Bikes beat buses in Bali. This Ubud day ride takes you off the road and into the working countryside, with stops at Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Penglipuran Bamboo Forest. You pedal at a relaxed pace while a guide steers you toward places bigger vehicles can’t reach as easily.

What I like most is the way the day is handled from start to finish: hotel pickup plus an early organized start, so you’re not scrambling in the heat. I also appreciate that the tour wraps in real meals and hydration, including lunch in rice paddies and bottled water at stops.

The main trade-off is time and physical effort. You’re signing up for a 10.5-hour day, so it’s not the kind of outing where you can fully coast and skip the riding.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Tegalalang Rice Terrace (admission included) with a classic emerald view over the gorge
• Penglipuran Bamboo Forest (7.5 hectares) plus a look at bamboo craftsmen at work
• Penglipuran Village visit (45 minutes) for a traditional village snapshot
• Pura Taman Narmada Bali Raja subak water temple amid rice fields and a small lake
• Lunch in an authentic restaurant in rice paddies, often with a young coconut drink
• Small group cap (25 travelers) plus a professional English-speaking cycling guide

Why this Ubud cycling day feels different than a car tour

Ubud is full of tours that mostly shuffle you from one photo stop to another. This one is different because the main travel is by bike. When you’re on two wheels, you slow down naturally. You notice roads that don’t look important until you cycle them, and you pass through neighborhoods that don’t show up on big-vehicle routes.

The route is also built around variety. You get famous scenery, yes, but you also get quieter pockets like the bamboo forest and a traditional village stop. That mix matters. If your goal is to see how people actually live between the big-name attractions, biking makes it easier to feel connected to the place you’re in.

Getting picked up and set for the 8:00 am start

Pickup is offered from your accommodation in Ubud (start point is Ubud, Gianyar Regency). The tour starts at 8:00 am, and the day runs about 10 hours 30 minutes. Practically speaking, that early start helps you beat the mid-day crush at the most popular stops.

You’ll transfer by A/C van for the non-bike segments. That’s not just comfort. It means you arrive at places ready to walk and look around, instead of spending your energy on long overland drives before you even get a bike under you.

On the cycling side, you get the gear: bike, helmet, and a raincoat during rainy season. You also get mineral water at every stop, which is huge in Bali heat. And you’ll use a mobile ticket, which keeps check-in simple.

Group size is capped at 25 travelers. That’s the sweet spot for a guided ride: big enough to feel like an organized tour, small enough for your guide to keep track of pacing and where everyone is.

Stop 1: Tegalalang Rice Terrace with admission included

The day begins with a drive up to Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This stop runs about 35 minutes, and the admission ticket is included.

This is the classic Bali view: rice terraces laid out along a gorge, with emerald tones that look almost too perfect until you stand there and see how many layers the farmers manage. From a cyclist’s perspective, the value here is timing and access. You’re not arriving late with everyone else, and you’re not trying to squeeze a rushed look between other activities.

A practical consideration: terraces are outdoors and exposed. Even if the ride is relaxed, this part can be bright and hot. Wear sun protection, and bring something for your phone/camera if you think rain might pop up.

Stop 2: Undisan countryside start after breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll head by van to the place where the bicycles are waiting in Undisan. This is about 30 minutes, and the activity there lists admission as free.

The key idea here is that the starting area is chosen for quiet cycling. The tour doesn’t throw you immediately into the most chaotic traffic. Instead, you get to settle in, find your balance, and get comfortable with the bike before the day gathers momentum.

This stop is also a reminder that this tour is built for motion, not just sightseeing. If you’re the kind of traveler who gets restless sitting still for long stretches, the Undisan start helps keep the day feeling like a true ride.

Stop 3: Penglipuran Bamboo Forest across 7.5 hectares

The real adventure starts when you enter the Penglipuran Bamboo Forest, described as 7.5 hectares of bamboo. You ride through for about 30 minutes, and admission is included.

This isn’t just bamboo as scenery. You also get a chance to see Balinese traditional bamboo craftsmen at work inside the forest. That hands-on connection is what makes the stop more than a photo walk.

One more thing that helps: bamboo areas often feel cooler and shaded compared with open rice terraces. You still need sun protection, but the forest can make the cycling portion feel less punishing.

Potential drawback: even in shade, bamboo paths can be uneven. You’re given a helmet, but it’s still wise to go slow through turns and any bumpy sections. If you have knee or ankle issues, this is the kind of stop where careful pacing matters.

Stop 4: Penglipuran Village for a traditional, beautiful snapshot

After bamboo, you visit Penglipuran Village for about 45 minutes. Admission is listed as not included for this stop.

Penglipuran is described as a very traditional village with its own culture and way of life, and it’s known for outstanding beauty. The value here is time. Forty-five minutes is long enough to wander a bit and take in the layout, not just stand at the entrance for a quick look.

What to keep in mind: you’re entering a living community. I’d plan to move respectfully, stay aware of your surroundings, and keep your tone friendly if you talk with locals. Even if no one says anything, rural and traditional settings tend to run on courtesy.

Stop 5: Pura Taman Narmada Bali Raja, a subak water temple stop

Next comes a stop called Taman Bali (Pura Tama), featuring Pura Taman Narmada Bali Raja, a subak water temple surrounded by rice paddies and a small lake. This stop runs about 30 minutes, and admission is listed as free.

Subak temples are one of those Bali details that make the whole irrigation-and-farming story feel real instead of abstract. Here, you’ll see the temple’s setting: rice fields, water, and the kind of landscape people work with day to day.

The tour notes that to access the spot, you walk down a short stretch (the description cuts off mid-word, but walking down is clearly part of it). That’s worth planning for. If you’re wearing flip-flops, swap them for something with grip. If it’s rainy, expect slick patches.

Stop 6: Jalan Bukit Batu and lunch in rice paddies

After several kilometers of riding, the day ends with lunch at an authentic Balinese-style restaurant in the middle of rice paddies. This is about 1 hour, and admission is listed as free.

Lunch is a big part of the value here. You’re not just fed once and sent on your way—you get a proper break after cycling. The menu includes a young coconut drink option, and mineral water is provided at stops during the day.

If you’re vegetarian, that’s covered: a vegetarian option is available if you advise at booking.

What you can expect from the setting is exactly what you hope for after a biking day: shade, a view over rice fields, and a chance to sit with your guide and decompress. One practical tip: if you tend to get hungry earlier than the official meal breaks, keep an eye on how you feel during the bike segments so you don’t end the morning running on empty.

Guides make or break the experience

This tour includes a professional English-speaking cycling guide. The guide matters because they’re not only handling directions. They’re also giving context—how the places you’re seeing connect to local life.

In the best examples, guides go beyond reciting facts. I’ve seen reports of guides like Wayan, Ketut, and Sandi sharing stories and even offering tastes like Balinese fruits and foods during the day. That kind of sharing is small, but it’s often the difference between a checklist tour and a day that feels personal.

Also, because the group is capped at 25, you’re more likely to feel cared for if you fall behind or need a quick adjustment to your bike. That’s important on longer rides.

Price and value: why $36 can feel like a deal here

At $36, you’re paying for more than a bike rental. Your included basics cover bike and helmet, a guide, mineral water at stops, and lunch. Several admissions are also included, including the stops at Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Penglipuran Bamboo Forest.

You’ll notice that Penglipuran Village admission isn’t included, but the tour still gives you time there. In other words, it’s not an all-inclusive price on every line item, but it does cover the bulk of the expensive “add-ons” that can otherwise inflate a day tour.

One more value angle: the tour’s structure uses both van transfer and bike time. That mix helps you see more than a pure walking tour would, and it costs less than many private cycling options. If you want more personalized attention, there’s also an upgrade to a private option.

Practical tips before you go

A few small things can make this day smoother.

• Wear breathable clothing and something that dries fast. You’ll be outdoors for long stretches.
• Bring sun protection even on cooler parts of the route.
• Use closed-toe shoes if you want stable footing at temple access points.
• Plan for a long day. Even at a relaxed pace, 10.5 hours is still a commitment.
• Let the team know about vegetarian needs when booking, so your lunch is sorted.

If you’re sensitive to rain, remember the tour provides a raincoat during rainy season. Still, Bali weather can change quickly, so flexible clothing helps.

Should you book Bali Countryside Cycling Tours?

You should book if you want a real countryside day from Ubud—one that’s built around cycling between meaningful stops, not just hopping out for pictures. It fits especially well if you like food breaks, appreciate guided context, and don’t mind a longer itinerary as long as the day stays organized.

Skip or switch plans if you want a very short, low-effort outing, or if you know long hours and uneven paths make you uncomfortable. The ride is set up for most people to participate, but it’s still an all-day active tour.

If you’re deciding, I’d see it like this: for $36, you get a lot of what makes Bali tours costly—guide time, bike gear, transport support, hydration, and lunch, plus key admissions. That combination is hard to beat.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long does it last?

The tour starts at 8:00 am in Ubud and runs for about 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup at your hotel is offered. The meeting area is in Ubud.

What’s included with the cycling gear?

You receive a bike and helmet. A raincoat is included during rainy season.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You’ll have lunch in an authentic restaurant in the middle of rice paddies, and mineral water is provided at stops.

Are admission tickets included?

Some admissions are included (such as Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Penglipuran Bamboo Forest). Penglipuran Village admission is not included.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available—just advise at booking if you need it.

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