Bali ATV Ride and White Water Rafting

The best part of this Ubud-area adventure is the change of pace: you paddle through the Ayung River gorge, then trade your raft for an ATV and head onto muddy countryside trails. The river brings jungle views and rapids; the ride can include rice fields, tunnels, bridges, and rougher tracks.

I like the two very different activities in one day and the emphasis on safety briefings before both. I also like that you can choose a solo or tandem ATV, and add hotel pickup instead of arranging your own way to the meeting point.

The main catch is the physical effort between the fun parts. Getting down to the river and back up means a steep stair climb, and the full outing can take about nine hours with transfers. The Ayung rapids are enjoyable, but they may feel gentler than you expect from the phrase white-water rafting.

• Rafting first: Spend about two hours on the Ayung River, with a guide, jungle scenery, and waterfall views.
• A proper off-road ride: The ATV portion lasts about 1.5 hours and can include muddy tracks, tunnels, bridges, and rice paddies.
• Lunch between activities: A buffet lunch is included, though food quality may not suit every palate.
• Transfers are optional: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the package that specifies transfers.
• Plan for stairs and mud: Wear clothes you can get wet and dirty in, and bring a change for afterward.

Two outdoor adventures in one Bali day

This combo is built for people who want more than a quick activity near Ubud. You spend part of the day on the Ayung River and part on an ATV course, with lunch and a chance to wash up before heading back. It is a full day out, not a brief add-on between temple visits.

The activities balance each other well. Rafting is guided and shared, with time to look around the river gorge as well as paddle. The ATV ride is more hands-on: after instruction and a test, you take the controls yourself, either on a single bike or as a passenger on a tandem.

The advertised price is $47.47 per person, a compelling rate for a package that includes two activities, guides or instructors, safety equipment, lunch, insurance, and mineral water. Transfers are not automatically included at that price, so check which package you are selecting. If you choose the transfer option, hotel pickup and drop-off are part of the package.

Starting at Bali Tarantula Adventure

The meeting point is Bali Tarantula Adventure in Bongkasa Pertiwi, in Badung Regency. If you are meeting the group there, arrive 30 minutes before your start time. If you book the transfer package, pickup and drop-off are provided, and the return is to your original pickup point.

The overall day takes about eight to nine hours, depending on the package and travel time. The two activities account for roughly 3.5 hours: about two hours rafting and 1.5 hours on the ATV. The rest of the day allows for transfers, changing, lunch, briefings, and moving between activities.

Traffic can affect your schedule, particularly if you are staying far from the activity site. Leave room around this outing rather than planning a tight dinner reservation or another timed activity immediately afterward.

Rafting the Ayung River

The river section takes you through a gorge framed by jungle, with rapids and waterfall scenery along the way. A rafting guide leads the boat and gives safety instructions before you set out. Guides have been praised for making the trip fun while keeping clear attention on safety, an important mix when you are paddling with a group.

Expect a lively ride, but keep your expectations measured. Some stretches are calm enough to take in the scenery, and the rapids are not described as especially intense. If you have rafted bigger rivers elsewhere, this may feel more scenic than extreme. If you are new to rafting, the guided format and manageable pace may be just right.

There is a physical side to this part that deserves more attention than the splashy sales pitch. The route down to the river includes a steep stairway, and you have to climb back up afterward. The steps can be strenuous, especially in heat or after rafting. Take your time and be honest with yourself about your fitness; this is not a flat walk to the water’s edge.

A stop partway through the rafting route gives you a chance to rest and, depending on what is available, buy a drink or snack. The river section also offers opportunities to see waterfalls and take photos. Bring a secure way to carry anything you need, and follow the guide’s instructions around the water.

Lunch, then a change of gears

After rafting, lunch is included before the ATV ride. It gives you a useful pause to refuel and get ready for the second activity. The meal is described as buffet-style, but food is a subjective part of the package: some people find it satisfying, while others may prefer to bring a snack. If you have particular dietary needs, the available details do not specify what alternatives can be arranged, so do not assume a special menu.

The order of activities makes practical sense. Rafting leaves you wet, and the ATV ride is likely to leave you muddy. There are showers at the base afterward, so you can clean up and change before the journey back. Bring a full change of clothes, including something dry to wear after the shower.

The ATV trails: expect more than a gentle spin

The ATV portion lasts about 1.5 hours. Before riding, you receive a briefing, a helmet and boots, and time to learn the controls. The course is designed for off-road riding, not simply a quiet circuit. Descriptions include muddy tracks, rice paddies, jungle, bridges, tunnels, and valleys, with the exact feel shaped by weather and the group’s pace.

Rain can make the route muddier and wetter, which some riders find adds to the fun. It can also make the ground more challenging, so follow the instructor’s directions and leave space between bikes. One useful tip from riders who have found the tunnel unnerving: go slowly, especially where visibility is limited.

The group may include people with different levels of ATV experience. That can mean a slower pace at times while everyone gets comfortable and the instructor keeps the group together. If you are hoping to ride fast and freely, this may not match your idea of an ATV outing. The format is guided, and safety takes priority over speed.

Solo or tandem: choose the right seat

A solo ATV means one rider per quad bike, and riders must be at least 16. Tandem means two people share one bike, with one person driving and one riding as a passenger. Tandem bookings must be made in pairs, such as two, four, or six people.

Children from age five to 16 must have an adult present and ride as a tandem passenger. The minimum age listed for the adventure is five, but that does not mean every child will find the day easy. The stair climb, river outing, and long schedule all matter when deciding if a child is ready.

If you are nervous about driving, the briefing and practice time are useful. The ATV is described as manageable for first-timers, but you still need to listen closely and ride within your comfort zone. A tandem seat is a sensible option if you would rather not take the controls.

Safety, staff, and the small practical details

Safety is a clear strength of the operation. Helmets and boots are provided for the ATV ride, and safety equipment is included for both activities. There are briefings before rafting and riding, and guides lead each part. Drivers and activity staff have been praised for being friendly and helpful; names mentioned include drivers Oka, Owen, Putu, and Saka, and rafting guide Made. Staff assignments can change, so treat those names as examples, not a promise.

The tour includes insurance and mineral water. Still, pack essentials for a long, active day: swimwear or clothes suitable for rafting, shoes that can get wet, a dry change of clothes, and a small amount of cash if you want to buy snacks or photos. Photos and video are not included, but they are available to purchase.

The activity can accommodate up to 90 people, so this is not necessarily a small private outing. The group experience can be lively, but it may also affect the pace, especially on the ATV section. If you value one-to-one attention or a fast ride above all else, ask about the group arrangement before booking.

Is $47.47 good value?

At $47.47 per person, the combo offers a lot of activity for the price, especially if you want both river time and an off-road ride. The included lunch, instruction, equipment, insurance, and water reduce the number of extras you need to arrange. The value improves if you choose a transfer package and would otherwise need to organise transport yourself.

Check the exact package before paying. Hotel transfers are included only with the option marked with transfers, and the listed price may vary by selection. Photos and DVDs cost extra, and the tour does not include them in the base price. If you are comparing the combo with a single activity, remember that rafting and ATV-only options are also available.

For a day full of action, the price is attractive. It is less ideal if you want a quiet cultural excursion, a gourmet lunch, or a high-speed ATV session without waiting for a group. Think of it as an active, guided outing with two distinct experiences rather than a luxury day tour.

Who should book this outing?

This trip suits couples, friends, and families with older children who want a full day of outdoor activity. It is especially useful if you want to try both rafting and an ATV without planning separate bookings. First-time riders can take part after instruction, and a tandem option lets one person ride as passenger.

It may be a poor fit if steep stairs are difficult for you, you have limited stamina, or you are looking for intense white-water rapids. The river is scenic and fun, but the ride is not guaranteed to feel extreme. Likewise, the ATV course is adventurous, but it remains guided and paced for a mixed group.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a well-filled day that pairs jungle river scenery with muddy ATV trails, and you are comfortable with a long schedule and a steep walk to the water. I would choose the transfer option if convenience matters, bring a change of clothes, and set aside extra time for traffic.

Skip it if you need a gentle, low-effort outing or expect a fast, unsupervised ride and powerful rapids. For most active visitors, though, the combination offers strong value and a memorable way to spend a day outside Ubud.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The full outing takes about eight to nine hours with transfers. The rafting lasts about two hours, and the ATV ride about 1.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the package marked with transfers. Without that option, meet at Bali Tarantula Adventure in Bongkasa Pertiwi.

How old do you need to be to ride an ATV?

The minimum age for the adventure is five. Solo ATV riders must be at least 16. Children aged five to 16 must have an adult present and ride as a tandem passenger.

What does tandem ATV mean?

Tandem means two people share one quad bike, with one as the driver and one as the passenger. Tandem bookings must be made in multiples of two.

Are lunch and safety equipment included?

Yes. Lunch, safety equipment, helmets, boots, an activities guide or instructor, insurance, and mineral water are included.

Are photos or videos included?

No. Photos and DVDs are not included, but they are available to purchase.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.