Hot Air Balloon Experience with Meals at Ubud

Ubud’s eight-minute hot-air balloon ride is the unusual centerpiece here, offering a brief look over Bali’s paddies, jungle, mountains, and nearby hot springs. The wider outing adds Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace and Market, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace, so you get more than a single photo stop.

I like the included meal and the convenience of hotel pickup in selected towns. I also like the small scale: one ride is designed for a couple or a maximum of two adults, with a total weight limit of 150 kilograms. The main concern is weather. Wind may cancel the balloon flight, and one unhappy customer described the experience as poor after paying for the ride but not flying.

This is best treated as a short balloon experience attached to a half-day Bali sightseeing outing, not as a long flight across the island. At $200 per person, the value depends heavily on whether you want the temple, market, rice terrace, transport, and meal as well as the balloon itself.

Key points to know before booking

• The balloon ride lasts about eight minutes: The flight is short, so set your expectations around a memorable aerial view rather than a long expedition.
• Sunrise and sunset sessions are available: Choose a 5:00am morning departure or a 4:00pm afternoon departure, depending on the package.
• Four Bali stops are included: You visit the balloon site, Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace and Market, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.
• The meal changes with your package: Breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner is provided, but drinks are not included and the menu may change.
• Weather can change the day: The balloon operates only when conditions are safe, and the flight requires at least two rides in a session.
• The ride is aimed at couples: The maximum is two adults, or two adults with small children depending on total weight, capped at 150 kilograms.

What the $200 price really buys you

The price is $200 per person, which puts this well above the cost of a simple Ubud temple and market tour. You are paying for a rare activity, air-conditioned transport, selected hotel transfers, one meal, admission to the listed stops, and a small balloon experience.

The important question is how much value you place on the flight. Eight minutes is not long. If the balloon is your only reason for booking, the price may feel steep, especially if weather prevents takeoff. If you already want to see Goa Gajah and Tegalalang, the package becomes easier to justify because transport and sightseeing are bundled together.

For two adults, the balloon portion is designed around a private-feeling couple experience, but the total booking cost reaches $400 before any extras. Souvenir photos are not included, so budget separately if you want the operator’s pictures.

The meal adds some practical value, particularly for the early start. Breakfast is linked to the morning option, while afternoon tea or dinner applies to other packages. Since beverages are excluded and the menu can change, think of this as a provided meal rather than a full dining event.

The balloon ride at The Chedi Club Ubud

The day begins with pickup from your hotel if it is within the selected pickup areas. The balloon departure point is The Chedi Club Ubud. Pickup time depends on your hotel and chosen package, and the actual boarding and departure details may be sent separately by email.

That timing detail matters. Do not rely only on the general 5:00am or 4:00pm session times. Check the operator’s message for your exact pickup and boarding instructions, then allow enough time to reach the site.

The balloon experience itself lasts about eight minutes. From above, you are promised views across Ubud’s green interior, including rice paddies, jungle, mountains, and hot springs. The short duration makes this a good choice for someone curious about ballooning but unwilling to spend hours in the air.

You should also understand the operating rule: the balloon flies only when weather and wind conditions allow, and there must be at least two rides in each flight session. This means a quiet booking period or poor conditions can affect the schedule.

A particularly important rule is the late-arrival cutoff. For the sunrise session, the operator waits only until 7:30am. For the sunset session, the cutoff is 6:00pm. Missing the operating window is treated as a no-show, with no refund.

Why the weather policy deserves attention

Weather is the biggest practical risk in this experience. Hot-air balloons depend on safe wind conditions, so a cancellation can happen even after you have arrived and completed the other parts of the day.

The stated alternatives are a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or a rescheduled flight from the morning session to the afternoon session. The operator may also cancel for safety reasons. This gives you some backup, but neither option is the same as receiving a refund.

One customer described the activity as a bad choice after the balloon did not fly and a refund was not provided. The operator’s response pointed to the published alternatives and said the morning booking was offered another attempt in the afternoon. The practical lesson is simple: read the weather and compensation terms before paying, and do not book this on a day when the balloon is the only activity you care about.

The cancellation policy protects you only if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded. That is worth keeping in mind if your Bali plans are still shifting.

Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave

After the balloon stop, the itinerary allows about one hour at Goa Gajah, also called the Elephant Cave. Admission is included.

This gives the day some cultural weight. The temple visit breaks up the novelty of the balloon and places you among one of Ubud’s well-known religious sites. You can plan on enough time for a proper visit rather than a quick roadside photograph, although the exact amount of free exploration may depend on transfers and the day’s schedule.

Goa Gajah is a better fit for you if you want a mix of scenery and Balinese heritage. It also makes the package less dependent on perfect balloon conditions. If the flight is delayed or cancelled, this temple remains one of the reasons the outing can still function as a sightseeing day.

The supplied details do not promise a private guide or a detailed temple explanation, so you should not assume an in-depth guided history lesson. The value here is the included admission and the chance to see the site as part of a planned route.

Ubud Palace and Market in one hour

The next stop combines Ubud Palace and Ubud Market for approximately one hour. That is enough time to see the palace area and browse the market, but it is not a leisurely shopping session.

I like this pairing because it gives you two sides of central Ubud. The palace provides a cultural stop, while the market gives you a chance to look at local goods and the everyday commercial side of town. If you want to buy something, keep your shopping focused because the clock is shared between both places.

The market can also be the most useful stop for small souvenirs, but souvenir photos from the balloon activity cost extra. The package does not include drinks, so bring that expense into your day-to-day budget.

A one-hour visit is helpful for first-time visitors who want an introduction without building an entire day around central Ubud. It may feel rushed if you prefer long market browsing, careful bargaining, or an extended palace visit.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the famous subak system

The final listed stop is Tegalalang Rice Terrace, with about 30 minutes for views and photographs. This is a short but sensible stop because the terraces provide the classic Ubud setting that many people hope to see.

The terraces are known for their layered rice paddies and the subak irrigation system. The organized water-sharing system is an important part of how Bali’s rice-growing areas function, and it gives the view more meaning than simply being a pretty hillside.

Thirty minutes is enough for a photo break and a look at the terraces. It is not enough for a long walk through the area or a detailed agricultural visit. If you want extended time at Tegalalang, you may prefer a dedicated rice terrace tour.

This stop also shows why the full package can have value beyond the balloon. Even if the aerial portion is over quickly, you still receive a recognizable Ubud countryside stop, along with the temple and central Ubud visits.

Sunrise, sunset, and the meal choice

The morning session is listed for 5:00am, while the afternoon session is listed for 4:00pm. Sunrise is the better fit if you want the day to begin with the balloon and breakfast. Sunset may suit you if you prefer a later start and an afternoon tea or dinner package.

The meal can be served before or after the flight. That flexibility is useful because the balloon’s operating order may change depending on the schedule. It also means you are less likely to go hungry during a very early morning pickup.

Do not expect beverages to be included. The menu for breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner may change without notice, so the meal should be viewed as a practical inclusion rather than a fixed restaurant menu.

If you are choosing between morning and afternoon, base the decision on your broader Bali plans. The early option requires you to be ready before most sightseeing days begin. The later option may work better if you have already spent the morning elsewhere, though afternoon wind and weather can still affect the flight.

Pickup, transport, and group size

Air-conditioned minivan transport is included, along with hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels and towns. The experience departs from Ubud, but pickup availability is not universal, so confirm that your accommodation is covered before booking.

The transport is especially useful if you are staying outside central Ubud or would rather not arrange separate transfers. It also ties the four stops together without requiring you to negotiate Bali traffic yourself.

The activity is limited to a maximum of two travelers. The balloon ride is ideally for a couple, though two adults or adults with small children may be accepted depending on total weight. The combined limit is 150 kilograms, so this is not a flexible option for a large family or group of friends.

Children aged 0 to 1 are free. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women or people with disabilities, according to the supplied safety information. Most other people can participate, but the weight and small-child conditions should be checked before payment.

Insurance is included for the balloon ride. The stated coverage includes up to IDR 500,000,000 for total and permanent disability or death caused by the activity, and up to IDR 50,000,000 for medical expenses caused by activity-related injuries.

Who will get the most from this Ubud balloon tour

I would look closely at this experience if you are a couple seeking an unusual Bali photo opportunity and you also want several major Ubud stops handled in one outing. The small capacity, included transport, and meal make the plan straightforward.

It also suits you if this is your first time in Ubud and you want a sampler of temples, markets, rice terraces, and countryside views without arranging separate drivers and tickets.

I would be more cautious if you are booking solely for a long balloon flight. Eight minutes passes quickly, and the weather policy means the central activity is not guaranteed. You should be comfortable accepting a massage for two or a rescheduled session instead of an automatic refund if the balloon cannot fly.

This is also not the best choice for a large group. The two-person maximum makes it more suitable for couples or a very small family arrangement than for friends traveling together.

Practical booking advice for a smoother day

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you want the option of a full refund after cancellation. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, so leave room in your plans rather than booking at the last moment.

Once confirmed, watch for the separate message with the actual boarding and pickup time. The general departure time is not necessarily your exact hotel pickup time.

Choose clothing and footwear that make temple and sightseeing stops comfortable, but the supplied information does not specify a dress code or equipment list. Since the day includes outdoor viewing at Tegalalang and an open-air balloon activity, check the forecast before leaving, while remembering that safe wind conditions remain the operator’s decision.

Keep the schedule loose after the tour. Weather can alter the balloon order, and the operator may offer a morning-to-afternoon reschedule when conditions prevent flight.

Should you book this experience?

Book it if you want a compact Ubud highlights tour with an unusual eight-minute balloon ride, a meal, selected transfers, and stops at Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace and Market, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Skip it if the balloon flight is your single priority, if you need a guaranteed refund when weather cancels the ride, or if you want a long airborne experience. At $200 per person, the package makes the most sense when you value the full combination of transport, food, admissions, and sightseeing.

My practical advice is to book this as a flexible Bali day rather than a guaranteed balloon adventure. That mindset matches the short flight, the weather limits, and the available backup options, and it gives the rest of the itinerary room to carry the experience.

FAQ

How long is the hot-air balloon ride?

The hot-air balloon experience lasts approximately eight minutes.

Where does the balloon experience depart from?

The activity departs from The Chedi Club Ubud. Pickup is available from selected hotels and towns.

What sightseeing stops are included?

The day includes Goa Gajah, Ubud Palace and Ubud Market, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Is a meal included?

Yes. Depending on the package, you receive breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner. Beverages are not included, and the menu may change.

What happens if the balloon cannot fly?

If weather or wind prevents the flight, the stated alternatives are a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or rescheduling the flight from the morning session to the afternoon session.

Can children join the activity?

Children aged 0 to 1 are free. The ride is intended for a couple, two adults, or adults with small children depending on total weight, with a maximum combined weight of 150 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.