Bali: ATV Gorilla Cave, Ubud Monkey Forest, & Waterfall Tour

An ATV trail through Gorilla Cave, muddy jungle paths and shallow streams makes a lively start to this Bali outing. After the ride, you trade the quad for a walk among the macaques at Ubud’s Monkey Forest, then finish at Tegenungan Waterfall, where you can take a swim if conditions suit.

I like the mix of hands-on adventure and classic Ubud sights, and I like that hotel transport, entry fees, lunch, water and insurance are included in the $53 price. The main thing to weigh is the long, variable day: the advertised duration ranges from 2 to 8 hours, and the single ATV can feel challenging if you have little riding experience.

At a glance

• Gorilla Cave by quad: The ATV portion lasts about 105 minutes and may include mud, streams, tunnels and forest paths.
• A proper change of pace: The Monkey Forest visit is a guided hour, with time to walk among the temple grounds and macaques.
• Waterfall time: Tegenungan gets about an hour for photos, free time and swimming.
• Most-praised feature: The drivers and guides are repeatedly singled out for being punctual, friendly, safe and attentive.
• Lunch after the ride: A meal, mineral water, equipment and insurance are included in the $53 price.
• Come ready to get muddy: Bring a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses and cash. Do not count on the tour being a neat, dry excursion.

A muddy start at Gorilla Cave

The ATV ride is the tour’s main adrenaline hit. At KeepAll Bali Adventure, you get a single or tandem quad, safety gear and directions from an instructor before setting off. The ride lasts about 105 minutes, with a route through village scenery, rice paddies, forest, rivers and the cave whose entrance is shaped like a gorilla’s face.

Expect more than a smooth road ride. The route is described as having muddy sections, streams, tunnels and waterfalls, and riders report that it can be more difficult than they expected. That variety is the fun, but it also means this is not simply a scenic spin for anyone hoping to stay spotless. Wear clothes you can change out of afterward, and take the instructor’s guidance seriously.

Boots are provided, according to one account, along with a plastic cap to wear beneath the helmet. Equipment may help with the mess, but it does not remove the need to ride with care. The course can feel challenging, particularly if you choose a single ATV and are not used to driving one. A tandem quad gives you another option, though the supplied details do not specify who drives or how that choice is arranged, so check when booking if it matters to you.

The practical rhythm is useful: after the ride, you can shower and change before lunch. That break makes the rest of the day more comfortable, especially if the trail has left you splattered. Lunch is included, as is mineral water, so you are not left to sort out a meal immediately after the ride.

What makes the guides part of the day

The driver is more than a transfer between stops. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the English-speaking driver stays with you through the day. The strongest praise goes to people such as Adi, Bayu, Agung, Dika, Win, Ketoot, Natha and Legii, with guests describing punctual pickups, safe driving, clear communication and a friendly manner.

That matters on an outing with three very different stops. A considerate driver can make the road time easier, explain what you are seeing and help you keep track of the day’s pace. Some accounts describe drivers taking photos, waiting while people enjoy a stop, or suggesting extra places along the route. Treat those as possible personal touches, not guaranteed parts of the tour. Extra shopping, coffee or other detours are not listed among the included stops.

The core schedule already has a lot in it. If you want a quieter day, or expect to spend a long time at the waterfall, ask about the timing and route before you set off. One useful caution from a rider is that the waterfall visit felt short. The listed allowance is one hour, which has to cover the stop itself, photos and any swim.

Monkey Forest: a close look, with sensible caution

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary brings the pace down after the ride. You get a guided visit lasting about an hour through a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, where groups of macaques live among the tropical surroundings. It is one of Bali’s best-known wildlife stops, and the contrast with an engine-filled morning is part of its appeal.

You can expect to see monkeys at close range and have opportunities for photos. But keep your expectations sensible: these are wild animals, not a petting zoo. One account describes the monkeys as less friendly than expected and notes that you cannot hold them. Another particularly valued having a guide keep a safe distance around the animals, so you could watch without feeling pressed into an encounter.

Keep your belongings secure and follow the guide’s directions. The tour does not promise feeding, handling or a particular kind of interaction, and you should not count on those things. The included ticket and guided hour make this a straightforward visit, but it is still an active sanctuary. Your best experience is likely to come from observing rather than trying to get the closest possible photograph.

Tegenungan Waterfall: a refreshing finish

The final stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, a popular Bali destination with an iconic green setting. The tour allows about an hour for a photo stop, free time and swimming. After a dusty or muddy ATV ride and a walk through the sanctuary, the chance to sit by the water or cool off can feel like a welcome change of gear.

Swimming is an opportunity, not an obligation. Bring a change of clothes if you plan to get in, and remember that the stop is fairly brief. If taking photos is your priority, you will want to make time for them without letting the whole hour disappear at the water’s edge. The admission ticket is included, so you do not need to budget separately for entry.

The trade-off is time. An hour can be enough for a look and a quick swim, but it may feel tight if you want a leisurely pause. If a long waterfall visit matters more to you than covering all three headline stops, this may not be the best format.

How the $53 price adds up

At $53 per person, the tour bundles several costs and chores that can otherwise complicate a day out: hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, a single or tandem ATV, Monkey Forest and waterfall admission, lunch, mineral water and insurance. That makes the price attractive if you want to combine adventure and sightseeing without arranging separate transport and tickets.

The ATV ride is the main paid activity, while the two stops add cultural and natural variety. You are not paying for a full day at any one place; you are paying for a guided circuit that keeps the logistics together. The value is strongest if you want all three experiences and are happy with the scheduled pace.

Photos are not included, and alcohol is also excluded. Bring cash for personal spending, and do not assume that optional extras or detours are covered. With a price that includes transport and entry, the basic costs are clear, but the day may still involve choices beyond the included package.

Timing, pickup, and what to bring

The total duration is listed as 2 to 8 hours, with starting times varying by availability. The ATV ride takes about 105 minutes, while the Monkey Forest and waterfall each have roughly one hour set aside. The full day can take longer because the driver collects and drops off at a wide range of locations around Bali, including Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.

Pickup is from your hotel lobby, with matching drop-off options across the listed areas. Since the duration varies so widely, check the available start time and expected length for your chosen date and location. The supplied information does not specify group size, so ask the provider if you want to know whether the ATV or sightseeing portions are private or shared.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, cash and a full change of clothes. The change is especially useful after the muddy ride or a swim. Baby strollers are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for babies under one year. If you have concerns about riding a quad, consider the tandem option and confirm the details before booking.

Who should choose this tour?

This outing suits you if you like active mornings, do not mind getting dirty and want to see several Bali highlights in one organized trip. It works well for people who would rather have a driver handle the route than arrange transfers between an ATV site, Ubud’s sanctuary and the waterfall themselves. The mix also helps if your group wants both an adventure and time among Bali’s wildlife and scenery.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a slow, quiet day, a long swim or a gentle ATV ride with no tricky sections. The trail has enough mud, streams and tunnels to make it memorable, but that same challenge can be a drawback for a nervous or inexperienced rider. The single quad may be especially demanding if you have not driven one before.

The guide can make a big difference to the feel of the day. Names that come up include Bayu, Agung, Dika and Win, among others, but no particular guide is guaranteed. What you can reasonably expect is an English-speaking driver, safety instruction for the ATV and transport between the planned stops.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, good-value day that combines a muddy quad ride, a guided Monkey Forest visit and a waterfall stop, with transport and basic costs included. The most compelling reasons are the varied ATV route and the chance to leave the driving and transfers to a local guide.

Skip it if you want ample time at each stop or know you will be uncomfortable on a challenging quad course. Before confirming, check the available duration, ask about single versus tandem riding, and plan for a muddy change of clothes. For the right pace and appetite for adventure, it is a practical way to fit three distinct Bali experiences into one outing.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $53 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is 2 to 8 hours. Check availability for the starting times and duration offered for your chosen option.

How long is the ATV ride?

The quad bike ride is listed as about 105 minutes.

Can I choose a single or tandem ATV?

Yes. The included ATV option is listed as single or tandem. If you are unsure which suits you, ask the provider before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you meet the driver in your hotel lobby.

Are the Monkey Forest and waterfall admission fees included?

Yes. Admission to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegenungan Waterfall is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and mineral water are included.

Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?

Swimming is listed as an option during the waterfall stop, which is scheduled for about one hour.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, cash and a change of clothes. The ride can be muddy, and swimming is possible at the waterfall.

Are babies and strollers allowed?

The activity is not suitable for babies under one year, and baby strollers are not allowed.