Bali Eco Cycling

Bali Eco Cycling has been guiding bike tours since 1999, making it one of the island’s longest-running cycling operators. The idea is simple and clever: rather than pedalling up Bali’s steep volcanic slopes, riders are driven up to the rim of the Batur caldera and then spend most of the day rolling gently downhill along quiet back lanes towards Ubud, stopping frequently to meet farmers, peek into family compounds and learn how rural Bali actually works.

The company frames its tours as educational rather than athletic. Guides explain rice-growing cycles, the subak irrigation system, village temples and the crops you pass, from coffee and cacao to fruit trees. It is a good way to see the Bali that exists between the famous sights, at a pace that allows conversation and photos, and it works for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

What to expect

The day starts with hotel pick-up and a drive to Penelokan in Kintamani, where breakfast is served with a view across the caldera to Mount Batur and its lake. After a safety briefing and bike fitting, the group sets off down minor roads through plantations, bamboo forest and small villages, pausing at a traditional house compound and among the rice terraces. The ride ends with lunch before you are driven back to your hotel. Expect a full day of eight to ten hours door to door.

Groups are kept manageable so guides can stop and explain what you are seeing, and the support vehicle follows the riders for anyone who wants a break. The route avoids main roads wherever possible, which is what makes the experience feel so different from a sightseeing drive.

Packages & prices

• Bali Eco Educational Cycling Tour – the classic Kintamani-to-Ubud route: adults IDR 900,000, children 5–12 IDR 750,000, infants 1–4 IDR 500,000.
• Compact option – a shorter version priced IDR 150,000 less per person.
• Other routes – Kaba Kaba Reasons of Harmony tour, Ubud Sunrise Cycling and Ubud Eco Culture Cycling.
• Included – transfers from Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Nusa Dua; breakfast and lunch; mountain bike, helmet and safety gear; water, coffee, tea and fruit; entrance fees; wet-weather gear.

Safety & requirements

Because the route is mostly downhill, you need basic bike-handling skills more than stamina; the main things to master are braking smoothly and staying in line on narrow lanes shared with scooters. Helmets are provided and must be worn. Children and less confident riders can usually ride part of the way in the support vehicle. Tell the team about injuries or medical conditions when booking.

Tips

• Wear closed shoes and light clothing, but bring a layer for the cool breakfast stop at altitude.
• Dry-season mornings (April–October) give the clearest views of Batur.
• Pack sunscreen and a small bag for your phone; rain gear is supplied.
• Book the compact version if you have an afternoon commitment.
• Ask about child seats or smaller bikes when travelling with kids.