Ubud is famous for two very different types of “wild” experiences: the untamed jungle rapids of the Ayung River and the mischievous, free-roaming long-tailed macaques of the Sacred Monkey Forest. Many travelers wonder: can I actually combine rafting and the Monkey Forest on the same day without rushing?
The answer is an enthusiastic yes. In fact, pairing these two creates the ultimate “Wild Bali” day trip — a perfect blend of adrenaline, nature, and Balinese culture. Because both destinations sit within the greater Ubud area, the logistics are surprisingly smooth. Here is the exact step-by-step itinerary to pull it off flawlessly.
Unlike trying to combine rafting with far-flung destinations like Uluwatu or Tanah Lot, the Monkey Forest is located right in the heart of Ubud, and the Ayung River’s main basecamps are only 20-30 minutes north of the Ubud Palace. This geographic proximity means minimal drive time and maximum experience time.
To make this combo work smoothly, order matters. Here is the blueprint our drivers use every day:
Your air-conditioned driver picks you up from your hotel (whether in central Ubud, South Bali, or Sanur).
After the safety briefing and gearing up (check our guide on what to wear for rafting), you launch into the Grade II–III rapids. You will spend roughly 2 hours paddling through the jungle gorge.
You drift into the finish line directly at the riverside restaurant. Take a warm shower, change into dry clothes, and enjoy a buffet lunch overlooking the gorge.
Hop back in the car. The drive from the Ayung basecamp to the Monkey Forest parking area takes only 20-30 minutes.
Walk through the ancient temple complex, feed the monkeys (with approved food only), and admire the giant banyan trees. The afternoon light filtering through the canopy makes for stunning photos.
With the Monkey Forest done by mid-afternoon, you still have time to visit the Ubud Royal Palace and browse the nearby art market before the late-afternoon traffic builds up.
Head back to your hotel in time for a sunset dinner or a well-deserved Balinese massage.
We strongly recommend doing the rafting in the morning and the Monkey Forest in the afternoon. Here is why:
Here is a logistical secret most travel blogs miss: the long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) of Ubud are notorious for stealing sunglasses, phones, hats, and jewelry. According to primatology research indexed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, these intelligent primates have learned to “barter” stolen items for food, making them bold opportunistic thieves.
This is exactly why combining rafting with the Monkey Forest is a security masterstroke. When you arrive at the rafting basecamp, you lock all your valuables — phones, wallets, wedding rings, expensive sunglasses — in a secure locker. Your driver keeps the car keys safe. When you head to the Monkey Forest afterward, you carry only a small amount of cash for entrance tickets and monkey food. Zero risk of losing your wedding ring to a clever macaque.
For a full breakdown of what to leave at the hotel and what to bring, check our complete rafting packing checklist.
Still have energy after the Monkey Forest? You can easily add the Tegalalang Rice Terraces to this same itinerary. The terraces are only 20 minutes north of the Monkey Forest. This turns your day into the “Ubud Big Three”: River + Monkeys + Rice Terraces.
The Monkey Forest has its own small entrance fee (approximately IDR 80,000 per adult in 2026), which you pay directly at the gate. Your Bali white water rafting price is separate and covers the river trip, gear, guide, lunch, and basecamp facilities. Combining them is purely a logistics optimization — you don’t need a special “combo ticket,” just a smart itinerary and a dedicated driver.
Rafting plus the Monkey Forest is one of the most satisfying single-day combinations in Bali. You get wet, wild adventure in the morning; a cultural, wildlife experience in the afternoon; and the peace of mind that comes from leaving your valuables safely locked at the basecamp.
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Yes, absolutely. Both destinations are in the greater Ubud area, only 20-30 minutes apart by car. A standard itinerary has you rafting in the morning (09:00-11:30) and visiting the Monkey Forest in the early afternoon (13:30-15:30).
Always do rafting first in the morning. Rafting gets you wet and you will want to shower and change at the basecamp before visiting a cultural temple site. The afternoon light in the Monkey Forest is also better for photography.
The long-tailed macaques are known to steal unsecured items like phones, sunglasses, and hats. The safest strategy is to lock all valuables in the secure locker at your rafting basecamp in the morning, then visit the Monkey Forest in the afternoon carrying only small cash for tickets and monkey food.
No. There is no official combo ticket between these two experiences. You book your rafting trip separately (which includes lunch and gear) and pay the Monkey Forest entrance fee directly at the gate on the day of your visit.
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