Ubud: Floating Breakfast and Hot Air Balloon Experience

Morning romance comes with a little altitude. At Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, you rise in Bali’s first and only hot air balloon, then settle into an infinity pool for a floating breakfast with sparkling wine and views across Ubud’s rice fields. I especially like the peaceful resort setting and the freedom to choose from Indonesian or Western breakfast dishes. The main catch is simple: this is a short tethered ascent, not a long balloon flight across Bali.

You should also know that the full two-hour booking includes a balloon ride of only seven to ten minutes. The rest of the time belongs to the breakfast and pool, which is good news if you want a relaxed celebration, but less appealing if your main goal is serious ballooning.

Key details at a glance

• A 50-metre tethered ascent: The balloon rises above the resort and rice fields but stays fixed to the ground.
• A 23-metre balloon: The large balloon and cosy wicker basket give you the feel of a proper flight without leaving the immediate area.
• A made-to-order breakfast: Choose fruit, cereal, muesli, juices, coffee, tea, smoothies, Indonesian dishes, or Western favourites.
• A one-hour pool session: Your breakfast arrives on a wooden floating boat in the infinity pool.
• A couples-focused setting: The experience works especially well for honeymoons, birthdays, proposals, and anniversaries.
• Weather matters: Wind and rain can cancel the balloon portion, so check Ubud’s forecast before booking.

Arriving at Tanah Gajah near Goa Gajah

You meet at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, in Tengkulak Kaja on Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, near Ubud. There is no transfer included, so you need to arrange your own way to the resort. That small detail matters because the price covers the experience itself, not hotel pickup.

The resort setting is part of the appeal. The balloon and pool are not in a busy public attraction. You get a polished, quiet environment where the morning can unfold without being rushed. Several people specifically appreciated having time to relax by the pool after breakfast rather than being moved straight on to another activity.

The activity is limited to six participants, but the balloon ride itself is designed mainly for one couple. A maximum of two adults and one child may be allowed, depending on weight, with a total limit of 150 kilograms. For two adults, the arrangement feels intimate. For a larger family group, it is not the right choice.

The balloon rises only 50 metres

The first part of the morning is the most unusual. You step into the wicker basket beneath a 23-metre hot air balloon and rise approximately 50 metres above the ground. The balloon remains tethered, so you float up and down in one spot rather than travelling over Ubud.

That distinction is important. If you picture drifting over Bali for an hour, this experience will feel brief. The actual ascent lasts seven to ten minutes, and several people found the ride shorter than expected. One past participant described it as a good introduction to ballooning but wished it travelled higher and farther.

Still, the tethered format has real advantages. You get the sensation of lift, the elevated view, and the novelty of standing in a balloon basket without committing to a long flight. If this is your first time in a hot air balloon, the short ride offers a gentle introduction.

From the top, you can look over Ubud’s tropical forests and rice fields. On a clear morning, Mount Agung appears on the eastern horizon. The height is enough to change your view of the resort and surrounding countryside, yet low enough that you remain aware of the grounds below.

The balloon ride can feel warm. One person specifically found the basket hot, so light clothing is sensible. You should also expect the ride to depend closely on wind and rain. Staff may cancel or reschedule it for safety, and the weather in Bali can shift quickly, particularly during the rainy season.

A calm view of Ubud from above

The best reason to take the balloon ride is not distance. It is perspective. From 50 metres up, rice fields become broad green patterns, trees fill the spaces between buildings, and the resort grounds take on a more orderly shape.

You will not get a full aerial tour of Bali. You will get a short, scenic pause above Ubud, with the possibility of clear views toward Mount Agung. On a calm morning, that can be enough to make the ride memorable, particularly when the balloon is part of a larger celebration.

The setting also helps compensate for the short flight. The balloon is placed within a carefully maintained resort, and the surrounding greenery gives the ascent a more attractive backdrop than a plain launch site would. Several people praised the beautiful grounds, excellent service, and peaceful atmosphere as much as the balloon itself.

Photography is a major part of the appeal. The basket, balloon, pool, tropical vegetation, and terraced scenery all give you plenty to capture. Professional photographs are available at an additional cost, and paying for them may make sense if you are marking a proposal, birthday, or anniversary. Bring your own camera or phone, but drones are not allowed.

The floating breakfast lasts a full hour

After the balloon ride, you change into swimwear and move to the infinity pool. Your breakfast arrives on a beautifully arranged wooden boat that floats in front of you. A towel is included, but you should still bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

This is the part of the experience that takes up most of the two-hour schedule. You get 60 minutes for breakfast and pool time, rather than a quick photo opportunity followed by an immediate departure. That slower pace is one reason the package works well for couples.

The pool overlooks Ubud’s terraced scenery, giving you a peaceful backdrop while you eat. You might have the pool mostly or entirely to yourself, depending on the day. Several people valued that privacy, and one described being able to relax around the pool for as long as they wished after the meal.

The atmosphere is indulgent, but it does not require you to spend the entire time eating. You can take photographs, enjoy the water, and use the hour as a quiet break from sightseeing. For many couples, this will feel like the real centrepiece of the morning.

Choose Indonesian or Western breakfast dishes

The menu is more flexible than the standard pastry-and-fruit setup found at many floating breakfasts. You can select from fresh juices, tea, coffee, smoothies, fruit, cereals, or muesli.

For a savoury meal, the Indonesian choices include noodles and martabak. Western options include scrambled eggs, omelettes, eggs Benedict, bacon, sausages, and pancakes. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan menus are available if requested in advance.

That range makes the experience easier to tailor. You can keep breakfast light with fruit and juice, or order a substantial cooked meal before spending time in the pool. The food received strong praise for both presentation and quality, with particular approval for the selection and generous portions.

A bottle of local sparkling wine is included. It adds a celebratory touch, though you may prefer to save it for a toast after the balloon ride rather than drink before going up. Coffee, tea, and juice are also included, so you are not limited to alcohol at breakfast.

The service is a major part of the value

The package costs $238 for a group of up to two people. That is a considerable price for a two-hour activity, especially since the balloon portion lasts less than ten minutes. I would not choose it for the balloon alone.

The value improves if you treat it as a private-style resort morning with three parts: a balloon ascent, a full breakfast, and time in an infinity pool. You are paying for the setting, service, meal, sparkling wine, insurance, towel, and souvenir as well as the ride.

The staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly, helpful, and professional. One person had to return on another date because the balloon was being repaired and said the staff handled the experience well once it went ahead. Another arrived in rain and was warned that the balloon might not operate, but the conditions improved enough for the activity to continue.

That said, weather creates a genuine risk. If the balloon is cancelled for safety reasons, you can reschedule. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. I would avoid booking this too tightly against an important flight or another fixed morning plan.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples who want a special morning rather than an adventurous full-day activity. Honeymooners, proposal planners, birthday celebrants, and people marking an anniversary get the most from the combination of photographs, food, and privacy.

It also suits you if you enjoy attractive settings and good service more than adrenaline. The balloon ride is gentle and short. The breakfast is the substantial part, and the resort atmosphere encourages you to slow down.

You may want to skip it if you have already taken a long hot air balloon flight and expect the same format here. The tethered balloon does not travel across Ubud, and the seven-to-ten-minute ride may leave you wanting more.

Families need to check the age and weight limits carefully. The activity is not suitable for children under 11, and babies under one year and children under two are also listed as unsuitable. The practical limit is two adults and one child, with a combined maximum of 150 kilograms.

People with altitude sickness should not book it, even though the balloon rises only 50 metres. Pets are not permitted.

Practical tips for a smoother morning

Check the Ubud weather forecast before you commit, especially during a rainy period. Wind and rain can stop the balloon, and clear conditions are the best way to see Mount Agung.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a full change of clothes. You will want to use the pool properly, and a spare outfit makes the journey home more comfortable.

Arrive ready for a short ride, not a long flight. This single adjustment will make the experience feel more satisfying. Think of the balloon as a dramatic opening scene for the breakfast, not the whole show.

Ask for dietary preferences in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal meals are available, and the menu includes enough choice to suit different appetites.

Plan extra time around the booking if you want to enjoy the resort grounds or take professional photographs. The scheduled experience lasts two hours, but the setting itself is one of the reasons the package costs more than a basic meal.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a polished, romantic morning with attractive views, a short balloon ascent, and a generous floating breakfast. The service, food choice, resort setting, and quiet pool time are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if your priority is a genuine cross-country hot air balloon flight. The balloon stays tethered, rises about 50 metres, and remains in the air for only seven to ten minutes. At $238 for two, the package makes sense as a celebration and resort experience, not as a conventional balloon tour.

For the right occasion, it offers something rare in Ubud: a little height, a good breakfast, and an hour when you do not need to hurry anywhere.

FAQ

Where does the hot air balloon and floating breakfast take place?

The experience takes place at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, in Tengkulak Kaja on Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571.

How long does the full experience last?

The complete experience lasts two hours. The balloon ride itself lasts seven to ten minutes, while the floating breakfast and pool session lasts about 60 minutes.

How high does the balloon rise?

The balloon rises approximately 50 metres above the rice fields and remains attached to the ground by a tether.

Does the balloon fly across Bali?

No. The balloon remains tethered and rises in one location. It does not travel across Ubud or around Bali.

What food and drinks are included?

You can choose from fresh juice, tea, coffee, smoothies, fruit, cereals, muesli, Indonesian breakfast dishes, or Western dishes such as eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes. Local sparkling wine is included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a change of clothes. A towel is included. Pets and drones are not allowed.

Can the experience be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. Wind and weather conditions can lead to cancellation for safety reasons. If the balloon ride is cancelled, you may reschedule. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.