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

Ubud’s Gorilla Cave ATV track gives you the kind of Bali outing that leaves mud on your clothes and a full camera roll. You’ll steer through rice fields, jungle paths, rivers, steep slopes, and the famous Gorilla Face Cave before cooling off at Goa Raja Waterfall.

I like the mix of real driving and easy sightseeing. You are not just sitting in a vehicle looking out the window. I also like the useful setup: safety gear, lockers, showers, towels, water, lunch, and optional hotel transport are all covered. The main caution is that the track can be wet, rough, and physically demanding, while the waterfall requires a walk down into a valley and a tiring climb back up.

Key points to know before booking

• A proper 1.5-hour ATV ride: Choose a solo quad bike or share a tandem bike with a companion.
• Mud, rivers, and steep sections: You can ask the guide for more technical ground, but the tour runs in rain as well as sunshine.
• Gorilla Face Cave is a photo stop: The cave is fun and unusual, though its appearance may not match every promotional photo.
• Goa Raja Waterfall adds a calmer second half: Swim, take photos, and enjoy the green valley after the noisy ATV ride.
• Transport makes a big difference: Pickup is available from Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani.
• Bring a full change of clothes: The quad ride can leave you soaked and muddy, even when the day begins dry.

Two Bali adventures in one day

This outing works because the two main activities have different moods. The ATV section is loud, active, and slightly messy. Goa Raja Waterfall is slower, greener, and better suited to a swim and a few quiet photos.

The tour lasts about five to seven hours, depending on your pickup location, traffic, and the pace of your group. That range matters in Bali. A short-looking drive can take much longer when roads are busy, particularly if you are staying around Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, or Sanur.

You can meet at the activity provider’s office, where staff greet you, or add hotel transport for an extra layer of ease. Pickup and drop-off cover several major areas, but a different hotel location or a place outside the listed zone costs extra and is paid directly to the driver.

At $33 per person, the package offers good value if you want several practical pieces handled at once. You get the ride, safety equipment, waterfall entry, shower access, changing space, a locker, towel, bottled water, lunch, and insurance. The price is less attractive if you mainly want a peaceful waterfall visit, since the ATV is the heart of the day.

Getting ready at Gorilla ATV Adventure

The ATV portion begins with a safety briefing and equipment issue. You receive protective gear, and helmets can be used with a GoPro mount if requested. The setup is aimed at first-time riders as well as people who already know their way around a quad bike.

You can ride alone or share a tandem ATV, depending on the option you select. A solo bike gives you more control and makes the hills and bends feel more personal. Tandem riding can be the better choice if one person in your group is less confident or if you simply want to share the outing.

The instructors stay with the group during the ride. That matters on the rougher parts of the track, where a small mistake can leave a rider stuck or unsure which line to take. Guides have helped less experienced riders through difficult sections, so you do not need to arrive with advanced off-road skills.

Still, take the briefing seriously. This is not a short ride around a smooth park. You can encounter splashing water, mud, slopes, uneven ground, and tight sections. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

Rice fields, jungle tracks, and Gorilla Face Cave

The ride lasts about one and a half hours, with scenery changing often enough to keep it interesting. You move through rice paddies, overgrown jungle, rivers, hills, and temple areas. The setting feels more varied than a standard motorized track, though it is still a managed adventure route rather than a quiet village ride.

The wet parts are a major part of the appeal. Several people have enjoyed the splashing pools and muddy stretches, but you should expect dirt on your shoes, legs, and clothes. Waterproof clothing is not listed among the inclusions, so pack clothes you do not mind getting messy and use the provided protective gear properly.

If you want more excitement, tell your guide. The track can include steeper climbs and descents, and the guide may direct you toward more technical ground. You should make your limits clear rather than trying to keep up with a stronger rider. The point is to have fun, not to prove anything to the quad bike.

The Gorilla Face Cave is the signature stop. Its rock formation gives the ride a memorable visual marker and a natural place for photos. Keep your expectations sensible. The cave may look smaller or less dramatic in person than it does in promotional images, but it remains one of the more unusual features of the route.

Your ATV guide may also take photos and videos during the ride. This is one of the most warmly praised parts of the day. Guides including Donny, Surya, DekWah, Midiana, Rio, and Sibon have been singled out for taking large numbers of useful photos, often while keeping the group moving.

You should still protect your phone from water and mud. Giving it to a guide can make it easier to get action shots, but use a waterproof case if you have one. A camera is listed as something to bring, though a phone in a secure pouch is likely more practical during the wet sections.

Showers, changing rooms, and a simple lunch

After the ATV ride, you can clean up before eating. The facilities include showers, a changing room, lockers, and towels. These are not glamorous extras, but they make a big difference when the ride has been wet. A change of clothes is essential, not optional.

Lunch is a simple buffet-style meal with a choice of fried rice or fried noodles. The food is designed to refuel you rather than provide a long dining experience. Some diners have found the portions small, and the meal has been described as vegetarian in at least one account, so anyone needing a larger or more varied meal should plan accordingly.

Bottled water is included. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is sensible for an activity involving motorized vehicles, slippery ground, and physical effort.

The timing between the quad ride and waterfall visit can vary. Some groups move through quickly, while others have had a relaxed pace with time for photos and short stops. If you are using a private pickup and drop-off option, tell your driver if you need a little more time to change or eat.

Walking into Goa Raja Waterfall

Goa Raja Waterfall is the quieter half of the tour. From the access point, you walk down into a green natural valley toward the waterfall and pool. The setting gives you a useful change of pace after the engine noise and bumps of the ATV course.

You can take photos beside the water or soak in the natural pool. Bring swimwear if you plan to get in, and keep a dry outfit for the ride back to your hotel. The waterfall is a strong photo stop, especially when the water, rock, and thick greenery fill the frame.

The walk is not completely effortless. You descend into the valley, then climb back up afterward. One person found the return stairs tiring, and that is worth keeping in mind if you have knee, back, or general mobility concerns. The tour specifically excludes people with back problems, and the combination of ATV bumps and valley steps makes that restriction important.

Crowding can also vary. The waterfall may feel peaceful, but it is not guaranteed to be empty. Your guide can help with photos and point out good places to stand, though you should take care around wet rocks and the pool edge.

The guides can shape the whole day

The ATV instructors handle the riding, while your driver or day guide often manages transport, timing, photos, and the waterfall visit. That division works well when the driver communicates clearly and keeps an eye on your comfort.

Several guides have received especially strong praise for safe driving and friendly service. Donny has been noted for fluent English, good humor, and taking excellent photos. DekWah has been praised for safe road driving and for explaining Balinese customs and traditions. Surya has been described as punctual, careful, and very willing to stop for photos.

Other frequently praised names include Darma, Midiana, Gun, Hendra, Rio, Sibon, Dika, and Dedet. You usually cannot guarantee a particular guide, but these names give you an idea of the service style you may encounter: practical help, informal conversation, and plenty of phone photos.

Guides have also helped with traffic problems, hotel changes, and car sickness. That flexibility is valuable in Bali, where road delays can affect the shape of a day. One driver even suggested a short walk when traffic made a brief road journey take far too long.

Some versions of the day have included a coffee or tea plantation stop, sometimes with luwak coffee tasting. This appears in several accounts, but it is not included in the listed package, so confirm the exact stops before booking if coffee tasting matters to you.

What the $33 price really covers

The headline cost is low for a half-day outing with two activities. The value is strongest when you use the included practical services: equipment, locker, shower, towel, water, lunch, waterfall admission, and insurance.

Hotel transfers are optional, so compare the total price rather than looking only at the base fare. A pickup from Ubud may be simple, while transport from Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, or Kintamani can take a larger part of the day. An out-of-area hotel or a different drop-off point brings an additional direct payment to the driver.

The meal is functional rather than special. The waterfall entry is useful, but the main value comes from the ATV route and the ease of combining it with a second attraction. If you booked separate transport, an ATV ride, a waterfall visit, and lunch, the cost and planning would likely be higher.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Bali schedule is still moving around.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and friends who want an active day without arranging every detail themselves. It suits people who enjoy mud, water, photos, and a moderate amount of physical effort.

The tandem option helps if one person is nervous about driving alone. Families should consider the age, confidence, and comfort of each rider, since the course includes rough and wet sections rather than a flat sightseeing loop.

This is not the best pick for someone who wants a quiet cultural tour, a long food-focused lunch, or a fully dry and polished activity. It is also a poor match for pregnancy, back problems, or anyone who dislikes steep steps and uneven ground.

Bali weather does not cancel the adventure. The tour runs rain or shine, and rain can make the ATV sections more slippery and muddy. That may be exactly what you want, but bring a waterproof phone case and spare clothes so a wet day stays enjoyable.

What to pack and how to plan the day

Wear comfortable shoes that can handle mud and water. Swimwear, a change of clothes, and a camera are recommended, but keep anything fragile protected.

A small waterproof bag is useful for dry clothes and personal items. Lockers are provided, yet you should avoid bringing valuables you do not need. Use the shower and changing facilities before the waterfall if you prefer to arrive at the pool in clean clothes, or save your dry outfit for the trip back.

Check the meeting point carefully in Google Maps if you are not using pickup. The ATV activity takes place at Gorilla ATV Adventure, while the waterfall is Goa Raja Waterfall. These are separate parts of the day, so the transport arrangement matters.

English and Indonesian are available for the live guide service. If you need the ride to be gentle, say so before starting. If you want more challenging ground, ask for it, but only choose a level that matches your experience.

Should you book the Gorilla Cave ATV and Waterfall Tour?

Book it if you want a good-value action day with mud, water, jungle tracks, a memorable cave formation, and a waterfall swim. The combination is more rewarding than doing only the ATV ride, and the included showers and lunch make the day easier.

Skip it if your idea of Bali is slow temples, quiet rice-field walks, and clean clothes. The quad route can be demanding, the waterfall climb takes effort, and lunch is basic. For most active visitors, though, the $33 starting price and strong guide service make this a sensible way to add some fun and variety to an Ubud stay.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and waterfall tour last?

The full activity lasts about five to seven hours. The exact length depends on the starting time, your pickup location, traffic, and the pace of the day.

How long is the ATV ride?

The ATV portion lasts about 1.5 hours.

Can I ride alone or share an ATV?

Yes. You can choose a solo ATV or a tandem ride, depending on the option selected when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional. Available areas include Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or places outside those areas may cost extra.

What food is included?

Lunch includes a simple buffet meal with fried rice or fried noodles. Bottled water is also included.

Can I swim at Goa Raja Waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall has a natural pool where you can soak, and swimwear is recommended if you plan to enter the water.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a camera. A waterproof phone case is also a sensible choice because the ATV route can be wet and muddy.