Ubud: River Cave Tubing Adventure & Gorilla ATV Quad Bike

The unusual part of this Ubud outing is the pairing: you first handle an ATV across rice fields, forest tracks, villages, and Gorilla Face Cave, then slow down in a tube on a river. It gives you both mud-and-motor excitement and a cool, easy finish.

I like the included lunch and full safety kit, especially for a first ATV ride. I also like that guides such as Teo, Tugus, Harry, and Artaguna have been praised for taking photos, explaining Bali along the road, and helping families. The main consideration is transport: without the pickup option, you arrange your own way between locations, and the day can stretch from a quick 40-minute activity to eight hours.

Key points to know before you book

• Gorilla Face Cave and tunnel: The ATV route includes one of the tour’s most distinctive features, not just open tracks and paddies.
• Single or tandem ATV: Ride alone, or share one quad with a passenger, with a maximum of 100 kilograms per person for tandem riding.
• A good first ATV outing: You receive a briefing, practice time, helmet, boots, gloves, knee guards, and elbow guards before setting off.
• Tubing is the gentler half: Expect a river ride with gentle rapids and calmer stretches, plus a life jacket and helmet.
• Lunch is built in: Fried rice or fried noodles, bottled water, and coffee or tea are included.
• Transfers vary by booking: Pickup is available from Ubud and several south Bali areas, but locations outside the stated zone cost extra.

Two Bali adventures in one long afternoon

This tour works because the activities balance each other. The ATV section asks you to steer, brake, and keep your body steady over uneven ground. River tubing then gives you time to sit back and cool off.

The exact day length depends on the option and transport. The advertised duration ranges from 40 minutes to eight hours, while the ATV ride itself lasts about one to one and a half hours when included. If you choose hotel pickup from Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, or Kintamani, allow extra time for road traffic and transfers.

At $24 per person, the package offers good value if your chosen option includes both ATV riding and tubing. You also get safety equipment, an instructor, lunch, drinks, and insurance. Check the selected option carefully, since transport and the ATV portion are not necessarily included in every booking choice.

Getting ready for the ATV ride

You begin with a safety briefing. Staff explain how to control the quad and fit your equipment, which includes a helmet, boots, gloves, knee guards, and elbow guards. You then get a short practice session before heading onto the main route.

That practice matters. An ATV is simple to operate, but steering over bumps feels different from riding on a flat road. I would use this time to test the brake, get comfortable with the throttle, and ask the guide to repeat anything unclear.

You can ride a single ATV or choose a tandem quad. A single ride gives you full control and is the better choice if you want the most active part of the day. Tandem riding puts two people on one ATV, with one person driving and the other as passenger. Each person must weigh no more than 100 kilograms for the tandem option.

For families, tandem riding can help younger participants share the activity with an adult. It also reduces the number of people who need to control a vehicle. Still, the person driving should feel comfortable with the track and with the responsibility of carrying a passenger.

Following the ATV route through Ubud country

The route passes through a mix of Bali scenery rather than staying on one type of track. You move through rice paddies, forest, traditional villages, and higher ground, with both smoother paths and more difficult sections.

The ride is not just a speed run. The village and farm sections give you a look at the working side of Ubud, while the forest tracks provide shade and a more enclosed feel. Some sections can be very bumpy, so keep both hands on the handlebars and expect dust or mud depending on conditions.

The key feature is Gorilla Face Cave and its tunnel. It gives the ride a clear sense of place and makes this more memorable than a basic quad-bike circuit. You should still expect an organized activity route rather than an open-ended trip through the countryside. Guides set the pace and direct you through the changing surfaces.

Several guides receive special praise for their care and good humor. Teo is noted for helping with photos and assisting with anything needed. Tugus is praised for friendly conversation, strong driving, and arranging the activities. Harry is described as a good English speaker who helped keep a family day running smoothly, while Artaguna handled transfers and photos with care.

You should not assume the same guide will be assigned every day. The useful point is that guide support is a major part of this activity, particularly for first-time riders and families with children.

What the bumpy sections are really like

The ATV ride includes challenging tracks, and one direct tip is worth taking seriously: parts can be very bumpy. If you want a relaxed sightseeing outing, this may feel rougher than expected.

Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring a change of clothes. Sunglasses and sunscreen are useful, while a waterproof camera is the safer way to record the ride. Keep phones and loose items secure, since the operator does not accept responsibility for belongings lost during the trip.

Some guides take photos and videos during the route, which is helpful because handling a camera while steering is a poor plan. Ask about the photo arrangements on the day rather than assuming every package includes a formal photo service.

Entering the river after the motorized section

After the ATV ride, you continue to the river tubing location. If you booked a package with transport, the company driver takes you there. If not, you need your own transportation, so check this detail before booking.

There is another safety briefing before you enter the water. You receive a life jacket and helmet, then float down the river through a mix of gentle rapids and calmer stretches. The tubing section is the quieter half of the outing, and it gives you a chance to cool off after the dusty ATV route.

The cave setting is the main attraction. You are not simply floating on an exposed river; the route includes a cave near Ubud, making the short water ride more distinctive. The available information does not give an exact tubing distance or water time, so check the start time and selected option before you commit to a packed schedule.

The tubing is suited to beginners and children who meet the age and safety requirements. It is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, or people over 70. A life jacket is provided, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions throughout the river section.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical value of the package

Lunch is simple and useful rather than a reason to book on its own. You receive fried rice or fried noodles, along with bottled water and coffee or tea. After physical activity, having food arranged at the site saves you from finding a restaurant between the ATV and tubing sessions.

One family experience included traditional food after a rafting change, but the standard meal listed for this ATV and tubing package is fried rice or fried noodles. If food matters to you, use the stated meal as your expectation and ask about any alternatives on arrival.

Towels and equipment were provided during one related outing, but towels are not listed among the standard inclusions here. Bring a change of clothes and avoid relying on a towel unless the operator confirms one for your chosen option.

The included insurance, guide, protective equipment, and meal make the $24 price especially appealing when both activities are part of your option. The value is less clear if you choose a short activity or need to pay an extra transport fee from outside the covered areas.

Transport from Ubud and beyond

Pickup is optional, with coverage listed for Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or areas outside that coverage involve an extra payment made directly to the driver.

For Ubud-based visitors, pickup is the easiest choice. You avoid arranging a separate ride to the activity site and can return to your hotel with the same company if the option includes round-trip service. Guides and drivers also add local context along the road, with Tugus and Artaguna specifically praised for explaining sights and helping with photos.

If you skip transport, arrange a dependable ride rather than assuming you can easily find one at the activity site. One useful suggestion is to hire a Grab when not using the company transfer. Also remember that the meeting point can change by booking option.

Traffic can stretch the day. A driver who knows the route is valuable, especially when you have two activity sites and a return trip. If you have an evening flight, another timed tour, or a dinner reservation, leave a generous buffer.

Who will enjoy this, and who should think twice

I would recommend this for families with older children, couples who want two different activities in one booking, and first-time ATV riders who prefer an organized route. The practice session, protective gear, guides, and gentle tubing make the day approachable.

It also suits you if you want a taste of Ubud’s countryside without arranging separate activities. The combination takes you beyond a standard sightseeing loop, with village roads, paddies, forest, a cave, and river scenery in one outing.

You may want a different activity if you dislike mud, rough tracks, or getting wet. The ATV route can be bumpy, and tubing requires a change of clothes. If rafting appeals more than a calm river float, the operator may be able to arrange a change, as one family successfully switched from tubing to rafting, but you should confirm this rather than count on it.

The tour is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, or anyone over 70. For tandem riding, remember the 100-kilogram maximum for each person.

Booking details that affect your day

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before choosing a date.

The activity is conducted in English. Free cancellation and payment flexibility are useful, but they do not replace checking the exact inclusions. Look closely at three points: single or tandem ATV, hotel transfer, and whether the selected option includes both ATV and tubing.

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, a waterproof camera, and spare clothes. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and leave baby strollers and baby carriages at your accommodation. Protect personal belongings because lost items are not covered by the operator.

Should you book the Gorilla ATV and tubing day?

Book it if you want an affordable, active Ubud outing with plenty arranged for you. The best parts are the contrasting activities, Gorilla Face Cave and tunnel, the included meal, and the strong guide support shown by people such as Teo, Tugus, Harry, and Artaguna.

Choose the transfer option if you are staying outside central Ubud or do not want to manage transport between locations. Choose a single ATV if you want more control, and tandem if sharing the ride makes more sense for your group.

Skip it if you want a quiet day, dislike uneven tracks, or need a tightly timed schedule. For most families and first-time adventure seekers, though, this is a practical way to combine Bali scenery, a little mud, a cave, and a cool river without paying for two separate outings.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and tubing activity take?

The advertised duration ranges from 40 minutes to eight hours, depending on the option selected. The ATV portion lasts about one to one and a half hours when included, with transport and the tubing schedule adding time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional and depends on the booking option. Coverage includes Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Pickup or drop-off outside those areas costs extra and is paid directly to the driver.

Can two people share one ATV?

Yes. A tandem ATV carries two people, with one person driving and one passenger. Each person must weigh no more than 100 kilograms for the tandem ride.

Is safety equipment provided?

Yes. ATV equipment includes a helmet, boots, knee guards, elbow guards, and gloves. For tubing, you receive a life jacket and helmet, along with safety instructions from the guides.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes fried rice or fried noodles, bottled water, and coffee or tea.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, or people over 70. The operator also asks you to take responsibility for personal belongings, since lost items are not covered.