Ubud: Gorilla Face ATV Quad Bike Adventure with Lunch

Mud is part of the ticket. This Ubud ATV outing mixes jungle tracks and rice fields with steep climbs, water sections, and the unusual Gorilla Face cave. I like that you can choose a single bike or share a tandem ATV, and that the price includes safety gear, a shower, towel, locker, bottled water, and lunch.

I also like the practical setup. Guides such as Rama, Alex, Koko, and Lolet are repeatedly praised for keeping the ride fun while watching the group closely. The main drawback is simple: this is a prepared ATV course, not a long journey across remote Bali, and the lunch is basic fried rice or noodles rather than a memorable meal.

The listed price of $23 per person is excellent value if you want active fun without paying for a full-day adventure. Just bring clothes you are happy to soak in mud, plus a complete change for afterward. Hotel transfers can stretch the outing from a short ride into a half-day or longer commitment, especially from Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, or Nusa Dua.

Key points before you book

• The Gorilla Face cave is the signature stop: You ride through the cave and have a chance to take photos, although paid photography is extra.
• Expect real mud and water: The track includes bumpy hills, wet sections, slopes, and steep inclines, especially after rain.
• The ride itself usually lasts about 90 minutes to 1.5 hours: The advertised total duration can reach eight hours when transport is included.
• Single and tandem ATVs are available: Tandem riding suits couples or friends, but an odd-numbered group may require one person to ride alone for an extra on-site fee.
• The facilities make the mess manageable: Helmets, boots, elbow and knee protection, lockers, towels, changing rooms, and showers are provided.
• Lunch is convenient, not the main attraction: You receive fried rice or fried noodles after cleaning up, and takeaway is possible.

What the $23 price really gets you

At $23, this is one of Bali’s easier adventure buys. You are not paying only for access to an ATV. The fee also covers a professional certified guide, insurance, protective equipment, bottled water, a locker, shower facilities, a towel, and lunch.

That matters because an ATV ride can become expensive once you add basic necessities. Here, you do not need to rent boots, find somewhere to shower, or arrange a separate meal immediately afterward. The lunch is simple, but it fills the practical gap after a wet ride.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you choose the transport option. Pickup areas include Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or places outside the covered area cost extra, paid directly to the driver.

The value depends on where you stay. From Ubud, the activity can fit comfortably into a morning or afternoon. From farther away, the drive may take much longer than the ride itself. One passenger traveling from Seminyak described a two-hour drive each way, while pickup from Canggu, Nusa Dua, and other southern areas also added substantial road time.

If you are already near Ubud and can reach the base yourself, the $23 price is particularly strong. Free parking is available for those arriving by scooter or car.

Arrival at the Gorilla ATV base

If you do not book transport, look up Gorilla ATV Adventure on Google Maps and go directly to the provider’s office. Staff greet you there, confirm your booking, and guide you toward the preparation area.

The activity begins with a safety briefing. You receive a helmet, boots, elbow protection, and knee protection before choosing a single or tandem ATV. Lockers are available for belongings, which is useful because mud, water, and bouncing trails are a poor match for loose phones and sunglasses.

The setup is designed to get you moving without a long wait. One detailed account described a few minutes of practice before the main course. That short introduction should help you get used to the throttle, steering, braking, and weight of the machine.

You do not need to arrive dressed for a formal outing. Wear comfortable clothes that can get filthy, apply sunscreen, and bring cash for personal expenses or optional photography. Most important, pack dry clothes. The shower is helpful, but it cannot rescue the outfit you wore on the track.

The 90-minute ride through Bali’s back roads

The ride combines different kinds of terrain rather than one continuous road trip. You pass through jungle, rice fields, bamboo forest, Ubud village areas, muddy trails, water tracks, slopes, and bumpy hills.

Some of the route has a scenic feel, especially around the rice fields and bamboo. Other stretches are clearly built for driving fun. One useful way to set expectations is to think of it as a loop on a prepared adventure course, with village and natural views along the way, rather than a long expedition through untouched countryside.

That distinction is important. I would choose this outing for movement, mud, and playful challenges first. If your main goal is quiet scenery or a close look at rural Balinese life, a walking tour or cycling trip may suit you better.

The track gives you repeated chances to use the ATV. You climb inclines, handle uneven ground, pass through wet patches, and work out how much throttle is needed on slippery sections. The roughness is part of the fun, but it also explains why the provider lists back problems, mobility impairments, and pregnancy as reasons not to join.

Several people found the ride very bumpy. If you are riding tandem, the passenger can feel each jolt sharply, particularly on uneven ground. Sit securely, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not treat the ATV like a race bike. The guides set the pace and monitor the group.

Guide quality is one of the strongest parts of this activity. Rama is praised for his energy and help on the course. Koko is described as attentive with small groups, while Alex, Lolet, Eddy, and Herry also receive strong praise for being friendly and careful. The exact guide depends on the day, but the repeated pattern is clear: the staff are there to keep the ride lively without letting it become reckless.

Gorilla Face cave and photo stops

The Gorilla Face cave is the outing’s most distinctive feature. You ride through the cave as part of the course, then have a chance to stop for photographs.

This is not a full cave exploration program. It is a short, memorable section of an ATV ride, and the cave works best as a photo moment within the larger route. If you want pictures, bring a waterproof phone case or a small action camera with a secure strap. Mud and water can quickly ruin an unprotected phone.

Photography and video are not included. A photographer may be present, and you can purchase images afterward for an additional charge. One person found the photo price reasonable, but you should treat this as an optional extra rather than part of the advertised price.

You can also ask the guide or driver to help with a few pictures when appropriate. Keep in mind that carrying a phone in your hand on a bumpy, wet course is risky. A zippered pouch or waterproof case is a much better plan.

Shower, lunch, and the useful cleanup stop

After the ride, you return to the base, where you can shower and change. Towels, lockers, and changing rooms are provided, so you do not need to plan a separate place to clean up.

This part of the setup is easy to undervalue until you are covered in mud. The shower turns the activity from a messy problem into a manageable afternoon plan. Still, bring your own dry clothes, and consider a plastic bag for wet or muddy gear.

Lunch follows at the ATV location. You choose fried rice or fried noodles, with bottled water available. The meal is best understood as a straightforward post-ride plate, not a Balinese food tour.

Many people found the lunch tasty and welcome after the ride. One family thought it was not especially good, while other accounts called it simple but satisfying. I would not book this activity for the meal, but I would count it as a useful part of the price.

Takeaway is possible if you are heading to another activity and do not want to sit down for lunch. That flexibility is helpful when your Bali schedule is packed.

Transport from Ubud and the southern resorts

The optional transfer can make booking much easier. Your chosen time slot is the actual hotel pickup time, not the time the ATV ride begins. The driver should contact you the day before to confirm the arrangement, and activity details are sent by email.

Drivers receive unusually warm praise. Putu Deo is described as kind and reassuring, Budi as helpful on the long road from Canggu, and Donny as a friendly driver for a family traveling from Nusa Dua. Yoga, Agus, Herry, Ady, Dewa, and Sudarmawan are also praised for punctuality, safe driving, clear communication, and local suggestions.

That does not remove Bali traffic from the equation. A pickup from the southern resorts may mean a long drive in each direction, so check your day’s schedule before adding another activity. If you book without transport, you need to reach the base on your own.

Getting a Grab or Gojek for the return trip can be difficult from the base. It may work, but availability is not guaranteed. The provider can arrange a taxi if needed, usually at an additional cost. If you are not booking round-trip transport, ask about the return plan before setting off.

Single ATV or tandem ride?

A single ATV gives you full control. It is the better choice if you want to steer, manage the climbs yourself, and feel fully involved in each muddy section.

A tandem ATV lets two people share one machine. This is convenient for couples, friends, or anyone who prefers not to ride alone. The passenger should be ready for a bouncy trip, especially on rough ground.

For groups booking tandem bikes, pay attention to the number of people. An odd-numbered group means one person must ride solo, with an extra charge payable on-site. This is an easy cost to miss, so confirm the arrangement before booking.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, anyone with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. The course is physically active and uneven, and the repeated jolts are part of the ride. Families should also confirm age requirements and tandem arrangements directly before booking, since the supplied details do not set out a general minimum age.

Rain, mud, and what to pack

The ride operates rain or shine. Rain can make the track wetter and more slippery, but even on a dry day you should expect mud and water.

Pack:

• A full change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof phone case or action camera
• A secure strap for anything you carry
• Cash for personal expenses and optional extras
• Comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Keep valuables to a minimum and use the provided locker.

I would wear swimwear or light clothing under clothes that can be discarded into a wet bag afterward. That is practical advice rather than a formal requirement, but it can make the cleanup much easier.

Who will enjoy Gorilla Face ATV?

This suits you if you want an affordable burst of adventure, enjoy getting dirty, and prefer an active outing to a quiet sightseeing stop. It works well for couples, friends, teenagers, and families who are comfortable with a bumpy ride and have arranged the correct ATV option.

It is also a good choice for a final Bali activity. One person described it as a fun way to end a trip, and the combination of ride, shower, and lunch gives you a tidy finish to the morning.

I would be cautious if you dislike mud, rough motion, or organized courses. The route is scenic in places, but the main reward is the driving itself. You should also avoid stacking it tightly against another formal activity, since transport times vary and cleanup takes time.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 1,281 reviews, with 93 percent of transport ratings receiving a perfect score. The strongest praise focuses on friendly guides, safe driving, a fun course, and smooth organization. The consistent cautions are the basic lunch, the heavy mud, the bumpy ride, and the long transfer from southern Bali.

Should you book this Ubud ATV ride?

Book it if you want muddy, energetic fun for a low price, and choose round-trip transport if you are staying outside Ubud. The Gorilla Face cave, rice fields, bamboo forest, and water sections give the ride enough variety, while the shower and lunch make the logistics easy.

Skip it if you want a calm nature outing, dislike rough terrain, or have a medical condition that makes jolting unsafe. For everyone else, this is a practical Bali adventure with strong value, friendly staff, and just enough scenery to break up the mud and engine noise.

FAQ

How much does the Gorilla Face ATV experience cost?

The listed price is $23 per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select the transport option.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration ranges from 90 minutes to eight hours. The ATV ride itself is commonly described as about 1 to 1.5 hours, while hotel transfers can make the full outing much longer.

Where do I meet the activity provider?

Without pickup, go directly to the Gorilla ATV Adventure office. Search for Gorilla ATV Adventure on Google Maps, and location details are sent by email after booking.

Which areas have hotel pickup?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the ATV location includes a choice of fried rice or fried noodles. Takeaway is also possible.

What safety equipment is provided?

The activity provides a helmet, boots, elbow protection, knee protection, insurance, and a professional certified guide.

Can I ride a tandem ATV?

Yes. You can choose a tandem ATV instead of a single bike. If a tandem booking has an odd number of participants, one person must ride solo and pay an extra charge on-site.

Will I get wet and muddy?

Yes. The course includes muddy trails, water sections, slopes, and bumpy terrain. Bring comfortable clothes and a full change of clothes.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.