Bali: Ubud Gorilla Face ATV and Ayung Rafting Trip with Meal

The Gorilla Face tunnel is the sort of odd, memorable detail that gives this Ubud outing its character. You’ll steer a quad through muddy tracks and rice paddies, then trade the engine noise for the rush of the Ayung River and its jungle-lined banks.

I like the contrast between the muddy, hands-on ATV ride and the scenic, guide-led rafting. Lunch, showers, and gear are included, so you can make a full day of outdoor activities without arranging each piece separately.

One important catch: rafting means a steep walk down to the river and back up afterward, with some reports counting several hundred steps. If your knees, back, or mobility make that difficult, this is not the right outing.

• Gorilla Face tunnel: Ride through a distinctive cave-like feature on the ATV route.
• Two ways to ride: Book a solo quad or share a tandem ATV, subject to the odd-number rule.
• Ayung River time: The rafting portion is listed at 2.5 hours, with jungle and waterfall views.
• A proper mud day: Expect puddles and wet tracks, so bring spare clothes and footwear you can get wet.
• Lunch and changing facilities: Showers, lockers, towels, bottled water, and fried rice or noodles are included.
• Optional hotel transport: Pickup covers several Bali areas, but the chosen booking time is your pickup time.

Two Ubud adventures in one day

This outing combines two very different ways to get out into Bali’s greenery. First comes the ATV ride, with its muddy lanes, rice paddies, jungle paths, and Gorilla Face tunnel. Then comes rafting on the Ayung River, where the pace shifts from revving engines to following a river guide through rapids and calmer stretches.

That mix is the main appeal. You get a dose of playful, noisy adventure and a scenic river journey in one booking, with food and facilities included. The listed price is $19 per person, though check the selected option and final price before booking, especially if you need transport or a solo ATV.

The activity is operated by PT. Gorilla Adventures Bali. It has a 4.8 rating from 4,765 ratings, and the strongest parts of the experience appear to be the guides, the rafting, and the value of bundling both activities. The practical trade-off is that this is a physically active day, not a gentle sightseeing stop.

Starting with the ATV and Gorilla Face

After you arrive at the activity location, staff provide a safety briefing and the equipment needed for the ride. You can choose a solo ATV or a tandem quad with a companion. The tour description gives the ATV portion as 1.5 hours, enough time to get a feel for the machine and cover varied terrain.

The route is designed for a change of scenery rather than a quiet nature walk. You ride through jungle, along rice paddies, over wet and muddy tracks, and through the Gorilla Face feature. Expect puddles and a bumpy ride. Some sections use a purpose-built track, while the route also passes through natural and local surroundings.

That variety makes the ride entertaining, especially if you enjoy steering and getting splashed. It is not a silent way to see the countryside: ATVs are noisy, and one account found the contrast with nearby homes and fields uncomfortable. If low-impact travel is a priority for you, that is worth weighing before you book.

The guides tailor their support to riders’ confidence and experience. Some first-time riders need a little help getting comfortable with the controls, and the ATV guide can adjust the pace and route. One couple even got a chance to switch drivers halfway through a tandem ride, though you should not assume that option will always be available.

The track can be muddy enough to soak your clothes. Wear something comfortable that you do not mind getting dirty, and bring a full change for afterward. Photos and videos are not included, so bring a camera only if you can keep it safe from water and mud. You can also purchase photos or video separately, but the cost is not specified.

Switching from wheels to the Ayung River

After the ATV portion, you can shower and change before heading to rafting. The Ayung River leg is listed as 2.5 hours. It brings a different kind of excitement: you paddle with a guide through rapids and quieter sections, with views of jungle and waterfalls along the route.

The water experience seems to be the highlight for many people who enjoy both activities. The guides are part of the fun as well as the safety setup. Names mentioned by people who have taken the trip include Rambo, Roma, and Chap, but the guide assigned to your raft can vary. You may have time to swim during the outing, depending on conditions and the guide’s plan.

Do not mistake the river’s beauty for an easy approach. Reaching the water involves a steep walk down, and getting back out means climbing uphill. The exact number of steps is not fixed in the activity details, but counts shared by people who have done it range from roughly 300 to more than 500 on the return. That variation may reflect different routes or counting, but the message is clear: expect a substantial climb.

This is the most important suitability check. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and it is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems. Even if none of those applies to you, consider your knees and general fitness before committing to the river portion.

Lunch, showers, and the value of the package

The included meal is fried rice or fried noodles. It is a straightforward meal rather than a culinary event, but after mud, river water, and a long climb, having lunch arranged is useful. Bottled water is included, though other drinks are not specified as part of the package.

Showers, changing rooms, lockers, towels, and safety equipment are provided. These details make the combined outing more practical: you can leave your dry clothes in a locker, wash off after the ATV or rafting, and change before heading back. Bring cash for anything not included, and keep valuables secured.

At $19 per person, the listed price looks low for two guided activities, safety equipment, facilities, and lunch. But treat it as a starting point rather than assuming every version costs exactly that amount. Pickup is optional, and transfers to or from different hotel locations or areas outside the listed coverage zones incur an extra charge payable to the driver. A tandem booking with an odd number of participants also means one person must ride solo, with an additional on-site charge.

The package offers its best value if you want both activities and are happy to spend much of the day outdoors. If you only want rafting or only want an ATV ride, compare the cost and time commitment of booking that activity alone. This combined option is less about lingering at one spot and more about packing two active experiences into a single day.

Transport, timing, and what to bring

The stated duration ranges from 150 minutes to eight hours. That is a wide spread, so check the exact option and schedule when you book. The ATV and rafting portions alone total about four hours as described, while transport, waiting, changing, and lunch can stretch the outing. If you select hotel pickup, the time you choose during booking is your actual pickup time.

Pickup and drop-off are offered in Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Your driver is expected to contact you the day before to confirm details. If you travel without pickup, arrange your own transport to the meeting point, Graha Adventure Rafting. You will need to show your voucher at registration, and the activity provider sends directions by email one day before.

Drivers can make a real difference to the day’s flow. People taking the trip have singled out drivers including Alit, Tugus, Dony, and Gede for clear communication, punctuality, and help coordinating the schedule. Those are examples, not a promise of a particular driver. The transport score is also strong, with 89% of ratings giving it a perfect score.

Pack with wet, muddy conditions in mind:

• A change of clothes and a small bag for wet items
• Flip-flops or water shoes for rafting, which are required
• Comfortable clothing that can get muddy
• A camera, if you can protect it from splashes
• Cash for extras or additional transport charges

The activity runs rain or shine. Free parking is available if you arrive by car or scooter. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Who will get the most from this outing?

This is a good fit if you want an active day, enjoy guided adventure, and are comfortable getting wet and dirty. It can work for a solo visitor as well as a couple or group: you can ride alone, or choose a tandem ATV. For tandem bookings with an odd number of people, plan for one rider to go solo and pay the additional on-site charge.

The combination can also suit families with older children, but think carefully about the river access. One family completed the outing with children aged 10 and 12, while another person specifically cautioned that the steep route may be unsuitable for very young children. The activity details do not set a minimum age, so ask the provider directly before booking with children.

If you want a quiet, low-effort day, this is probably not your best choice. The ATVs are noisy, the tracks can be rough, and the walk to and from the river is demanding. For visitors who are ready for that, the rafting provides a welcome change of pace and the river scenery is a strong reason to go.

Should you book this ATV and rafting trip?

Book it if you want two different outdoor activities, appreciate having a guide throughout, and can handle the steep walk at the river. The most reliable reasons to choose it are the lively guides, the Ayung River setting, the muddy ATV route, and the convenience of lunch and changing facilities in one package.

Skip it if stairs are a problem, you have a back issue, or you would rather avoid noisy motorized rides near local homes and fields. Before paying, confirm your pickup area, chosen ride type, any additional charges, and the day’s timing. If those details suit you, this is a strong-value way to make a full adventure day near Ubud.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The stated duration ranges from 150 minutes to eight hours, depending on the option and arrangements. The ATV ride is listed as 1.5 hours, and rafting is listed as 2.5 hours. Check the available start times and selected option when booking.

How long is the rafting portion?

The rafting tour is listed as 2.5 hours on the Ayung River.

Can I choose a solo or tandem ATV?

Yes. You can select a solo ATV or a tandem ride with a companion. If a tandem booking has an odd number of participants, one person must ride solo, with an additional charge payable on site.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional. Listed coverage includes Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or areas outside the coverage zone may incur an additional charge payable to the driver.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring comfortable clothes that can get muddy, a change of clothes, and flip-flops or water shoes for rafting. A camera and cash are also suggested. Water shoes or flip-flops are required for the rafting activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is fried rice or fried noodles. Bottled water is also included, but other drinks are not specified as included.

Are showers and lockers available?

Yes. Shower and changing room access, lockers, towels, and safety equipment are included.

Is the rafting walk difficult?

The route to and from the river includes a steep walk, and the return climb can involve several hundred steps. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.