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

The best part of this Ubud adventure is the contrast: first you are steering a quad through muddy jungle tracks and Gorilla Face Cave, then you are floating through the green Ayung River gorge with a rafting guide calling the shots. It packs two very different outdoor activities into one Bali day.

I like the chance to choose a solo ATV or share a tandem machine, and I like the practical setup with lockers, towels, showers, safety gear, bottled water, and lunch. The main catch is the walk to the river. The route includes a steep descent and a long climb back, with some people counting more than 300 steps each way. If your knees or back are troublesome, think twice.

Key details before you book

• Gorilla Face Cave adds a memorable landmark to the ATV route, along with rice paddies, puddles, jungle, and rough tracks.
• The Ayung rafting section lasts about 2.5 hours, with rapids, jungle views, waterfalls, and chances for playful splashing.
• Solo and tandem ATVs are available, but an odd-numbered tandem group may leave one person riding alone for an extra on-site fee.
• The river requires a steep walk, and the return climb can be harder than the rafting itself.
• Lunch, showers, towels, lockers, and safety equipment are included, but drinks beyond bottled water are not part of the meal.
• Optional hotel pickup covers several Bali areas, with extra charges for locations outside the listed pickup zone.

Two Bali adventures in one long day

This experience is built for people who want action rather than a slow morning in Ubud. The standard plan combines a 1.5-hour ATV ride with 2.5 hours of rafting, but the full day can run from about 150 minutes to eight hours depending on transport, waiting time, and the option you choose.

That range matters. A meeting-point booking may be relatively quick, while hotel pickup from Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Legian, Kintamani, or farther around Bali can turn this into a full-day outing. If you book pickup, the time selected is your actual hotel pickup time, not the time the activity begins.

The provider is PT. Gorilla Adventures Bali, and the rafting meeting point is Graha Adventure Rafting. You show your voucher at registration. The operator sends directions and activity details by email one day before, and a driver contacts you to reconfirm pickup if you select transport.

The advertised price of $19 per person makes this look like an easy bargain. It can be excellent value if your package includes both activities, lunch, equipment, and the facilities listed. Check the exact option carefully, since ATV access depends on the selection you make, and hotel locations outside the covered areas cost extra, paid directly to the driver.

Getting set up at the adventure center

At the start, you receive a safety briefing and the equipment needed for the ATV ride. Lockers give you somewhere to leave bags, and showers and changing rooms make it possible to clean up between activities.

Bring clothes you do not mind getting dirty. The ATV course can be extremely muddy, especially after rain, and a single change of clothes may not be enough if you want to feel fresh after both activities. I would pack two changes, a swimsuit or quick-drying clothes, and shoes that can handle wet ground.

The activity runs rain or shine. That is good news if you have a tight Bali schedule, but it also means the mud can become part of the main event. Flip-flops or water shoes are required for rafting. Water shoes offer better footing than flip-flops, particularly on the walk down and up from the river.

Riding through Gorilla Face and Ubud’s muddy tracks

The ATV route is not a quiet ride through untouched countryside. It mixes rice paddy sections and local roads with purpose-built tracks, puddles, bumps, forest paths, and the Gorilla Face Cave section.

The cave is the route’s signature feature. You ride through a carved or cave-like passage shaped around the Gorilla Face theme, then continue over rougher ground. It gives the ride a clear sense of place, even though parts of the course are built for recreation rather than being purely natural trails.

Expect mud on the machine, your clothes, and probably your face. The ride is active and bumpy, not a gentle sightseeing loop. Guides set the pace and watch how confidently you handle the quad. That is useful for beginners, since some people need a little practice before they feel comfortable with the controls.

If you choose a tandem ATV, you share the machine with a companion. Some groups have been allowed to switch drivers halfway through, so both people get a turn, but you should not assume this is guaranteed. For an odd number of people booking tandem rides, one person must ride solo and pay an additional charge on-site.

Solo riding gives you more control and is the better choice if you want the driving itself to be the main thrill. Tandem riding works well for couples, friends, or anyone who would rather have another person share the responsibility. The operator can match the ride to your ability, but this remains a motorized off-road activity with jolts and uneven ground.

One point worth considering is the sound and setting. The rice fields and jungle are attractive, but the ATV engines are loud. The route also passes some residential areas and working fields. If you want a completely quiet encounter with rural Bali, this will not provide it. If you want a muddy ride with some countryside scenery, it does the job well.

After the ATV section, you can shower and change. Keep your locker key and personal items secure, and bring cash for anything extra. Photos and videos are not included, so you should bring a camera if you want your own record of the day.

Walking down to the Ayung River

The river section begins with the least glamorous part of the tour: the walk. You go down a steep hill for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, using a long run of steps to reach the boats. After rafting, you climb back up the same general route.

This is more than a minor transfer. Some people counted around 386 steps on the climb after rafting, while others described more than 500 steps. The exact number can vary with the route, but the warning is clear: you need reasonable fitness, steady footing, and healthy knees.

The walk is especially important for families. One parent described children aged 10 and 12 managing their first rafting experience safely, but another solo participant warned that the route could be risky for very young children. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems.

I would save energy for the return climb. Do not treat the steps as a warm-up and then rush into the raft. Wear secure footwear, take your time, and tell the guide if you need a slower pace. The company supplies rafting equipment, but it cannot remove the physical demand of reaching the river.

Rafting the Ayung for 2.5 hours

Once you reach the water, the day changes character. The Ayung River runs through a gorge of jungle, rock, and waterfalls, with long stretches of green scenery between the rapids.

The rafting is lively without being described as extreme. You can expect a mix of moving water, calmer sections, splashing between boats, and guides who keep the mood playful while handling safety. Several guides, including Rambo, Roma, Chap, and other local team members, have been singled out for humor, boat control, and careful attention.

The water level and weather will affect the feel of the ride. On one day, the river may provide stronger rapids and plenty of spray. On another, the calm stretches allow you to look up at the jungle and waterfalls. The experience is not just about speed. The gorge gives you a view of Bali that is hard to get from a road or temple path.

Some groups have been able to swim in the river. Treat this as an opportunity that depends on conditions and guide instructions, not as a guaranteed stop. Follow the rafting team closely, since they know where it is safe to enter the water.

The guides are a large part of the value here. They provide instructions, steer the raft, and keep the group involved. The best guides also make the quieter stretches fun, with jokes and splashing games between rafts. Names such as Rambo and Roma appear often in connection with the rafting team, while ATV guides such as Ady, Darma, Lolette, and Chris have been praised for patience with first-time riders.

The river is the stronger half of the combination for many people. It has a better sense of natural setting than the ATV course, and the boat gives you time to take in the gorge. Still, the steps remain part of the price you pay for reaching it.

Showers, fried rice, and the ride home

After the rafting, you return to the activity center and can shower again. This second wash is welcome after the climb and the river, especially if you have soaked your clothes during the ride.

Lunch is fried rice or fried noodles. It is simple rather than a Balinese food tour, but it fills the gap after several hours of physical activity. Drinks are not included with the meal, so bring cash if you want something beyond the bottled water supplied during the activity.

Transport is optional. If you arrange your own way to the meeting point, free parking is available for scooters and cars. If you choose pickup, the driver takes you back to the agreed hotel or location within the listed coverage areas. Different hotel locations or areas outside the zone bring an extra charge.

The driver can make a real difference on a long day. Drivers including Alit, TuGus, Agus, Gede, Eka, Sun, and Herry have been praised for punctuality, clear explanations, safe driving, and help with bags or locker keys. Some have also offered Bali suggestions or adjusted the order of activities around the weather.

Do not count on extra stops, coffee visits, or sightseeing detours as part of the fixed tour. A few drivers have been flexible, but those additions depend on the day and may cost more. The useful question is not just how much the activity costs, but how much time and energy you want to spend getting to and from Ubud.

What the $19 price really buys you

At $19, this is unusually inexpensive for a combined ATV and rafting day in Bali. The value is strongest because the package can include the two main activities, guides, helmets and other safety equipment, lockers, showers, towels, bottled water, and lunch.

The low starting price should not make you skip the fine print. Confirm if the ATV option is included in the fare you select, and check the pickup supplement if your hotel is outside the covered areas. Photos and videos cost extra, and lunch does not include drinks.

I see this as a high-value activity for a first Bali visit if you want a busy day with minimal planning. You get muddy, wet, tired, and entertained without arranging two separate bookings. The compromise is that the ATV course is partly artificial and the rafting access is physically demanding.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to active couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage uneven ground and a long staircase route. It also suits beginners. Guides assess your ATV confidence and can offer patient help, while the rafting crew controls the boat and gives instructions.

I would not choose it for anyone with significant knee, back, mobility, or balance problems. Pregnant participants should not take part. Very young children may find the river access difficult even if they enjoy the boat ride itself.

You should also skip it if your ideal Ubud day means quiet rice field walks, temples, and long meals. The ATV engines are noisy, and the schedule is active from start to finish. If mud, rapids, jokes from local guides, and a serious stair workout sound good, it is a strong match.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.8 from 4,765 ratings, with 89 percent giving transport a perfect score. That fits the pattern of the experience: the guides and drivers receive the warmest praise, the rafting is often the highlight, and the main complaints focus on the stair climb, aging ATV machines, and the basic lunch.

Practical packing advice for a smoother day

Wear comfortable clothes that can get muddy and wet. Pack water shoes or secure flip-flops for rafting, plus dry clothing for after both activities.

I would bring:

• Two changes of clothes
• Water shoes, or flip-flops if that is all you have
• A camera in a waterproof case
• Cash for drinks, optional media, and possible transport supplements
• A small bag that fits securely in the provided storage

Leave alcohol and drugs at home. Keep valuables in the locker rather than in a loose pocket during the ATV ride. If you use a phone for photos, protect it from mud and river spray.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date before planning another Ubud activity afterward.

Should you book the Ubud ATV and Ayung rafting trip?

Book it if you want two energetic Bali activities in one package and can handle the climb to the Ayung River. The rafting delivers the most scenic and natural part of the day, while the ATV ride supplies the mud, speed, Gorilla Face Cave, and laughs.

I would choose solo riding if driving is important to you, and tandem riding if you mainly want to share the fun. Ask about the exact ATV option, pickup charge, and activity timing before paying. Most of all, take the stair warning seriously. The river is worth reaching, but the climb is not a small detail.

FAQ

How long is the ATV ride?

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

How long is the rafting activity?

The rafting section lasts about 2.5 hours on the Ayung River.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

Yes. You can select a solo ATV option, subject to the package you book.

Can two people share one ATV?

Yes. Tandem ATVs are available. If your group has an odd number of tandem participants, one person must ride solo and pay an additional fee on-site.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fried rice or fried noodles. Drinks are not included with the meal, although bottled water is provided.

Are showers available?

Yes. Shower and changing room access is provided after the activities.

Are lockers and towels included?

Yes. Lockers, towels, and safety equipment are included at the activity location.

Do I need water shoes?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup and drop-off are available in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations and areas outside the coverage zone cost extra, paid directly to the driver.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility or back problems?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. The walk to and from the river includes a steep route with many steps.