Bali: Ubud Gorilla Face ATV and Ayung Rafting Trip with Meal

The best part of this Ubud combo is the contrast: one minute you are steering a quad through mud and rice fields, and the next you are floating past jungle cliffs and waterfalls on the Ayung River. The Gorilla Face Cave gives the ATV ride a memorable landmark, while the rafting brings the most scenic stretch of the day.

I like the strong value at the advertised $19 starting price, especially with lunch, equipment, lockers, towels, and showers included. I also like the helpful staff, with guides such as Alit, Rambo, Dony, and Tugus repeatedly praised for clear instructions and friendly care. The main drawback is the long, steep walk to and from the river, which can involve hundreds of steps.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different activities: Expect a 1.5-hour ATV ride followed by 2.5 hours of rafting, plus transport, changing time, and lunch.
• Gorilla Face Cave is part of the quad route: The trail includes jungle paths, rice paddies, puddles, mud, riverside sections, and a cave shaped like a gorilla’s face.
• The Ayung River walk is demanding: You may walk 15 to 20 minutes down a hill to the boats and climb back up afterward. Some people counted more than 300 steps.
• Solo and tandem ATVs are available: If a tandem booking has an odd number of people, one person must ride solo for an extra charge.
• You will get wet and muddy: Bring a full change of clothes, water shoes or flip-flops, and something comfortable for the ride home.
• Pickup covers much of southern Bali: Optional transport is available from Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani, with extra fees for other locations.

A full day of mud, rapids, and jungle views

This is not a quiet Ubud outing. It is an active day built around two popular outdoor activities, with enough travel and changing time that the total schedule can run anywhere from about 150 minutes to eight hours.

If you choose hotel pickup, the selected time is your actual pickup time, not the start of the ATV or rafting. A driver contacts you the day before to confirm the details. Names connected with the transport service include Tugus, Alit, Gede, Eka, and Dony, though your assigned driver can vary.

You can also make your own way to Graha Adventure Rafting. The provider sends directions before the activity, and free parking is available if you arrive by scooter or car. Show your voucher at registration.

The order of activities can depend on weather and scheduling. One group had its plans rearranged by the driver because of the conditions, so keep some flexibility in your day. This matters in Bali, where rain can quickly change road and river conditions.

The ATV route through rice fields and Gorilla Face Cave

The quad bike portion usually begins with registration, equipment, and a safety briefing. You can choose a solo ATV or ride tandem with a companion. First-time riders are not left to figure things out alone. Guides assess your comfort with the machine and may adjust the pace or route.

The ride covers a mixture of surfaces rather than one long, smooth road. Expect muddy tracks, puddles, uneven ground, jungle paths, rice paddy sections, and river crossings or riverside stretches. After rain, the mud becomes a major part of the fun, but it also means your clothes and shoes will need washing or replacing afterward.

Gorilla Face Cave is the signature feature. You ride through a cave opening shaped like a gorilla’s face, an unusual stop that gives the route more character than a standard quad track. The trail also includes man-made sections with bumps and water, along with some riding through local residential or farming areas.

That mix has both good and bad points. The dedicated sections are playful and photogenic, especially when the bikes splash through water. Some of the route can feel less wild, with repeated passes around an artificial track. You may also ride past homes and people working in fields, and the noise of the ATVs can feel out of place in the quiet countryside.

The ride is best for someone who wants an active, muddy experience rather than a gentle look at rural Bali. The quad route is not a private wilderness expedition. It is a purpose-built adventure course combined with local roads and countryside.

Solo or tandem riding, and what the choice means

A solo ATV gives you full control, but it asks more of you. You need to steer, throttle, brake, and handle rough ground on your own. The guides can help beginners, and one rider who struggled at first was given patient instruction until the controls became easier.

Tandem riding is a good fit if you want to share the experience or feel more secure with a companion. In some cases, both people get a chance to drive by switching halfway through. Confirm this with the staff at the start rather than assuming it is included.

Pay close attention to the group arrangement. If you book tandem rides with an odd number of participants, one person must ride alone and an additional fee is payable on site. That is an easy cost to miss when planning a group day.

The machines are generally treated as working adventure equipment, not luxury vehicles. One person found a quad stopping several times, while another felt some of the vehicles were older and a little worn. Staff were described as helpful when problems occurred, but you should still expect a bumpy ride and occasional mechanical fuss.

The Ayung River rafting run

The rafting section lasts about 2.5 hours on the Ayung River, Bali’s longest river. This is the stronger half of the combination for many people because the river gives you a changing view of jungle, rock, water, and waterfalls without the engine noise of the quad route.

The rapids are exciting without being described as extreme. You get active paddling and splashing, but the run also has calmer stretches where you can look up at the trees and river walls. Guides such as Rambo, Roma, and Chap are known for keeping the mood lively while maintaining control of the raft.

Expect playful moments between boats, plenty of water, and the possibility of swimming in the river when conditions allow. The guides use humor and encouragement, which can help if this is your first rafting trip. Safety gear is provided, and the activity operates in rain or shine.

The most important warning is not on the river. It is the walk to get there.

The steep walk that many people underestimate

You may walk 15 to 20 minutes down a steep hill before reaching the rafting boats. At the end, you must climb back up. Different people counted the steps differently, but reports range from more than 300 to roughly 500 steps on the return.

That is a serious physical demand, especially after rafting in wet clothes. The route is not suitable for anyone with mobility problems, back trouble, serious knee issues, or limited fitness. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women.

I would treat the walk as part of the activity, not a minor transfer. Wear shoes with a secure grip, take the climb slowly, and do not bring anything you do not need. Young children may manage the river itself but struggle with the steep access path.

The climb is the main reason I would hesitate to recommend this package to someone expecting a relaxed half-day. It is also the detail you should discuss with your group before booking, since a fit person may find it manageable while someone with knee or back pain may find it harmful.

Showers, lockers, towels, and lunch

The practical setup is one of the tour’s strengths. Lockers let you store belongings while you ride and raft, and towels and showers are available after both activities. Bring your own change of clothes because you can expect mud from the ATV and river water from the rafting.

Water shoes or flip-flops are required for rafting. Comfortable clothes work best, and a second change is useful if you want to stay dry for the ride back to your hotel. Bring cash for personal spending, and keep cameras and phones protected from water and mud.

Lunch comes after the rafting and shower period. You choose fried rice or fried noodles. It is a simple meal rather than a large dining experience, but it makes sense after a physically demanding morning or afternoon.

Drinks are not included with lunch, so carry some cash if you want to buy something extra. Bottled water is included during the activity, but the meal itself does not include beverages.

Photos and videos are also not included. You can bring a camera, but protect it carefully. The staff may offer photos or video separately, though any such purchase is outside the package price.

Transport from Ubud and southern Bali

Optional pickup makes this easier to fit into a Bali itinerary. Coverage includes Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Pickup or drop-off at other hotels can bring an additional charge paid directly to the driver.

The better drivers do more than sit behind the wheel. Tugus, Alit, Eka, Gede, Sun, and others have been singled out for punctuality, clear communication, careful driving, and help with bags and locker keys. One driver even added a coffee-tasting stop, though that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the program.

Transport times can stretch the day, especially if you are staying outside Ubud. The total duration can reach eight hours, so avoid booking a tight dinner, airport transfer, or another fixed activity afterward.

If you book without pickup, organize transport to the activity location yourself. The meeting point is Graha Adventure Rafting, and the provider sends the final directions one day before the trip.

Is $19 good value?

At the advertised $19 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a combined ATV and rafting day. You are getting the ATV or tandem ride, 2.5 hours of rafting, guides, safety equipment, lockers, showers, towels, bottled water, and a basic lunch.

The value is strongest if you need both activities and can use the included facilities. Paying separately for quad biking, rafting, transport, lunch, and changing arrangements would usually require more planning and could cost more. The low starting price may not cover every pickup location, and solo riding for an odd-numbered tandem group can cost extra.

The tradeoff is that this is a busy adventure operation, not a private luxury tour. Vehicles can show signs of use, the ATV route includes artificial sections, and lunch is simple. At this price, I would focus on the amount of activity rather than expect polished resort service.

The package receives a 4.8 rating from 4,765 reviews, with 89 percent of ratings giving full marks. The most consistent strengths are the cheerful guides, the exciting rafting, the muddy ATV route, and the care provided by drivers such as Alit and Tugus.

Who should book this Ubud adventure?

You should consider it if you want two active Bali experiences in one day and enjoy getting wet, muddy, and tired in exchange for jungle scenery. It suits couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who want a structured day with guides.

It can also work well for first-time ATV riders and first-time rafters. The guides provide instruction, adjust their attention to your ability, and help keep the activities moving.

I would skip it if you have back, knee, or mobility problems, dislike steep stairs, or want a peaceful countryside tour. The ATV noise, rough surfaces, and long river access walk are central parts of the day, not small inconveniences.

Book with extra care if your group has an odd number of tandem riders. Decide in advance who can ride solo and budget for the possible additional fee. Also bring two changes of clothes if you want to stay comfortable after both activities.

Practical details that make the day easier

The activity runs rain or shine, so pack for wet conditions even when the morning looks clear. Bring water shoes or flip-flops, comfortable clothing, a full change of clothes, cash, and a camera in waterproof protection.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users should not book this activity.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. The provider offers English and Indonesian guides. The exact instructions and pickup details arrive by email or through contact from the provider one day before the activity.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum action for a low price and you are comfortable with mud, bumpy riding, river rapids, and a steep climb. The rafting is the highlight for me, while the ATV route adds a fun, dirty contrast and gives you the memorable Gorilla Face Cave.

Skip it if the stairs could cause pain or if you want a quiet, polished day in the Ubud countryside. For an active group with reasonable fitness, the combination of jungle trails, Ayung River scenery, friendly guides, lunch, and useful shower facilities makes this one of the better-value adventure packages around Ubud.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and rafting activity last?

The advertised duration ranges from 150 minutes to eight hours, depending on the selected option, transport, schedule, and time spent changing and eating.

How long is the ATV ride?

The ATV portion lasts 1.5 hours when that option is selected.

How long is the Ayung River rafting?

The rafting activity lasts about 2.5 hours.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

Yes. You can choose a solo ATV or ride tandem with another person. If a tandem booking has an odd number of participants, one person must ride solo and pay an additional charge on site.

What is included with the meal?

Lunch includes a choice of fried rice or fried noodles. Drinks are not included with the meal.

Do I need water shoes?

Yes. Water shoes or flip-flops are required for the rafting section.

How difficult is the walk to the river?

You walk 15 to 20 minutes down a hill to reach the rafting boats, then climb back up afterward. Some people counted more than 300 steps, and others reported roughly 400 to 500 steps on the return.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup and drop-off are available in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Other hotel locations may cost extra.

What happens if it rains?

The activity operates rain or shine. Bring comfortable clothing and a full change of clothes for the wet and muddy conditions.