Looking to book a beautiful Ubud Waterfall tour for 2024? Well, you’re in the right place.
I know how hard it can be to pick the good tours from the bad tours, so I’ve done the hard work for you! After spending almost a month in Ubud, these are my 5 favorite Ubud waterfall tours. And no matter which one you choose you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time.
🏆TOP PICK:
Best Tour = Great Ubud: Spectacular Waterfalls Tour
with hundreds of 5-star reviews. Book now!
5 Most Beautiful Ubud Waterfall Tours
Though many parts of Bali are Overrated, Ubud stands out as an exception.
Ubud’s waterfalls are famous all around the world for their beauty. With emerald green rainforest surrounding tumbling jungle waterfalls and swimming spots- a waterfall experience there is something you can’t miss.
After spending almost a month in Ubud, I’ve come up with a list of the 5 best tours that’ll help you see Ubud’s most beautiful waterfalls with ease, and have the time of your life!
1. Best Overall: Ubud Spectacular Waterfalls Tour
⭐ 4.9/ 5 stars– With 500+ positive reviews! ⌛ 7-10 hours roundtrip
With a 4.9 star rating and over 500 reviews, the Spectacular Waterfalls Tour is a visitor favorite and my top recommendation after visiting in June 2023. The tour will take you to three of Ubud’s most beautiful waterfalls: Tegenungan Waterfall, Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and Tibumana Waterfall.
I took this tour in June 2023 while living in Ubud. All the guides were lovely, and our guide Leo was especially funny, friendly, and helpful. I had already visited Tibumana, so I was able to customize the itinerary to fit what I wanted to see.
Tour Highlights:
- Swim in the mountain fresh waters of Tibumana Waterfall
- Walk between cliffs to Tukad Cepung Waterfall
- Enjoy some traditional street food
- Experience the breathtaking beauty of Tegenungan Waterfall
Book the Ubud: Spectacular Waterfalls Tour ⭐
Why choose this tour?– The tour starts with an hour-long drive, but during that time the friendly guides will tell you everything about the beautiful places you pass through. In between waterfalls and swimming, you’ll have the chance to eat a local lunch and relax in the rural towns.
Everything is well organized, and I was able to see so much more than I would’ve been able to if I’d tried to commute everywhere myself!
Book the Ubud: Spectacular Waterfalls Tour ⭐
2. Best Combo Tour: Ubud Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour
⭐ 4.9/ 5 stars– With 2000+ positive reviews ⌛ 10-hour roundtrip
The Waterfall, Rice Terrace, & Monkey Forest Private Tour makes visiting all of Ubud’s most famous sites in one day doable. When I was staying in Ubud, I tried to visit each place individually, but with Bali’s chaotic public transport, I found it really difficult and time-consuming.
This tour takes you to many unique Ubud highlights, where you can experience the Instagram-famous rice fields, a forest full of monkeys, and of course- the beautiful waterfalls.
Tour Highlights:
- Visit the traditional Batuan Temple
- See the awe-inspiring Tegenungan Waterfall
- Go to a local market that sells produce, souvenirs, and more
- See the magical Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- Take a stroll in Ubud Monkey Forest to see long-tailed macaques
- Taste the most expensive coffee in the world
Why choose this tour?– This tour is completely private, meaning everything is up to you. If you have other places you’d like to visit that aren’t on the list, you can customize the itinerary with your driver. Taking a tour like this means you can visit all the popular destinations without worrying about public transport, traffic, hidden fees, or safety.
You can be picked up from almost anywhere as well, making it really accessible! The Ubud Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour is an amazing way to explore Ubud easily.
Note: The Waterfalls in Ubud are some of the most beautiful in the world, and it would be a shame to see them without taking some amazing photos. Only got your phone? Don’t worry, simply enter your email below and I’ll send you ALL my tips for smartphone travel photography (+ my Lightroom presets for free!).
3. Most Customisable: Ubud Customizable Private Car Tour with Driver
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 stars ⌛ Customisable
If you want as much flexibility as possible, the best thing for you might be to book a private driver. Drivers are usually booked on a 6-8-10 hour basis. This means you can completely customize your itinerary within these hours.
I personally booked a private driver through this tour in June 2023 and customized my Itinerary to visit the hidden gem of Suwat Waterfall, as well as the rice fields and a few other less touristy spots. I split it with 4 of my friends, making the price almost inconsequential.
Tour Highlights:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in selected areas
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Bottled water
- Choice of attractions to visit
Why choose this tour?– Booking a driver from a local company like this one, not only supports local drivers but gives you the most flexible and customizable day tour available.
You can visit hidden gems and secret spots that aren’t usually on the tourist circuit. Which means they’re quiet, untouched, and pristine. Having a private driver is usually even cheaper than a tour, which Is why I usually opted for it instead of booking a full tour.
4. Most Adventurous: Gorilla Face Quad Bike, Jungle Swing, Waterfall & Meal Tour
⭐ Rated 4.9/5 stars ⌛ 6-8 hours round-trip
Not only does this tour have my all-time favorite Ubud waterfall, but it also has ATV quad bikes and a jungle swing. What could be cooler than that!?
This tour is one of the only ones that takes you to Goa Raja waterfall, directly translating to the cave of the kings. Goa Raja was probably the highlight of my entire stay in Ubud, and that’s saying something.
After a short walk down into the jungle, you come across the waterfall. There are never any crowds, and the waterfall is huge. Imagine a cascading waterfall crashing into a massive cave in the middle of the Balinese jungle- that’s Goa Raja.
And to make it even better, there are rock pools on the side where you can swim, and picnic tables to have a snack. It’s honestly perfect!
Tour Highlights:
- Visit the undiscovered Goa Raja Waterfall
- Swing above the jungle at Satria Agrowisata
- Taste traditional Balinese herbal teas
- Discover jungle trails, rural villages, and plantations on a Quad Bike
- Head off-road through rainforest, river, and rice paddies
- Complimentary buffet
(Goa Raja pictured left)
Why choose this tour?– For adventurers who want to see the off-the-beaten-path side of Bali, the Quad Bike, Jungle Swing, Waterfall & Meal Tour is absolutely perfect. Head into the jungle to the hidden Goa Raja Waterfall (my favorite waterfall in Ubud), before going off-road again to explore the untouched nature and villages of the Island.
This Ubud waterfall excursion is well-organized and run, the guides are lovely and can offer a lot of great knowledge about the places you travel through. Just make sure to bring sunscreen! The Bali sun is NOT forgiving.
5. Most Culture Focused: Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall
⭐ Rated 5/5 stars ⌛ 5-7 hours round-trip
Bali is a very spiritual place, with many Balinese people having extravagant temples built in their backyards. But if you want to experience that side of the beautiful island yourself while also seeing one of the island’s most stunning waterfalls- this tour is for you.
Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall tour takes you to many popular (and some less touristy) sightseeing destinations, including Tegenungan Waterfall. And it also gives you the opportunity to experience the spiritual cleansing ritual at Tirta Empul Temple.
Spiritual cleansing usually includes offerings, meditation, and water cleansing. You will see many visitors, but also many many local people completing the ritual during your visit.
And afterward, you’ll have the chance to experience one of Ubud’s most beautiful waterfalls. Showing you both the cultural side and natural side of the island, two things that are the most intertwined in Balinese culture!
Tour Highlights:
- See the local artisans’ market at Dewa Putu Toris
- Relax and explore at Tegenungan Waterfall
- Experience a traditional ritual cleansing at Tirta Empul Temple
- Taste Balinese coffee and tea at Kumulilir
- Visit the famous Tengalong rice fields
Why choose this tour?– The Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall tour lets you experience both the natural and cultural sides of Bali in just one day. The Tirta Empul Temple cleansing ritual was one of the most unique things I did while I was in Ubud!
Extra Tip: Guides at the entrance will make you think you need to hire one of them to do the ritual (spoiler alert, you don’t and it’s easy to do it yourself).
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Ubud FAQ’s
After spending a long time staying in Ubud and traveling around Indonesia, here are the top questions I’m asked about visiting Ubud.
How Long Should You Stay in Ubud
I would recommend staying 3-4 days in Ubud to be able to experience the city and surrounding nature properly. But I still had things I could’ve done when I left, and I stayed for much longer.
When is the Best Time to Visit Ubud
The best time to visit Ubud is typically considered May- September in order to avoid the rain. However, It’s important to note that weather can be unpredictable even during that season.
What is the Best Waterfall in Ubud
My favorite waterfall in Ubud is by far Goa Raja. Translating to ‘the cave of the kings’ (a great name, as it falls through a massive cave), standing next to Goa Raja in the middle of the Balinese jungle is an incredible experience. The waterfall crashes down with so much weight it creates a strong wind that could blow you back.
And next to the waterfall, there are crystal-clear rock pools to swim in and picnic tables for lunch. Keep in mind that the stairs down to the waterfall can be steep and slippery and there’s a 20,000 IDR entry fee, so bring cash and good shoes!
Is Ubud Overrated?
Though I do think other areas like Canggu and Kuta are far overrated, Ubud is the one Balinese city I just can’t seem to characterize that way. In my post “Is Bali Overrated?” I’ve outlined in more detail why I think Ubud is the exception to Bali’s common ‘overrated’ label.
The Wrap-Up: 5 Most Beautiful Ubud Waterfall Tours
Ubud has some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, and these 5 Ubud waterfall tours will not only give you an amazing waterfall experience but will also let you easily see Ubud’s most popular spots and hidden gems. Remember, my top tour is the Ubud: Spectacular Waterfalls Tour!
With everything from swimming in the jungle and off-road ATV biking, to ritual cleansing, these 5 tours have it all. And with that being said, get on out there and have an amazing time exploring Ubud!
If you’ve done any of these tours, let me know what your experience was at general@helloworldhereicome(.)com
