From the classic rice-terrace-and-temple day to a sunrise volcano climb, white-water rafting, Balinese cooking and an evening of Kecak — the Ubud experiences worth your time, all bookable online.
Ubud rewards a little planning. The town itself is walkable, but the headline sights — Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, the waterfalls and Mount Batur — are spread across the countryside, there is no public transport to speak of, and traffic on the narrow roads is slow. Whether you hire a driver, join a tour or mix both decides how much you see. Below are our favourite tours across every style and budget. Prices are indicative starting points; tap through for live availability.
Full-day tour from US$21 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.
Private day tour from US$14 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.
Private tour from US$23 A flexible private tour built around water: Ubud waterfalls, the holy spring temple at Tirta Empul and the Tegallalang rice terraces. Pick the shorter version if you want your afternoon back. Over 7,000 reviews.
Private tour from US$19 A private introduction to Ubud’s spiritual and natural side: the purification pools of Tirta Empul, the macaques of the Monkey Forest, the terraces at Tegallalang and the big cascade at Tegenungan. Over 5,000 reviews at 4.9.
Ticket & guided walk from US$17 Entry to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with a guided walk past its temples and troops of long-tailed macaques — plus an explanation of Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese idea of harmony that shapes how the forest is cared for.
Show ticket from US$6 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.
Show ticket from US$6 Bali’s most refined classical dance, performed at Ubud’s royal palace with a live gamelan orchestra. Arrive early for a seat with a clear view of the stage.
Cooking class from US$20 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.
Cooking class from US$32 A longer class on an organic farm in the Ubud countryside: shop at a local market, then cook traditional Balinese dishes — or a vegan or vegetarian menu — with a chef. Rated 5.0 from more than 2,000 reviews.
Cooking class from US$35 A half-day class in a traditional village: pick up fresh ingredients at a local market, then cook an authentic Balinese meal in a beautiful kitchen with help at every step.
Rafting from US$26 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.
Adventure combo from US$17 Two adventures in one day: a rafting trip on the Ayung River and an ATV quad-bike ride through rice paddies and the Gorilla Face Cave, with a meal included. Over 7,500 reviews at 4.8.
Sunrise hike from US$27 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.
Jeep tour The Mount Batur sunrise with no hiking: a shared 4WD jeep takes you up to a viewpoint for dawn, and the morning ends with a soak in a natural hot spring.
Sunrise hike from US$36 A sunrise climb of Mount Batur designed around Ubud: pickup in the small hours, a guided hike to the top and a hot spring to ease your legs afterwards. Over 2,500 reviews.
Day tour from US$26 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.
Workshop from US$27 In a central Ubud workshop an experienced silversmith shows you how to make your own piece of silver jewellery from start to finish, with all materials and tools provided. Over 2,300 reviews at 4.9.
E-bike tour from US$26 Fat-tyre electric bikes take the effort out of Ubud’s hills: ride through villages and past temples and traditional houses to the Tegallalang terraces, with a Balinese lunch and pickup from your Ubud hotel.
Bike tour from US$40 Ride downhill from the volcanic highlands of Kintamani through mountains and forests, stopping at famous rice terraces, for big views with minimal effort. A meal is included.
ATV ride from US$22 Get muddy on a guided quad-bike ride through jungle, rice fields, rivers and tunnels outside Ubud, with a safety briefing first and lunch afterwards. More than 7,000 reviews at 4.8.
Temple & ritual from US$15 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.
Heritage tour A day for history: the rock-cut shrines at Gunung Kawi, the carved cave of Goa Gajah and an archaeology museum that puts both in context. A small tour with top ratings.
Day trip from US$29 Three of Bali’s best-known landmarks in one long day: the UNESCO-listed terraces of Jatiluwih, the lake temple of Ulun Danu Beratan and the sea temple of Tanah Lot. Over 1,100 reviews.
Day trip from US$40 A full day around Bali’s UNESCO-listed temples and landscapes: historic water temples and the Jatiluwih rice terraces, with a guide who explains the island’s cultural heritage.
Day tour from US$30 A day that ends in the heart of town: a waterfall and rice terraces, the Monkey Forest, then the lotus-pond temple of Saraswati and the Ubud market.
Wellness day from US$52 Ubud’s spiritual side in one day, inspired by Eat Pray Love: a walk through rice terraces, a guided yoga class and a purification ritual at Tirta Empul, with comfortable transfers.
Yoga class from US$21 A 90-minute session in Ubud combining pranayama breathing, energy cleansing and sound and mantra healing — an easy way to try the town’s famous yoga scene.
Swing & zipline from US$20 Ubud’s famous swings with extras: a jungle swing, a zipline and a SkyBike ride over a private rice terrace. Check the harness and listen to the safety briefing before you ride.
Workshop from US$35 In a small atelier in Ubud, a Balinese artist teaches the traditional wax technique of batik, and you leave with a piece you made yourself. Rated 5.0.
Private transfer from US$17 per group A private car between Ngurah Rai International Airport and your hotel — the stress-free way to reach Ubud after a long flight.
Almost everyone wants the same handful of things. The question is how to fit them around the days you have.
Rice terraces at sunrise, holy springs, jungle waterfalls and gamelan after dark. Compare tours, tickets and day trips and book in a couple of taps.
For a single day, an all-inclusive highlights tour covering the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul and a waterfall — the top ones have thousands of reviews at 4.9. For a single experience, the Mount Batur sunrise hike. See our ranked list.
Dance tickets cost only a few dollars. Cooking classes, rafting and shared day tours typically start around US$20–40 per person, private day tours vary with group size, and Mount Batur treks start around US$25–35. Prices change; the live price is always on the booking page.
Most day tours, rafting trips and Mount Batur treks include pickup in the Ubud area, and many collect from south Bali too, sometimes for a surcharge. Check the tour page if you are staying outside the centre.
Many guides speak English; some tours offer other languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Russian, Spanish and Dutch on selected departures. Filter by language on GetYourGuide — this site sends you to your own language storefront automatically.
A sarong and sash for temples (often lent on site), swimwear and a towel for waterfalls or Tirta Empul, shoes with grip, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, water and small rupiah notes for entry fees and donations.
