REVIEW · UBUD
Trekking and Sightseeing tour with lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Bali Excursion · Bookable on Viator
Bamboo, temples, and holy water in one Ubud day. This full-day trekking and sightseeing tour links Taro village with a moderate forest walk, a rice-terrace photo stop, and Tirta Empul.
I love the balance: about a 4-hour moderate hike through bamboo forest, plus breaks built around real local places. I also like the meal—your included Balinese lunch comes with rice paddy views.
One possible snag: not everything costs $78. A couple of entrances and the swing add-ons are extra, so your total depends on what you choose to do.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- Taro Village and Delodsema: the local Bali you don’t rush through
- The bamboo-forest hike: moderate effort, big payoff
- Balinese lunch over rice paddies: included, and worth planning around
- Tirta Empul: holy water temple and the purification option
- Tegalalang rice terraces: photos plus a little off-the-main-path energy
- Terrace River Pool Swing and the luwak coffee plantation
- Guide style and personalization: why this day feels human
- Price and logistics: what $78 really covers
- Timing, weather reality, and who this tour fits
- Should you book this Ubud trekking and sightseeing tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the trekking and sightseeing tour?
- Is pickup and drop-off included?
- Is lunch included?
- What’s included with the first village stop?
- Is admission to Tirta Empul included?
- Is the swing over the rice terrace included?
- Are Tegalalang rice terrace admission fees included?
- Can I participate in holy water purification at Tirta Empul?
- What’s the minimum age for this tour?
- What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
Key takeaways before you go

- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ubud plus bottled water for the day ahead
- Delodsema Traditional Village (Taro area) is longer and includes admission
- A moderate bamboo-forest hike (~4 hours) with fruit plants along the way
- Tirta Empul holy water temple gives you a real chance to join the purification ritual
- Tegalalang rice terraces for photos after the off-the-main-path trekking
- Optional terrace swing and luwak coffee plantation visit (swing ticket not included)
Taro Village and Delodsema: the local Bali you don’t rush through

This day starts with the Taro village area, known for its deep Hindu roots and long history. You’ll visit Delodsema Traditional Village, which is described as part of the Taro village region, and you’ll spend around 4 hours exploring rather than just stopping for selfies.
What I like about this setup is that it slows the whole experience down. You get time to notice how people actually live, not just how the scenery looks. Admission for this first village stop is included, which matters because it keeps the early part of your budget predictable.
You’ll also get a guide who can explain what you’re seeing while you walk between points of interest. In the names that come up around this operator, guides like Wayan and Baru are singled out for making the day feel personal, not canned. That’s the difference between a day that passes and one that sticks.
Practical note: the village time is long, so wear shoes you can comfortably walk in and expect some uneven ground. It’s not just a “look around for ten minutes” stop.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
The bamboo-forest hike: moderate effort, big payoff
The heart of the tour is a moderate hike through bamboo forest, planned for about 4 hours of walking time. This is the part that gives you the classic Ubud feeling—cooler, greener paths, and the sense that you’re moving through Bali, not just traveling across it.
Along the way, the walk is described as passing plants tied to tropical fruit, including mangoes and mandarins. That detail helps you shift your mindset from sightseeing to noticing. You’ll likely spend more time looking at the edges of the trail, not only straight ahead.
If you’ve hiked before, this is the kind of day you can handle with steady effort. If you haven’t, don’t underestimate the “moderate” label. Four hours of trail time adds up, especially if the humidity is high.
Also, keep the tour’s health guidance in mind. It’s not recommended for people with back problems, heart complaints, or other serious medical conditions, and the minimum age is 7. Kids under 7 must be carried by a parent, so it’s not a drop-off adventure.
Balinese lunch over rice paddies: included, and worth planning around

After the walking, you’ll get lunch—specifically described as Balinese food with a view over rice paddy fields. I like that this isn’t a rushed meal in a random spot. The scenery is part of the value here, because it gives you a proper reset before the next sacred stop.
Lunch is included in the price, along with bottled water, so you don’t have to hunt for basic necessities mid-day. That matters on a long day like this, where timing can get tight and you’ll want to stay comfortable for temple time and the later swing/photo stops.
One small reality check: the day is built to be active. If you know you get snacky when you hike, come hungry and use lunch as your main recovery point. And if you have dietary limits, you’ll want to coordinate ahead of time—no specific food accommodations are listed here.
Tirta Empul: holy water temple and the purification option

Tirta Empul is the most spiritual-feeling moment on the schedule. You’ll visit the holy water temple for about 1 hour, and the experience includes time to enjoy the sacred atmosphere. The description also makes it clear that you can participate in holy water purification and blessings if you want.
This is one of those places where your guide’s role matters. They’re there to help you understand what’s appropriate, where to stand, and how to handle the ritual side without turning it into a performance. If you’re sensitive to religious settings, you’ll probably appreciate that the tour gives you a focused time block rather than a quick drive-by.
The entrance ticket for Tirta Empul is not included, so expect an extra charge here. Still, the value is in having your schedule shaped around this stop, not around fitting it into whatever you find nearby.
Tip: plan to be respectful with your pace and volume. This is a spiritual site, and the experience is better when you slow down.
Tegalalang rice terraces: photos plus a little off-the-main-path energy

After trekking and sightseeing, you’ll head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace for around 30 minutes. This is a shorter stop, and it’s clearly aimed at giving you a chance to take great pictures of the famous rice terrace scenery.
What helps here is the way the day is staged. You’re not only on roads and sidewalks all day—you’ve already hiked through bamboo forest. Then you come out to an iconic rice terrace view. That sequencing makes the photo time feel earned.
Admission for the rice terrace stop is not included, so treat it as an add-on cost if you want to go where the official viewing areas are. Even if you keep your expectations simple—get your photos and move on—you’ll still likely enjoy the contrast between forest shade and open terrace views.
Terrace River Pool Swing and the luwak coffee plantation

This portion is designed for people who want a little adrenaline after the serious parts. You’ll spend about 2 hours at the terrace river pool swing area, with time that’s also tied to the coffee plantation visit.
The swing itself is described as being over rice terraces with river views, and there are different types of swings. The key point for planning is that the swing ticket is not included, so you’ll want to decide in advance if you want to pay for it.
Then there’s the coffee stop. The tour description notes sampling luwak coffee, often described as among the most expensive coffees in the world. Even though the exact purchase rules aren’t listed, you should expect to be offered coffee products for sale at the plantation. If you’re hoping for tasting only, ask your guide what’s actually included on arrival.
How I’d think about this step: if you’re doing the swing, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the views and make a memorable photo moment. If you’re skipping the swing, you can still enjoy the plantation stop and terrace scenery without committing to additional costs.
Guide style and personalization: why this day feels human

This tour is built around a local guide, and that’s where a lot of the value shows up. People mention that the experience has a personal touch and can be customized to requests. In the names shared with this operator, Baru (an owner/lead guide) and Wayan come up as standouts for giving a complete Bali experience with room for your preferences.
That matters because the itinerary can’t change the physical reality of a hike or a temple visit—but it can change how you experience it. A good guide can help you set a comfortable pace on the bamboo trail, keep temple time respectful, and translate what you’re seeing into something you actually understand.
This is also a private tour/activity, meaning it’s just your group. That’s a big deal if you’re traveling with friends or family and you want the day to stay on your rhythm instead of being constantly reshuffled around other people.
Price and logistics: what $78 really covers

At $78 for about 7.5 hours, you’re paying for more than “a walk and a temple.” The included items are the practical ones that usually add up:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Ubud
- Professional guide
- Lunch and bottled water
- Parking fees
Then there are the extra-cost areas to factor in:
- Tirta Empul admission is not included
- Rice terrace stop admission is not included
- Swing ticket is not included
- Shopping expenses are not included
So is it good value? If you’re the type who wants transport handled, a guide who can steer you through sacred sites, and a day built around a real mix of trekking + culture, the price feels fair. If you plan to skip every paid add-on, you’ll pay mostly for the included parts. If you want the swing and you join temple entry fully, your total will rise—but you’ll also get the full experience.
Also look at the small details: you’ll receive a mobile ticket, and it’s described as requiring good weather. If weather is poor, you’ll get offered a different date or a full refund, which protects your time.
Timing, weather reality, and who this tour fits
This is a full-day plan, roughly 7 hours 30 minutes, and it’s packed with meaningful stops. That doesn’t mean it’s rushed every minute—there are longer blocks like the village visit—but it does mean you should treat it as a day where you’ll walk, stand, and move.
The tour requires good weather, so if rain rolls in, the schedule may shift. I’d plan this for a day when you have flexibility. If the weather cancels it, you’re covered with either a different date or a full refund.
It’s also not a fit for everyone. It’s specifically listed as not recommended for people with back problems or heart complaints. On the other hand, it’s described as suitable for a moderate physical fitness level, and kids can join with the minimum age being 7.
So who should book? If you want a Ubud day that mixes sacred Bali (Tirta Empul), a classic trail (bamboo forest), and iconic scenery (Tegalalang terraces), this hits the sweet spot. If you want mostly easy strolling with no hike, you’ll probably find the long walking time too much.
Should you book this Ubud trekking and sightseeing tour?
Book it if you want one day in Ubud that blends trekking, temple time, and rice terrace scenery—with lunch and transport included. It’s also a strong pick if you like the idea of a guide who can make the day feel personal, not cookie-cutter.
Skip it or choose a different option if paying for multiple add-ons would stress you out, or if the moderate hike doesn’t match your comfort level—especially given the medical guidance.
If you go, do one thing: wear supportive shoes and come ready for a full day. The payoff is a Ubud experience that feels like Bali, not just a checklist.
FAQ
How long is the trekking and sightseeing tour?
The duration is approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.
Is pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Round-trip transport from your Ubud hotel is included.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, along with bottled water.
What’s included with the first village stop?
Admission is included for the Delodsema Traditional Village stop.
Is admission to Tirta Empul included?
No. Tirta Empul Temple admission is not included.
Is the swing over the rice terrace included?
No. The swing ticket is not included.
Are Tegalalang rice terrace admission fees included?
No. Admission for the Tegalalang Rice Terrace stop is not included.
Can I participate in holy water purification at Tirta Empul?
The tour description says you may do purification on the holy water and receive blessings if you want.
What’s the minimum age for this tour?
The minimum age is 7. Kids under 7 have to be carried by a parent.
What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.























