Bali Jungle Swing with Rice Terrace, Waterfall or Monkey Forest Option

The Jungle Swing in the Tegallalang Highlands

The swing sits in Pujung Kelod village in the Tegallalang district, about nine kilometres north of Ubud and roughly 750 metres above sea level, where the air is cooler and the valley below is full of coconut palms, rice fields and forest. Bali swings became famous for their dramatic photos, and this one sends you out over the treetops on long ropes from a high wooden frame, safely strapped into a harness.

Staff help you into the harness and push you off, and there are wooden platforms and nests for photos. The site is also a working coffee plantation, and the short swing-only option includes a walk to see how local coffee is grown and roasted, with a cup to try. The maximum weight on the swing is 100 kg, and it is best to wear comfortable clothes that let you move freely.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace

Tegalalang Rice Terrace, at Ceking village on the road north of Ubud, is the most photographed rice landscape in Bali: steep, curving terraces stepping down both sides of a valley, shaded by tall coconut palms. The fields are watered by the traditional Subak system, which channels water from the hills to each terrace in turn and is recognised by UNESCO as part of Bali's cultural landscape.

Paths lead down into the valley and up the other side, with small cafés and viewpoints along the rim. Early in the day is the best time to visit Tegalalang, before the heat and the crowds; plan around forty-five minutes to an hour for photos and a short walk. Farmers may ask for a small donation to cross parts of their land, so carry some small notes.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary lies at the southern end of Ubud's Monkey Forest Road, in the village of Padangtegal. Its shaded paths wind through giant banyan and nutmeg trees, across a mossy ravine and past three temples, including the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, a temple of the dead with carved stone guardians. A large population of long-tailed macaques lives freely in the forest, which is managed by the village community.

Allow around an hour to walk the loop. The monkeys are wild, so keep bags closed, do not carry food or plastic bags and never feed or touch them; your guide explains how to behave. Many visitors ask whether the Ubud Monkey Forest is worth visiting: for the ancient atmosphere of the forest temples alone, it is one of Ubud's highlights.

Goa Raja Waterfall and Penglipuran Village

In the waterfall and village option, the swing is followed by Goa Raja Waterfall, a hidden fall set at the bottom of a narrow canyon and reached by a short trek through greenery. The rock walls and pools make it a dramatic place to cool off, so bring swimwear and non-slip shoes.

The day continues to Penglipuran in the Bangli regency, a traditional Balinese village laid out along one sloping, stone-paved street lined with identical gateways and family compounds, with a bamboo forest behind. It is known across Indonesia for its tidiness and for preserving its customary village rules, and walking its quiet lane gives a calm contrast to the swing.

Tegenungan Waterfall (Private Premium Option)

The private premium option follows a fixed route that adds Tegenungan Waterfall in Kemenuh village, about twenty minutes south of Ubud. The wide, powerful fall drops into a pool surrounded by jungle, with steps leading down to the riverbank and viewpoints above. It is one of the easiest waterfalls to reach from Ubud and a favourite place for photos.

In this option your own air-conditioned car with Wi-Fi, snacks, cold towels and a cool box of soft drinks and water follows your pace, and entrance tickets for all four stops are included. The steps back up from the waterfall are steep, so take your time and bring a light change of clothes if you plan to get close to the spray.