A downhill bike day in Bali beats the usual traffic shuffle. This Ubud to Kintamani ride is built for an easy pace, with a small-group feel and car-free paths that take you past everyday village life. I especially like how the day mixes village temple and school stops with a proper local lunch, so you are not just pedaling for photos.

One thing to plan for: it is a 6-hour day including transfers, so you’ll want comfortable clothes and shoes because you’re on the move most of the afternoon.

Key Things You Should Know Before You Ride

• Mostly downhill, beginner-friendly pace: The route is set up to feel relaxed, not punishing.
• Small group size (max 15): Easier to manage, easier to ask questions, and less chaotic at stops.
• Culture stops built into the ride: You stop at places like Pura Desa Malet Gusti and see more than just views.
• Lunch is part of the plan: Balinese local dishes are included at The amertha Restaurant.
• Round-trip pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle: Less time navigating, more time riding.
• Bring sun protection: Sun block is not included, so pack it if you burn easily.

Why This Cycling Day Works in Bali

Bali has two faces: the big-ticket attractions, and the slower countryside rhythm you only catch when you leave the road. This tour helps you do that in a simple way: you bike through areas vehicles cannot reach easily, while your guide handles the timing and the getting-there part.

I like that the day feels intentionally unhurried. The stops are spaced so you can actually look around, ask questions, and get a few calm moments away from scooters and tour buses. And because the biking is designed around a mostly downhill route, you can enjoy the ride without turning it into a fitness test.

The best part is the blend. You ride for scenery, then you pause for real local spots: a village school context, a village temple at Pura Desa Malet Gusti, and a traditional compound/palace-area stop before lunch. It is not just a scenic transfer; it is a cultural walk-through that happens on two wheels.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At $29.90 per person, this is one of those Bali deals that only makes sense if you look at what is bundled in. You are not paying for just bike time. You get:

• Bicycle use
• Bottled water
• Lunch (Balinese local dish)
• Air-conditioned vehicle for pickup and drop-off
• Professional English-speaking guide
• All fees and taxes
• A mobile ticket for the day

When tours charge more, it’s usually because transport and guiding are extra. Here, those core pieces are already included, which can save you money and hassle compared with piecing it together on your own.

You do pay in a different way: this is a fixed schedule with set stops and a set ride style. If you want total freedom to wander at your own pace, you may find a group format a little limiting. But if you want a smooth, well-paced day without logistics stress, the value is strong.

The Group Size and Pace: Comfort Over Chaos

This is capped at 15 travelers, which matters more than it sounds. Smaller groups mean the guide can keep track of everyone at crossings and during photo stops. It also means less crowding at the cultural locations.

The day is described as relaxed, and the ride profile supports that. Reviews and the tour’s own framing point to a ride that is mostly downhill, meaning you will spend less time fighting the bike and more time enjoying the scenery and stops.

If you have mixed fitness levels in your group, this setup is friendly. You still get the experience of cycling countryside, but you’re not forced into a hard climb before lunch.

Stop 1: Bayung Gede Start and Your Quick Bike Brief

The tour starts in Bayung Gede (Kintamani area). Before you roll, the guide gives you a briefing. That matters because a downhill-focused ride is safest when everyone understands hand signals, regroup points, and how to handle slow turns and village roads.

You also get an early burst of “this is real countryside” energy. Kintamani’s hills put you in an area where views open up quickly, and the rural roads feel quieter than you’d expect near the bigger tourist hubs.

This stop is short, about 30 minutes, and it’s mostly about getting you ready. You’re not wasting time here, which sets a good tone for the rest of the day.

Stop 2: Pura Desa Malet Gusti, Village School, and Temple Moments

Next comes Pura Desa Malet Gusti. This is where the tour shifts from “ride” to “understand.” The stop is around 2 hours, and it’s built to show multiple facets of local community life.

From what you’ll experience, the focus is on daily culture. You’ll get a local school angle and then a temple visit context at Pura Desa Malet Gusti. Even if you are not religious yourself, this is one of the more meaningful ways to understand how Balinese communities organize life around shared spaces and ceremonies.

Practical tip: slow down here. This is not a speed-walk. If you rush, you miss the little details that make the cultural stops worth it. Give yourself time to look, listen to your guide’s English explanations, and ask questions.

Also note: admission at this stop is listed as free, so you are not hit with extra ticket costs mid-day.

Stop 3: Istana Tampak Siring Area and Lunch at The Amertha Restaurant

After the temple and school stop, you move toward Istana Tampak Siring, and lunch is at The amertha Restaurant. Lunch is scheduled for about 45 minutes, with the admission/meal piece covered as part of the experience.

Why lunch is a big deal here: it is not an afterthought. You arrive at a restaurant for a real pause, then you eat Balinese local dishes while you’re still in that countryside mindset. For many people, that meal becomes the anchor of the whole day because you finally slow down after the ride.

The day ends in Tampaksiring, so lunch sits right before the final transition. It’s a clean flow: ride, cultural stop, refuel, then wrap up.

One small heads-up: sun block is not included, and Bali sun can be strong even when the day feels comfortable. If you tend to burn, bring a small bottle and use it before you start pedaling.

What the Ride Feels Like: Scenic, Easy, and Photo-Friendly

The heart of the tour is the cycling itself, and the route is described as mainly downhill. That has two big effects on your experience:

1. You get more time to look around.
2. You spend less energy, so you are more likely to enjoy the stops instead of just powering through them.

Along the way, you are riding past rural scenes: villages, traditional homes, and lots of visual opportunities that feel grounded in daily life rather than staged photo spots. Because the route goes through areas that cars cannot easily reach, you tend to feel a little closer to what the countryside actually looks and sounds like.

Comfort note: use good shoes. You don’t want slippery soles. And keep your belongings secure the way you would on any bike day, because you’re moving through rural roads that are not like flat, paved cycle parks.

Pickup, Transport, and How the Day Fits Together

This tour includes round-trip transportation from Ubud or south Bali. The vehicle is described as air-conditioned for pickup and drop-off, which is helpful when you’re going to be in Bali’s heat for part of the day.

Your total duration is about 6 hours. That includes riding time plus transfers plus breaks for cultural stops and lunch. So if you’re the type who likes a long free block later in the day, plan accordingly. This is a full-morning/early-afternoon type activity rather than a quick half-day.

Mobile ticket also means you’re not scrambling for paperwork once you arrive. That saves mental effort.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• a mostly downhill cycling experience that feels relaxed
• a way to see Bali’s countryside without renting a scooter
• cultural stops at places like Pura Desa Malet Gusti, not just scenic viewpoints
• a guided day where you can ask questions in English

It also suits groups with different fitness levels, because the ride profile is set up to feel manageable and easy for most participants.

You might consider skipping if:

• you want to choose your own stops and change timing on the fly
• you don’t like being scheduled for multiple locations in one day
• you get uncomfortable with guided group pacing, even if it’s relaxed

My Booking Advice: Should You Get This One?

Book it if you want a Bali day that mixes cycling + real village context + included lunch without dealing with roads, routing, or transport. At $29.90, the value is strongest for people who would otherwise have to pay for a driver and figure out logistics.

If you care most about athletic cycling, you may find the mostly downhill route intentionally gentle. But if your goal is to see more of real life around Ubud and feel like you got out of the tourist grid, this is a smart choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts in Bayung Gede, Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, Indonesia. It ends in Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia, with lunch at the Tampaksiring area.

How long is the cycling tour?

The tour runs about 6 hours (approx.).

What is the price per person?

The price is $29.90 per person.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it is at The amertha Restaurant.

Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?

Yes. You get an air-conditioned vehicle for hotel pickup and drop-off, and round-trip transfers are offered from Ubud or south Bali.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of 15 travelers.

What’s included in the tour package?

Included are bicycle use, bottled water, lunch with Balinese local dish, air-conditioned vehicle for pickup and drop-off, all fees and taxes, and a professional English-speaking guide.

What is not included?

Sun block lotion and souvenirs/personal expenses are not included.

What kind of bike ride is it?

The cycling is mainly downhill, and most travelers can participate.

How does cancellation work?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.