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

The main attraction here is the muddy, water-filled ATV course around Ubud. You ride past rice fields, temples, rivers, jungle hills, and the unusual Gorilla Face Cave, then finish at Goa Raja Waterfall, where a green valley frames a natural pool. It is an active day, not a quiet sightseeing outing.

I like the choice between solo and tandem riding, and I like that the tour includes showers, towels, lockers, safety gear, lunch, and optional hotel transport. Guides such as Donny, Surya, Midiana, and DekWah are often praised for safe driving, local stories, and taking photos. The tradeoff is simple: you will probably get wet and muddy, and the walk back up from the waterfall can be tiring.

Key points at a glance

• A proper 1.5-hour ATV ride: Expect rivers, rice fields, jungle paths, steep slopes, and the Gorilla Face Cave.
• Solo or tandem bikes: Drive your own quad or share with a companion, depending on the option you book.
• Goa Raja Waterfall afterward: Walk down into a green valley, take photos, and swim in the natural pool.
• Useful facilities included: Safety equipment, shower room, changing room, locker, towel, and bottled water.
• Strong guide service: Donny, Surya, Midiana, DekWah, Rio, and others are praised for safe transport and excellent photos.
• Good value at $33: The price covers the ATV ride, waterfall entry, lunch, insurance, and optional transfers if selected.

Why this Ubud ATV and waterfall day works

This experience combines two very different sides of Bali. The ATV section is noisy, physical, and playful. Goa Raja Waterfall is slower and more scenic. That contrast gives the day a pleasing rhythm: work up a bit of mud and adrenaline, clean up, eat, then cool off beside falling water.

The setting also makes this more than a simple quad-bike circuit. You move through rice paddies, jungle, streams, steep tracks, and temple areas, so the scenery keeps changing. The Gorilla Cave is the most memorable feature on the route, though you should keep expectations sensible. One rider found it less impressive than the promotional photographs, so treat it as a fun stop on the course rather than a major cave expedition.

At $33 per person, the package offers strong value if you want several activities in one day. You get 1.5 hours on the ATV, entrance to Goa Raja Waterfall, lunch, insurance, equipment, changing facilities, and bottled water. Hotel pickup and drop-off cost extra depending on the option you select, but that add-on can make sense in Bali, where traffic can turn a short road journey into a slow one.

Getting to the Gorilla ATV course

You can arrange pickup from Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, or Kintamani, or meet at the activity provider’s office. The ATV section takes place at Gorilla ATV Adventure, while the waterfall stop is at Goa Raja Waterfall.

If you select transport, confirm your hotel location when booking. Pickup or drop-off at different hotels, or outside the listed service areas, brings an extra charge paid directly to the driver. The total day lasts about five to seven hours, but the exact length depends on traffic, your starting point, and how much time you spend at the stops.

The transport service receives especially strong praise. Guides including Surya, Gun, Darma, DekWah, Donny, and Midiana are repeatedly described as punctual, friendly, safe, and willing to adjust the pace. One guide even suggested walking a short route when traffic made a nearby drive extremely slow. That kind of practical help matters in Bali.

Safety briefing and choosing your ATV

At the ATV base, you receive a safety briefing and the protective equipment needed for the ride. Helmets, knee protection, and elbow protection are provided. A GoPro mount may be available on request, according to one detailed account, but bring your own camera equipment only if you can keep it secure.

You can choose a single ATV or ride tandem with another person, depending on the option purchased. Solo riding gives you more control and makes the steeper sections more exciting. Tandem riding is a sensible choice if one person wants the experience but does not feel ready to drive alone.

The instructors are present along the course and help less experienced riders through difficult sections. That does not make the ride effortless. You still need to control the quad, handle uneven ground, and respond to wet or slippery sections. The course operates in rain or shine, so the weather can change the character of the day.

Wear shoes that can handle mud and water. Swimwear under your clothes, a full change of clothes, and a camera are practical choices. Avoid bringing anything delicate or difficult to clean. The supplied towel and shower room help, but you will be glad to have dry clothes afterward.

The 1.5-hour ride through jungle, rivers, and fields

The ride is the heart of the activity. You follow an extensive track through tropical scenery, with sections through rivers, rice fields, jungle hills, and muddy paths. Some parts are easier and open, while others require more attention.

If you want greater speed and challenge, tell your guide. The route can include more technical ground, steep climbs, and slopes. You can decide how adventurous to make it, but do not mistake the option for a free-for-all. Follow the guide’s instructions and ride within your ability.

The wet sections are part of the fun. Several people specifically advise preparing to get soaked and muddy. Rain can make the track more challenging, but it can also add to the thrill. If you prefer to stay clean and dry, this is the wrong Bali excursion.

The course gives you plenty of chances for photos. Guides often take pictures and videos during the activity, sometimes using the rider’s phone. Donny, Rio, Sibon, Surya, Midiana, and several other guides receive special praise for this. Handing over your phone is optional, so use your judgment and protect it from water and mud.

The group size may vary. One detailed account had only two bikes, which allowed a relaxed pace. Other bookings can feel more active and social, especially for families or groups of friends. The course is suitable for confident beginners as well as people looking for more speed, since the guide can adjust the challenge.

Gorilla Face Cave and the changing scenery

The Gorilla Face Cave is the course’s signature landmark. Its shape gives the ride a memorable theme and provides a natural pause during the route. Still, the cave is not a large underground attraction, and the view may not match edited photographs. I would consider it a quirky photo stop rather than the main reason to book.

The better reason is the variety around it. You pass rushing water, cultivated rice fields, thick jungle, hills, and temple scenery within a single ride. These changes keep the route from feeling like repeated laps around the same dirt track.

The ride is also a useful way to see rural scenery at close range, though you should not expect a cultural walking tour. The ATV track is designed for activity first. You will see pieces of everyday Bali and temple life, while the guide may add comments about local traditions and festivals during the driving portions.

Shower, changing room, and the included meal

After the ATV ride, you can use the shower and changing room. Lockers and towels are included, along with bottled water. These are not minor extras. After a wet ride, having somewhere to rinse off and change makes the rest of the day far more comfortable.

The meal is described as a buffet, with fried rice or fried noodles available. In practice, one detailed account found the food tasty but the portions modest and the choice vegetarian. You should see lunch as a convenient included meal, not a long food-focused stop with a large menu.

Some full-day bookings also include a coffee or tea plantation visit, and several guides took people to try local drinks, including luwak coffee. That stop appears in many day accounts, but it is not listed among the core inclusions for this ATV and waterfall package. Ask before booking if the plantation visit matters to you, and check for any extra purchases there.

Walking down to Goa Raja Waterfall

After lunch, you visit Goa Raja Waterfall, reached by walking down into a green natural valley. The walk adds effort, but it is part of what makes the setting feel more rewarding than a roadside viewpoint. The waterfall drops into a natural pool surrounded by jungle, making this the calmer and more scenic half of the day.

You can swim in the pool, take photographs, or simply cool down after the ATV ride. Bring swimwear and a dry change of clothes. The waterfall is photogenic, and guides are often happy to help with pictures. Some guides, including Surya, Rio, Sibon, and Midiana, are particularly praised for finding good angles and taking large numbers of photos.

The return walk includes stairs and can be tiring. One person found the climb back up strenuous, especially after the ATV ride. Give yourself time, use the handrails where available, and do not rush simply because the rest of the group is ready to leave.

The waterfall can also be busy. It remains a beautiful stop, but you may not have the pool entirely to yourself. If swimming is important, ask your guide about the best time during your visit, though the tour does not promise a private or empty waterfall.

The guides make a real difference

The repeated praise for the guides is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. Donny is praised for fluent English, safe driving, humor, photos, and keeping the day comfortable. Surya is repeatedly described as punctual, welcoming, and an excellent photographer.

Midiana receives praise for being considerate, informative, and good at taking photos. DekWah is noted for safe driving and explanations about Balinese culture and traditions. Rio, Sibon, Darma, Gun, Wayan, Hendra, Teo, Dede, and others are also singled out for patience, helpfulness, and cheerful service.

Your exact guide cannot be guaranteed from the information provided. Still, the pattern is useful: the guide is not just a driver between stops. Your guide may help with photographs, explain local customs, adjust the pace, assist with the ATV, and handle traffic problems.

The ATV instructors also matter. They stay near the course and help when riders struggle on difficult sections. Families with teenagers and groups of friends are likely to appreciate that support most.

Price, timing, and who gets the best value

At $33 per person, this is a good-value package for an active half-day or longer outing. The price includes the main ride, waterfall ticket, equipment, shower access, changing room, locker, towel, water, lunch, and insurance. That is a lot of practical coverage for one booking.

Transport is optional, so compare the total price rather than focusing only on the advertised base rate. If you are staying in one of the covered areas and do not already have transport, the transfer may be worth paying for. Traffic, unfamiliar roads, and the distance between the ATV base and waterfall can make independent arrangements less convenient.

Allow five to seven hours, not a fixed five. A pickup from Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, or another coastal area may take longer than one from Ubud. Starting times depend on availability, and the tour runs in all weather.

This suits active couples, families with older children, and friends who want a little mud and speed. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet nature outing, a serious cultural tour, or a polished luxury experience.

It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The activity also involves uneven ground, slopes, water, and physical effort. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book this Bali ATV and waterfall tour?

Book it if you want a full, active day at a low price, and you like the idea of getting muddy before swimming beneath a waterfall. The mix of ATV terrain, Gorilla Cave, lunch, and Goa Raja Waterfall gives you more variety than a simple quad-bike ride.

Choose the tandem option if you are unsure about driving alone. Choose solo if you want control and a stronger sense of adventure. Select hotel transfers if you value convenience, especially from outside Ubud.

Skip it if you dislike wet clothes, steep paths, crowds at popular water spots, or the rough facilities that come with an outdoor adventure. Also skip it if you have back problems or need a fully relaxed schedule.

For most active visitors, the strongest value comes from the combination of well-supported ATV riding and a genuinely scenic waterfall stop. Bring dry clothes, protect your phone, and expect the day to be muddy, tiring, and fun.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and waterfall tour take?

The total duration is about five to seven hours. The exact length depends on the starting point, traffic, activity timing, and time spent at the waterfall.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included ATV ride lasts 1.5 hours.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available as an optional extra in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or areas outside the coverage zone may cost extra.

What is included with the ATV ride?

Safety equipment, insurance, bottled water, a shower room, changing room, locker, towel, and lunch are included. The waterfall entrance ticket is also included.

Can I swim at Goa Raja Waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall has a natural pool where you can swim. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The tour takes place rain or shine, and you should expect uneven ground, water, mud, and physical activity.