Ubud: Hot Air Balloon Experience

Ubud’s only hot air balloon ride lifts you above the rice fields at Tanah Gajah, a resort surrounded by the greenery of the Ubud area. The balloon rises about 50 metres, then stays tethered near its launch point, so expect a short, elevated view rather than a journey across Bali. I like the chance to see the fields from above, and the meal that turns a brief flight into a longer outing.

The main trade-off is time in the air: the flight lasts just 7 to 10 minutes, and the price is $182 for a group of up to two. I’d consider it a special-occasion treat, not a low-cost way to get a long balloon ride. Weather can also delay or cancel the flight, so leave room in your plans.

At a glance

• Bali’s first and only balloon ride: The flight takes place at Tanah Gajah resort in the Ubud area.
• A tethered ascent: The balloon rises about 50 metres above the fields but does not travel far from its launch point.
• Choose a meal to match your time: Morning comes with breakfast, afternoon with tea and savouries, and evening with a three-course Indonesian or Balinese dinner.
• A short flight: You’ll be in the air for 7 to 10 minutes, with a small group of no more than 10 participants at the activity.
• Views depend on conditions: Clear skies and the time of day affect what you can see, including Mount Agung to the east.
• A two-person price: The $182 price covers a group of up to two adults, with a combined weight limit of 150 kilograms.

A short ascent above Tanah Gajah

This is a compact flight, not a long-distance balloon trip. A 23-metre balloon carries you in a cosy wicker basket, rising roughly 50 metres above the rice fields before remaining tethered near the resort. You get the unusual sensation of floating above the ground, but you won’t drift over Ubud or travel toward Mount Agung.

That distinction matters when you decide what you’re paying for. The appeal is the view from a new height, the balloon itself, and the setting at Tanah Gajah. If you picture an hour in the air crossing the countryside, this is not that kind of ride. If you want a short, memorable outing with a meal attached, the format makes more sense.

The setting is a big part of the draw. From above, you may see the tropical forest and rice fields around Ubud, with Mount Agung on the eastern horizon when the weather and light cooperate. The mountain is not guaranteed to be visible. Cloud, rain, wind and the timing of your flight can all change the view.

What the morning, afternoon and evening include

The flight is sold with a meal, and the choice of time changes the mood of the outing. For a morning ride, breakfast is based on the resort’s à la carte menu and may be served before or after the ascent. One useful tip from an early-morning visit: the balloon crew may still be preparing when you arrive, even if you have reached the resort at the stated time. Fresh juice and coffee were offered while the setup continued, but keep your morning schedule flexible.

Morning is the clearest choice if you want to see the fields in daylight and pair the flight with breakfast. It can also mean an early start. One visitor particularly liked the cooler air and the view over the surrounding greenery in the morning. That is a sensible reason to choose this slot, though the weather still decides how far the view reaches.

The afternoon option includes premium tea and coffee with savouries from different food traditions. It is a gentler choice if you would rather not start the day early, and it gives you a pause between sightseeing plans. But the light may differ from what you’d get in the morning, and the stated views are not promised at every time.

The evening choice includes a three-course Indonesian or Balinese set dinner. The meal price covers food, not drinks. House-pour water is the only beverage included, so budget extra if you want another drink. The timing may appeal to couples planning a special evening, but remember that darkness can limit the views. If the ride feels too dark to enjoy, the activity information says you can ask to reschedule.

The flight itself, and what it is not

The balloon rises to about 50 metres, with a flight time of 7 to 10 minutes. That is long enough to take in the perspective and enjoy the sensation of being off the ground, but short enough that you should set expectations before you pay. The balloon remains anchored, so you won’t float across the countryside or arrive somewhere else.

A few people who loved the outing still wished the ride lasted longer. That is the most important practical drawback to weigh against the novelty. The flight is a brief feature within a resort visit, rather than a full morning or evening of ballooning.

The small basket is designed for a maximum of two adults, with a combined weight limit of 150 kilograms. The activity is for people aged 3 to 70, and insurance applies only to passengers within that age range. If you’re travelling with a child or have a group larger than two adults, check the arrangements for the option you intend to book rather than assuming everyone can board together.

Tanah Gajah is part of the appeal

The balloon operates at Tanah Gajah, a luxury resort in the Ubud area. The setting adds more to the outing than a simple lift into the air: you can take in the resort grounds, then sit down for breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner. Several people particularly enjoyed the property and the meal, with breakfast drawing strong praise for its quality and choice.

That makes the experience a better fit for someone who values the whole occasion, not just flight minutes. I’d plan time to enjoy the meal and surroundings, especially if you choose the morning option. The included food makes the outing feel more complete, though it does not change the short duration of the ride.

The meeting point can vary with the option booked. Tanah Gajah is the useful place to search for when arranging your route, but confirm the exact meeting instructions for your selected time. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to the resort.

Photos, timing and a few useful cautions

A photographer may be present and offer pictures, including images taken while you are in the basket. One person reported being told that personal phone photography was not allowed during the ride, and that extra digital photos were expensive. Photo rules and prices can matter when the flight is so brief, so ask before boarding whether you can use your phone and what any paid photo package includes. Don’t assume photos are part of the price; the included items are the flight, meal, insurance and a balloon certificate.

The start may not happen at the exact minute you expect. A morning arrival at 6:30 a.m. was followed by activity closer to 7:00, while the crew finished preparing. That half-hour difference may not matter if you have the morning free, but it could disrupt a tightly planned itinerary. Avoid scheduling an immediate transfer or another timed activity afterward.

Wind and weather can lead to a cancellation for safety reasons. If the ride is called off due to weather, you may reschedule. The clarity of the view also depends on conditions, and the time of day affects how much you can see. Since conditions are outside the operator’s control, keep some flexibility in your Ubud plans.

Drones are prohibited around the resort perimeter. If you are carrying one, plan to keep it packed away.

Is $182 worth it for two?

At $182 for a group of up to two, the cost works out differently depending on whether you’re booking as a couple or alone. For two people, you’re paying for a private-feeling basket, a brief flight, and a meal at a high-end resort. For a solo participant, the same group price may feel steep for 7 to 10 minutes in the air.

The meal is a meaningful part of the value. Breakfast includes an à la carte choice; afternoon tea includes tea or coffee and savouries; dinner is a three-course Balinese or Indonesian set menu. These make the outing more than a quick ride, but they are not interchangeable with a long flight. Dinner drinks are extra, apart from house-pour water.

I’d compare the price with what you want from the day. If the novelty of Bali’s only balloon ride and the resort setting matter to you, the combination may justify a splurge. If your priority is maximum time airborne, the short, tethered ascent is likely to disappoint. A few delighted visitors called it worth the early start, while others felt the ride could have lasted longer. Both reactions make sense.

Who should book this Ubud balloon ride?

I’d recommend it most to couples looking for a distinctive shared outing, especially if they enjoy a good meal and unusual views as much as the activity itself. It may also suit a family with a child aged 3 to 70, provided the child meets the operator’s requirements and the two-adult, 150-kilogram basket limit is respected.

It is a less obvious choice if you’re anxious about heights, need a highly predictable schedule, or expect a traditional balloon journey across the countryside. The crew has helped nervous participants feel safe, but a tethered balloon still rises 50 metres, and there is no promise of a long ride. Ask yourself if that brief lift sounds exciting or simply too short for the price.

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help with planning, but weather remains a separate concern: the flight can be cancelled for safety, and you may need to reschedule.

My take

Book this if you want a short, unusual Ubud outing that combines a balloon ascent with a resort meal, and you’re comfortable paying for the setting as well as the flight. I’d choose the morning for cooler air, daylight and breakfast, while leaving extra time in the schedule in case setup runs late. Skip it if you want to travel across Bali by balloon or spend much longer in the air. The view may be lovely, but this is a brief lift, not a long flight.

FAQ

How long is the hot air balloon flight?

The flight lasts 7 to 10 minutes. The balloon rises about 50 metres and remains tethered near its launch point.

What meals are included?

Morning flights include an à la carte breakfast, afternoon flights include premium tea and coffee with savouries, and evening flights include a three-course Indonesian or Balinese set menu. Dinner beverages cost extra, except for house-pour water.

How many people can ride at once?

Each ride is designed for a maximum of two adults, with a combined weight limit of 150 kilograms. The activity is open to participants aged 3 to 70.

Can weather cancel the flight?

Yes. The activity depends on weather and wind, and it may be cancelled for safety. If it is cancelled due to weather, you may reschedule.

Is transport to Tanah Gajah included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included. The meeting point may vary depending on the option you book, so check the meeting instructions for your selected time.

Are drinks included with the evening dinner?

The dinner includes food only. You pay extra for beverages, while house-pour water is included if that is all you drink.