. It is best viewed as a pleasant pause rather than a major cultural attraction.

Tegenungan Waterfall to Finish the Day

The final listed stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, with about an hour to see the falls and surrounding tropical scenery. The description focuses on the water spray, greenery, and help from the guide with photographs.

Ending at a waterfall gives the day a strong visual finish, but it may also be the most physically demanding stop depending on how close you want to get to the water. The supplied details do not specify the number of steps, swimming rules, or walking distance, so ask your guide what is practical when you arrive.

You can expect a scenic stop rather than a long nature walk. An hour is enough to view the falls and take pictures, but not necessarily enough for an extended exploration. If you are tired after the day’s earlier stops, stay aware of your footing and do not feel pressured to reach every viewpoint.

The waterfall works well as a final stop because it offers a different setting from Tegalalang’s terraces and Gunung Kawi Sebatu’s temple grounds. The route gives you a broad sample of Ubud’s most popular sights in one day, even if none of the stops receives a very deep visit.

What the Private Format Adds

The biggest benefit is control. You travel only with your own group, and a private English-speaking guide can answer questions, take pictures, and adjust the rhythm within the tour’s fixed structure. One strong account specifically praised guide Adi for answering questions, showing the key places, and taking excellent photographs.

The private format is especially useful for couples, families, and small groups with different interests. One person can spend more time at the temple while another keeps the photo stops short, although the full route and approximate timings still limit how much you can change.

The tour also offers group discounts, but no discount amount is given. Ask how the per-person price changes with your group size. At $22.67 per person, the tour may be good value for a small group if transport, guide service, and all listed entries are truly included.

The main limitation is pace. Six stops across 10 hours means you will often have roughly an hour or less at each place. You get variety, not a slow study of Ubud. For many people, that is exactly the point. For someone who wants a quiet temple visit or a long walk through the rice terraces, the schedule may feel too packed.

Who Should Book This Ubud Day Tour?

I would consider this tour if you are staying in Nusa Dua and want one organized day covering several well-known Ubud sights. It suits first-time Bali visitors, photographers, couples, and small groups that prefer a private vehicle over a large coach.

It is also a good match if you want several kinds of experiences in one day: nature, a temple, rice farming scenery, a cultural stop, a waterfall, and optional swing photographs. The local lunch option and craft references in the wider description add useful cultural context, though the six-stop schedule means the main route is focused on the named attractions.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is a guaranteed full swing session, a relaxed pace, or a completely transparent all-inclusive price. Confirm the swing access and entrance fees in writing. Also pay attention to driver safety during the day, especially because one serious account raised concern about tired driving.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind when making plans.

Final Verdict: Good Variety, But Confirm the Extras

This is an appealing low-cost private tour for seeing a lot of Ubud in one day. I especially like the mix of temple, terrace, waterfall, and local culture, plus the convenience of pickup, air-conditioning, water, Wi-Fi, and a personal guide.

I would book it for variety and convenience, not for a slow, deeply detailed visit at every stop. Before paying, confirm the total entrance cost, lunch price, and exactly what the Happy Swing ticket includes. If those details are settled and your driver handles the long day safely, the tour can be a practical way to cover Ubud’s major sights from Nusa Dua.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour is listed for travelers staying in the Nusa Dua area.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What stops are included?

The route includes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Happy Swing Bali, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, Tampaksiring, and Tegenungan Waterfall.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is an additional personal expense, estimated at about $4 per person.

Are entrance tickets included?

The package says all entrance tickets are included, but the additional information also says some private guided visits may require entrance payments of about $18 per person. Confirm the exact coverage with the operator before booking.

Is the swing ride included?

The swing activity is optional. A complimentary dress is listed with the swing activity, but the available information does not clearly state whether the actual swing ride has a separate charge.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.