Bali wakes up early, and this tour does it for you. The core idea is simple: you get a hot air balloon ride (about 8 minutes) over Ubud’s paddies, jungle, mountains, and hot springs, then you continue with guided cultural stops at Goa Gajah and Ubud’s market area. If you like mixing one big wow moment with planned sightseeing, this format works well.

Two things I’d put at the top of my list are the included meal (breakfast or afternoon tea or dinner depending on your package) and that admission tickets are built into the schedule for each major stop. One drawback to think through first: balloon flights depend on wind and weather, and the operator may cancel for safety, so you’ll want a backup mindset if you’re on tight timing.

Key takeaways before you book

• A real sunrise or sunset schedule: pickups run early for sunrise (around 5:00am start) or you depart later for sunset (around 4:00pm).
• Short ride, big views: the balloon time is about 8 minutes, so this is built for maximum scenery per minute.
• Meals are included: breakfast or afternoon tea or dinner comes with the package, and it can be taken before or after your flight.
• Temple + market in one flow: Goa Gajah plus Ubud Palace and Ubud Market keeps the day from feeling like just a drive.
• Rice terrace photo time: Tegalalang is a scheduled stop with about 30 minutes for views and photos.
• Small-group feel: the tour is capped at a maximum of 2 travelers, which tends to make the day feel less crowded.

A balloon ride over Ubud’s paddies, jungle, mountains, and hot springs

This is one of those Bali activities where the promise is visual first. You’re up in the air over the lush interior, and the scenery is framed by what makes Ubud special: working rice paddies, dense greenery, and the bigger mountain backdrop that shows up across the island. The hot springs idea matters too, because Bali’s geography is part of the story. From above, it’s easier to see why people consider this region so distinctive.

Now, let’s talk about expectations. The actual balloon ride is listed as about 8 minutes. That’s not long, but it’s also the point: balloons are weather-dependent, and the experience is designed as a clean, high-impact block rather than an all-day floating party.

The tour also handles more than just the balloon. After you land, you step directly into sightseeing: a temple stop, a Ubud Palace and market stop, and then Tegalalang Rice Terraces. For many people, that makes the day feel like good value, because you’re not spending the rest of the time figuring out logistics on your own.

Sunrise vs sunset departures: what changes besides the light

You can book a sunrise departure or a sunset departure. Sunrise starts around 5:00am, and sunset starts around 4:00pm, and pickup time depends on where your hotel is. The operator sends the actual boarding departure and pick-up time by email separately, so plan around that message rather than assuming a fixed pickup.

The real difference is how your day is structured. Sunrise turns this into an early-morning mission, and sunset turns it into a late-afternoon schedule. Either way, the tour sets a clear timetable built around the flight window.

One practical note: the operator will only wait until 7:30am for sunrise and 6:00pm for sunset for the balloon ride. If you’re late, it’s considered a no-show and there’s no refund. So you’ll want to be ready for early contact and quick pickup, especially if your hotel is outside the main hubs.

Also keep in mind the balloon only operates when there are at least 2 rides in each flight session. That’s not something you can control, but it’s a reminder that your experience is tied to how the operator schedules those sessions.

Meals included: how food fits around the flight

Meals are included, but the exact meal depends on the package you choose. The options are breakfast or afternoon tea or dinner. The good part is that you can enjoy it before or after the hot air balloon flight, which gives you flexibility if the schedule shifts slightly due to balloon operations.

Content can change without notice, and beverages are not included. That’s important for budgeting, especially if you’re someone who tends to drink a lot of bottled water or juice during tours. The meal is food-only, so plan for additional drinks separately.

In terms of comfort, included food is a big deal on balloon mornings. Even if the flight time itself is short, you’re still dealing with an early pickup. The meal inclusion turns the day from expensive-and-chaotic to organized-and-manageable.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): a temple stop with real character

After the balloon ride, the schedule takes you to Goa Gajah, often called Elephant Cave. Your time here is listed as 1 hour, and admission is included.

What makes this stop worthwhile is that it breaks up the “views only” nature of the balloon. A hot air balloon ride is about scenery at speed. Goa Gajah gives you a chance to slow down and see a sacred site in the context of Ubud’s cultural scene.

There’s also a practical reason this stop works in the middle of the day plan: it’s long enough for you to wander, look around, and get a sense of the place without feeling rushed. If you care about cultural sites and not just photos, this stop is the kind that helps the day feel balanced.

Ubud Palace and Ubud Market: sightseeing plus a place to breathe

Next comes Ubud Palace and then the Ubud Market. This section is also about 1 hour, with admission included.

Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, the market area adds texture. It’s where Ubud feels like a working town instead of a stage set. You can take in daily life, snack, and reset your energy after the balloon and temple segment.

The Palace stop gives a different flavor from Goa Gajah. Goa Gajah is about a historical sacred site; Ubud Palace is about the living cultural center of the town. Put them together and your day reads like a mini-course on what Ubud is: art and ceremony here, plus the market rhythm that keeps it moving.

One consideration: markets can be busy, and your 1-hour block is not a long time. So if shopping is a priority, I’d treat this as your chance for quick browsing rather than a full afternoon hunt.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: photo time with a known time limit

Then you head to Tegalalang Rice Terraces. This stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, and admission is included.

Tegalalang is famous for a reason. From the terraces you can take in the paddies and see how the irrigation works, known as the subak system. The subak detail matters because it turns the scenery into a living agricultural story rather than just a pretty background.

You also get time to take a photo with the rice terraces as your backdrop. With only 30 minutes, you’ll want to move efficiently: decide your photo angle early, then use the remaining time to look around and enjoy the viewpoint.

Logistics that can make or break your day (pickup, transfers, group size)

This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off for select hotels, plus transport by air-conditioned minivan. There are also free round-trip transfers from hotels in a number of Balinese towns, but it’s limited to selected areas.

Two details help you plan better:

1. Your pickup time depends on your hotel location, and the boarding departure and pickup time may differ from the general description. You’ll receive the actual timing by email.
2. Your hot air balloon ride has firm check-in timing: the operator will only wait until 7:30am (sunrise) or 6:00pm (sunset).

On top of that, the group size is small. The tour has a maximum of 2 travelers, and it notes that a one-time ride is ideally for couples, otherwise max is 2 adults or small children depending on weight. There’s also a weight limit: maximum of 150kg in total.

If you’re traveling with a partner, this small setup can feel like a more personal experience. If you’re in a family group, the weight limit and small capacity might be the first thing to double-check.

What if the balloon can’t fly?

Weather and wind matter. The tour is subject to conditions, and there’s a possibility of cancellation for safety reasons.

If the hot air balloon isn’t able to fly, you’ll be given two alternative compensations to choose from:

• a 60-minute Balinese massage for two, or
• rescheduling the flight from the morning session to the afternoon session.

That’s a more interesting plan than a simple refund, but you should read it as: your schedule may shift. If you’ve booked other activities tightly, build in flexibility.

There’s also a practical element: you might go through pickup and travel, then face a weather decision. If this is the one bucket-list item you can’t miss, consider staying flexible with your itinerary the day of the tour.

Price and value: is $200 per person worth it?

At $200 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on. But you’re not paying only for the balloon.

Your price includes:

• the about 8-minute balloon ride
• an included meal (type depends on package)
• hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels)
• air-conditioned minivan transport
• admission tickets for the main stops (Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace/market area, and Tegalalang)
• a mobile ticket

That combo is where the value comes from. A balloon flight alone can be expensive, and adding multiple included admissions and meals helps. Plus, your sightseeing is pre-arranged into a single flow, so you don’t need to piece together transport between scattered sites.

Now, the trade-off: the balloon ride is short, and balloon operations are weather-dependent. You’re paying for a specific activity that can’t be forced. If it cancels, you’ll choose between massage or rescheduling, and the experience becomes less of what you originally imagined.

So I’d frame it like this: the price makes sense if you’re excited about the balloon view and you’re comfortable with a plan that has a built-in weather contingency.

Who this tour is best for

This is a good match if:

• you want a compact day that mixes a sky moment with real Ubud sightseeing
• you like having admissions and meals handled
• you prefer a small group size (maximum of 2 travelers)
• you’re okay with either sunrise or sunset timing

It may not be the right fit if:

• you can’t afford schedule risk (because balloon flights depend on wind/weather)
• you’re pregnant, because the activity is listed as not recommended
• you have mobility needs that affect participation, since it’s also noted as not recommended for PWDs
• you’re over the weight limits, since the cap is 150kg total

One more note for planning: souvenir photos are not included. If you’re counting on getting printed or package photos from the balloon experience, factor that in.

Should you book this Ubud balloon-plus-meals tour?

I’d book it if you want a well-packaged Ubud morning or afternoon with a clear structure: balloon ride first, then Goa Gajah, then Palace and market, then Tegalalang. The included meal and admissions help justify the cost, and the small group size is a real quality-of-life perk.

Skip it or at least reconsider if the balloon is the only thing you care about and you’re locked into a rigid schedule. This experience is designed to handle weather reality with massage or rescheduling, but it still can shift the day.

If you can travel with some flexibility and you’re excited by the idea of seeing Ubud from above for a brief but memorable window, this one is likely worth your $200.

FAQ

How long is the hot air balloon ride?

The hot air balloon experience is listed as about 8 minutes.

What meals are included with the tour?

Meals are included as food only. Depending on the package you choose, you’ll have breakfast or afternoon tea or dinner. Beverages are not included.

What stops are included besides the balloon ride?

You’ll visit Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Ubud Palace and Ubud Market, and the Tegalalang Rice Terraces.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels. Free round-trip transfers are also available from select towns.

What happens if the balloon can’t fly due to weather?

If the balloon is unable to fly, you choose between a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or rescheduling the flight from the morning session to the afternoon session.

How much time does the operator wait for pickup timing?

The operator will only wait until 7:30am for sunrise or 6:00pm for sunset. Late arrival is treated as a no-show and there’s no refund.