Ubud Downhill Cycling Tour: Volcano, Rice Fields & Local Meal

Ride downhill through villages and rice fields, then eat lunch in a Balinese compound

A six-hour downhill cycling tour from Mount Batur through Ubud's villages, rice terraces and farmland, led by an English-speaking guide and limited to four riders. The route includes stops at a local school, a traditional family compound and a village temple, with an Indonesian meal at the end. Cycling equipment, bottled water, lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle for the drive to the volcano are included; personal insurance covers up to IDR 2,500,000 for ages five to sixty-five.

Step-by-step itinerary

Downhill cycling and cultural tour

• Drive to Kintamani volcano area
• View volcano, lake, and caldera
• Begin downhill cycling ride
• Visit local school
• Explore Balinese family compound
• Visit village temple
• Walk through rice fields
• Enjoy Indonesian meal

The Experience

The day starts with a drive to the Kintamani volcano area, where you'll see Mount Batur, the lake and the caldera before you clip in. Then comes the downhill ride itself—the main event—rolling through Balinese landscapes with your guide steering the route and the pace. You're on a bike for the cycling sections, not in a vehicle; the air-conditioned transport is there to get you up the mountain and to move between stops when the terrain doesn't call for pedaling.

Between the descents, you'll stop at a local school to watch students in their day, step into a family compound where residents welcome you as a guest, and walk through a village temple to see how spiritual practice shapes daily life. A short walk takes you through the rice paddies themselves—not just a view from the road, but into the fields where you can see how the planting works. Your guide is with you the whole time, answering questions and filling in what you're seeing. The group stays at four people, which means the stops don't turn into a crowd and the guide can actually talk to you.

Lunch is a sit-down Indonesian meal, not a quick snack. It happens at the end of the tour, so you're eating after the cycling and the walking are done. Bring your own sunblock; water is provided along the way.

What’s included

• Cycling equipment and helmet.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the drive to Mount Batur and between stops.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• Indonesian lunch at the tour's end.
• personal insurance covering up to IDR 2,500,000 for ages five to sixty-five.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ubud Cycling Tours - GOAT Bali Cycling & Tours

Is this one for you?Book the All-Inclusive Experience if you want to start at the volcano and have every piece of the day—transport, guide, food—arranged; choose Own Transport & No Volcano if you're already in the area and prefer to cycle through villages and rice fields without the early drive or the meal included.

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Top questions

How much of the six hours is actually spent cycling downhill?

The itinerary doesn't break down the cycling time separately from the stops and the drive to the volcano. The downhill ride is the centerpiece, but the day also includes the drive up, the school visit, the family compound, the temple and the rice paddy walk, so the actual time on the bike is part of that six-hour total.

What's the local school visit actually like?

You'll observe students in their daily lives at a local Balinese school, gaining a glimpse into their world and the education system. It's a stop where you watch and learn, not a structured lesson or a performance.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a downhill ride, which means gravity is doing much of the work, and your guide will set a pace the group can handle. Specialized infant seats are available if you're bringing a child from age one.

What happens at the Balinese family compound?

You'll be welcomed as a guest into a traditional compound and have the chance to interact with residents, gaining insight into how they live. It's a cultural exchange, not a museum visit.

Can I choose between the two tour options, or do they both include the volcano?

The All-Inclusive Experience includes Mount Batur and the full itinerary. The Own Transport & No Volcano option skips the volcano and the drive to Kintamani, so you're cycling through different terrain and arranging your own way to the starting point.

Is the meal at the end included in both options?

The All-Inclusive Experience includes lunch. The Own Transport & No Volcano option does not include the meal, so you'd need to arrange food separately or purchase it on your own.