Biking past Bali’s rice terraces hits different. This full-day ride mixes hotel pickup with easygoing countryside cycling so you spend less time in traffic and more time on the ground with local life. The route leans on recognizable Ubud-area highlights plus quieter lanes, guided by friendly English speakers like Wayan, Ketut, and Sandi.

I especially like how the day combines big scenery moments with practical comfort: you get a bike, helmet, and rain protection in rainy season, plus mineral water at stops. I also like the human touch at Penglipuran, where you can see bamboo craftsmen working in the forest, and you finish with a real lunch in the middle of rice paddies.

One thing to consider: it’s a long day (about 10.5 hours) starting at 8:00 am, and not every entrance fee is included along the way. If you’re sensitive to early mornings or you want total control over ticket choices, plan for that.

Key points that make this tour worth your time

• Hotel pickup and A/C van transfers keep the morning smooth before you start pedaling
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace is included and timed early, when the area feels most alive
• Penglipuran Bamboo Forest (7.5 hectares) offers a rare look at bamboo craftsmanship
• Penglipuran Village is a strong cultural stop, but its admission isn’t included
• Rice-paddy lunch at Jalan Bukit Batu includes a young coconut drink option
• Max 25 people keeps the group experience from feeling chaotic

Getting from Ubud to the bike day without the hassle

This tour is built around a simple idea: you shouldn’t have to fight Ubud traffic just to reach the good cycling roads. You start in the Ubud area (Gianyar Regency), with pickup from your hotel. From there, you head out by van to the first highlight before you get on the bikes.

The pacing also feels designed for real vacation time. You’re not dropped off with a vague plan and told to figure it out. Instead, the day has a clear rhythm: van transfer, a short ticketed stop, cycling begins, then more stops that break up the ride. Even if you’re not a hardcore cyclist, the structure helps you enjoy the journey rather than just endure it.

One practical plus: you don’t show up unprepared. The tour provides a bike and helmet, and if it’s rainy season you’ll have a raincoat. That means less packing in your bag and more focus on the roads ahead.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: the classic view, handled the right way

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Bali’s most famous visuals, and it can be a crowded, hot mess if you arrive at the wrong time. Here, it’s handled as a proper scheduled stop: you get about 35 minutes at the terraces after the A/C van ride.

The value is that admission is included, so you avoid the little friction of paying on the spot for that first major sight. You also get a guided context for what you’re seeing—rice growing is tied to local water-sharing traditions in Bali, and even if you only catch the basics, it makes the scenery more meaningful.

What to watch for: it’s still a terrace area, so expect sun and uneven ground. If you’re the type who likes photos without rushing, wear comfortable shoes and keep water handy. Mineral water is provided at stops, but you’ll still want a little extra personal comfort.

Undisan: starting in a quieter countryside pocket

After breakfast, the bikes are ready and you head to the starting area in Undisan. This part matters because it sets the tone. The tour chooses a “quiet and green” countryside location as the launch point, which helps you ease into the day instead of starting with a stressful sprint.

This is also a good mental shift: you’re not only visiting famous places. You’re riding between them. That’s the difference between a photo-only day and something that feels like a route through real neighborhoods and farms.

If you’re new to cycling on uneven paths, you’ll probably appreciate that the tour keeps things relaxed. Most travelers can participate, and that’s consistent with the way the schedule builds in short stops and breaks.

Penglipuran Bamboo Forest: 7.5 hectares of real craft

The ride’s standout “wow” moment is the Penglipuran Bamboo Forest. You’ll cycle through about 7.5 hectares of bamboo, which is big enough that it doesn’t feel like a quick photo stop. It feels like an experience.

Even better, you’re not just walking through nature—you can see Balinese bamboo craftsmen at work inside the forest. That’s the kind of stop that changes how you see the area. Instead of treating bamboo as scenery, you notice it as a livelihood.

Time here is about 30 minutes. That’s enough to take in the change in sound, light, and air that comes with bamboo, without feeling like the day drags. Admission is included, so you can focus on the walk and the guide’s explanations.

A tip for this stretch: slow down for photos and take a moment to look around. Bamboo hides details at different heights, and the forest view can shift quickly as the path turns.

Penglipuran Village: culture and charm, with one ticket cost note

After the bamboo, the tour heads to Penglipuran Village for about 45 minutes. This is a traditional village with its own distinct culture and way of life, and it’s known for its striking, orderly look.

Here’s the practical consideration: admission isn’t included for the village stop. The tour includes tickets for some of the other attractions, so this one is the exception you’ll want to plan for if you like everything handled in advance.

That doesn’t make it a bad stop. In fact, it’s one of the places that helps the day feel grounded in local life instead of only farmland scenery. Just make sure you’re ready for a small extra payment if you decide to go in.

Pura Taman Narmada Bali Raja: temple stop with rice-field calm

After cycling for a few kilometers, you’ll reach a temple area: Pura Taman Narmada Bali Raja, tied to local irrigation and farming traditions. The temple is surrounded by rice paddies and a small lake, and you may need to walk down a set of steps to access the spot.

Admission is listed as free for this stop, so there’s no extra gate fee baked into the day. The time is about 30 minutes, which works well here because it’s a moment for quiet and observation between more active parts of the ride.

One reason I like this kind of stop: it breaks up the day’s visual pattern. You’ve got terraces, bamboo, a village—then suddenly a temple scene sits inside working farmland. If you pay attention, you start to see how Bali’s cultural sites aren’t separate from everyday life. They’re part of it.

Lunch in rice paddies at Jalan Bukit Batu

By the time you finish the riding session, you’re rewarded with lunch at an authentic Balinese style restaurant in the middle of rice paddies: Jalan Bukit Batu.

This is about 1 hour, which gives you enough time to eat without rushing. Lunch is included, and you’ll get mineral water at stops throughout the day, so hydration is handled. A nice detail: you can have a young coconut drink with your meal, and the lunch is described as special and served in the rice fields.

This meal matters more than it sounds. Food can be the difference between a good sightseeing day and a memorable one, and this lunch is built into the tour rather than tacked on. Also, a vegetarian option is available if you tell the operator at booking.

The guide experience: why the day feels personal

A tour is only as good as the people steering it, and this one consistently gets praised for guide care and storytelling. In particular, I’ve seen names like Wayan, Ketut, and Sandi tied to the best moments of the day: looking after riders from pickup to drop-off, speaking strong English, and sharing practical local details.

Some guides also bring extra flavor to the route by offering Balinese fruits and foods to try along the way. Even when you’re focused on cycling, little tastings can turn a route into a cultural conversation.

You’ll get a professional English-speaking cycling guide. With up to 25 people, it’s not the kind of massive group where you disappear into the crowd.

Price and value: how $36 holds up for a long day

$36 for an about 10.5-hour Ubud countryside cycling tour is strong value when you look at what’s included. You’re not just paying for bike time. Your package covers:

• Bike and helmet (plus raincoat during rainy season)
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Pickup from your hotel
• Multiple scheduled stops, including admission for Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Penglipuran Bamboo Forest
• Mineral water at stops
• Lunch at a rice-paddy restaurant
• A mobile ticket

That’s a lot wrapped into one price, especially in a place where transport, admissions, and guide time can add up fast.

Two notes to keep the math honest:

• Penglipuran Village admission is not included.
• Alcoholic drinks aren’t included, so you’ll pay if you want them with lunch.

Still, if your goal is a full day outside the usual Ubud car-only circuit, this price feels fair.

How to judge the effort level (and avoid a sore-day surprise)

The good news: the tour says most travelers can participate, and the ride is at a relaxed pace between stops. The schedule’s structure—van transfers plus frequent break points—helps you manage energy.

What you should consider before you go:

• It’s a long day, so you’ll want to eat breakfast and keep your pace steady.
• Terrain can be uneven in countryside areas. Comfortable shoes matter more than fancy sandals.
• If you’re going during rainy season, the raincoat is provided, but you may still want quick-dry clothing and a plan for wet surfaces.

If you hate the idea of riding for hours, you might find the day easier if you focus on the stops rather than trying to “speed run” the cycling. The tour is designed for enjoyment, not racing.

Who this tour is best for

This is a great fit if you want:

• Authentic countryside time without hiring a scooter and figuring it out yourself
• A guide who makes stops understandable and not just scenic
• A day that blends big attractions (Tegalalang) with more specific experiences (bamboo craftsmanship)
• A comfortable rhythm: pickup, van transfers, bike time, cultural stops, and lunch

It’s less ideal if:

• You’re very sensitive to early mornings and 10.5 hours on your feet (starting at 8:00 am)
• You want fully predictable costs with no extra ticket at any stop (since Penglipuran Village admission isn’t included)

Should you book Bali Countryside Cycling Tours?

I’d book it if you want one organized day that gets you out into Bali’s real farm-and-village rhythm. The best reason is the combination: guided cycling with cultural stops, plus lunch in the paddies. It feels like more than a sightseeing loop because the day includes both iconic sights and human-scale moments—especially in the bamboo forest.

Before you click confirm, check two things: you can handle a long day starting at 8:00 am, and you’re okay with the one admission fee that isn’t included at Penglipuran Village. If that works for you, this is a high-value way to spend time near Ubud on two wheels.

FAQ

What area does this tour start from?

The tour starts in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia, with a pickup from your hotel.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the cycling tour?

It runs for about 10 hours 30 minutes.

What does the $36 price include?

Included items are the bike, helmet, and raincoat during rainy season, a professional English-speaking cycling guide, countryside stops, lunch in an authentic restaurant in the middle of rice paddies, mineral water at every stop, and entrance ticket(s) where listed as included.

Are there vegetarian meal options?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you advise at booking.

Do I need to pay for all entrance tickets?

No. Entrance is included for some stops (like Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the bamboo forest), but Penglipuran Village admission is listed as not included.

Is there a rain plan?

Yes. A raincoat is included during rainy season.

How many people are on the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 travelers.

Is cancellation free?

Free cancellation is offered. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.