REVIEW · UBUD
Bali Countryside Cycling Adventure
Book on Viator →Operated by Bali Hai Tours · Bookable on Viator
Your handlebars meet real Bali today. This full-day cycling route from Ubud mixes rice terraces, bamboo forest, and traditional villages, plus temple stops and great breaks so you’re not just pedaling through scenery.
I like that the experience is built for your comfort, with breakfast and lunch included and drinks like mineral water plus fresh coconut or fruit juice along the way. The ride is designed to be easy and forgiving.
One thing to consider: even on a mostly downhill track, some stretches can feel narrow or a bit rough, so wear grippy shoes and ride with attention when roads pinch down.
In This Review
- Key things I’d plan for before you go
- Why this Ubud bike day feels like the real island
- Price and value: what $58 really covers
- Pickup and pacing: how the day stays organized
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: the famous view, with time to enjoy it
- Coffee plantation stop: local flavors without the hard sell
- Bamboo forest and Penglipuran: culture you can walk through
- Riding the countryside: mostly downhill, but still real roads
- Subak water temple at Taman Bali: a calm stop between rides
- Passing through Bangli and a break at Waterboom Bukit Jati
- Food breaks that actually help you enjoy the day
- Rain and comfort tips that make a difference
- Who this cycling day suits best
- Should you book? My straight answer
- FAQ
- What is included in the tour price?
- Is the cycling hard?
- Do I need to pay entrance fees during the day?
- Is pickup offered, or do I need to meet at the start point?
- What time does the tour start, and how long does it last?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is there a support van if I get tired?
- What if it rains?
- Can I cancel and get a refund?
- Does the tour include food and drinks?
Key things I’d plan for before you go

- Entrance fees are included for the major stops, so you’re not pulling out your wallet every few minutes
- Breakfast and lunch are included, with water and a coconut or fruit-juice option during the day
- Mostly downhill riding makes this workable for beginners, with extra help available if you need to pause
- Safety is actively managed, with multiple guides, a following A/C van, and traffic control at crossings
- Cultural stops are part of the ride, not a random checklist, including Penglipuran and a bamboo forest visit
Why this Ubud bike day feels like the real island

If you’re doing Ubud, you’ve probably already seen enough shops to last a lifetime. This tour is the counter-move: you get out into the countryside where rice paddies, bamboo, and village life shape the day.
You’ll ride through spots most people only ever view from a car window. And because the route is mostly downhill, you can actually look around without feeling like your legs are filing a complaint.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Price and value: what $58 really covers

At about $58 per person, you’re paying for more than a bike. You’re getting a whole support system for a full day: A/C van transfers, bike and helmet, key site admissions, plus both meals.
Most importantly, you’re not doing a stressful logistics puzzle. The tour includes mineral water, and you’ll also get a cold face towel, which sounds small until the heat hits.
Pickup and pacing: how the day stays organized

The day runs long enough to feel complete (about 8 to 10 hours), but it’s broken into clear parts. You start around 8:00 am, then the crew moves you from sightseeing into riding into more stops.
Pickup and drop-off are offered for many Bali-area bases around Ubud and nearby areas (including Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua, with other locations handled case-by-case). If you’re staying near the meeting area, there’s also a start point at Sayana Bali Resto & Bar in Samplangan.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: the famous view, with time to enjoy it

The morning begins with a drive to Tegallalang Rice Terrace, one of Bali’s most photographed stretches of green steps. The visit is scheduled at a good length (around 35 minutes), so it’s not just a quick walk-by.
What makes this stop work on a cycling day is timing. You’ll see the terraces before the crowds get thick, and you’re set up mentally for the countryside theme that follows.
Admission is included, so your only job is to pick your best photo angle and then move.
Coffee plantation stop: local flavors without the hard sell

At some point during the day, you’ll stop at a coffee plantation for tastings of local blends. This is one of those moments where you get context for what people are producing nearby, not just a souvenir photo op.
If you prefer tea or want non-coffee options, you’ll usually be fine here since the broader tour includes fruit-juice choices too. Just don’t expect a deep lesson in single-origin complexity; the main value is seeing the local processing and trying the flavors.
Bamboo forest and Penglipuran: culture you can walk through

This is where the tour shifts from scenic to truly memorable.
First, you ride through the Penglipuran Bamboo Forest, a large bamboo area (listed as about 7.5 hectares). You’ll also get a chance to see traditional bamboo craftsmen at work inside the forest. It’s the kind of stop that makes you slow down, because the details are right in front of you.
Next comes Penglipuran Village, a traditional village known for its culture and way of life. The visit time (around 40 minutes) gives you room to wander, look closely at community life, and understand why visitors keep returning here.
Practical note: village areas can involve uneven ground. Wear shoes you’re comfortable with even if you think you’ll only be “walking a little.”
Riding the countryside: mostly downhill, but still real roads

Cycling is the centerpiece, but it’s not constant pedaling. The route is built to feel easy for a wide range of abilities, and it’s mostly downhill with a couple of uphill sections.
In practice, the riding portion feels like a few hours total, with frequent stopping for breaks, photos, and the next viewpoint. That matches what many people come for: a day that’s active but not exhausting.
Safety is where this tour earns its strong reputation. You ride with at least two guides, plus a supporting A/C van following along. If you get tired or can’t continue, you can get back into the car.
And at major crossings, extra men stand by to help manage traffic so you don’t have to fight the flow yourself. Some stretches can be narrow, so the safest mindset is simple: keep both hands on the handlebars, go slow through pinch points, and don’t assume every section is smooth.
If you’re bringing kids or older riders, this is one of the reasons people like this outing. The tour notes that children’s bikes and baby/child seats are available, and the route design is geared toward mixed groups.
Subak water temple at Taman Bali: a calm stop between rides

After more cycling, you reach Pura Taman Narmada Bali Raja, described as a Subak water temple surrounded by rice paddies and a small lake area. This is a short stop (about 15 minutes), but it’s a meaningful change of pace.
A Subak temple ties together agriculture, irrigation, and community ritual. Even if you’re not a big “temple person,” it helps you understand the logic of the water system that keeps the rice growing.
This stop is listed with entrance included or free depending on the segment details, but either way you’ll be there for the views and the atmosphere, not for ticket lines.
Passing through Bangli and a break at Waterboom Bukit Jati
You’ll also pass through Bangli city and a traditional market area. That’s a nice change from only seeing “photo stops,” because markets and streets show the everyday rhythm of the region.
Later, you’ll have time around Waterboom Bukit Jati (about 40 minutes). The waterpark admission itself is listed as not included, so treat this as a scenic and relaxing break area rather than a guaranteed splash plan.
If it’s hot, even a short pause here can feel like a reset before the final return.
Food breaks that actually help you enjoy the day
The tour includes breakfast and lunch, plus mineral water. You’ll also get a fresh young coconut drink or fresh nutritious fruit juice, depending on what’s available and what you prefer.
Cold face towels show up during the day, which is a surprisingly effective morale boost in Bali heat.
Timing-wise, expect meals to be substantial enough that you’re not hungry during the riding windows. A few people note that breakfast and lunch can land a bit like brunch/early dinner depending on timing, which makes sense for a route with many stops and travel time.
Rain and comfort tips that make a difference
The tour includes a raincoat during rainy season, and ponchos have been mentioned as well. Still, plan for wet roads and a little mud if conditions turn.
A small clothing tip matters here: if rain hits, darker clothes hide splashes better than light colors, and grip matters more than style.
Bring:
- grippy closed-toe shoes (bike shoes or sturdy sneakers work well)
- a small dry bag or zip pouch for your phone and wallet
- a light layer if you run cold in the A/C van
Who this cycling day suits best
This is a strong fit if you want:
- a mostly downhill cycling route that’s doable for beginners
- a full-day plan that mixes countryside riding with cultural stops
- active time without the pressure of long, punishing climbs
It also makes sense for families because the tour explicitly notes options for kids’ bikes and baby/child seats, and because the ride is designed with safety in mind.
If you have a fear of tight road edges or you don’t handle uneven surfaces well, pay extra attention to your comfort level at narrow sections. This isn’t an indoor cycling class; it’s real countryside riding.
Should you book? My straight answer
I’d book this tour if you’re aiming for a “real Bali” day: rice terraces early on, bamboo forest and Penglipuran village for culture, then cycling that’s mostly downhill with a real safety net behind you.
Skip it only if you know you’ll be uncomfortable with narrow or slightly rough road segments, or if you rely on flawless pickup every single time and can’t handle any day-of hiccups. One rare but serious failure case has shown up in the past, so do confirm your pickup details the day before and be ready at the pickup point.
If you go in with the right expectations—easy downhill riding, lots of stops, and safety support—you’ll likely end the day with that rare feeling: you did something active, but it also felt personal and local.
FAQ
What is included in the tour price?
The tour includes A/C van pickup and drop-off (for Ubud and listed surrounding areas), bike, helmet, and raincoat during rainy season, plus breakfast and lunch. You also get mineral water, a fresh young coconut drink or fresh fruit juice, and a cold face towel. Entrance fees for key sites are included.
Is the cycling hard?
It’s designed to be mostly downhill and suitable for all ability levels. The route includes some uphill sections, but the overall setup, guides, and support van make it workable for beginners.
Do I need to pay entrance fees during the day?
For the major stops, entrance fees are included. The waterpark stop (Waterboom Bukit Jati) is listed as not included if you plan to enter, so treat it as an optional break.
Is pickup offered, or do I need to meet at the start point?
Pickup is offered in the Ubud area and several nearby areas (Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua are listed). If you’re not in a covered pickup zone, you can use the meeting point at Sayana Bali Resto & Bar.
What time does the tour start, and how long does it last?
Start time is 8:00 am, and the duration is listed as approximately 8 to 10 hours.
How many people are in the group?
The group size is limited to a maximum of 25 travelers.
Is there a support van if I get tired?
Yes. A supporting A/C van follows along, so if you get tired or can’t continue, you can return to the car safely.
What if it rains?
The tour provides a raincoat during rainy season, and rain ponchos have been mentioned as part of the rain-handling during cycling. You should still dress for wet conditions and slippery roads.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Does the tour include food and drinks?
Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included, along with mineral water and either a fresh young coconut drink or fresh fruit juice.






















