Hot Air Balloon Experience with Meals at Tanah Gajah Ubud

Ubud’s rice fields look different from a balloon basket, even when the balloon stays tethered to the ground. At Tanah Gajah, you rise above the resort grounds for a short view over paddies and tropical greenery, with Mount Agung sometimes visible toward the east when the sky is clear.

I like two things about this outing: you can pair the ride with breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner, and the setting is a beautiful resort rather than a bare launch field. The morning and late-afternoon sessions also give you a choice of light and temperature.

The main catch is the ride’s brevity. The listed flight time is 5 to 7 minutes, and this is not a long, free-flying balloon journey. Weather, wind, queues, and delays can also affect whether you ride at all, so build in flexibility.

What to know before you book

• The balloon is tethered: Expect an ascent and descent from the same spot, not a drifting flight across Bali.
• The ride is brief: The listed duration is 5 to 7 minutes, though some riders describe it as closer to 10.
• The views are the point: Look for Tanah Gajah’s rice fields, Ubud’s tropical greenery, and, if conditions allow, Mount Agung in the distance.
• Pick a package for the meal, too: Sunrise comes with breakfast, sunset with afternoon tea, and the dinner option pairs the ride with an evening meal.
• Weather can cancel the flight: The balloon operates only when wind and conditions permit.
• The price is for two: The listed price applies to a couple, with a combined maximum weight of 150 kilograms.

A balloon ride above Tanah Gajah

Tanah Gajah, formerly The Chedi Club Ubud, sits in the Sukawati area near Ubud. The resort’s grounds and surrounding rice fields provide the setting for this unusual short ride. You rise above the paddies and greenery, taking in a broad view that is hard to get from a road or footpath.

Keep the scale of the outing in mind. This is a tethered balloon, held in place by ropes as it goes up and comes back down. It does not carry you across the countryside. The advertised height is about 50 metres, but the actual ascent can depend on conditions, and some people describe a lower rise. If your idea of a balloon ride involves drifting over a wide stretch of Bali, this is not that.

The ride itself is short, too. The stated flight time is 5 to 7 minutes, while some accounts put the time at roughly 5 to 10 minutes. That is enough for a look around and a few pictures, but not enough to make the ride the centrepiece of a full day. Think of it as a special viewpoint and a memorable stop at a resort, rather than an extended aerial tour.

From arrival to basket

You make your own way to Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, at Tengkulak Kaja, Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar Regency. The activity does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan a car, motorbike, or online taxi. The resort is outside central Ubud, and traffic can slow the drive. Allow a proper buffer rather than aiming to arrive at the last moment.

The experience runs daily in two windows: 06:30 to 08:00 and 17:30 to 19:00. The operator waits only until 06:30 for the morning session and 17:30 for the late-afternoon session. Arriving after your stated time can count as a no-show, with no refund, so confirm your transport and leave early.

Once at the resort, you’ll head to the activity area and wait for your turn. Queues can form, especially if several couples are booked into the same time slot. A delay matters more at sunset: if your turn comes late, the light may have faded, and you could miss the sunset view you had in mind. Morning can be a better choice if you value daylight and cooler air.

The balloon rises and descends from the same area. Staff are present for the activity, and a photographer takes pictures. Each person riding receives one complimentary photo and a balloon certificate. Additional photos may be available to buy, so ask what is included before deciding to purchase a larger set.

Choosing sunrise, sunset, or dinner

The sunrise breakfast package is a good fit if you want to see the grounds in morning light and have breakfast as part of the outing. The session is listed for 06:30. In rainy-season months, some people prefer the morning because conditions may be more favourable, but the flight remains weather-dependent at any time of day. Don’t treat an early start as a guarantee.

The sunset afternoon tea package pairs the 17:30 session with tea and treats. It makes a pleasant occasion out of a short activity, especially if the meal matters as much to you as the balloon. But sunset timing is not guaranteed. Queues or a delayed start can mean your ascent happens after the sun has dropped, so choose this package for the full resort outing rather than a promise of a perfect sunset from the basket.

The dinner package also uses the late-afternoon time slot and costs more than the breakfast or tea options. It may suit a couple looking to mark a special evening, with the meal giving the outing a longer arc than the brief ride alone. Keep in mind that the balloon portion remains short, and bad weather can still prevent it from going ahead.

There is also a ride-only option if you want the view without a meal. That can be the simplest choice if you have other dining plans, though it offers less reason to linger at the resort. The packages are listed from US$147.55 for the ride only, US$197.85 for sunrise breakfast or sunset afternoon tea, and US$251.50 for dinner. The overall starting price can vary by booking details, so check the amount at checkout. The listed price is for two people.

What the view can and cannot deliver

From above, you can see the Tanah Gajah area, rice paddies, and the tropical greenery around Ubud. On a clear day, Mount Agung may appear on the eastern horizon. That mountain view is a bonus, not a sure thing: cloud, haze, timing, and weather can all affect visibility.

The balloon gives you a still, elevated view rather than the changing panorama of a free-flight. That has a practical upside: you stay close to the resort, and the ride is short and contained. It also means you should set your expectations accordingly. The appeal is seeing familiar Ubud scenery from a new angle, not covering distance.

The resort setting adds atmosphere. You’re not just arriving at a roadside platform for a quick lift; the activity takes place at Tanah Gajah, whose grounds are often part of the pleasure of the visit. If you are already staying nearby, or you want an outing that combines a distinctive setting with food, the location helps justify the cost. If you are making a long drive solely for a few minutes in the air, the value is less clear.

How much is it worth?

The price is easiest to understand as a couple’s outing, since the listed rate covers two people and the combined weight limit is 150 kilograms. For two people sharing the experience, ride-only pricing starts at US$147.55. That is a substantial sum for a ride that lasts only a few minutes, so the decision rests on how much you value the unusual viewpoint and resort setting.

Adding breakfast or afternoon tea brings the listed starting price to US$197.85, while dinner starts at US$251.50. The meal makes the outing feel more complete, but it does not make the balloon ride longer. I would choose a meal package if you want an occasion at Tanah Gajah, and the ride-only option if the balloon itself is your main reason for going.

There are two useful safeguards when weather stops the balloon. The stated alternatives are a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or rescheduling from the morning session to the afternoon session. The activity may also be cancelled for safety reasons, and refund handling can require follow-up. Confirm the replacement or refund arrangement with both the operator and booking service before you leave the property, and keep written confirmation.

Practical details and limits

Children aged 3 and over are charged the same rate as adults. The experience is not recommended for people with impaired mobility or certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure and epilepsy. It is not wheelchair-accessible. Insurance is included for riders aged 10 to 70.

Wear something comfortable for the resort visit, and consider bringing a hat: the balloon area can feel hot. Keep your phone or camera ready, but don’t assume every photograph is included. The package includes one complimentary result from the photography session; other images may cost extra.

The voucher is presented on your phone and is valid only for the date and time selected. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity in many cases, with exceptions for certain pass, presale, and promotional bookings. Check your own booking terms before relying on a change.

Who should book this?

I’d book this if you want a short, unusual view of Ubud and like the idea of pairing it with breakfast, tea, or dinner at Tanah Gajah. It suits couples especially well, since the listed rate is for two, and it can make a distinctive part of a honeymoon or special occasion.

I’d skip it if you expect a long free-flight, need a guaranteed sunset, or would be disappointed by a weather cancellation. For the best chance of seeing the fields in daylight, choose the morning slot and arrive early. For a more leisurely resort visit, choose a meal package, but judge its value as a meal-and-setting outing with a brief balloon ride, not as an aerial tour.

FAQ

Is this a free-flying hot air balloon ride?

No. The balloon is tethered and rises and descends from the same spot. You do not drift across Bali.

How long is the ride?

The listed ride time is 5 to 7 minutes. Actual time may vary.

How high does the balloon go?

The advertised ascent is about 50 metres. The height can vary with conditions.

What can I see from the balloon?

You can see Tanah Gajah’s rice fields and surrounding tropical greenery. Mount Agung may be visible on the eastern horizon when conditions are clear.

What time are the sessions?

The activity runs daily from 06:30 to 08:00 and 17:30 to 19:00. The stated session times are 06:30 for sunrise and 17:30 for sunset or dinner.

What meal options are available?

You can choose sunrise breakfast, sunset afternoon tea, dinner, or the ride-only package.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can reach Tanah Gajah by car, motorbike, or online taxi.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ride?

The activity may be cancelled for weather or wind. The stated alternatives are a 60-minute Balinese massage for two or rescheduling from the morning session to the afternoon session.

Is the listed price for one person?

No. The listed price is for two people, with a combined maximum weight of 150 kilograms.