Ubud: Hot Air Balloon Experience

Wake up above Ubud’s rice fields. This unusual Tanah Gajah experience gives you Bali’s only hot air balloon ride, lifting you 50 metres over the resort grounds while you look toward tropical forest and holy Mount Agung. I especially like the peaceful setting and the meal included with every time slot. The short flight is the main catch: at just 7 to 10 minutes, it feels more like a special viewpoint than a true balloon journey.

You’ll ride in a cosy wicker basket beneath a 23-metre balloon, with a maximum of two adults and a combined weight limit of 150 kilograms. The balloon remains attached to the ground, so you are going up and down rather than floating across Ubud. That makes it a good choice if you want an easy first balloon ride, but less appealing if you expect a long airborne trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Bali’s only hot air balloon experience: The balloon rises from the Tanah Gajah resort area near Ubud.
• A tethered 50-metre ascent: You get a bird’s-eye view, but the balloon does not travel over the countryside.
• The flight lasts 7 to 10 minutes: The meal and resort setting form a large part of the overall experience.
• Breakfast is the best choice for clear views: Early flights are cooler and may offer the strongest light over the rice fields.
• Dinner includes food, not drinks: The three-course Indonesian or Balinese menu excludes beverages apart from house-pour water.
• Plan around the weather: Wind and rain can cancel the ride, and rescheduling may be offered.

Arriving at Tanah Gajah near Ubud

The balloon is located at Tanah Gajah, a luxury resort by Hadiprana. Use Tanah Gajah as your map destination, since the meeting point can change according to the option you book. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own way there.

The resort setting is part of the appeal. Instead of arriving at a plain launch field, you enter an elegant property with rice terraces and open views. One early-morning passenger arrived around 6:30 a.m. while the crew was still preparing the balloon and received fresh juice and coffee while waiting. That is a pleasant touch, but you should not assume the scheduled time means the balloon will rise immediately.

A recent account also described the start as closer to 7:00 a.m. than 6:30. If you have a flight, tour, or other fixed appointment afterward, leave extra time. The balloon ride itself is short, but breakfast and preparation can extend the visit.

The small-group format is limited to 10 participants, while each basket is designed for a maximum of two adults. That means the ride feels personal, especially for a couple, but it also means you should check the weight rule carefully. The combined limit is 150 kilograms for the two adults.

Rising 50 metres above the rice fields

The central moment is simple. You step into the wicker basket, the balloon lifts, and you rise about 50 metres above the rice fields. The balloon remains tethered, so you stay close to the takeoff point and return to the same area.

That design has two clear benefits. First, it offers a gentle introduction for anyone nervous about ballooning. The basket does not drift away across Ubud, and the ascent is controlled. Second, it lets you focus on the view without worrying about a long ride back to the resort.

The limitation is just as clear. This is not a cross-country flight. You will not float over several villages or cover a large part of Bali from the air. If you picture a classic hot air balloon trip moving with the wind for half an hour or more, adjust your expectations before paying.

The 7 to 10 minutes in the air can still feel special. From above, the Tanah Gajah area opens into rice fields, tropical forest, and distant mountain views. On a clear day, Mount Agung appears on the eastern horizon. The mountain view depends heavily on cloud, haze, wind, and the time of day, so no departure can promise a perfect panorama.

The short flight also makes this suitable for a celebration or a first balloon ride rather than a full-day adventure. You get the memorable lift, photographs, and meal without committing to a demanding activity.

Choosing between sunrise, afternoon, and evening

Your time slot changes the mood and the meal.

Sunrise breakfast

The morning option is the strongest choice for many people. The air is cooler, and early light can show the rice fields and forest with greater clarity. One passenger specifically advised choosing the morning because the surroundings were cooler and the views over the jungle-like area were especially good.

Breakfast is based on an à la carte menu. That gives you more choice than a fixed plate, and several people praised the food and the setting after landing. You may eat before or after the flight, depending on the operation that morning.

The main drawback is the early start. You may arrive before the balloon is ready, and the schedule can run later than the advertised time. Still, if you want the best chance at comfortable temperatures and daylight views, breakfast is the sensible pick.

Sunset afternoon tea

The afternoon option includes premium tea and coffee with savoury treats inspired by food from East and West. This is a relaxed choice for couples who do not want an early alarm.

Light changes quickly in Bali. The view may be lovely in the late afternoon, but clarity depends on clouds and daylight. If the ride begins too late and you feel it is already too dark to enjoy the scenery, the operating information says you can ask about rescheduling.

Afternoon tea also makes sense if the meal matters as much as the ride. You get time at the resort with a smaller snack service rather than a full dinner.

Evening dinner

The evening option includes a three-course Indonesian or Balinese set menu. It gives the outing a date-night feel, especially for two people marking a birthday, anniversary, or simply wanting an unusual evening in Ubud.

The meal includes food only. Drinks cost extra, and house-pour water is the only beverage included. That detail matters because a dinner package can sound more complete than it is. Add the cost of drinks if you want wine, cocktails, soft drinks, or anything beyond water.

Night flights also carry the greatest risk of losing the scenery. The balloon may still be enjoyable as a gentle ride above the resort, but this option is less suited to you if the main goal is seeing Mount Agung and the countryside.

The meals add real value

The food helps soften the price of the short flight. At $182 per group of up to two people, the cost works out to about $91 per person when two adults share. That is a lot for 7 to 10 minutes in the air, especially since the balloon does not travel beyond its tether.

The calculation changes if you value the whole visit. You are paying for a private-feeling balloon moment, access to a polished resort setting, insurance, a certificate, and breakfast, afternoon tea, or a three-course dinner. The breakfast received particularly strong praise for both its range and its setting over the fields.

I would call it fair value for a special occasion, but weak value if you are buying only flight time. A longer balloon journey would make the price easier to justify. Several positive impressions also came from the resort itself, the hospitality, and the meal, not just from the minutes spent in the basket.

Photos, phone rules, and the extra cost

A photographer may be present at the balloon area. At least one early visit included one complimentary photograph, with more digital images available for an additional fee.

You should clarify the photography rules before boarding. A recent account reported that personal mobile-phone photography was not allowed during the ride, and that five digital images cost $60. That charge felt high to the passenger, particularly because no printed photographs were included.

This is worth checking before you arrive. If your main reason for booking is a photograph of the two of you above the rice fields, decide in advance how much you are willing to spend. The professional pictures may be useful, but the extra package is not part of the listed price.

Flying drones is prohibited around the resort perimeter. Leave yours at the hotel and enjoy the view without trying to create your own aerial footage.

Safety, weather, and rescheduling

The activity is weather-dependent. Wind and rain can make the ride unsafe, and cancellation is possible. If poor conditions stop the flight, you may be able to reschedule.

Weather affects more than safety. Haze and cloud can hide Mount Agung, while darkness can reduce the view even if the balloon is able to operate. The clearest advertised view is possible on a sunny day before dark, but it is not guaranteed.

The staff received strong praise for being kind, efficient, and reassuring. That matters if you feel nervous about heights. One passenger arrived scared but felt comfortable after the instructors explained the process and helped with the ascent.

Insurance applies to passengers from age 3 through age 70. Participants outside that range are not covered and cannot take part under the stated rules. The ride is not designed for more than two adults in one basket, and the 150-kilogram combined limit is firm.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms give you some protection, but they do not remove the need to watch the weather forecast.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want:

• A gentle first hot air balloon ride
• A memorable morning or evening for two
• A resort meal paired with a short aerial experience
• A special photograph above Ubud’s rice fields
• A compact activity that does not require a full day of travel

It is also a good match for couples who care about atmosphere. The balloon, wicker basket, resort gardens, meal, and distant mountain view create a polished occasion.

I would be more cautious if you want a long flight, broad aerial coverage, or a low-cost activity. The balloon stays tethered, and the ride may be over before you have fully adjusted to being in the air. The price makes the most sense when you treat the meal and setting as part of the package.

Children from age 3 can take part, and the upper age limit is 70. The provided information does not give further details about mobility assistance or basket access, so ask the operator directly if that affects your plans.

Is the Ubud hot air balloon worth booking?

Book it if you want a refined, unusual outing for two and you are happy with a 7 to 10-minute tethered ascent. Choose the morning breakfast slot if scenery and cooler air matter most. Pick afternoon tea for a slower schedule, or dinner if you want a romantic meal and do not mind paying separately for drinks.

Skip it if you expect to float across Ubud or want the best minutes-per-dollar value. The ride is brief, and weather or darkness can reduce the view. For the right occasion, though, the combination of Tanah Gajah, Mount Agung views, thoughtful service, and a meal makes this more than a simple up-and-down ride.

FAQ

How long is the hot air balloon flight?

The flight lasts approximately 7 to 10 minutes.

How high does the balloon rise?

The balloon rises about 50 metres above the rice fields.

Does the balloon travel across Ubud?

No. The balloon remains attached to the ground by a tether and rises above the Tanah Gajah area rather than travelling across Ubud.

How many people can ride together?

Each ride is designed for a maximum of two adults with a combined weight limit of 150 kilograms.

What meals are included?

The morning option includes an à la carte breakfast. The afternoon option includes premium tea and coffee with savoury treats. The evening option includes a three-course Indonesian or Balinese set menu.

Are drinks included with dinner?

No. Dinner includes food only. Beverages cost extra, except for house-pour water.

Can the balloon ride be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. Wind and rain can cause cancellation for safety reasons. If the ride is cancelled because of weather, you may be able to reschedule.