Nothing beats Bali from the sky. This hot air balloon ride over Ubud’s tropical green views—ending with Mount Agung on the eastern horizon—is the main reason to go. I really like the way the experience mixes a tethered mini-lift (so you still feel safe and grounded) with a genuinely scenic panorama that makes the whole morning or afternoon feel special.

Two other wins: the included meal (sunrise breakfast, afternoon tea, or an evening Balinese/Indonesian set dinner), and the small-group setup (limited to 10 people) with English support so you’re not stuck guessing what’s happening. One watch-out: the ride is short—about 7 to 10 minutes for this option—and if you’re expecting a long flight, you may feel the $189-per-group price doesn’t fully match the time in the air.

Key things to know before you book

• Bali’s first-and-only Ubud balloon: a true standout activity for people who want something different beyond temples and rice terraces.
• 23-metre balloon + wicker basket: a “real” balloon feel, not a gimmick.
• The motion is controlled: it climbs around 50 metres, then floats while tethered.
• You get food with your slot: breakfast, afternoon tea, or a 3-course set dinner (beverages not included for dinner).
• Weather can change the plan: safety comes first, with rescheduling if needed.
• Photos have rules: personal phone photography is not allowed during the ride, and there’s an on-site photographer.

Ubud Hot Air Balloon at Tanah Gajah: the practical appeal

Ubud has a way of making nature feel close—nearby forests, rice fields, and a constant sense of green around you. This balloon experience turns that “always there” scenery into something you can actually see all at once. And because the ride is timed toward visibility (sunrise and clear daytime slots), your best moments are likely the early light and the long view toward the east.

What I like most is that the experience is not trying to be complicated. It’s basically: show up, get sorted, ride, eat, and head back. The balloon itself gives you the big-picture view without requiring you to be a pilot-in-training or devote an entire day to logistics.

The setting matters too. The experience runs through Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, and even if you’re only there for the activity, the resort atmosphere is part of the value. One detail I’d take seriously: the food portion is genuinely planned as part of your time, not an afterthought. That makes the overall package feel like more than “pay for a few minutes in the air.”

Balloon basics: 23 metres, a cozy basket, and a tethered lift

This is a proper hot air balloon setup: a 23-metre balloon with a cozy wicker basket. That alone helps you understand what kind of experience this is. You’re not looking down at a screen or sitting in a bucket. You’re actually in the basket, feeling like you’re part of the launch moment.

The ride is also described clearly in how it works:

• It climbs up to about 50 metres over the rice fields.
• It floats at the end of a tether.

That tether detail is important. It changes the “adventure vibe” into something calmer and more controlled. You still get the feeling of floating above Ubud’s greenery, but you’re not committing to the kind of long, drifting flight that can come with more unpredictable movement.

Timing-wise, a regular flight lasts around 5 to 7 minutes, while this option includes an exclusive 7 to 10-minute flight window. So yes, it’s short. But it’s short in a way that matches the safety-and-comfort model: structured ascent, a view-focused hover, then back down.

Choosing your slot: breakfast, afternoon tea, or evening dinner

The balloon ride is paired with one of three meal formats, and the timing affects more than your schedule.

Sunrise slot: cooler air and clean sightlines

The morning option is the most popular choice for a reason: mornings in Ubud tend to feel cooler, and the light is better for seeing details. You’ll enjoy breakfast based on an à la carte breakfast menu, and it can be before or after the balloon adventure depending on your schedule.

If you’re trying to maximize what you see over the jungle and toward Mount Agung, sunrise is the smart play. Even if clouds happen, morning flights tend to give you a better chance at a clear horizon.

Afternoon slot: tea and treats

For afternoon rides, the included treat is premium tea and coffee plus savouries. This slot can be a good fit if you don’t want to wake up early or if your Bali itinerary is already packed in the morning.

One practical point: the clarity of what you see depends on weather, and time of day affects how bright the view feels. If clouds roll in, the balloon is still fun, but the “wow” factor can shift.

Evening slot: dinner after the ride

If you pick the evening option, you’ll get a 3-course Indonesian/Balinese set menu. The big detail here: dinner is food only. Beverages cost extra unless it’s house-poured water.

This is worth considering because it changes the real total cost. If you like ordering drinks with your meal, plan for that in your budget.

The view you’re actually booking: Ubud forests to Mount Agung

The marketing line is “spectacular views,” but the specifics help you picture what you’re buying. The ride takes you above Ubud’s lush tropical forest area, then out toward the eastern horizon where holy Mount Agung appears.

On sunny days before darkness, you’re aiming for a wide panorama: a view that stretches from forest canopy to the far-off volcanic silhouette. That east-facing geography is a big deal because it frames the sunrise-style experience in a way that feels less random.

Also remember: visibility depends on weather and flight time. If it gets too dark to really enjoy the ride, you’ll have the option to reschedule. That’s one of those policies that matters in real life, because the difference between “nice” and “stunning” is often just cloud cover and the angle of light.

Tanah Gajah food pairing: why the included meal matters

Hot air balloon experiences can be frustrating when the food is minimal. This one does a better job because the meal is built into the overall time.

Breakfast menu experience

Your breakfast is à la carte, which means you’re not limited to a tiny fixed set. The practical benefit is choice, especially if you want something more filling before the flight.

In the same spirit, people often comment on breakfast quality when meals are included. Here, the breakfast is clearly presented as a real part of the experience rather than a token bite.

Afternoon tea and coffee

Afternoon flights get a premium tea/coffee selection plus savouries. If you’re someone who likes to slow down after activities, this is a nice match. You can treat the balloon as the “main event,” then enjoy the included calm-down time.

Dinner: 3 courses, and watch the drinks

Evening dinner is a set menu. That simplifies decision-making, which I appreciate on holiday days. Still, you’ll want to know the beverage rule: drinks cost extra, with house water available at no extra charge.

That’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a transparency detail that affects value. If you want wine, juice, or cocktails with dinner, the final bill will be higher than you might expect.

Price and value: $189 for up to two, and the real trade-off

At $189 per group up to 2, you’re paying for a mix:

• a short, controlled hot air balloon flight,
• insurance and a hot air balloon certificate,
• and your meal for the time slot you choose.

So what’s the trade-off? Time in the air. At 7 to 10 minutes, the balloon ride is not a long “sky day.” If your dream is hours of floating, this won’t match that fantasy.

But here’s why it can still be good value:

• The experience is designed around a tight, low-stress window (total experience time is listed as about 2 hours including the meal).
• The included meal softens the cost. You’re not just paying for a quick ride; you’re paying for a full morning/afternoon block that includes food.
• The view is the main product, and the route is built to look toward Mount Agung rather than just “a quick lift over nowhere.”

If you’re going as a couple, the pricing can feel reasonable because you’re splitting a single package cost. If you’re adding more people beyond the allowed group limits, you may find you need to book a separate arrangement elsewhere.

Timing, start times, and what to do with early-morning reality

One thing worth planning for: early morning schedules can shift. Even when a time is given, operations and weather can affect the actual launch window.

So I’d treat the listed start time as a target, not a promise. If you’ve got another commitment the same morning, leave buffer time. This is especially true when your pickup timing isn’t managed for you by hotel transfer (more on that next).

The total duration is about 2 hours including the meal, which is helpful. You can build your day around it without needing to keep your whole afternoon free.

Getting there and group size: small-group comfort, no transfer

The experience doesn’t include hotel transfer, so you’ll need your own way to reach the meeting point. The meeting point can vary depending on the option you book, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

That matters because it affects how you organize Bali transport. If you plan to use a driver, you’ll want to confirm pickup/drop-off timing around your chosen slot. If you’re staying near Ubud attractions, it’s often easier, but the key is that you’re responsible for moving yourself.

Group size is limited to 10 participants, which usually keeps things calm. And the host/greeter is English, which helps reduce confusion when it’s early or when weather decisions come quickly.

Photos and the photographer rule: plan for extra cost and no phone shots

This is the one area where I’d encourage you to read carefully before you fall in love with the idea of filming everything.

Personal photography using cell phones is not allowed during the balloon ride. You’ll be directed to use a hired on-site photographer. One example cited is a price of $60 for five digital images, with no physical prints included.

I don’t love surprises with photo policies, so treat this like a budgeting line item. If you’re happy with photos only from your camera roll before boarding and after landing, you might skip the photographer. If you want the full “real-time memory,” it’s worth deciding ahead of time.

Also: a photographer may be present and can produce nice results. People often mention the overall experience’s quality, and part of that can be the professional images. Just don’t assume you’ll get to snap unlimited phone photos from the basket.

Weather and wind: how cancellations and reschedules work in practice

Hot air balloons are weather-dependent. Wind and safety conditions can change plans. The experience states there’s a possibility of cancellation for safety reasons, and if a ride is canceled due to weather, you can reschedule.

Clarity of the views depends on weather and the time of the flight. If you feel it’s too dark to fully enjoy the ride, you can also opt to reschedule.

This is one of the reasons I’d pick this experience earlier in your Bali trip window. That way, if you need a reschedule, you have spare days to make it happen. It’s a small strategy that can save your trip.

Who this Ubud balloon experience fits best

This experience suits you if:

• you want a quick, high-impact “Bali from above” moment without a huge time commitment,
• you like the idea of structured safety and a controlled ride,
• you value included food (breakfast/tea/dinner) as part of your activity block,
• you’re traveling as a couple or a small family unit.

It may not suit you if:

• you’re hoping for a long flight above Ubud for a big chunk of the day,
• you dislike paying extra for photos and want total freedom with phone photography during the ride,
• you have zero flexibility for weather rescheduling.

Family planning note: the experience allows up to 2 adults and 1 child, depending on weight, with a maximum total weight of 150 kg. If you’re close to that limit, double-check early so there’s no last-minute disappointment.

Should you book the Ubud Hot Air Balloon at Tanah Gajah?

Book it if you want the Ubud “wow” view with an included meal and a calm, safe-feeling balloon structure—plus the chance to see Mount Agung on the horizon when conditions are right. The experience is designed to be short, but memorable, and the food pairing makes it more worth your time than a bare-bones ride.

Skip it (or at least think twice) if you expect a long flight or if you hate the idea of not being able to use your phone for photos during the ride. In that case, you’ll be paying a premium for minutes in the air, and the photo policy could annoy you unless you’re prepared.

FAQ

How long is the hot air balloon ride?

A regular flight is described as lasting between 5 and 7 minutes. This experience includes exclusive access for a 7 to 10-minute flight, and the total activity time is about 2 hours including the meal.

What meal is included with the experience?

Depending on your time slot, you’ll get either sunrise breakfast (à la carte breakfast menu), sunset afternoon tea (tea, coffee, and savouries), or evening dinner (a 3-course Indonesian/Balinese set menu).

Is dinner drinks included?

Dinner is food only. You’ll need to pay extra for beverages unless it’s house-poured water only.

What’s not included in the price?

Hotel transfer is not included. Beverages for dinner are not included.

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

If cancellation happens for safety reasons because of weather, you can reschedule. You can also reschedule if visibility is too dark to fully enjoy the ride.

Are there limits for children and total weight?

Yes. A maximum of 2 adults and 1 child is allowed depending on weight, with a maximum total weight of 150 kg.