Four wheels cut through the tourist side of Ubud. This Bali Quad and Buggy Explorer Tour is built around hands-on ATV/buggy training, then a guided off-road loop past rice fields, jungle edges, plantations, and a traditional Balinese village.

I especially like how safety is taught first, with a safety video plus real practice on a training track before you head out. I also like the no-drama end-of-tour setup: you get hot showers, a towel, and lockers, so you can clean up without turning your day into a mud-smeared mess.

The main thing to consider is that off-road rides are inherently bumpy, and at least one past guest questioned buggy safety/maintenance during the tour. If you’re choosing the buggy option, I’d pay extra attention during the safety briefing and make sure any vehicle concerns get handled immediately.

Quick hits before you book

• Automatic vehicles make the ride more about steering and balance than shifting gears
• Training track first so you learn basic control before the sightseeing portion starts
• Real village-area trails on small tracks used by locals, not just scenic byroads
• Hot shower + lockers so you can end the day clean, not clingy with mud
• Professional photo documentation with a photo booth at the end

Bali Quad vs. Buggy: what you’re really signing up for

In Ubud, you’ll see Bali from the sky (drones and viewpoints) or from the road (temples and craft streets). This tour gives you a third option: on-the-ground off-road travel that puts you closer to everyday life—rice fields, farms, and village paths—while still being guided.

You can ride a Kawasaki ATV or a Cfmoto Zforce 4WD buggy. Both are described as fully automatic and easy to handle, which matters because Bali roads can be hectic, but off-road riding is a different skill set. Here, they walk you through the basics first, then let you practice. That’s a big reason this tour works well even if you’ve never ridden before.

Timing is also friendly: it runs about 1 hour 30 minutes total, with an initial training section and then roughly one hour of adventurous sightseeing. The pace feels tight enough to keep energy high, but long enough to actually feel like you left the base and got into the countryside.

Where the tour starts in Ubud (and how to plan your timing)

The tour meets at Bali Quad Discovery Tours in the Payangan/Ubud area: Kerta, Kec. Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali. The experience ends back at the same place.

Hotel pickup is not included, but it’s available on request for an added charge. If you’re self-transporting, plan to arrive early enough to check in, get your locker sorted, and get ready for the training session. When a tour has a safety video and a test track, being even a little rushed can make the day feel more stressful than it needs to.

They keep the group size to a maximum of 15 travelers, and if you show up with mixed driving experience, they can split you into different groups so the pacing fits. That’s one of those details you might skip when booking—then end up grateful for it later.

Check-in basics: welcome drink, lockers, and gear

When you arrive, you’ll get a small welcome refreshment and access to free lockers. Bring valuables? Store them in the locker rather than trying to hold onto things while you drive.

They provide key ride basics:

• Helmet
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Coffee and/or tea
• Hot shower facilities, plus soap and a towel after you finish

If you want to carry extra items, they also mention water-resistant bags. That’s smart. Off-road means dust. Off-road also means splash risk.

Before you go out, they’ll cover what you need on your body and in your bag. The tour info strongly suggests:

• solid shoes or sport shoes
• sunscreen and sunglasses
• a change of clothes

Take that seriously. Even if it doesn’t rain, the ride can leave you gritty.

The training track: why this tour starts with a lesson

This is not a jump-on-and-go ride. You start with:

1. a safety video
2. a guide briefing
3. hands-on instructions
4. a practice/test ride on the training track

The training track matters because automatic riding can still be tricky under throttle, turns, and uneven ground. Your goal on the training circuit is simple: get your bearings fast. Once you can steer comfortably and understand how the vehicle responds, the rest of the day feels like scenery.

The safety style here is practical: video plus guide coaching. You’re also told that if people have very different skills, you’ll be grouped so the instruction level stays comfortable.

How long does training take? The whole tour is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the format is set up so you do the training first and then go into the countryside for about an hour. So you’re not stuck in a classroom—this is a quick ramp into the fun.

ATV ride: what it feels like and why automatic helps

If you choose the Kawasaki ATV, you’ll drive yourself. These are described as fully automatic and easy to handle, and that’s exactly why many first-timers prefer ATVs here.

Automatic means you avoid the extra workload of managing a clutch/shifting while also handling:

• uneven terrain
• tight corners
• dust and reduced visibility
• balance on slopes and bumps

Even if your route is short, ATV riding can still be physically demanding. The automatic setup doesn’t remove the effort—what it does is keep your brain focused on control instead of mechanics.

You’ll still want to ride like the ground matters, because it does. Off-road in this area typically means irregular surfaces and frequent changes in traction.

Buggy ride: a 4WD alternative with seat belts and roll bars

If quad bikes aren’t your thing, the Cfmoto Zforce 4WD buggy is the alternative. It’s pitched as low-noise and high-power, and it’s fully automatic and easy to handle. From the feedback I saw, these buggies are described as having 500cc 4×4 fully automatic engines, plus roll bars and seat belts.

That buggy setup is a big comfort factor if you want the off-road adventure without as much standing-balance and feel-through-the-handlebars driving. It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling as a group with mixed comfort levels.

One caution: one past guest raised concerns about buggy safety/maintenance during the tour when they experienced what they felt was a lack of control. That doesn’t mean every ride is unsafe, but it does mean you should treat the safety briefing like it’s there for a reason. If anything feels off at the start, ask questions right away and don’t wait.

The sightseeing portion: rice fields, plantations, jungle edges, and a village

After the training track, you start the main off-road sightseeing loop. This is where the tour earns its reputation for showing you the countryside rather than just “nice views.”

The route is described as taking you past:

• rice fields
• plantations and jungle
• a traditional Balinese village

They also mention spotting local animals and seeing fruits and vegetables growing. Even if you don’t know the exact names of every plant you pass, it’s the feeling that counts: you’re traveling through working land, not a theme park of staged scenery.

Another key detail is that they mostly use small tracks that local villagers also use. That usually means:

• less high-speed driving
• more “slow and close” moments
• a stronger sense you’re moving with daily life rather than above it

You should expect it to get dusty and muddy. This tour is honest about that. If you show up in clean city sneakers, you’ll leave looking like you survived a mini mudstorm.

Breaks during the ride: short drink and a bathroom stop

During the sightseeing portion, there’s a short drink and bathroom break. This is one of those practical details that can be the difference between enjoying the second half and feeling annoyed.

Because the tour is relatively short overall, they don’t linger—so treat the break as your reset. Hydrate, use the bathroom, and adjust anything you need (sunglasses, helmet fit, and so on) before you head back out.

Refresh and reset after: hot showers, towel, and changing room

One of the best parts of off-road tours is when they let you finish like a normal person.

Here, after you finish riding, you can wash up with hot shower facilities, including soap and a towel. They also mention a changing room and lockers for your belongings.

That hot shower matters. Bali humidity plus dust can turn your clothes into a sticky souvenir unless you get cleaned up right away.

This is also where the included extras feel more meaningful. Some tours hand you a helmet and call it a day. This one plans the end of the day, which saves you effort in the rest of your schedule.

The photo booth: included souvenir photos, plus a chance to buy more

You’ll stop by the photo booth before you go home. There’s a professional photography team along the tour to document your ride, and the tour info says souvenir photos are included with no additional charge.

At the same time, the additional info also says photographs are available to purchase after the tour. That could mean you get some included images, and then can purchase extra sets or print options. Because the details aren’t fully clear here, I’d treat it like this: you’ll definitely get at least the basic souvenir photos, and there may be optional upgrades.

If you care about getting action shots without asking strangers to photograph your mud-covered grin, this part is worth paying attention to.

Price and value: what $43 buys you in real-world terms

At $43 per person, this tour sits in the “not too pricey for what you do” zone—especially because so much is bundled.

You’re paying for:

• guided instruction (safety video, briefing, hands-on coaching)
• your vehicle choice (ATV or buggy)
• helmet use
• snacks and bottled water (plus coffee/tea)
• lockers and shower facilities
• hot shower supplies (soap and towel)
• professional photo documentation
• taxes and handling charges

What you’re not paying for: a full lunch and optional alcohol/drinks (available to purchase). Hotel pickup is also extra if you want it.

Value-wise, the biggest win is that you don’t just rent a vehicle. You get guided off-road riding plus a structured skills ramp, and then you get the cleanup and photos to close the loop. That’s what makes the price feel less like a “thrill fee” and more like a complete activity.

Booking trends show it’s popular enough that it’s often booked about 11 days in advance, so if your dates are firm, you’ll likely have an easier time locking in a spot sooner rather than later.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This works well if you want:

• a short, satisfying off-road experience near Ubud
• a choice between ATV and 4WD buggy
• guided driving support, not just a rental
• a day plan that includes cleanup and photos

It can also be a good fit for families and groups with mixed preferences, since kids ages 5 to 15 can ride only as copilots, while solo drivers have a minimum age of 16.

You might think twice if:

• you’re strongly averse to dust and mud (it’s expected)
• you worry about the mechanical condition of the vehicle (take the safety briefing seriously, and raise concerns early)
• you want a long, slow countryside day (this is about 1.5 hours, not a full-day excursion)

Booking tips that make the ride smoother

• Wear solid shoes with grip. You’ll be happier when the ground turns uneven.
• Bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Even off-road, the sun doesn’t take a day off.
• Plan on a change of clothes. You’ll thank yourself during the shower portion.
• If you’re choosing the buggy, pay extra attention to seat belts/roll bar guidance at the start.
• Bring a simple bag strategy: locker first, then any extra items in a water-resistant bag if you have one.

If you can, also ask what the ride will be like for your skill level. The tour can split groups when skills differ, and you’ll get more enjoyment when your pace matches your comfort.

Should you book the Bali Quad and Buggy Explorer Tour?

Yes—if you want a structured off-road Bali ride that’s close to Ubud, with real training and an easy finish. The hot shower + lockers plus the guided loop through rice fields, plantations, and a traditional village make it feel complete for the price.

I’d book with extra caution only if you’re extremely sensitive to vehicle condition. The one negative note I saw centered on buggy control and perceived safety during the ride. To protect yourself, listen closely during the safety briefing, confirm everything feels right before you start the main trail, and speak up immediately if something seems off.

If you’re after hands-on fun, not a long lecture or a slow scenic drive, this is a solid way to get your boots (and your tires) dirty on the real Bali side of Ubud.

FAQ

How long is the ATV or buggy tour?

The experience runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. After a training session on the practice track, you’ll have roughly one hour for the off-road sightseeing part.

Are the vehicles automatic?

Yes. Both vehicle options are described as fully automatic and easy to handle, including the Kawasaki ATV and the Cfmoto Zforce 4WD buggy.

What should I wear for the tour?

Plan on solid shoes or sport shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You should also bring a change of clothes because the ride can be dusty and muddy.

Is lunch included?

Snacks are included, but lunch is not included.

Can kids ride on the tour?

Solo drivers must be at least 16. Children ages 5–15 can join only as a copilot.

Do I get photos from the tour?

Yes. A professional photography team documents the ride, and the info says souvenir photos are included. There is also a photo booth at the end, where you can view the candid photos and purchase options may be available.