| Time | Stop | Suggested duration |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 | Campuhan Ridge Walk | 1 to 2 h |
| 9:00 | Sacred Monkey Forest | 1 h 30 |
| 11:30 | Ubud palace, art market, lunch | 2 h |
| 14:00 | Tegallalang or Tirta Empul (with driver) | 3 to 4 h |
| 19:00 | Dance show | 1 h 30 |
The morning: walk and monkey forest
Set off around 6:30 for the Campuhan Ridge Walk: the light is soft, it is cool and there are few people. Then have breakfast in a café in the centre, and head to the Sacred Monkey Forest, open 9:00 to 18:00 according to guides, quietest at opening. Keep glasses and bags closed and do not show food to the macaques.
Midday: palace, market and lunch
The Puri Saren royal palace can be partly visited during the day; the Ubud art market is right opposite: bargain, it is the rule. Have lunch in the centre before setting off by car.
The afternoon: two options with a driver
- Tegallalang rice terraces: about twenty minutes to the north; the light is better early in the morning, but late afternoon (15:30 to 17:30) is a decent second choice. See the Tegallalang rice terraces.
- Tirta Empul temple: about 40 minutes to 1 hour by road; you can add the Tegenungan waterfall on the way back. See Tirta Empul.
Doing both is possible with a 13:00 departure but the day gets long. To compare the packages, see Ubud in one day: which tour to choose, and for a driver's rate private driver in Bali.
The evening: a dance show
Legong and kecak shows take place in several venues in the centre, including the palace, usually in the evening around 19:00 to 19:30 (time to confirm, it changes by day). See dance shows in Ubud to choose.
Going further
To sleep in Ubud, see where to stay in Bali; for the town, Ubud; for a longer stay, Bali in 3 days.
FAQ
Is one day enough for Ubud?
Yes for the centre and one nearby excursion, provided you start early. Two or three days leave time for Batur or east Bali as well.
Do you need a driver?
For the centre, no: everything is done on foot. For Tegallalang, Tirta Empul or Tegenungan, a driver is the simplest.
What is the best time for the Monkey Forest?
At opening, around 9:00, before the groups arrive.
