Ubud: Floating Breakfast and Hot Air Balloon Experience

The unusual part comes first: Ubud’s only hot-air balloon lifts you about 50 metres above the rice fields while remaining secured to the ground. I like the combination of a gentle first balloon ride and a floating breakfast with sparkling wine. I also like that the morning takes place at Tanah Gajah, where the pool and gardens give the experience a calm, polished setting.

The main thing to understand is that this is not a free-flying balloon trip across Bali. The ride lasts only 7 to 10 minutes, and the balloon rises and returns in the same spot. That makes it easy and low-commitment, but anyone expecting a long flight over Ubud should adjust expectations.

Key points at a glance

• A 50-metre tethered ascent: The balloon rises above Ubud’s rice fields but does not travel across the island.
• A 23-metre balloon with a wicker basket: The setup feels more like a classic balloon ride than a theme-park attraction.
• A full hour for the floating breakfast: You can choose Indonesian or Western dishes, plus coffee, tea, juice, and a local sparkling wine.
• A strong choice for couples: The setting works especially well for honeymoons, proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays.
• Small-group format: The activity is limited to six participants, with the balloon ride intended mainly for a couple.
• Weather matters: Wind and rain can stop the flight, so keep your schedule flexible.

A balloon ride with a clear limit

This experience pairs two very different pleasures. First comes the hot-air balloon, a short lift above the grounds and rice fields. Then you settle into an infinity pool for breakfast, where the food arrives on a wooden boat.

That contrast is part of the charm. The balloon gives you a brief shot of height and open views. The pool gives you time to slow down, eat, take photographs, and enjoy the setting without being hurried along.

From the basket, you may see the tropical forests around Ubud and, on a clear morning, Mount Agung on the eastern horizon. A past booking described mild temperatures, light wind, and very wide visibility, which is close to the ideal condition for this outing. But Bali weather can change quickly. Rain affected one booking, although the ride still went ahead, while the safety information makes clear that cancellation is possible when wind or weather is unsuitable.

The balloon rises to around 50 metres. That is high enough to change your view of the rice fields and give you a memorable sense of height, but not so high that this becomes a major aerial expedition. The balloon remains tethered, so you will not float over Ubud or cross the countryside.

I see this as a good introduction to ballooning. You get the basket, the burner, the upward movement, and the open view without committing to a long airborne journey. If your dream is a proper point-to-point flight, this will feel brief. If you want an unusual photo opportunity with a little adventure, the short ride may be just right.

Arriving at Tanah Gajah near Goa Gajah

The meeting point is Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, at Tengkulak Kaja on Jalan Raya Goa Gajah in Kemenuh, Ubud. The activity does not include a transfer, so you need to arrange your own way there.

That detail matters. A resort-based experience begins and ends at the property, not at your hotel. Allow enough time to reach Tanah Gajah and confirm your meeting instructions before the morning starts. Since the total activity lasts two hours, arriving late could reduce the time available for the balloon or breakfast.

The resort setting is an important part of the value. You are not simply arriving at a launch field, taking a quick ride, and leaving. The grounds, pool, service, and photo opportunities all form part of the morning. One booking found the setting so pleasant that relaxing around the pool after breakfast became an extra pleasure.

The group size is limited to six participants, which helps keep the experience quieter than a large sightseeing outing. The balloon ride itself is best suited to a couple. A maximum of two adults and one child may be allowed depending on the combined weight, with a total limit of 150 kilograms.

What the 7 to 10-minute flight feels like

The balloon is 23 metres tall and fitted with a cosy wicker basket. You climb in for a controlled ascent, rise roughly 50 metres, pause above the rice fields, and return to the ground. The whole ride lasts between seven and ten minutes.

That timing is the single biggest point to weigh before booking. Several people enjoyed the flight but found it shorter than expected. One person described the ride as going straight up, remaining in one place for about five to eight minutes, then coming down. Another wished it were a true flight that travelled higher and across Bali.

I would not book this for the duration of the balloon ride alone. Think of it as a short centerpiece within a two-hour breakfast experience. The balloon supplies the memorable moment, while the pool meal gives you the time and comfort.

The basket can become hot, particularly in direct morning sun. Wear light clothing and bring water if you like, although drinks are part of the breakfast service later. The activity asks you to bring swimwear and a change of clothes, so you can move from the balloon area to the pool without fuss.

A clear morning can make the ride much more rewarding. The view may include Ubud’s forests, rice fields, and Mount Agung in the distance. Poor visibility will reduce the payoff, and unsafe wind can cancel the ride. Check the forecast before booking, but keep in mind that a forecast cannot guarantee conditions in Ubud.

The floating breakfast is the longer event

After the balloon, the pace changes completely. You slip into swimwear and enjoy breakfast in the infinity pool, with the food arranged on a wooden boat. The meal portion lasts about 60 minutes, giving you time to eat without rushing through the setting.

The menu is à la carte rather than a fixed tray of identical items. You can choose fresh juice, tea, coffee, smoothies, fruit, cereals, or muesli. For the main meal, the choices cover Indonesian dishes such as noodles and martabak, along with Western options including scrambled eggs, omelettes, eggs Benedict, bacon, sausages, and pancakes.

That range makes the experience more practical for couples who want different kinds of breakfast. You can choose local flavours, familiar comfort food, or a lighter combination of fruit and drinks. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan choices are available when requested in advance.

The food has received consistently strong praise, with particular approval for the selection, presentation, and portion. One booking described having plenty of food, while another highlighted the quality and range. The meal is not just a prop for photographs. It is a proper breakfast, and the hour in the pool gives you time to enjoy it.

A bottle of local sparkling wine comes with the experience. It suits a celebration, though you should remember that this is a morning activity and the balloon ride comes before the drink. Coffee, tea, and juice are also included, so the meal does not depend on wine to feel complete.

Why the setting works for couples

The strongest use of this experience is as a private-feeling celebration. The pool, balloon, breakfast boat, and sparkling wine make a natural package for a honeymoon, proposal, birthday, anniversary, or simple romantic morning.

One couple used the balloon ride for a marriage proposal, which shows how well the sequence can work for a planned surprise. If you are arranging a proposal, confirm the timing and practical details directly with the provider before arrival. The supplied information does not promise a special proposal service, so you should not assume that decorations or a photographer are included.

You may also find the experience appealing if you want photographs without spending a full day on a formal photo session. The elevated balloon view, wicker basket, pool, wooden breakfast boat, and resort grounds offer several different backdrops.

Professional photographs may cost extra. One booking specifically recommended paying for the professional photo option, but the standard inclusions listed here are a souvenir and the activity itself, not a guaranteed photography package. Ask what is available if high-quality images matter to you.

Is $238 good value for two people?

The price is $238 per group of up to two people. That is a substantial cost for a two-hour morning, especially since the actual balloon time is only seven to ten minutes.

Still, the price covers more than a short ride. You are paying for the balloon operation, a full à la carte breakfast, drinks, a bottle of local sparkling wine, towel service, insurance, and the resort pool setting. For a couple marking an important occasion, the combined experience can make sense.

For a casual ride with no interest in the pool or breakfast, the value is weaker. You would be paying for a luxury package when the balloon itself is the part you want. But if you already plan to book a special meal or celebration in Ubud, the package brings the food, scenery, service, and activity together in one morning.

The strongest value comes when two people share the full package and use the hour in the pool well. Do not treat the breakfast as a short add-on after the ride. It is half of the experience, and arguably the more relaxed half.

Weather, comfort, and practical limits

Weather is the main uncertainty. The balloon depends on wind and rain conditions, and safety can require cancellation. If the ride is canceled for weather, you may reschedule. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the booking terms.

I would avoid placing this on the morning of an important flight or tightly scheduled transfer. A weather change or rescheduling need could affect your plans. It is better suited to a flexible morning in Ubud.

The activity is not suitable for children under 11, although the information also lists children under two and babies under one as excluded. The practical rule is simple: this is designed mainly for adults and older children, with the balloon’s total weight limit of 150 kilograms.

It is not suitable for anyone with altitude sickness or anyone over 150 kilograms. Pets and drones are not allowed. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes, and consider modest cover-up clothing for moving between the pool and other parts of the resort.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples who want one polished morning with several memorable parts. Honeymooners, birthday couples, proposal planners, and people celebrating an anniversary get the clearest value.

It can also suit a first balloon experience. The tethered format keeps the flight simple and short, while still giving you a genuine rise above the ground and wide views over Ubud.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long hot-air balloon journey. You will not travel across Bali, circle Ubud, or spend a prolonged period in the air. You will rise vertically, enjoy the view, and return to the same area.

The package also suits people who value good service and a calm setting. Past experiences praised the Tanah Gajah staff, the peaceful pool, the food, and the unhurried pace. You are not being moved from stop to stop all morning. After the balloon, you have time to relax.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a romantic, highly photogenic morning and understand that the balloon is a short tethered ride, not a long airborne tour. The floating breakfast, flexible menu, sparkling wine, pool, and resort setting carry much of the experience.

Skip it if you want maximum flight time, a lower-cost balloon outing, or a trip that travels over Bali. At $238 for two, the package earns its price through the full celebration, not through ten minutes in the basket alone.

For a proposal, birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary, I think the combination is strong. Check the weather, arrange your own transport to Tanah Gajah, request dietary needs in advance, and bring swimwear plus a change of clothes. Get those details right, and you have a memorable Ubud morning with just enough adventure and plenty of time to relax.

FAQ

How long does the entire experience last?

The full experience lasts about two hours. The hot-air balloon ride takes 7 to 10 minutes, and the floating breakfast lasts about 60 minutes.

How high does the balloon rise?

The balloon rises approximately 50 metres above the rice fields.

Is the hot-air balloon ride a free flight?

No. The balloon is tethered and rises in one place before returning to the ground. It does not fly across Ubud or around Bali.

Where does the activity take place?

The meeting point is the Hot Air Balloon at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, Tengkulak Kaja, Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571.

What food and drinks are included?

The à la carte menu includes fresh juices, tea, coffee, smoothies, fruit, cereals, muesli, Indonesian breakfast options, and Western dishes such as eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes. Local sparkling wine is included.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and halal meals available?

Yes. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan menus are available upon request.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a change of clothes. A towel is included.

Can the activity be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The balloon depends on wind and weather conditions and may be canceled for safety. If weather causes cancellation, you may reschedule.