Bali: Ubud Gorilla Cave Track ATV & Waterfall Tour with Meal

The best part of this Ubud adventure is the changing terrain. You move from rice fields and jungle tracks to river crossings, muddy slopes, steep hills, and the unusual Gorilla Face Cave. Then the engines stop, and you trade your helmet for a walk into Goa Raja Waterfall’s green valley.

I like the flexibility here. You can ride alone or share a quad bike, and you can choose hotel transport or make your own way to the activity office. I also like that guides such as Donny, Surya, Midiana, and DekWah are known for safe driving, local tips, and taking a remarkable number of photos.

The main drawback is that this is not a quiet nature outing. The ATV ride can be wet, muddy, loud, and physically demanding. The waterfall requires stairs, and some riders have found the return climb tiring. Lunch is useful and included, but it is a simple rice or noodle meal rather than a grand Balinese feast.

Key points to know before booking

• A 1.5-hour ATV route: Expect rivers, rice paddies, jungle, hills, muddy sections, and the Gorilla Face Cave.
• Solo or tandem riding: Choose your own quad bike or share with a companion, depending on the option you book.
• Goa Raja Waterfall afterward: Walk down into a jungle valley, take photos, and swim in the natural pool if conditions suit you.
• Guides are a major strength: Donny, Surya, Midiana, Rio, and DekWah are praised for safe transport, friendly service, local information, and photography.
• You will likely get wet: Protective gear is supplied, but bring swimwear, dry clothes, and shoes that can handle mud and water.
• Good value at $33: The price includes the ride, equipment, waterfall entry, shower, locker, towel, water, lunch, and insurance. Transfers cost extra if selected.

What the $33 price really gives you

At about $33 per person, this is a useful package for an active half-day in Ubud. The cost covers the 1.5-hour ATV ride, safety equipment, waterfall admission, a shower room, changing room, locker, towel, bottled water, lunch, and insurance.

That matters because an ATV outing often becomes more expensive once you add equipment, entry fees, food, and a place to clean up. Here, those basics are bundled together. You still need to choose carefully about transport, since hotel pickup and drop-off are optional and different hotel locations can bring an extra charge.

I would treat the meal as practical fuel, not a reason to book. The food is described as fried rice or fried noodles, and some people have found the portion modest. The wording also presents it as a buffet, but the confirmed meal options are simple. If you want a wider choice or a more substantial lunch, plan accordingly.

The package works best for someone who wants several activities in one booking. You get an off-road ride, a waterfall visit, time to change and shower, and a meal without arranging each piece separately. At this price, that combination is strong.

Hotel pickup, traffic, and the 5 to 7 hour day

You can meet the operator at its office, with the ATV activity taking place at Gorilla ATV Adventure, or select pickup and drop-off. Covered areas include Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani.

The total outing lasts about five to seven hours, so the transport choice matters. Bali traffic can stretch a short road journey into a slow one. A driver named Leanne’s guide once suggested walking a short distance to avoid a major traffic delay, which gives you an idea of how flexible transport can be on busy roads.

The included route applies to pickup and drop-off within the stated service area. If you need collection from a different hotel or want to end somewhere else, an extra payment may go directly to the driver. Confirm this before departure so the day does not begin with a pricing surprise.

Drivers are a frequent strength of the experience. Surya, Donny, Darma, Gunn, Suryadi, Dika, and Midiana are all praised for safe road driving and considerate service. Some guides also explain Balinese traditions and upcoming festivals along the way, which adds more value than a simple transfer.

Getting ready at Gorilla ATV Adventure

At the ATV base, you meet the activity staff, receive a safety briefing, and collect the required equipment. Helmets and protective items are provided, and riders have also reported receiving knee and elbow protection. Some riders were able to request a mount for a GoPro.

You can choose a solo quad bike or a tandem ride with a companion. A solo ride gives you control over the machine and suits someone who wants the full driving experience. Tandem riding is useful if one person is less confident, though both people need to be comfortable with the movement and conditions.

The guides are there throughout the route, which is important when the track becomes difficult. Less experienced riders have been helped through awkward sections, and the staff encourage people when a muddy slope or technical patch causes trouble.

Wear clothes you do not mind covering in mud. Comfortable shoes are required, but I would choose footwear with a secure fit rather than delicate sandals. Bring swimwear and a full change of clothes. You are given access to a shower, towel, changing room, and locker, but wet gear still needs somewhere to go after the ride.

The activity runs rain or shine. Rain can make the track more challenging, but it also creates the splashing, muddy conditions that many people want from an ATV ride. If you prefer to stay clean and dry, this is the wrong outing.

The ATV route through rivers, paddies, and jungle

The riding section lasts about 90 minutes, though the full ATV facility visit includes the briefing, gearing up, and getting cleaned afterward. The route moves through several types of scenery rather than repeating one plain dirt road.

You may pass rice fields, jungle hills, rivers, temples, and pools. The changing ground keeps the ride interesting. One stretch may be open and easy, while another asks you to manage a slope, a wet crossing, or a narrow section with more care.

You can ask the guide for more technical terrain if you want a stronger rush. That can include steep climbs and slopes where you control your speed on the way down. The phrase full speed should not be taken as a challenge to ignore the briefing. Follow the guide’s instructions, especially when the surface is wet.

The ride is suitable for people who want some adrenaline without committing to a full-day motor adventure. It is not a gentle sightseeing loop. Mud, spray, uneven ground, and sudden changes in elevation are part of the appeal.

Your guide may also take photos and videos along the way. This is one of the most praised parts of the service. Surya has been known to take nearly 200 images for a couple, while Rio, Sibon, Midiana, Darma, and others are repeatedly singled out for finding good photo spots.

Keep your phone protected if you bring it. The staff may help with pictures, but water and mud are still real risks. A camera is listed as something to bring, though you should use equipment that can handle the conditions.

Gorilla Face Cave and the limits of the attraction

The Gorilla Face Cave is one of the route’s memorable markers. Its shape gives the ride a clear goal, and it makes a better photo stop than a generic patch of forest.

Keep your expectations sensible. One rider found that the cave did not look quite like the promotional photographs. That does not make it worthless, but it means you should think of it as one feature within a larger off-road route, not as a major cavern attraction.

The stronger experience is the combination of the cave with the surrounding track. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, photographed, and sent back. You work your way through jungle, water, fields, and hills to reach it. That sense of movement is what makes the stop worthwhile.

Group size can affect the ride. One small group had only two bikes, which allowed a relaxed pace and fewer delays. The exact group size is not specified, so do not book on the assumption that you will have a private course.

Shower, changing room, and the simple lunch

After the ride, you can use the shower and change before eating. This is a very useful part of the package. Muddy clothes are fun during the ride and less fun in a vehicle afterward.

Lockers and towels are included, along with bottled water. Facilities are functional rather than polished. One rider found the toilets and showers less than spotless, though they did the job. Bring patience and keep valuables secured.

Lunch is generally fried rice or fried noodles. It gives you a chance to sit down before the waterfall walk, and it suits the low-fuss nature of the day. Vegetarian food is available, though one person found the portion small. If you have a large appetite, consider eating a proper breakfast and carrying extra money for drinks or snacks.

Some day arrangements have also included a coffee and tea plantation stop, sometimes with luwak coffee tasting. This is not clearly listed as a fixed part of the core package, so treat it as a possible addition rather than a guaranteed stop. If that visit matters to you, confirm it when booking.

Walking into Goa Raja Waterfall

Goa Raja Waterfall gives the day a calmer second half. After the noise and vibration of the quad bikes, you walk down through a green jungle valley toward a natural pool and falling water.

The waterfall is the more scenic photo stop of the two main attractions. Guides often help take photos here, and the pool offers a chance to cool off if you bring swimwear and conditions allow. The setting feels more peaceful than the ATV course, though it is not necessarily empty.

The walk down also means a climb back up. Several people have found the stairs tiring, so save some energy during the ATV ride and wear shoes with a reliable grip. The route is not suitable for someone looking for a completely flat, effortless outing.

Goa Raja works well as a final stop because you can choose your level of activity. You can swim, take pictures, or simply enjoy the valley. The waterfall is worth seeing even if you decide not to enter the water.

The guides can shape the whole day

This experience depends heavily on the guide and driver you receive. The ATV instructors manage the riding route, while your transport guide may stay with you for the rest of the day.

Donny is often praised for combining driving, guiding, music, entertainment, and photography. Surya is noted for safe driving and generous photo-taking. Midiana is known for being considerate and for helping create good pictures at the ATV course and waterfall.

DekWah has been praised for explaining Balinese culture and traditions, while Dedet is remembered for keeping teenagers engaged. Rio and Sibon are especially strong choices if getting polished photos matters to you.

You cannot assume you will receive a particular guide, but these names show the standard of personal service you might find. Tell your guide if you want a slower pace, more technical riding, extra photo stops, or help with a difficult section. The staff appear willing to adjust the day when practical.

The language options are English and Indonesian. That makes the activity accessible to English-speaking visitors, though the depth of cultural conversation will depend on the individual guide.

Who should book this Ubud ATV tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and friends who want a day with several kinds of activity. The solo or tandem choice helps mixed groups, and the waterfall gives non-riders something gentler after the quad-bike section.

It also suits people who care about photos. Guides regularly take pictures and videos during the ride and at Goa Raja, which saves you from trying to handle a phone while covered in mud.

I would not recommend it to pregnant people or anyone with back problems. It is also a poor choice if you dislike rough motion, steep slopes, water, mud, or stairs. The tour runs in all weather, so you need to accept that rain may change the feel of the day.

At 4.6 out of 5 from 220 ratings, the overall record is strong. The most consistent praise centers on friendly guides, safe transport, fun ATV riding, waterfall scenery, and helpful photography. The practical complaints are modest lunch portions, basic facilities, occasional crowds at the waterfall, and the effort needed to climb back from the pool.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a value-packed Ubud day with active riding, jungle scenery, a waterfall, lunch, and transport options. The $33 starting price is fair because it includes equipment, entry, insurance, water, food, and a place to shower.

Skip it if you want a quiet, refined nature tour or a substantial food experience. Also think twice if you have back trouble, dislike getting wet, or will struggle with the waterfall stairs.

For most fit visitors who want fun rather than luxury, this is a sensible Bali outing. Bring dry clothes, protect your camera, keep your expectations about Gorilla Cave realistic, and ask your guide to slow down or take photos whenever you need it.

FAQ

How long does the Ubud ATV and waterfall tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five to seven hours, including the ATV experience, lunch, transport if selected, and the visit to Goa Raja Waterfall.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included ATV ride lasts about 1.5 hours.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

Yes. You can select a solo ride or a tandem ride with a companion, depending on the option you book.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are optional. Service is available in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or areas outside the coverage zone may cost extra.

What does the price include?

The package includes the ATV ride, safety equipment, waterfall entry, shower room, changing room, locker, towel, bottled water, lunch, and insurance. Transport is included only when you select that option.

Can I swim at Goa Raja Waterfall?

You can bring swimwear and use the natural pool at the waterfall, subject to the conditions at the site.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a camera. Expect the ATV ride to take place rain or shine.