Ubud: Gorilla Face ATV Quad Bike Adventure with Lunch

The Gorilla Face cave is the eye-catching feature, but the real fun is the ride to reach it: a bumpy, muddy course that cuts through rice fields, bamboo and village scenery. I like the mix of terrain and the choice of solo or tandem ATVs, and I like that safety gear, a shower, lunch and bottled water are included.

Expect mud, jolts and a course that loops rather than a long ride from one place to another. The included meal is a convenient finish, but it is simple, and the optional pickup can turn a short ATV session into a much longer outing.

The quick read

• The Gorilla Face cave is the photo stop: You ride through the cave as part of the course, with time to snap a picture.
• The course is built for fun, not a scenic trek: Expect muddy, bumpy tracks, water sections, slopes and a loop-style route.
• You can ride solo or tandem: Choose a single ATV or share a bike, but an odd-numbered tandem group may mean one person has to ride solo for an extra on-site charge.
• Lunch and cleanup are part of the package: Fried rice or noodles, bottled water, a towel, lockers and shower and changing rooms are included.
• Pickup covers several busy resort areas: Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian and Kintamani are listed. A different hotel location or one outside these areas may cost extra.
• Bring a full change of clothes: The track can leave you wet and muddy, and the activity runs rain or shine.

From the base camp to the first muddy track

You can meet directly at Gorilla ATV Adventure’s office or add hotel pickup. If you arrange a ride, the selected booking time is your pickup time, not the time you start riding. The driver is due to contact you the day before to confirm; for a last-minute booking, expect contact soon after it is confirmed.

Pickup can be useful if you are staying outside central Ubud. The listed service areas include Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian and Kintamani. If you need pickup or drop-off somewhere else, check the extra charge before you commit. The ride from resort areas can take time, and some people travel roughly two hours each way from places such as Seminyak. That can make the day feel much longer than the ATV session itself.

At the base, staff provide a safety briefing and the equipment needed for the ride: helmet, boots, elbow protection and knee protection. Lockers are available for your belongings. I would arrive dressed for dirt and keep valuables to a minimum. A camera or phone is useful for the cave, but mud and water can make carrying it risky. If you take a phone, use a waterproof case and secure it so it cannot fall out.

Getting comfortable on the quad

You can book a single ATV or a tandem bike. If you have never driven one, the first minutes are for learning the controls and getting used to the machine. The ride is guided, and the pace can be adjusted for the group, according to people who have taken the course. That makes the experience more approachable than an unsupervised ride, though it is still a bumpy outdoor activity that asks you to pay attention.

Tandem riding lets one person drive while another rides along. It can be a good choice if you want to share the outing or would rather not operate the ATV yourself. Check the group count before booking: for an odd number of people choosing tandem, one person must ride solo, with an extra charge payable on site. The available information does not specify age rules or a minimum age, so ask the operator directly if you are booking for children.

The route passes through different kinds of terrain, including muddy trails, slopes, steep inclines and uneven hills. These changes are part of the appeal, but they also explain why this is not a smooth, leisurely ride. If you have back problems, limited mobility or are pregnant, the activity is not suitable. For anyone else, the sensible approach is to listen closely to the briefing and follow the guide’s instructions.

Rice fields, bamboo and the Gorilla Face cave

The course moves through jungle, rice fields, bamboo forest and parts of an Ubud village. The scenery gives the ride more character than a plain dirt circuit, but set your expectations correctly: this is an ATV adventure first and a sightseeing tour second. You get quick glimpses of the area while concentrating on the trail, rather than a slow, uninterrupted look at rural Bali.

The Gorilla Face cave is the signature feature. Riding through it gives the outing its memorable photo moment, and it breaks up the muddy track with something you are unlikely to find on an ordinary quad course. Bring a camera if you want a picture, but plan for dirt and spray. Photography and video are not included in the price. A photographer is available, and you can decide afterward if you want to buy the images.

One useful detail: this is a prepared course that loops around, not a long point-to-point ride across the countryside. If you want to cover distance and visit a string of sights, this is not that kind of outing. If you want a contained course with a mix of surfaces and a playful cave feature, the format works well.

The ride itself generally takes about 90 minutes to an hour and a half, while the total activity duration is listed as 90 minutes to eight hours. The wide range reflects the different options and travel time, especially if you add hotel transfers. Check the time shown for your chosen option, and allow more of your day if you are being collected from a distant resort area.

The people who keep the day moving

Guide quality is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Names that have come up include Rama, Koko and Lolet on the ATV course, with drivers such as Putu Deo, Yoga, Budi and Herry handling transfers. Assignments vary, so you cannot request a particular person with certainty. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: staff help with the briefing, keep an eye on the group and can make the transport leg feel less like a chore.

The transfer is worth considering as part of the experience, not just a ride to the starting point. Drivers have been praised for punctuality, safe driving and friendly conversation. Some have shared local tips or helped guests make plans for the rest of the day. Transport scores are particularly strong, with 93 percent of ratings giving it a perfect score.

If you book without pickup, you need to reach the ATV base yourself. The meeting point is the provider’s office, which you can find by searching Google Maps for Gorilla ATV Adventure. Free parking is available if you arrive by car or scooter. The team sends location details by email after booking, so check your messages before setting out.

Shower, dry clothes and a simple lunch

After the course, you can use the shower and changing room, with a towel provided. This is more than a small convenience. A wet, muddy ride followed by a drive back to your hotel is much less appealing if you have no way to clean up. Bring a change of clothes, including something dry for the journey back, and keep it accessible rather than buried under your luggage.

Lunch is included at the ATV location, with fried rice or fried noodles as the stated choices. Treat it as a straightforward meal after the ride, not a culinary event. Some people find it tasty and satisfying; others find it plain. Either way, having food ready on site saves you from having to find somewhere to eat while muddy and tired. Takeaway is also possible, which may help if you need to move on quickly.

Bottled water is included. Personal expenses and photos or videos are not, so bring cash if you may want to buy images or need money for other purchases. Sunscreen is also on the suggested packing list, even though much of the activity involves riding through shaded or enclosed areas.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, the base price is appealing for a guided ATV ride that includes safety gear, insurance, lunch, bottled water, a towel, lockers and shower access. You are paying for more than time on a quad: the setup, staff, cleanup facilities and meal all matter when you compare it with an activity that charges separately for each extra.

The value changes if you add pickup, especially from farther away. Hotel transport saves the trouble of arranging your own way to the base, but it can add hours to the day, and trips outside the listed coverage areas can incur an extra fee. Check the exact option and any transport charge before booking. The stated price is a starting point, not a guarantee that every pickup arrangement costs the same.

The activity has a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 1,281 ratings. That is a strong score for an outing whose main promise is muddy, physical fun rather than luxury or polished sightseeing. I would judge the value by whether you want a hands-on ride and appreciate the practical extras. If your priority is a quiet view of rice fields, you may find a slower Ubud excursion a better use of your money.

What to pack and who should book

Wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Bring a complete change of clothes, sunscreen, a camera and cash. A waterproof phone case can help protect your device, but carrying electronics remains your responsibility. The activity runs in rain or shine, so wet conditions are part of the deal, not a reason to expect a cancellation.

This is a good fit if you want an active break from temples, cafes and slower sightseeing, or if your group enjoys a bit of mud and adrenaline. Tandem options give you a way to share the ride, while solo ATVs suit people who want to control their own bike. Families should confirm the operator’s rules for children before booking. Some families have taken young children along, but that does not establish a general age policy or guarantee that every child can participate.

Skip it if you are pregnant, have back problems or have mobility impairments. Also think twice if you dislike rough rides, getting soaked or wearing dirty clothes for part of the day. The route is fun because it is uneven and messy; those same qualities are a drawback if you wanted a calm excursion.

The activity is offered in English and Indonesian. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help keep plans flexible. Those terms are useful, but the main decision is simpler: book for the ride, not for a long cultural tour or a special lunch.

Should you book the Gorilla Face ATV ride?

Book it if you want a lively, guided ride through mud, water, rice fields and bamboo, with the Gorilla Face cave as a distinctive stop. The included shower and lunch make the package practical, and optional pickup is handy if you do not want to arrange transport.

Choose another activity if you want a quiet countryside outing, a point-to-point journey or a meal that is a highlight in its own right. For the best chance of a smooth day, confirm your pickup cost, check the tandem headcount, pack dry clothes and protect your phone. If those basics suit you, this is a good-value way to add some muddy fun to an Ubud stay.

FAQ

How long does the ATV activity take?

The stated duration ranges from 90 minutes to eight hours, depending on the option you choose. The ATV ride itself is commonly about 90 minutes to an hour and a half, while pickup and drop-off can make the full outing much longer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option. Listed service areas are Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Legian and Kintamani. Different hotel locations or areas outside the coverage zone may incur an extra charge.

What food is included?

Lunch at the ATV location is included. The listed choices are fried rice or fried noodles, with bottled water also provided.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, a camera, sunscreen and cash. Comfortable clothes are recommended because the course can be muddy and wet. A waterproof case is sensible if you plan to carry a phone.

What safety equipment and facilities are provided?

The activity includes a helmet, boots, elbow protection, knee protection and insurance. Lockers, a towel, a shower room and a changing room are also available at the base.

Can I book a tandem ATV?

Yes. You can choose a single or tandem ATV. If your group books tandem bikes and has an odd number of participants, one person will need to ride solo, with an additional charge payable on site.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems or people with mobility impairments. The supplied information does not state an age limit, so check directly with the operator if you are booking for children.