Bali: Gitgit and Alingaling Waterfalls Small Group Tour

Aling-Aling Waterfall is the star of this day. You walk through northern Bali’s thick greenery, then reach a 35-meter fall where the main thrill is not just looking at the water, but sliding and jumping into the clear pool below. I love that the tour pairs this active stop with the quieter beauty of Gitgit Waterfall.

I also like the practical setup: air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup, bottled water, entrance fees, and a small group. The main catch is the long 10.5-hour day, plus some confusion over whether a separate trekking guide is included at Gitgit. Bring cash and confirm that point before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Aling-Aling is the action stop: Spend about 2.5 hours swimming, sliding, and jumping at the waterfall area.
• Gitgit adds a second style of waterfall: Its appeal is the forest setting and the chance to explore another famous northern Bali site.
• Taman Ayun slows the pace: The 30-minute temple visit brings lotus ponds, carved details, and a peaceful moat after the wet activities.
• Pickup covers many resort areas: Transport is offered from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Krobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.
• The price covers a lot: At $55 per person, you get transport, guides, entry fees, water, insurance, fuel, tolls, and local taxes.
• Pack for water, not luggage: Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and dry clothes. Large bags are not allowed.

Why Aling-Aling makes this day special

Bali has plenty of waterfalls, but Aling-Aling gives you more to do than take a photo from a viewing point. The 35-meter fall drops through a jungle setting into turquoise water, and the waterfall area is used for sliding, jumping, and swimming.

The slide is the memorable part. Natural rock and flowing water create a short run into the pool, giving you a simple thrill without turning the whole day into an extreme sports outing. You can also jump from platforms into the water, though you should only take part if you feel comfortable with the activity and the conditions on the day.

You spend around 2.5 hours here with a trekking guide. That time matters because it allows room for the walk, safety instructions, swimming, and the different water activities instead of reducing the stop to a quick roadside visit.

I like this stop best for people who want to get active. If you would rather admire waterfalls from dry paths, Aling-Aling may feel too physical. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users, and the supplied information specifically asks you to bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

The Aling-Aling entrance fee and trekking guide are listed at 125,000 Indonesian rupiah. The package information also says entrance fees are included, so I would ask the operator how this amount is handled before departure. It is a useful question, particularly because the tour also advises carrying cash.

Gitgit Waterfall after lunch

After Aling-Aling, you stop at a local restaurant for lunch. Food and extra drinks are not included, so keep Indonesian rupiah with you. The meal break gives you a chance to dry off, change clothes, and settle in before the next waterfall.

Gitgit is often presented as one of Bali’s most beautiful waterfalls, and the attraction here is different from Aling-Aling. Aling-Aling is built around activity. Gitgit is more about seeing another major fall in a forest setting and taking time to explore the area with a guide.

The scheduled visit lasts about 2.5 hours. That is a generous block of time for a waterfall stop, but it also means the day is not rushed from one photo point to the next. You should expect walking, uneven ground, and a setting where sensible footwear will matter, although the supplied details do not specify a particular shoe type.

There is one important cost issue here. The package lists a trekking guide among the inclusions, but the tour information also says the Gitgit entrance fee is 20,000 rupiah and the temple entrance fee is another 20,000 rupiah. A detailed account from one participant describes being asked for an extra 500,000 rupiah for a Gitgit guide after arriving at the parking area.

That does not prove every departure will work the same way, but it is too specific to ignore. Ask clearly if the Gitgit guide and all required local guiding fees are included in your $55 price. If the answer is unclear, budget extra cash and decide in advance what you are willing to pay.

Taman Ayun Temple gives the day a calmer finish

The final stop is Pura Taman Ayun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You spend about 30 minutes here, which is short compared with the waterfall visits but enough to see the temple grounds and get a taste of Bali’s traditional temple style.

The site is known for lotus blossoms, intricate carvings, and a peaceful moat around the temple compound. After several hours of wet activities and walking, the still water and formal design provide a welcome change of mood.

I would not treat this as a full temple tour. Thirty minutes gives you an introduction, not a slow examination of every detail. Still, it adds cultural context that a waterfall-only outing would lack, and the visit helps the day feel like a Bali sightseeing tour rather than a simple swimming trip.

The temple entrance fee is listed as 20,000 rupiah and is also described as included in the tour. Again, keep the cash advice in mind and confirm what you need to pay locally.

What the $55 price really covers

At $55 per person, this tour offers solid value if you are staying in one of the included pickup zones. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned minivan, an English-speaking professional guide, a trekking guide, bottled water, insurance, local taxes, fuel, toll charges, and entrance fees for Aling-Aling, Gitgit, and Taman Ayun.

Transport is the biggest practical benefit. Northern Bali is a long way from the main southern resort areas, and arranging separate rides to two waterfalls plus a temple would take effort. The minivan also gives you a cooler place to recover between stops.

Pickup is available in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Krobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Additional pickup from Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben costs 150,000 rupiah per person, while Candidasa pickup costs 100,000 rupiah per person.

Lunch and other drinks are not included. That is normal for a day tour at this price, but the cost of lunch, refreshments, and any disputed local guide fee can affect the final total. I would carry cash in Indonesian rupiah rather than rely on cards at rural stops.

The tour also includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Bali plans are still moving around, but you should check the available start time before booking because the full day lasts 10.5 hours.

A small group helps, but check the stated limit

The experience is sold as a small-group tour. One part of the information gives a maximum of 10 participants, while another says the maximum is 5 people per group. Since those limits conflict, I would confirm the actual group size when you book.

Either limit is far better than a large coach for this kind of outing. Small groups make it easier to move along the walking routes, hear the guide, and manage the timing at the waterfall activities. They also reduce the chance of spending the whole stop waiting for a long line of people to finish.

The English-speaking guide handles the main sightseeing, while a trekking guide is listed for the waterfall walks. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular person. The driver is also part of the experience, and reliable pickup matters on a day that covers so much ground.

The long duration is both a strength and a warning. You get two waterfall visits and a temple in one outing, but you give up most of a day. I would book this on a day when you want a structured excursion, not when you hope to fit in several other Bali plans.

Pack for swimming and changing quickly

The packing list is short but important:

• Swimwear
• A complete change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Cash for lunch, drinks, and any local charges

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack light, perhaps with a small day bag for dry clothes and sun protection. Since you may be wet after Aling-Aling, keep your change of clothes protected as well as you can, although no specific storage arrangement is provided.

Bottled water is included, which is helpful in Bali’s heat. Food is not, so do not assume lunch will be ready at no cost. The stop is at a local restaurant, but the available details do not specify the menu or dietary choices.

I would wear clothes that can handle a wet morning and a long day of movement. The information does not promise showers, lockers, or changing rooms, so bring only what you need and avoid carrying valuables.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want Bali’s waterfalls but do not want to plan the transport yourself. It works especially well for first-time visitors staying in the southern resort areas or Ubud, where a private day of driving to northern Bali can become expensive.

It is also a good match if you want both action and scenery. Aling-Aling gives you the slide, jumps, and swimming, while Gitgit and Taman Ayun add quieter sightseeing. That mix keeps the day from feeling like the same waterfall repeated twice.

You may prefer another option if you want a private schedule, a slow temple visit, or a relaxed day with little walking. The fixed route and 10.5-hour duration leave limited room for spontaneous stops.

I would also think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, or use a wheelchair. The activity is specifically not suitable for those conditions, and the waterfall visits involve trekking and water-based activity.

My take on the guide and fee questions

The strongest part of the package is its clear list of included services. When everything operates as described, $55 is a reasonable price for a full day that combines distant natural sites, transport, guides, entry fees, water, and insurance.

The weak point is the mismatch between the included-fee wording and the extra Gitgit guide charge described in the tour information. It is not a small technical detail if you arrive expecting no extra cost and are then asked for 500,000 rupiah.

Before you go, ask these two direct questions:

• Is the Gitgit trekking guide included in the price?
• Are the Aling-Aling, Gitgit, and Taman Ayun entrance fees paid by the operator, or should I bring the listed cash amounts?

That short check can prevent an argument at the parking area. It also gives you a fair basis for comparing this tour with a private driver or another group excursion.

Should you book the Aling-Aling and Gitgit tour?

Book it if your ideal Bali day includes active waterfall time, dependable transport, and a short temple visit. Aling-Aling is the main reason to choose this outing, especially if sliding into a clear jungle pool sounds more appealing than simply viewing a waterfall.

Skip it if you want a quiet, flexible day or dislike long road trips and fixed schedules. I would book only after confirming the real group size and the Gitgit guide fee, but with those points settled, the tour offers a useful mix of Bali scenery, swimming, and culture at a fair price.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10.5 hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available at accommodation or a central location in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Krobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

Is pickup available from Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben?

Yes. Pickup from Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben is available for an additional 150,000 rupiah per person.

Is pickup available from Candidasa?

Yes. Pickup from Candidasa is available for an additional 100,000 rupiah per person.

What language does the guide speak?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Are entrance fees included?

The package states that entrance fees for Aling-Aling, Gitgit, and Taman Ayun are included. The listed local amounts are 125,000 rupiah for Aling-Aling and its trekking guide, 20,000 rupiah for Gitgit, and 20,000 rupiah for Taman Ayun. Confirm how these fees are handled before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and additional drinks are not included. The tour stops at a local restaurant for lunch.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, and cash for food or possible local charges.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people with back problems.