Hot Air Balloon Experience with Meals at Ubud

Above Ubud, the paddies and jungle open into a wide view of Bali’s interior, with mountains and hot springs in the distance. The balloon ride lasts just about eight minutes, but this outing pairs it with several ground stops for a fuller day around Ubud.

I like two things here: the chance to see the rice terraces from above, and the mix of Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace and Market, and Tegalalang on one route. A meal and selected hotel transfers are included, which can make the early start or afternoon outing easier to manage.

The main catch is that the balloon is weather-dependent, and the listed alternatives for a flight that cannot operate are a massage for two or a rescheduled session, not a stated cash refund. One unhappy customer described repeated weather trouble and frustration with the remedy, so I would book this for the broader Ubud itinerary, not for the balloon alone.

• The ride is brief: Plan for roughly eight minutes in the air, with your turn depending on the session.
• You choose sunrise or sunset: The listed departure times are 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; your pickup time depends on your hotel.
• Four stops make up the outing: Balloon ride, Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace and Market, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.
• A meal is included: The package determines whether you receive breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner. Beverages are not included.
• Weather can change the plan: Balloon flights require suitable wind and at least two rides in a session.
• The ride has a weight limit: One ride is intended for a couple, with a maximum combined weight of 150 kg for up to two adults, or adults with small children.

An eight-minute flight with a bigger day around it

The balloon is the headline, but the outing is more than a quick trip into the air. It combines a short ride with stops at a temple, the Ubud Palace and Market, and the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. That broader plan matters when you weigh the price: you are paying for a package of transport, a meal, and sightseeing as well as the flight.

The balloon departs from Ubud’s Chedi Club. You can book a sunrise session at about 5:00 a.m. or a sunset session at about 4:00 p.m. The actual pickup time varies by hotel, and the operator says it will send the confirmed pickup and departure details separately. Don’t assume the time shown in a general description is your exact pickup time.

Your time in the basket is short, around eight minutes, and your turn may depend on the session. The description promises views of paddies, jungle, mountains, and hot springs across Bali’s interior. I’d treat the flight as a concentrated viewpoint, not a long balloon journey. If you want a leisurely flight or a full morning in the air, this is not the right fit.

Sunrise or sunset, with weather in charge

A sunrise start gets you moving early, while the sunset option puts the flight later in the day. The supplied schedule gives 5:00 a.m. for sunrise and 4:00 p.m. for sunset, but hotel location affects pickup time. You must arrive within the operator’s operating window: it will wait only until 7:30 a.m. for sunrise or 6:00 p.m. for sunset. Missing that cutoff counts as a no-show, with no refund.

Weather is the biggest uncertainty. The balloon operates only when wind and conditions allow, and the session needs at least two rides to go ahead. The operator says it may cancel for safety reasons. If the balloon cannot fly, the stated alternatives are a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or rescheduling from the morning session to the afternoon. These are meaningful options if you have schedule flexibility, but neither is the same as getting the flight you booked.

There is one particularly unhappy account of the experience, focused on weather cancellations and dissatisfaction with the alternatives. The operator’s response says the customer tried both morning and afternoon sessions and chose to keep rescheduling. That exchange points to the practical risk: a weather issue can turn a simple outing into a day of waiting and shifting plans. Keep other activities flexible, and be clear with yourself about whether the massage or a rescheduled flight would feel like acceptable compensation.

Goa Gajah: a temple stop with time to look around

After the balloon, the itinerary allows about an hour at Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave. The stop gives the day a cultural counterpoint to its scenic attractions. Instead of moving directly from flight to market and rice fields, you get time at a temple with its own distinct setting and name.

Admission is included. The visit is listed as one hour, enough to make this a proper stop rather than a quick photo break, though the exact pace will depend on transport and the day’s schedule. The supplied details do not name a guide or describe a guided tour, so don’t book on the assumption that a temple guide is included.

For a first visit to Ubud, this combination is useful. You get a chance to see a significant local site without arranging separate transport between stops. If you prefer to spend several hours at each temple, though, a multi-stop tour may feel brisk.

Ubud Palace and Market: a central pair

The next stop combines Ubud Palace and Ubud Market, with about an hour set aside for both. Their location in the town center makes this a practical place to get a feel for Ubud’s urban side after the temple and balloon.

The palace gives you a cultural landmark; the market offers a different kind of visit, with stalls and local shopping. The tour does not specify a guided walk, shopping time, or what is included at either site beyond the stop itself. Think of the hour as a chance to look around, not a promise of an extended visit or a detailed cultural program.

You may appreciate having a little free time to browse, but keep your expectations measured. If market shopping is a priority, ask how the hour is divided between the palace and market. The available details do not say whether the group stays together or how much independent time you get.

Tegalalang: rice terraces from the ground

The final listed stop is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, with around 30 minutes to enjoy the view and take photos. The terraces are known for their stepped rice paddies and the subak irrigation system. That traditional system is an important part of what makes the terraces more than a pretty backdrop: the cultivated slopes reflect a long-standing way of managing water and rice growing.

This is the shortest of the sightseeing stops, so plan for a viewpoint visit rather than a long walk through the fields. If you want to explore the terraces at a slower pace, take your own time afterward or arrange a separate visit. The tour’s 30-minute window is best understood as a photo and scenery stop.

Together, the temple, town center, and rice terraces give you three different sides of the Ubud area. The itinerary’s strength is variety; its tradeoff is limited time at each place.

Meals and transport: useful inclusions, with limits

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels, plus transport in an air-conditioned minivan. Transfers are available from a number of Balinese towns, but not every hotel is included. Check your hotel’s eligibility before booking, especially if you are staying outside Ubud or in a more distant area.

A meal is part of the price, but the specific meal depends on your package: breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner. It may be served before or after the balloon flight. The menu can change without notice, and beverages are excluded. Confirm which meal your chosen option includes rather than assuming every session comes with breakfast.

At $200 per person, this is not a low-cost way to get eight minutes in the air. The value depends on how much you want the full combination: balloon ride, meal, private or shared transport arrangements, and several Ubud-area stops. The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise pay for transfers and sightseeing separately. If your main goal is simply to see Ubud’s rice fields, a dedicated land visit may offer more time for less money.

The tour is described as having a maximum of two travelers, and the ride is intended for a couple or up to two adults, subject to a 150 kg combined weight limit. Children aged 0 to 1 are free, but the ride’s weight limit still matters for any adult-and-child combination. The product information also says the activity is not recommended for pregnant women or people with disabilities.

Is this a good fit for your Bali plans?

I’d consider this experience if you want a compact mix of scenery and Ubud sightseeing, like the idea of a balloon ride, and can handle a weather-dependent plan. The temple, market, and rice terrace stops make the day more substantial than the flight alone, and the included meal and eligible hotel transfers add convenience.

I would hesitate if the balloon itself is the whole reason you are booking. Eight minutes is a short flight, and wind or weather may prevent it from operating. The stated remedy is a massage for two or a rescheduled session, so decide before paying whether either option would work for you. The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from four reviews, but one account describes a very frustrating weather-related experience. With so few ratings, I would not treat the average as a guarantee.

Book it if the full itinerary appeals and you have room in your schedule for a change of plan. Skip it if you need a guaranteed flight, want a long balloon ride, or would be unhappy spending the day on alternatives rather than flying.

FAQ

How long is the hot air balloon ride?

The ride lasts about eight minutes. Your turn depends on the session.

What time does the tour start?

The listed sessions are at about 5:00 a.m. for sunrise and 4:00 p.m. for sunset. Your actual pickup time depends on your hotel and is sent separately.

What places does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes the balloon experience, Goa Gajah Temple, Ubud Palace and Market, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Is a meal included?

Yes. Your package includes breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner, depending on the option you choose. Beverages are not included.

Is hotel transportation included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels, with transport by air-conditioned minivan. Check whether your accommodation qualifies.

What happens if the balloon cannot fly?

The stated alternatives are a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or rescheduling the flight from the morning to the afternoon session. Weather and wind can lead to cancellation.

Does the balloon operate with only one ride booked?

No. There must be at least two rides in each flight session for the balloon to operate.

Is there a weight limit for the ride?

Yes. The ride is intended for a couple, with a maximum combined weight of 150 kg for up to two adults, or adults with small children.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women.

Can infants join for free?

Children aged 0 to 1 are free of charge. The ride’s combined weight limit still applies.