Ubud: Gorilla Face ATV Quad Bike Adventure with Lunch

The best part of this Ubud outing is the muddy, bumpy ATV track, where you move from rice fields and bamboo forest to steep climbs, water sections, and the photo stop at Gorilla Face cave. It feels more like a playful off-road course than a quiet sightseeing trip, so bring clothes you are happy to ruin.

I like two things here: the strong staff support, from guides such as Rama, Lolet, Koko, and Yoga, and the useful after-ride setup with showers, towels, lockers, and lunch. The main catch is that the route follows a prepared loop rather than a long journey through the countryside, and the ride can leave you sore and very dirty.

Key points at a glance

• Gorilla Face cave: Ride through the distinctive cave and pause for photos along the course.
• A proper muddy workout: Expect bumps, wet sections, steep inclines, muddy trails, and rough hills.
• Single or tandem ATVs: Choose to ride alone or share with a partner, subject to the booking conditions.
• Useful facilities: Helmets, boots, elbow and knee protection, lockers, towels, changing rooms, showers, and bottled water are provided.
• Lunch after the ride: Finish with fried rice or fried noodles at the ATV base.
• Optional transport: Pickup and drop-off are available from Ubud and several south Bali areas, with extra charges for locations outside the covered zone.

A mud-first introduction to Ubud

This is not the ATV trip to choose if you want a calm ride with long pauses for scenery. It is a hands-on adventure through changing terrain, with enough jungle, rice fields, village views, and bamboo forest to keep the setting interesting between the more physical sections.

The course includes slopes, steep inclines, bumpy hills, muddy paths, and water tracks. You may start by carefully learning the controls, then find yourself laughing as the ATV throws mud up your boots and clothes. The ride is designed for fun and movement, not polished sightseeing.

At about $23 per person, the activity gives you a lot for the price. The package includes the ATV, guide, safety equipment, water, lunch, insurance, and use of changing and shower facilities. Pickup costs and the exact duration depend on the option you choose, so check those details before paying.

Arrival at the Gorilla ATV base

You can meet the team at the Gorilla ATV Adventure office by searching for Gorilla ATV Adventure on Google Maps. Free parking is available if you arrive by scooter or car, and location details are sent by email after booking.

If you select transport, pickup areas include Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. The ride to Ubud can be a major part of your day from places such as Seminyak, Canggu, or Nusa Dua, especially in traffic. Drivers including Budi, Donny, Herry, Ady, Komang, and Sudarmawan have been singled out for being punctual, friendly, and careful on the road.

Your chosen time is your hotel pickup time when you book transport. The driver contacts you the day before to confirm it. For a long transfer, that matters. Several drivers also help with the practical side of the day, including photos, local suggestions, and onward transport.

If you book the ATV only, arrive directly at the base. A short briefing follows, and the team supplies the safety equipment. The setup is straightforward, with helmets, boots, elbow protection, knee protection, lockers, and water provided.

Choosing between a single and tandem ATV

A single ATV gives you full control. You choose the speed, steer through the bends, and handle each incline yourself. If you have ridden an ATV before, this is likely the more satisfying choice.

A tandem ATV lets two people share one bike. It can work well for couples, friends, or a parent and child, but both riders should be comfortable with the movement and the rough sections. For tandem bookings with an odd number of people, one person must ride alone and pay an extra charge on site.

The safety briefing is important even if you have used a quad bike before. The course has real bumps and inclines, and one rider nearly crashed while getting used to the controls. That does not mean the activity is poorly managed. It means you should listen carefully, keep a comfortable pace, and avoid treating the track like a race.

The official restrictions matter too. This activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems or mobility impairments. The repeated jolts can be hard on your back, and the physical effort is more serious than the low price might suggest.

The course: rice fields, bamboo, and village paths

Once you leave the base, the route moves through several types of scenery. Rice fields provide the most open views, while bamboo forest gives the ride a more enclosed feel. You also pass through parts of Ubud village, which adds a local touch that a closed motor circuit would not provide.

The village sections are not a guided cultural walk. You are there to get to the off-road track, so keep your expectations in check. Still, seeing back areas of the village from an ATV gives the outing more character than a purpose-built track with no connection to its surroundings.

The route is a prepared loop, not a continuous expedition across Bali. One rider found this worth knowing in advance, since the course circles back rather than carrying you farther into the countryside. I see that as a fair trade for the range of obstacles packed into a relatively short ride.

The scenery is pleasant, but the action gets most of your attention. If you want photographs of rice terraces and forest, the guide can help at suitable points, though you will spend much of the ride watching the path ahead.

Gorilla Face cave and the rough sections

The signature stop is Gorilla Face cave, an unusual rock formation that gives the activity its name. You ride through the cave and have a chance to take pictures. It is the clearest landmark on the route and breaks up the muddy sections with a memorable photo stop.

The track itself is the main attraction. Expect wet and muddy ground, uneven surfaces, hills, steep rises, and water crossings or water tracks. In dry weather, the route can still be dusty and rough. In rain, the mud becomes part of the entertainment.

You should not count on staying clean. Wear comfortable clothing, closed shoes that can get wet, and a full change of clothes. The supplied boots help, but mud can still reach your legs and upper clothing. A waterproof phone case or action camera with a secure strap is a sensible idea. The activity provider does not advise bringing your phone onto the course, so you take responsibility for protecting it.

A photographer is available, but photography and video are not included in the price. Several riders found the photos useful and reasonably priced, yet you should treat them as an optional extra. If you bring your own camera, keep it secure. A loose phone can disappear in mud or water.

Guides who shape the experience

The track is only part of the story. The guides set the pace, explain the turns, watch the group, and help you feel comfortable on the bike. Names that come up often in the day-to-day experience include Rama, Lolet, Koko, Alex, Eddy, John, Herry, and Yoga.

Rama has a lively, energetic style, while Lolet is known for mixing clear guidance with humor. Koko has led small groups attentively, and Alex has been praised for helping riders through the course. These personal touches matter because the ride can feel intimidating for the first few minutes.

The transport team adds another layer. Putu Deo has been especially helpful on longer drives, explaining things along the way and making riders feel at ease. Yoga, Budi, Donny, and Sudarmawan have also provided careful, friendly transfers. If you arrange pickup, remember that the drive may last much longer than the ATV ride, but a good driver can make that time useful rather than wasted.

Early morning departures may bring a smaller group. That can mean less waiting and a more relaxed pace. The available start times vary, so check the schedule when booking.

Lunch, showers, and the useful finish

After the ride, you can rinse off and change before lunch. Showers, towels, changing rooms, lockers, and bottled water are included. Those are not minor extras after a wet ATV course. They turn the experience from a muddy inconvenience into something you can continue enjoying for the rest of the day.

Lunch is fried rice or fried noodles. It is simple food, but it arrives at the right moment. After a bumpy ride, a hot plate and a drink can feel far more welcome than an elaborate meal eaten before the activity.

The food receives mixed personal reactions. Some people found it tasty and a fitting end to the morning, while one found it disappointing. I would treat lunch as a practical included meal, not a reason to book the tour by itself. You can also request it as takeaway, which helps if you have another activity planned.

The standard experience ends at the base. With a pickup option, you can return to your hotel. If you arrive independently, arranging a Grab or Gojek afterward can be difficult because the base is outside the easiest pickup points. On-site taxi help is available, but confirm the cost before setting off.

How long should you allow?

The ATV ride itself is commonly around 90 minutes to one and a half hours, though the advertised total duration ranges from 90 minutes to eight hours. That wide range reflects the different pickup areas and transfer times.

From Ubud, this can fit comfortably into a morning or afternoon plan. From Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur, or Kintamani, allow extra time for the road. A long transfer can turn a short ATV ride into most of a day, especially when you add check-in, the safety briefing, changing, lunch, and traffic.

I would avoid booking a tight connection afterward. You may need time to clean up, collect your belongings, and arrange the return ride. If you have a flight or another paid activity, leave a generous buffer.

Is $23 good value?

At the base price, this is a strong value for an active Ubud outing. You get the bike, guide, protective gear, insurance, water, lunch, and access to the facilities. Many comparable adventure activities charge extra for basics such as showers or towels.

The value depends on what you want from the day. For an adrenaline activity with a recognizable cave, varied terrain, and a meal, $23 is attractive. For scenic touring, it is less convincing because the ride follows a loop and the main focus is mud and obstacles.

Transport can change the calculation. Pickup is optional, and transfers outside the listed coverage areas cost extra, payable directly to the driver. Compare the total price, not only the headline figure, if you are staying far from Ubud.

Optional photos and videos also cost extra. You can avoid that charge by bringing a protected camera, but the provider does not include professional photography.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, families with suitable riders, and first-time ATV participants who want a lively outing rather than a quiet nature trip. Teenagers often enjoy the mix of speed, mud, and physical challenge, while adults who like a little controlled chaos will probably have a good time too.

A tandem bike is useful if one person does not want to ride alone. A single bike is better if you want control and a more active role. Groups should decide this before booking, especially if the number of tandem riders is odd.

You should think twice if you dislike getting dirty, have back trouble, or want a polished cultural tour. The course is bumpy, and the ride can leave you sore. The activity runs in rain or sunshine, so bad weather does not turn it into an indoor alternative.

Should you book Gorilla Face ATV?

Book it if you want an affordable, energetic break from temples, cafés, and pool time. The best reasons are the varied off-road course, Gorilla Face cave, friendly guides, and excellent practical facilities after the ride.

Skip it if you want a long journey through untouched countryside or a quiet look at Ubud’s scenery. The route is a managed loop, lunch is basic, and a distant hotel transfer can take up much of the day.

For the smoothest experience, choose comfortable clothes, bring a complete change, protect your phone, listen to the safety briefing, and check the full transport cost. If those conditions suit you, Gorilla Face ATV is a good-value way to get muddy in Ubud without having to organize the equipment or meal yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Gorilla Face ATV experience?

The advertised total duration ranges from 90 minutes to eight hours. The ATV ride itself is commonly about 90 minutes to one and a half hours, while hotel transfers can make the full outing much longer.

What is included in the price?

The activity includes a single or tandem ATV ride, a professional certified guide, helmet, boots, elbow and knee protection, bottled water, towel, insurance, locker use, changing facilities, showers, and lunch of fried rice or fried noodles. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select that option.

Can I choose a single or tandem ATV?

Yes. You can select a single ATV or a tandem ATV for two people. If a tandem booking has an odd number of participants, one person must ride solo and pay an additional charge on site.

What food is served after the ride?

Lunch is fried rice or fried noodles at the ATV location. Takeaway lunch is also possible.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani when you choose the transport option. Different hotel locations and areas outside the coverage zone may involve an extra charge paid directly to the driver.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes, a complete change of clothes, sunscreen, a camera if you want photos, and cash. A waterproof phone case or secured action camera is useful because the track can be wet and muddy.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve now and pay later booking, subject to the booking conditions.