Ubud: Floating Breakfast and Hot Air Balloon Experience

Ubud’s only hot-air balloon offers a curious mix of gentle adventure and resort luxury. You rise about 50 metres above the rice fields in a 23-metre balloon, then come back down for breakfast served on a wooden boat in Tanah Gajah’s infinity pool. The balloon stays tethered, so this is a scenic lift rather than a free-flight journey across Bali.

I like the clear eastern views toward Mount Agung and the generous breakfast choice, which includes Indonesian dishes, Western favorites, fruit, coffee, tea, juices, and sparkling wine. I also like the relaxed pace: the balloon ride lasts only 7 to 10 minutes, but you get a full hour for breakfast and pool time. The main drawback is simple: if you expect a long airborne trip over Ubud, this experience will feel short.

Key points to know before you book

• The balloon rises 50 metres but remains tethered: You get the sensation and views of ballooning without flying across the island.
• Breakfast lasts 60 minutes: Choose from Indonesian or Western dishes, then enjoy coffee, tea, juice, and local sparkling wine.
• Mount Agung may appear on the eastern horizon: Clear weather makes a major difference to the views.
• The experience suits couples best: A ride is designed for one couple, or up to two adults and one child within a 150-kilogram total limit.
• Weather controls the morning: Wind and rain can force a cancellation or rescheduling.
• The setting is Tanah Gajah Resort: The balloon and pool are at Tengkulak Kaja, near Goa Gajah in the Ubud area.

A short balloon ride with a big view

The unusual part of this morning comes first. At Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, you board a cosy wicker basket beneath Bali’s first and only hot-air balloon experience. The 23-metre balloon lifts you above the surrounding rice fields, giving you a bird’s-eye look at Ubud’s tropical forests and terraced countryside.

This is not a long-distance balloon flight. The basket goes up and down at the end of a tether, reaching roughly 50 metres before returning to the ground. Plan on 7 to 10 minutes in the air. That timing matters, since the balloon portion is exciting but brief compared with the full two-hour visit.

I think of it as a scenic introduction to ballooning rather than a full balloon expedition. You get a quiet aerial view, a little height, and a distinctive photo opportunity without spending hours in the sky. For a first balloon experience, that can be enough. If you have already taken long free-flight balloon trips, you may find the ride underwhelming.

The eastern horizon is the prize on a clear morning. Mount Agung may be visible in the distance, while the nearer view takes in Ubud’s forests and rice fields. Clouds, rain, and wind can change the scene quickly, so the experience depends heavily on conditions.

What the 7 to 10 minutes in the basket feels like

The basket is described as cosy, which is useful to keep in mind when deciding who should ride. This is a compact activity, not a spacious sightseeing platform. The balloon’s height gives you a better view than ground level, but the ride is short enough that you will want to pay attention rather than spend the whole time arranging photographs.

You can expect staff to handle the balloon operation and keep the ride controlled at the tether point. The experience is designed for one couple, although a maximum of two adults and one child may be allowed depending on the combined weight. The stated maximum is 150 kilograms in total.

The balloon may feel warm, particularly in direct sun. One account specifically noted the heat inside the basket, so light clothing and water are sensible choices, though you should also follow the activity’s request to bring swimwear and a change of clothes for the pool.

The short flight has one practical advantage: you do not need to commit a whole morning to ballooning. You are soon back on the resort grounds and ready for the slower part of the experience.

The floating breakfast is the main event for many couples

After the balloon ride, you move to the infinity pool for breakfast. The meal arrives on a beautifully designed wooden boat that floats in front of you, holding the food and drinks. This is a visual experience as much as a meal, so it works especially well for birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, and proposals.

You should bring swimwear, since the point is to enjoy breakfast from inside the pool. A change of clothes is also included on the practical packing list. Towels are provided, which means you do not need to bring one from your hotel.

The breakfast is ordered from an à la carte menu rather than arriving as one fixed plate. You can choose from:

• Fresh juice, tea, coffee, or smoothies
• A fruit platter
• Cereal or muesli
• Indonesian breakfast dishes such as noodles or martabak
• Scrambled eggs, omelette, or eggs Benedict
• Bacon, sausages, or pancakes

Halal, vegetarian, and vegan menus are available if requested in advance. That range makes the meal more flexible than a standard resort breakfast, especially if one person wants Indonesian food and the other prefers a Western-style plate.

A bottle of local sparkling wine is included. It adds a celebratory note, though you can still treat the breakfast as a relaxed morning outing rather than a formal special occasion.

The pool portion lasts 60 minutes. That is important because it gives you time to eat without rushing, take photographs, and enjoy the setting. Several details make this part feel more generous than the balloon ride itself: the food is served attractively, service at Tanah Gajah is a major strength, and you may have a quiet pool setting during your breakfast.

Tanah Gajah gives the morning its polished setting

The meeting point is Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, at Tengkulak Kaja on Jl. Raya Goa Gajah in Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar. The resort setting is a major part of what you are paying for. You are not simply being driven to a launch field, taking a quick ride, and leaving. The morning combines the balloon, the pool, the meal, and the resort grounds.

The setting also explains why the experience photographs well. The balloon provides the unusual image from above, while the floating boat, pool, breakfast, and terraced views create the more polished photographs afterward. Professional photographs are available for an additional fee, and paying for them may make sense if this is a proposal, birthday, or anniversary. One useful detail from the experience is that some photos can turn out especially well when the weather is clear.

There is no transfer included, so you need to arrange your own way to Tanah Gajah. That is easy to overlook when comparing the price with other Bali activities. Check the meeting point carefully and allow enough time to arrive, since the stated two-hour duration begins at the resort rather than at your accommodation.

Weather is the biggest practical risk

The balloon ride depends on wind and weather conditions. The operator can cancel for safety reasons, and a canceled ride may be rescheduled. Check the Ubud forecast before booking, but keep in mind that a forecast cannot guarantee clear skies in Bali.

Rain does not always end the morning. One experience went ahead during rainy conditions, but the staff had already warned that the balloon might not operate. That shows both sides of the weather issue: you may get lucky, but you should not book this expecting guaranteed blue skies or a guaranteed Mount Agung view.

The weather affects more than the balloon. Clouds can hide Mount Agung, rain can make the pool less appealing, and damp conditions can limit photographs. If the balloon is the main reason you are booking, leave some flexibility in your schedule so a rescheduled visit is possible.

The operator provides insurance, but the experience is not suitable for people with altitude sickness. It is also not suitable for children under 11, babies under one year, or children under two. The age restrictions are worth checking closely if you are arranging this for a family.

Is $238 good value for two people?

The price is $238 per group of up to two people. For a couple, that works out to $119 each before any extra costs such as transport or professional photographs. That is not a cheap breakfast, but it is also not priced as a simple meal. You are paying for the balloon operation, the resort setting, a 60-minute floating breakfast, drinks, sparkling wine, towels, insurance, and a souvenir.

The value depends on what you want from the morning. If you want a long hot-air balloon flight, the price will feel high because the actual time in the basket is only 7 to 10 minutes. If you want a special occasion package with a short aerial experience and a polished pool breakfast, the price is easier to justify.

The strongest value comes when you use the entire two-hour visit. Take your time with the meal, enjoy the pool, and allow room for photographs. Rushing away after the balloon would make the package feel lopsided.

For two people celebrating something important, the cost may compare well with booking separate romantic activities. For a family, check the weight and age limits first, since the balloon is not intended for a large group. The small-group format is limited to six participants, but the one-time ride is best suited to a couple.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience most strongly to couples who care about atmosphere, photographs, and a memorable breakfast more than a long flight. It has the right shape for a proposal, honeymoon morning, birthday, or anniversary. The included sparkling wine and the option to buy professional photographs support that use.

It also suits first-time balloon riders who want to try the sensation without committing to a full free-flight excursion. The basket climbs high enough to change your viewpoint, and the surrounding rice fields and forests give you something worthwhile to look at.

You may want to choose a different activity if you are seeking a serious ballooning adventure. The balloon does not travel over Bali, and the 7 to 10-minute ride is the clear limitation. You should also think twice if you dislike warm conditions, cannot use a pool comfortably, or have no flexibility around weather changes.

Children require special attention. The experience is not suitable for children under 11, and the maximum arrangement is two adults and one child, subject to the 150-kilogram combined limit. Pets and drones are not allowed.

How to plan the morning

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a full change of clothes. The pool breakfast is designed to be enjoyed from the water, and a towel is supplied, but dry clothing will make the rest of your day more comfortable.

Ask for dietary requirements when booking. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan choices are available on request, while the standard menu includes both Indonesian and Western breakfast options.

Arrive prepared for a weather decision. Wind and rain can affect the balloon, and a cancellation for safety reasons may lead to rescheduling. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Ubud plans are still changing.

The meeting point is Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, at Tengkulak Kaja, Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571. No transfer is included, so transport to the resort is your responsibility.

Should you book the balloon and breakfast?

Book it if you want a polished couple’s morning built around one striking moment, not a long airborne journey. The best parts are the unusual 50-metre view, the peaceful resort setting, the good breakfast choice, and the hour in the infinity pool with sparkling wine.

Skip it if the phrase hot-air balloon ride makes you picture a long flight drifting across Bali. This is a tethered 7 to 10-minute ascent followed by a much longer breakfast experience. Go with realistic expectations, check the weather, bring swimwear, and leave time for the meal and photographs. Done that way, the package offers a distinctive and easy-to-enjoy celebration near Ubud.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The full experience lasts two hours. The balloon ride lasts 7 to 10 minutes, and the floating breakfast lasts 60 minutes.

How high does the balloon go?

The balloon rises about 50 metres above the rice fields.

Does the balloon fly across Ubud?

No. The balloon ride remains tethered and goes up and down from one location.

What food is available for breakfast?

You can choose fresh juices, tea, coffee, smoothies, fruit, cereal, muesli, Indonesian dishes such as noodles and martabak, or Western dishes such as eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes.

Are special dietary menus available?

Yes. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan menus are available upon request.

Is sparkling wine included?

Yes. One bottle of local sparkling wine is included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a change of clothes. A towel is included.

Is the activity suitable for children?

The activity is not suitable for children under 11. Babies under one year and children under two are also listed as unsuitable. A ride may allow two adults and one child, depending on the combined weight.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity may be canceled for safety because of wind or weather conditions. If the ride is canceled due to weather, you may reschedule. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.