A Genuine Look at the Bali Ubud Jungle Swing, Monkey Forest & Waterfall Private Tour for 2025
You know, lots of people dream about that perfect Bali day trip, the kind you see all over social media. I mean, it usually involves flying through the air on a huge swing with a green jungle backdrop, right? So, this private tour that combines the famous Ubud swing with the Monkey Forest and a cool waterfall seems, in a way, like it ticks all the boxes. Honestly, I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype, so I went ahead and did it. The great thing about a private tour, basically, is that you get your own driver and car for the day. That means no waiting for other people and, frankly, you can change up the schedule a little if you want to. As a matter of fact, our driver was just so friendly and full of stories, which made the whole day feel a lot more personal. He picked us up from our hotel right on time, and pretty much from that moment, we knew we were in for a good day.
First Impressions at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Okay, our first stop was the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, and it’s seriously a world of its own. It’s not just a park with some monkeys; apparently, it’s a deeply spiritual place for the local Balinese people, which is just really cool. The moment you walk in, actually, the air feels different—it’s kind of humid and smells like damp earth and incense. You’re walking on these stone pathways, you know, past ancient-looking temples covered in moss and these fantastically spooky-looking banyan trees. And then, of course, there are the monkeys. They are literally everywhere. Little ones are often chasing each other, while the bigger, more serious-looking ones just sit around, sort of observing everything. To be honest, I was a bit nervous at first, having heard stories about them snatching things. Our guide gave us some great advice: basically, don’t have any loose items, like sunglasses on your head, and definitely don’t bring any food in with you.
So, one of the most memorable things was just sitting still for a moment and watching them. There was this one mother monkey, right, and she was so carefully grooming her tiny baby, and it was just this incredibly tender scene happening right in front of us. You can, for a small fee, buy some bananas from the official staff inside to feed them, but you have to be really careful. We saw a guy, you know, who was holding a banana a little too casually, and a monkey just scampered up his leg, grabbed it, and was gone in a flash. It was kind of funny, but also a good lesson. At the end of the day, these are wild animals in their own habitat, and we are just visitors. It is really an amazing place for taking photos, but again, you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. We spent more or less about an hour and a half there, which felt like just the right amount of time to see everything without feeling rushed.
Soaring High on the Famous Ubud Jungle Swing
Next up was the part I was honestly most excited and, frankly, a little nervous about: the jungle swing. There are actually a few different places that offer this, but our private tour took us to one of the more well-known spots. First, the staff gets you all buckled into a safety harness, which, you know, is very reassuring. They are incredibly thorough and check all the straps multiple times, so you feel pretty secure. You then pick the swing you want; they have different heights, so you can sort of choose your own level of adventure. I, of course, went for one of the higher ones because, well, why not? The feeling of them pushing you out over the valley is just, you know, absolutely wild. For a second, your stomach just totally drops, and then you’re flying.
The view is really what makes it. You’re gliding over this huge expanse of palm trees and rice terraces, and the sheer greenness of it all is almost unbelievable. Honestly, it’s one of those moments that makes you feel so incredibly alive.
They also have these “nests” and other photo props set up, which are, to be honest, made specifically for getting that perfect Instagram shot. It’s a little bit touristy, I mean, let’s be real, but it’s still a lot of fun. If you want a photo in one of the long, flowing dresses you see everywhere, you can actually rent one right there. My tip is to just relax into it and enjoy the ride. The staff who push you are really good at making it a fun time, and they’ll push you as high or as gently as you like. We paid for a package that gave us a certain number of swings, and it was worth every penny. You can just get some absolutely stunning pictures that you’ll look back on for years.
Read our full review: [Bali Ubud Jungle Swing: Monkey Forest and Waterfall Private Tour Full Review and Details]
A Cool Down at Tegenungan Waterfall
After all the morning’s excitement, our next stop, Tegenungan Waterfall, was pretty much the perfect way to cool down. As soon as you get out of the car, you can actually hear the roar of the water. Now, you should know there are quite a few stairs to get down to the base of the waterfall, and in the Bali heat, it can be a little bit of a workout. Still, it is so completely worth it. As you get closer, you start to feel the cool mist on your skin, which feels just incredible. The waterfall itself is seriously powerful, a huge curtain of water crashing down into a pool below. It is a really popular spot, so it can get a little crowded, but there’s generally enough space for everyone to find a spot to relax and take pictures.
Lots of people go for a swim in the pool at the bottom. The water is surprisingly cool and so refreshing, you know, especially after the hot and humid walk down. I just waded in up to my knees, and it felt amazing. For those who are a bit more adventurous, you can actually climb up the rocks to the side for a different view, but you have to be really careful as they can be quite slippery. There are also a few little cafes and shops at the top near the entrance where you can grab a cold drink or a coconut before or after you head down. At the end of the day, it’s just one of those classic Bali nature spots that you sort of have to see. The power and sound of the water are just really humbling, in a way.
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Tegenungan Waterfall Tickets])
Learning About Luwak Coffee at a Plantation
As a matter of fact, many of these Ubud day tours include a stop at a local coffee plantation, and ours was no exception. To be honest, I’m a big coffee fan, so I was quite interested in this part. The place we visited was a small, family-run operation, which was really nice. A guide walked us through their gardens, showing us different plants like coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and various spices. It was pretty interesting to see where all these things actually come from, instead of just seeing them in a jar at the supermarket. The main event, of course, is learning about Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, which is famously known as one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Basically, they explain the whole process, where a civet, which is a small, cat-like animal, eats the coffee cherries, and the beans pass through its digestive system.
After the short tour, we got to the best part: the tasting. They brought out a whole tray of different coffees and teas for us to try, all for free. For instance, we tried things like coconut coffee, vanilla coffee, ginger tea, and lemongrass tea. It was a really fun experience just sitting there, sipping on all the different flavors. If you want to try the actual Kopi Luwak, you usually have to pay a little extra for a cup. We decided to go for it, and honestly, it was very smooth and not bitter at all. I mean, I’m not sure if it’s worth the crazy prices you see elsewhere, but trying it there was a really unique experience. There’s also a shop where you can buy some of the coffees and teas to take home as souvenirs. It’s just a nice, relaxing way to break up the day and learn a little something about local products.
Is This Private Tour Package Right for You?
So, at the end of the day, who is this tour really for? Frankly, it’s pretty much perfect for first-time visitors to Bali who want to see some of Ubud’s biggest highlights in one easy, stress-free day. It’s definitely for you if you’re looking for those iconic Bali photos—the swing, the monkeys, the waterfall. It’s also just great for couples, solo travelers, or even a small group of friends. The convenience of having a private driver is, honestly, a huge plus. You don’t have to worry about transportation, getting lost, or sticking to a rigid group schedule. Our driver, for example, was super flexible and let us spend a little more time at the waterfall because we were enjoying it so much. You really can’t put a price on that kind of flexibility when you’re on holiday.
On the other hand, you might want to think twice if you have serious mobility issues. Both the Monkey Forest and the waterfall involve a fair bit of walking and, in the case of the waterfall, a lot of stairs. The Bali heat and humidity can also be quite intense, so you have to be prepared for that. So, here are a few practical tips. Definitely wear comfortable walking shoes—like, seriously, not flip-flops. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. For the waterfall, you know, wear your swimsuit under your clothes to make things easier, and bring a small towel. And for the Monkey Forest, just keep your belongings secure and listen to the guides. Basically, if you come prepared, this tour offers an absolutely incredible, action-packed day that gives you a fantastic taste of what makes Ubud so special.
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Bali Private Tour Package Prices])
