Ubud : Kintamani Downhill Cycling Tour with Lunch

Downhill bikes beat Bali traffic. This small-group Ubud to Kintamani ride gets you onto countryside roads cars can’t reach, with stops for a village school and temple along the way. I love the mostly-downhill, easy-going pace and I love that the Balinese lunch is built in at The amertha Restaurant. One thing to plan for: the tour ends in Tampaksiring, so your day finishes there (with the included drop-off).

The value is strong for the price: bicycle, bottled water, a professional English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, and entrance fees are all included. You also get a comfortable rhythm—briefing at the start, then riding, then culture stops—so it doesn’t feel like you’re being rushed through the day.

If you’re sensitive to sun, bring your own sunblock since it’s not included. Also, while the route is designed to be easy, you still need basic comfort riding a bike on rural roads.

Key highlights at a glance

• Mostly downhill riding makes this a great fit if you’re not trying to train for a race
• Small group size (up to 15) keeps the pace calm and the guide easier to reach
• Village school and temple visits give context to daily Balinese life beyond the main tourist sights
• Lunch at The amertha Restaurant keeps food simple, local, and included
• Round-trip air-conditioned transport helps you access the Kintamani area without hassle

Getting to Kintamani without doing the logistics yourself

Bali’s countryside is where the magic gets real, but it’s hard to reach by yourself unless you hire a driver or spend a lot of time transferring. This is built around the idea that you don’t have to. You get round-trip pickup and drop-off from Ubud or south Bali in an air-conditioned vehicle, then you’re on a bike for the parts that cars just can’t do well.

The tour is also designed to feel calm. It runs about 6 hours, and the schedule is paced so you’re not constantly stopping for long explanations or waiting around for ages. The group caps at 15 travelers, which matters more than it sounds. Smaller groups mean the guide can keep an eye on everyone, handle bike questions quickly, and keep the route moving at an easy rhythm.

And yes, it’s a real cycling tour—not just a sightseeing loop with a bike as a prop. You ride mainly downhill through the Kintamani area, then connect the ride with a few cultural stops and lunch.

The Bayung Gede start: briefing first, then rolling

The day begins in Bayung Gede, on the south side of Kintamani. Before anyone pedals, you get a short briefing right there. It’s about 30 minutes, and the point is simple: you learn the basics of the ride and get enough context to enjoy what you’re about to see.

This kind of early orientation pays off. When you start with a clear plan—where you’re going, what to watch for, and how the stops work—you don’t waste energy later. You also feel safer when you understand how the guide expects the group to ride.

A practical tip: wear comfortable closed shoes or sturdy sandals with grip. You’ll be on and off the bike during village stops and photo stops, and you don’t want slippery feet.

Pura Desa Malet Gusti: village school + temple time

The main cultural stop is at Pura Desa Malet Gusti, and this is where the tour becomes more than just pretty scenery. You’ll spend about 2 hours here with free admission mentioned for the stop, which is nice because you’re not worrying about tickets while the day is unfolding.

What you’re looking for at this stage is balance. You get a village school element—an insight into education and daily community life—and you also connect it to the spiritual side of Bali through the temple experience at the site. Reviews highlight that the guide shares stories that make the stops feel personal, not like checklist tourism.

What might feel different here compared with a typical temple visit is the rhythm. The tour is cycling-focused, so you don’t get stuck in one location for too long without breaks. Instead, you arrive by bike, you slow down, you learn, and then you move on.

One consideration: any village visit means you should dress respectfully. Shoulders and knees covered is a safe default, and bring something light for humidity.

Istana Tampak Siring and lunch at The amertha Restaurant

After the village and temple time, the day shifts toward food and an additional stop around Istana Tampak Siring. Your lunch is at The amertha Restaurant, and you’ll have about 45 minutes here. Admission for this segment is marked as included, so the lunch portion isn’t treated like a quick grab-and-go.

Lunch on tours like this can be hit-or-miss, but the setup here is straightforward: you’re served a Balinese local dish, and you also get bottled water. Reviews describe lunch as a nice wrap-up and a well-earned break, especially after the downhill riding.

Think of the meal as part of the cultural pacing. Instead of eating at a high-traffic tourist restaurant where everything feels generic, you get local food in the middle of a countryside day. It’s not presented as a culinary competition. It’s meant to keep you fed, comfortable, and ready for the rest of the experience.

If you have allergies or picky restrictions, I’d plan to tell the guide ahead of time. The exact menu isn’t specified in the tour details you provided, so don’t assume it can be customized.

The downhill ride: easy on the legs, good on the views

The headline feature is the bike route: it’s mainly downhill, which is why this works for so many different fitness levels. You’re not meant to pedal uphill for hours. Instead, you enjoy gravity-assisted cruising while you pass rice fields, quiet roads, and rural village scenes.

This is the “why” behind the tour. If you’ve spent your Bali time in Ubud’s busy lanes, you already know that cars and scooters can make the countryside feel far away. On a bike, you travel at human speed. You can actually notice the details—temples along the route, everyday homes, and small moments that would be easy to miss from a vehicle window.

The easy pace is also supported by the tour design. A professional English-speaking guide leads the ride, and reviews describe the guide as friendly and helpful, with clear communication. That matters because it turns the ride from a solo bike day into a guided experience where you can relax and ask questions.

A small reality check: even when a ride is easy, you still need attention. Rural roads can be uneven, and you’ll be sharing space with local traffic at times. If you’re comfortable riding a bike calmly, you’re in the right place.

Bikes, water, and a guide who keeps things smooth

You get use of a bicycle and bottled water, which is the kind of basic comfort that makes or breaks a countryside ride. You’ll also be covered for all fees and taxes, which reduces the annoying add-ons that can creep into day tours.

The tour is led by a professional English-speaking guide, and reviews consistently point to communication quality and helpfulness. This is especially important on a cycling tour. You want someone who can explain what’s ahead, manage the group, and keep everyone together when you’re on rural roads.

Group size is capped at 15 travelers, so the guide isn’t juggling too many people. That leads to practical benefits: fewer long delays, easier spotting if someone needs help, and a more relaxed atmosphere during photo stops.

One simple thing to prepare: bring a small personal kit—sunglasses, a light layer, and sunblock. Sunblock isn’t included, and the Bali sun can get serious even on a calm ride.

Price and value: why $29.90 is more than just cheap cycling

At $29.90 per person, this tour lands in the value sweet spot for Bali. The biggest reason is that it’s not priced like a bare-bones activity. You’re getting a full day package: bicycle, lunch, bottled water, professional guide, and round-trip air-conditioned transport from Ubud or south Bali.

You’re also getting peace of mind around costs. Entrance fees are covered, and the itinerary notes free admission at key stops. That means the day stays predictable: you don’t have to pull out your wallet at each segment.

Is the lunch gourmet? No one is advertising this as a fine-dining experience. But the lunch is included, local, and timed well—after the ride, at the right moment in the day. For many people, that alone makes the tour feel like a fair deal compared with paying separately for transport, guide time, and food.

What the day actually feels like (in a good way)

The “feel” of this tour is laid-back. Reviews highlight it as fun, easy, relaxing, and well organized, and that matches the structure: short briefing, then cycling, then slow stops for culture and lunch.

Because the ride is mainly downhill, the effort level tends to stay comfortable. That’s a big deal if you’re traveling and already walking a lot in Ubud. You’re not adding a strenuous workout on top of your vacation. You’re adding a new way to see the island.

The best part is the combination: you get rural scenery plus real cultural context. Instead of only chasing Instagram shots, you stop to see a village school and a temple. It’s not a lecture. It’s part of how daily life connects to place in Bali.

Who should book this, and who might want another option

This tour is a great match if you want countryside views without the stress of driving to remote areas. You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• want mostly downhill cycling that’s easier on the legs
• like guided stops that explain what you’re seeing
• want lunch included instead of planning food on your own
• prefer small-group vibes over crowded buses

You might think twice if you:

• need a fully strenuous workout (this is designed to be easy)
• have very limited confidence riding bikes on rural roads
• want the day to end back in Ubud exactly where you started (it ends in Tampaksiring, with drop-off included)

Should you book the Ubud to Kintamani downhill cycling tour?

If you’re deciding between one more Ubud activity and something that reaches into the countryside, I’d lean toward booking this. The value is solid, the ride is designed to be beginner-friendly thanks to its mostly downhill route, and the day includes more than just riding—there are meaningful cultural stops plus lunch at The amertha Restaurant.

Go for it if you want a relaxed, well-organized day where transportation is handled, the bike is provided, and you can spend your energy enjoying the views and conversation instead of map apps and vehicle negotiations.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 6 hours.

Where does the cycling tour start and end?

It starts in Bayung Gede, Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, and ends in Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Bali (for lunch and the finish location).

Do I get pickup from my hotel?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation is included for hotel pickup and drop-off from Ubud or south Bali.

Is the bike included?

Yes. You get use of a bicycle as part of the tour.

What food is included?

Lunch is included, with Balinese local dishes served at The amertha Restaurant.

Is water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included, and the tour notes free admission for some stops and included admission for others.

What’s the group size?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What should I bring if sunblock isn’t included?

Bring sunblock, since it’s not included in the tour package.