There are hundreds of bookable experiences around Ubud and most travellers have room for three or four. This list is our pick of those that reliably earn their price, based on rating, review volume, what they include and how well they fit a normal Ubud stay. Most can be cancelled free of charge.
1. Bali: Ubud Full-Day All-Inclusive Highlights Tour
Why it makes the list: Ubud’s headline sights are scattered across the countryside, and this tour joins them up in a single, well-paced day: the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, the palace and Art Market, and Tegenungan Waterfall. More than 6,000 reviews at 4.9 make it one of the safest bookings on the island.
The classic Ubud day with every headline stop: the Sacred Monkey Forest, the Tegallalang rice terraces, the holy springs of Tirta Empul, Ubud Palace and the Art Market, finishing at Tegenungan Waterfall. With more than 6,000 reviews it is one of the most-booked days out in Bali.
At a glance
- Duration: 8 hours
- Departs from: Ubud & south Bali hotels
- Type: Full-day tour
- Price from: about US$21 per person
- ★ 4.9 (6,200)
- Best for: First-timers who want the whole of Ubud in one go
2. Ubud: Full-Day Rice Terrace, Monkey Forest & Waterfall
Why it makes the list: The same classic route with your own car and driver-guide, plus a coffee plantation and the jungle pool at Tibumana. Rated 5.0 from more than 6,000 reviews, and for two to four people often close in cost to shared seats.
A private car and driver-guide for the day, following the route most visitors want: the Monkey Forest, the Tegallalang terraces, the water temple at Tirta Empul, a coffee plantation and the jungle pool at Tibumana Waterfall. Rated 5.0 from 6,000+ reviews.
At a glance
- Duration: 9 hours
- Departs from: Your hotel
- Type: Private day tour
- Price from: about US$14 per person
- ★ 5.0 (6,050)
- Best for: Couples, families and small groups who want their own pace
3. Bali: Sunrise Mount Batur Guided Hike with Breakfast
Why it makes the list: Bali’s signature experience: a guided night climb up an active volcano to watch the sun rise over the Batur caldera, with breakfast at the top. More than 11,000 reviews. Not for late sleepers.
Bali’s most-booked experience: a pre-dawn pickup, a guided climb in the dark and sunrise from the summit of Mount Batur, with a light breakfast at the top before you walk down. More than 11,000 reviews.
At a glance
- Duration: 5–10 hours
- Departs from: Ubud & south Bali hotels (night pickup)
- Type: Sunrise hike
- Price from: about US$27 per person
- ★ 4.8 (11,550)
- Best for: Fit early risers who want Bali’s signature sunrise
4. Bali: Holy Spring Temple Tour with Purification Ritual
Why it makes the list: Watching the bathers at Tirta Empul is moving; joining them with a guide who explains the ritual is something else. Three hours, top-rated, and a world away from a photo stop.
Visit the holy spring temple of Tirta Empul with a guide and take part in a traditional purification ritual in its pools, learning the history of the temple and the legend of its sacred spring.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departs from: Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring
- Type: Temple & ritual
- Price from: about US$15 per person
- ★ 5.0 (250)
- Best for: Visitors who want to join the ritual, not just watch
5. Ubud: Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit
Why it makes the list: Balinese food is hard to find done well in tourist restaurants. A morning at the market followed by a hands-on class with local chefs solves that. 4.9 stars from 1,400+ guests, transfers included.
A hands-on Balinese cooking workshop in Ubud with transfers, local chefs and an optional walk through a morning market before you cook. Rated 4.9 by more than 1,400 guests.
At a glance
- Duration: 2.5–3 hours
- Departs from: Ubud hotels (transfers included)
- Type: Cooking class
- Price from: about US$20 per person
- ★ 4.9 (1,450)
- Best for: Food lovers with a free morning
6. Bali: Guided Ayung River Rafting with Class 2 Rapids & Lunch
Why it makes the list: Class II rapids through a jungle gorge just outside town: enough splash to be exciting, gentle enough for beginners, with lunch at the end. Over 2,500 reviews.
The classic Ayung River run: class II rapids through a steep green gorge close to Ubud, with guides in every raft and a Balinese lunch at the end. Gentle enough for first-timers.
At a glance
- Duration: 2.5–5 hours
- Departs from: Ayung River, near Ubud
- Type: Rafting
- Price from: about US$26 per person
- ★ 4.7 (2,500)
- Best for: An active half day that suits most people
7. Ubud: Spectacular Waterfalls Tour
Why it makes the list: Tukad Cepung, Tibumana and Kanto Lampo in one day, with swimming time and a short jungle hike. The easiest way to see several falls without negotiating transport for each one.
A full day chasing Ubud’s waterfalls: Tukad Cepung, Tibumana and Kanto Lampo, plus a water temple and a rice terrace, with time to swim and a short hike to a hidden fall. Rated 4.9 by more than 1,200 travellers.
At a glance
- Duration: 8 hours
- Departs from: Ubud & south Bali hotels
- Type: Day tour
- Price from: about US$26 per person
- ★ 4.9 (1,250)
- Best for: Swimmers and photographers
8. Bali: Ubud Kecak and Fire Dance Show Tickets
Why it makes the list: A circle of chanting men, the Ramayana and a fire dance for the price of a meal. An hour long and unforgettable — book it for your first night.
A ticket to one of Ubud’s evening Kecak performances: dozens of men chanting “cak-cak-cak” in a circle while dancers act out the Ramayana, followed by a fire dance. Short, hypnotic and easy to fit in after dinner.
At a glance
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departs from: Ubud
- Type: Show ticket
- Price from: about US$6 per person
- ★ 4.4 (4,000)
- Best for: Your first evening in Ubud
How we chose these tours
We start with what is actually bookable around Ubud, filter to experiences rated 4.5 or higher with a meaningful number of reviews, and then apply judgement: does it solve a real planning problem, is it fairly priced against doing it yourself, and does it suit the way people actually spend three or four days here? We do not accept payment for placement, and we say plainly when you do not need a tour — the Monkey Forest, the palace and the Campuhan Ridge Walk are all easy on your own.
Shared, private or do it yourself?
Ubud has no useful public transport, so for anything outside the centre you need wheels. Book a shared tour when you want the transport and timing solved at the lowest price. Book a private tour when you are two or more — the per-person cost is often similar, and you control the schedule. Hiring a driver for the day is common in Bali and works well if you want to plan your own route; ask your hotel or book a car charter. Riding a scooter yourself is only sensible if you are an experienced rider with the right licence.
