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

The big thrill here is the ATV ride through Gorilla Cave, a muddy, wet course that runs past rice paddies, forests, streams, tunnels, rushing water, and high hills. You get roughly 105 minutes on the quad bike, followed by lunch, a shower, the Monkey Forest, and Tegenungan Waterfall.

I like the mix of action and sightseeing. The ATV route is genuinely varied, while the English-speaking drivers, including Adi, Bayu, Agung, Dika, and Win, are praised for being punctual, friendly, safe, and willing to help with photos. The main drawback is pace: the waterfall stop can feel short, and a single ATV may be hard work if you have little driving experience.

Key points to know before booking

• The ATV course is muddy and challenging: Expect jungle tracks, puddles, streams, tunnels, and wet clothes, not a gentle sightseeing ride.
• Gorilla Cave is part of the ride: The unusual cave formation gives the quad-bike section a memorable focal point.
• You get a full Bali day from one booking: Hotel transport, lunch, water, insurance, the ATV, Monkey Forest admission, and waterfall admission are included.
• The Monkey Forest adds a quieter nature stop: You’ll walk through a temple and forest setting inhabited by monkeys and tropical animals.
• Tegenungan is the cooling finish: You have time for photos, free time, and swimming beneath the waterfall.
• Bring practical gear: Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, cash, and a complete change of clothes.

Why the $53 price can make sense

At $53 per person, this tour gives you more than a standalone ATV outing. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, a single or tandem quad bike, safety equipment and instruction, lunch, mineral water, insurance, and admission to both the Monkey Forest and Tegenungan Waterfall.

That bundle matters in Bali. A private driver, separate attraction tickets, and an ATV booking can quickly become a more expensive and less convenient day. Here, one driver manages the route between the stops, and you do not need to arrange separate transport back to your hotel.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You get a physical activity, a wildlife and temple visit, and a waterfall stop in one outing. If you only want a serious off-road ride, the sightseeing stops may feel like extras. If you prefer a relaxed cultural tour, the muddy ATV section may be too demanding.

The advertised duration ranges from two to eight hours, depending on the starting time, pickup point, traffic, and exact schedule. The route includes long transfers from coastal areas such as Nusa Dua, Kuta, Jimbaran, Seminyak, Sanur, and Canggu, so your actual day can feel much longer than the time spent at the attractions.

Starting with the Gorilla Cave ATV route

The quad-bike portion begins at KeepAll Bali Adventure. Before riding, you receive safety equipment, boots, and instructions from an experienced instructor. You can choose a single ATV or a tandem ATV, which is useful if one person would rather ride with a partner.

This is not just a paved track with a few turns. The course passes through tropical village scenery, rice paddies, overgrown forest, rushing rivers, streams, muddy sections, tunnels, waterfalls, and high ground. The Gorilla Cave is the odd and memorable feature, with a rock formation shaped like a gorilla’s face.

The ride is listed as about 105 minutes, though the full ATV experience is described as roughly two hours of action. Either way, plan for a substantial period on the bike. The route has enough mud and uneven ground to make the ride feel like an adventure rather than a quick amusement-park circuit.

You should be comfortable with basic vehicle control before choosing a single ATV. One account specifically notes that a single quad can be difficult for people who cannot drive. If you are uncertain, a tandem ATV is the sensible choice, provided that option suits your group.

The course can be wet and messy. Boots are provided, and some riders also received wellington-style footwear and a plastic cap worn beneath the helmet. Still, bring clothes you can change out of afterward. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also listed as useful items, though you should expect the glasses to get dirty if the track is especially muddy.

After the ride, you can shower and eat lunch. That simple reset is valuable. You are not expected to sit in a car covered in mud for the rest of the day, and lunch gives you time to cool down before the next stop.

The driver makes the long route easier

Hotel pickup is included from a wide range of locations. Pickup points include major resorts and hotels in Ubud, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kuta, Jimbaran, Seminyak, and Canggu. You meet the driver in your hotel lobby, then return to one of the listed drop-off areas at the end.

The driver is more than a person behind the wheel. Adi is described as punctual and present throughout the day, while Bayu is praised for safe driving, clear communication, and explaining what you are seeing along the way. Agung, Dika, Win, Ketoot, Natha, and Legii are also singled out for friendly, considerate service.

That personal support can shape the day. Drivers have helped take photos, waited during activities, answered questions, and kept an eye on timing. Some have offered extra stops or helped with photo opportunities. Those extras are not guaranteed parts of the paid route, so treat them as possible goodwill rather than something to demand.

The practical point is simple: tell your driver what pace you prefer. One person wanted more time at the waterfall, while another found the stop a little short. If swimming matters to you, mention it early so your driver understands that you want to protect that time.

Walking through the Sacred Monkey Forest

The next major stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. This is a nature reserve and temple complex where groups of monkeys live among tropical plants and old religious buildings.

The forest changes the mood of the day. After the noise, mud, and vehicle control of the ATV course, you walk among trees and temple structures while watching the animals move through the area. The stop is scheduled for about one hour, which is enough for a guided visit but not an unhurried half-day exploration.

You should keep your belongings secure and follow the guide’s directions around the monkeys. The animals are wild and can be bold around food and loose items. One account describes the monkeys at Sangeh as relatively friendly and less likely to steal things, while another notes that the monkeys are not especially friendly and should not be held. Since the supplied route names the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud but some day descriptions use Sangeh Monkey Forest, confirm the exact forest included when you book.

Your guide can make this stop much better. Agung is praised for keeping a safe distance around the monkeys, and another guide was familiar with a particular monkey called Alex. That does not mean you should expect a personal monkey encounter, but it shows why a local guide is useful here. A guide can help you watch safely, point out photo opportunities, and prevent you from getting too close.

The Monkey Forest is a good fit if you want nature and culture without spending a full day at a single museum or temple. It is less suitable if you dislike animals approaching you or if you want complete control over your walking pace.

Cooling off at Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall provides the day’s most refreshing stop. The area is known for its green setting, and the visit includes photos, free time, and the chance to swim in cool water.

The stop is scheduled for about one hour. That gives you time to see the waterfall, take photographs, and swim if conditions and your comfort allow. It is not a long, lazy afternoon by the water, so organize yourself quickly if you want to get wet.

Bring a change of clothes. This is one of the most useful tips for the whole experience, especially if you swim after already getting soaked on the ATV course. Cash is also recommended, though the supplied information does not specify exactly where you will need it.

Tegenungan works well as the final attraction because it lets you slow down after the two more active stops. The drawback is time. If your group spends longer than planned at the ATV course or has a long transfer, the waterfall portion may feel compressed. A guide such as Win may give you as much time as possible, but the total route still has to fit within the day.

What is included, and what still costs extra

The included package is practical:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• English-speaking driver
• Single or tandem ATV
• Safety equipment and riding instruction
• Monkey Forest admission
• Tegenungan Waterfall admission
• Lunch
• Mineral water
• Insurance

Alcohol and photos are not included. The photo point matters because ATV operators and attractions may offer images separately, and the driver may take photos for you as a courtesy, but you should not assume professional photos are part of the price.

The tour also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Babies under one year are not suitable for this activity, and baby strollers are not allowed.

What to pack for a muddy, active day

Pack light, but bring the things that protect your comfort:

• A full change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Cash
• Clothes and shoes you do not mind getting dirty
• A swimsuit if you plan to swim

Safety equipment and boots are provided for the ATV ride. Even so, your own spare clothes are essential. The ride includes mud, puddles, streams, and water, so staying dry is not a realistic goal.

Wear something that allows easy movement. The information does not specify a dress code, but you will be sitting on a quad bike, walking through a forest, and possibly swimming. Avoid bringing anything delicate or difficult to secure around monkeys.

Who will enjoy this Bali combination tour

I would recommend this for couples, friends, and families with older children who want a busy day with several different activities. It suits people who would rather combine highlights than spend a whole day at one attraction.

It is especially useful for first-time Bali visitors based around the southern resorts. The driver takes care of the connections, while the included tickets and lunch reduce the number of small decisions you need to make.

You should think twice if you want a calm, slow-paced outing. The ATV ride is physical, muddy, and more difficult than some riders expect. A person who cannot confidently operate a quad bike should choose a tandem ATV or ask about the best arrangement before departure.

It is also not the best choice if you want a long swim or a detailed visit to the Monkey Forest. The day gives you a taste of each place, rather than a deep look at one site.

How to make the day run better

Confirm your pickup time with the driver. Bayu, for example, contacted his group the day before with the departure hour, which is the kind of communication you want for an early or complicated pickup.

Tell the driver if you are riding a tandem ATV, swimming, or hoping to spend extra time at a particular stop. Guides such as Win have been flexible about time, but traffic and the fixed route can limit what is possible.

Use the shower after the ATV ride before lunch. It is an easy step to skip when you are eager to leave, but you will be more comfortable in the car and at the Monkey Forest afterward.

Keep your phone and loose items secure around the monkeys. Follow the guide’s instructions even if an animal appears calm. A good photograph is not worth a scratched phone or a frightened animal.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want one active, well-organized day that combines Bali scenery, an off-road ride, monkeys, a waterfall, lunch, and hotel transport. The ATV route is the main event, and Gorilla Cave, streams, tunnels, mud, and forest tracks give it more character than a simple road ride.

Skip it if you want a quiet cultural day, cannot manage a quad bike, or care most about spending a long time swimming. The price is strong for the number of inclusions, but the experience works best when you accept its quick pace and muddy side.

For most active first-time visitors, this is a useful Bali sampler. Choose the tandem ATV if you are unsure about driving, pack dry clothes, protect your belongings around the monkeys, and tell your driver what you want from the waterfall stop.

FAQ

How much does the Bali ATV, Monkey Forest, and Waterfall Tour cost?

The tour costs $53 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is between two and eight hours, depending on the selected start time and route arrangements. The ATV portion lasts about 105 minutes, the Monkey Forest visit about one hour, and the waterfall stop about one hour.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed locations in areas such as Ubud, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kuta, Jimbaran, Seminyak, and Canggu. You meet the English-speaking driver in your hotel lobby.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and mineral water are included.

Is the ATV ride suitable for beginners?

Instruction is provided by an experienced instructor, but the course includes mud, streams, tunnels, uneven tracks, and water. A single ATV may be difficult for someone who cannot drive, so a tandem ATV may be the better choice.

Can I choose a single or tandem ATV?

Yes. The package includes a single or tandem ATV.

Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall stop includes free time and the chance to swim in the cool water.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and a complete change of clothes. A change of clothes is especially useful because the ATV ride can be muddy and wet.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the activity and pay later.