REVIEW · UBUD
Bali: ATV Gorilla Cave, Ubud Monkey Forest, & Waterfall Tour
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by CV. Smile Bali Abadi · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Quad wheels on mud right away. This tour strings together three very different Bali experiences: an ATV quad ride through jungle terrain (including Gorilla Cave), a guided visit to the Monkey Forest sanctuary in Ubud, and a realistic shot at swimming at Tegenungan Waterfall.
Two things I really like: first, the ride sounds like more than a simple track tour, with jungle paths, streams, tunnels, and plenty of muddy moments where the course feels like it has energy. Second, the monkey stop is guided, which matters because the monkeys are wild animals, not photo props—and a good guide helps you stay calm and safe.
The main drawback to consider is timing. The waterfall is fun, but the free time for swimming and photos can feel short if you want a long hang.
In This Review
- Quick Key Points Before You Go
- How the Day Works: Pickup, ATV Time, Monkeys, Waterfall
- Entering the ATV Experience: Safety Gear and First-Minute Expectations
- The Gorilla Cave ATV Ride: Jungle, Mud, Tunnels, and Rushing Water
- Ubud’s Monkey Forest Sanctuary: How to Enjoy It Without Stress
- Tegenungan Waterfall: Photos, Free Time, and a Real Swim
- Lunch, Shower, and Comfort Between Stops
- Price and Value: Why $53 Often Works for This Combo
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Reconsider)
- Small Tips That Make the Day Go Smoother
- Should You Book This Bali ATV, Monkey Forest, and Waterfall Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the ATV, Monkey Forest, and Waterfall tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I get tickets to the Monkey Forest and Tegenungan Waterfall included?
- Is the Monkey Forest visit guided?
- Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?
- What should I bring with me?
- Are ATVs single or tandem?
- Is alcohol included?
- Is a photo included in the price?
Quick Key Points Before You Go

- ATV route with real obstacles: mud, streams, tunnels, and jungle paths, not just flat cruising
- Guides you can trust: people repeatedly call out punctual, friendly drivers like Adi, Ketoot, Bayu, and Agung
- Monkey Forest with guidance: you’ll have a guided walk (and you should expect monkey behavior to be unpredictable)
- Tegenungan Waterfall includes swimming: you get a set slot for photos and a dip in cool water
- Practical included value: pickup/drop-off, lunch, mineral water, tickets, and insurance
How the Day Works: Pickup, ATV Time, Monkeys, Waterfall

This is a classic “hit the highlights with structure” Bali outing. You’ll start with hotel pickup from a wide range of areas around the island (Nusa Dua, Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, and Ubud are all listed), then the day runs in a clear order: ATV ride, monkey sanctuary visit, and finally Tegenungan Waterfall.
The ATV portion is the big block of action. Plan on an intense ride time that’s long enough to get muddy and feel like you earned that lunch afterward. After the ride, you’ll refresh with a shower before eating, then head to the monkey sanctuary with a guided tour.
The day ends at drop-off at listed hotels. That convenience alone is a big part of the value—less time coordinating, more time out doing things.
Entering the ATV Experience: Safety Gear and First-Minute Expectations

Before you mount up, you’ll go over safety basics with an experienced instructor. The tour includes safety equipment like boots and a helmet, and you’ll get direction on how to ride and where to place your feet and hands. One of the most useful details from the ride experience is that wellies are provided and there’s a plastic cap used under the helmet, which helps keep things manageable once the course turns wet.
If you’re new to ATVs, here’s the honest way to think about it: you’re not just sitting behind a steering wheel. This is an active route through uneven ground, and the course can include mud and water crossings. If you prefer slow-and-easy driving, consider going in with a flexible mindset and listening closely at the safety briefing.
Also note the tour can use single or tandem ATV options. If you can’t drive confidently, tandem may feel more comfortable—but you should still ask how your specific setup works for first-time riders when you confirm your booking.
The Gorilla Cave ATV Ride: Jungle, Mud, Tunnels, and Rushing Water

The ATV segment is described as a quad adventure through varied scenery—lush areas, overgrown forest, rice paddies, and more active jungle terrain. You’ll also pass Gorilla Cave as part of the route, which gives the ride a “story” feeling instead of just being a loop on a track.
From the way the ride is described, the course isn’t shy about getting messy. Expect muddy sections and wet terrain, and in some accounts the ride has included streams, tunnels, and even waterfall-like scenery along the way. That mix is exactly why this tour works for active travelers: it feels like you’re moving through the island’s environment, not just touring it from a distance.
And yes, you’ll likely come back damp. That’s why the included shower matters. You don’t want to spend the next stops still feeling muddy—this tour builds in the reset so you can enjoy the monkey and waterfall parts without constantly worrying about comfort.
Ubud’s Monkey Forest Sanctuary: How to Enjoy It Without Stress

The monkey stop is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, with a guided visit that lasts about an hour. This is a nature reserve temple complex area where monkeys live in groups. The guide’s job here isn’t only to point out monkeys—it’s to help you move safely and respectfully.
Two practical things to remember:
- Don’t act like the monkeys are pets. You’re walking through their home.
- Keep your hands and small items under control. Monkeys can get curious, and the safer approach is to hold onto what you’re carrying and avoid reaching too close.
A few people specifically mention that the monkeys aren’t always friendly and that you can’t hold them. That’s normal wild-animal behavior. The best strategy is to treat it like a wildlife encounter: observe, take photos without crowding, and let the animals come to you when they choose.
If you’re the type who wants clear guidance, this stop helps. Several guides are praised for keeping safe spacing and staying attentive, including reminders to avoid getting too close. That keeps the experience fun rather than tense.
Tegenungan Waterfall: Photos, Free Time, and a Real Swim

The final stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, with a photo stop, free time, and about an hour set aside for swimming and relaxing. This is where the day shifts from adrenaline to cooldown mode.
The waterfall area is famous for its greenery and dramatic look, and that’s exactly why it’s worth ending here. After the muddy ATV ride, the contrast feels good: you go from wet and gritty to cool water and misty views.
A realistic consideration: the waterfall time may feel brief if you want a long, slow session. One common complaint is that it can be short. So if you’re a plan-ahead type, aim to swim early in your free window and then use the rest for photos.
Also think about timing and comfort. Bring a change of clothes (you’re told to), and keep sunglasses handy. If you forget either, you’ll feel it fast—especially once you’re wet and moving from water back to viewpoints.
Lunch, Shower, and Comfort Between Stops

One of the smartest parts of the itinerary is the inclusion of lunch and the mention of a relaxing shower after the ATV ride. That’s not a small detail. When you do activities like mud-heavy quad riding, your energy drops quickly if you don’t reset physically.
The tour includes lunch and mineral water, plus insurance. In plain terms, it means you won’t be scrambling for food right after getting sweaty. And it also helps keep the day from turning into a string of mini purchases you didn’t budget.
You can expect the day to feel active—then you’ll have the simple comfort reset before moving on to the monkey and waterfall stops. That flow is part of why the tour gets consistently high marks.
Price and Value: Why $53 Often Works for This Combo

At about $53 per person, this tour can be good value because it bundles together several costly and time-consuming pieces:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from a long list of Bali areas
- Admission tickets for the Monkey Forest and Tegenungan Waterfall
- An English-speaking driver
- ATV quad time (including safety gear)
- Lunch and mineral water
- Insurance
What’s not included matters too. Alcohol isn’t included, and photos aren’t included (so if you want a photo package, you’ll need to plan for that separately). But the tour covers the core costs that usually add up fast when you book these stops yourself.
If you compare alternatives, the big value is less about the dollar amount and more about the friction. Getting to Ubud, timing a monkey visit, and reaching Tegenungan without wasting your day in transit is where tours earn their keep.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Reconsider)

This is a strong match for you if:
- You want a high-energy day with a real ATV ride, not just a short spin
- You like wildlife encounters, but you want guidance so it stays respectful and safe
- You want at least one relaxed component, and swimming at the waterfall sounds appealing
- You’d rather roll with a driver than coordinate multiple stops on your own
You might reconsider if:
- You’re hoping the waterfall will be a long, slow nature escape
- You have zero interest in getting muddy (the ATV course can be wet and messy)
- You’re expecting monkeys to be calm and cuddly. This is wild animal viewing, and they can behave unpredictably
Small Tips That Make the Day Go Smoother

Bring what the tour asks for: sunglasses, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and some cash. The cash part can matter for small purchases or tipping, since the day moves quickly and you may pass shops or viewpoints.
Wear practical gear. Even with helmets and boots, you’ll feel the damp. If you can, wear clothing that dries fast and doesn’t require delicate washing right away.
And one more useful mindset note: if you’re worried about riding skill, focus on listening during the safety briefing and riding smoothly. The guides are part of the experience—several are highlighted for staying attentive, giving clear instructions, and maintaining safety distance around monkeys.
Guides named in accounts include Adi, Ketoot, Natha, Dika, Bayu, and Agung, and they’re repeatedly praised for being punctual, friendly, and safety-first. That’s the kind of crew you want when the route includes tunnels, streams, and muddy sections.
Should You Book This Bali ATV, Monkey Forest, and Waterfall Tour?
If you want one day in Bali that mixes adventure, wildlife, and a swim without lots of logistics, I think this is worth booking. The strongest reasons: the ATV ride is built to be genuinely fun (mud and obstacles included), the monkey sanctuary stop is guided, and the waterfall ends the day with cooling water time.
Book it if you’re okay with the day being active and the waterfall being a shorter stop. Consider a different plan if you want a long, unhurried waterfall hang or if you want a less messy experience overall.
FAQ
How long is the ATV, Monkey Forest, and Waterfall tour?
The duration is listed as 2 to 8 hours. Exact timing and starting times depend on availability.
What’s included in the price?
Included items are hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, single or tandem ATV (quad bike), Monkey Forest admission, Tegenungan Waterfall admission, lunch, mineral water, and insurance.
Do I get tickets to the Monkey Forest and Tegenungan Waterfall included?
Yes. Admission tickets for both the Monkey Forest and Tegenungan Waterfall are included.
Is the Monkey Forest visit guided?
Yes. You’ll have a guided tour at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary for about 1 hour.
Can I swim at Tegenungan Waterfall?
Yes. The schedule includes free time and swimming at Tegenungan Waterfall for about 1 hour.
What should I bring with me?
Bring sunglasses, change of clothes, sunscreen, and cash.
Are ATVs single or tandem?
Both are possible. The tour includes a single or tandem ATV (quad bike), depending on your setup.
Is alcohol included?
No. Alcohol is listed as not included.
Is a photo included in the price?
No. Photo is listed as not included.










