Bali: North Bali Tour With Yeh Hoo Waterfall

North Bali rewards an early start with cool mountain air, temple views over Lake Beratan, and two chances to swim beneath waterfalls. The best part of this day is the contrast: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple brings calm and ceremony, while Banyumala and Yeh Hoo bring wet shoes, jungle shade, and a welcome break from Bali’s heat.

I like the private format, since you can enjoy the stops without waiting for a large group. I also like the range of scenery, from the Twin Lakes and highland forests to the broad Jatiluwih rice terraces. The drawback is simple: ten hours in a car and several long walks make this a full, tiring day, especially if you are staying around Kuta or Denpasar.

Key points

• Two waterfall swims: Banyumala and Yeh Hoo both offer time in natural pools, so bring swimwear and a towel.
• Lakefront temple setting: Ulun Danu Beratan sits beside Lake Beratan, with mountain scenery and strong photo opportunities.
• Private air-conditioned transport: Pickup and drop-off are included from selected areas, with an English or Indonesian-speaking driver.
• Jatiluwih’s famous rice terraces: Walk among cascading paddies shaped by Bali’s traditional subak irrigation system.
• A full mountain day: The route lasts about 10 hours and includes sightseeing, swimming, lunch time, and a coffee tasting.
• Good value at $49 per person: Entry tickets, parking, water, transport, and the listed sightseeing stops are included in the standard package.

A Long North Bali Day With Two Waterfall Stops

This tour covers a lot of ground. You leave your accommodation in the morning, ride into Bali’s cooler central highlands, and finish with a swim at Yeh Hoo Waterfall before returning to your drop-off point.

The route is private, which matters here. The day includes several stops with different walking and swimming needs, and you can ask your driver for help with timing. An English-speaking driver is included, along with an air-conditioned car, parking fees, and bottled mineral water.

Pickup is available from Gianyar, Ubud, Denpasar City, Tabanan Regency, Kuta, and North Kuta. Drop-off is available in Ubud, Gianyar, Tabanan Regency, North Kuta, Denpasar City, and Kuta. If you are staying near the southern beaches, the drive to North Bali will take up a good part of the day, but the private car makes the long distance more manageable.

Ulun Danu Beratan and the Quiet Edge of Lake Beratan

Your first main stop is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul. The temple sits on the shore of Lake Beratan, surrounded by mountain scenery and cooler highland air.

You have about 1.5 hours here for a guided visit, sightseeing, walking, and photos. The setting is the real draw. Water, temple buildings, and mountain views create a calmer opening than a busy city attraction.

Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to cool weather. Comfortable shoes are also useful, since the visit includes walking rather than a quick roadside photo stop.

The temple is an important cultural site, not just a scenic backdrop. Dress comfortably but respectfully, and follow any local rules at the entrance. The tour information also notes that women during menstruation are not allowed to enter the temple. This is a specific entry restriction you should consider before booking.

Entry tickets are included in the standard tour package. If you choose a private option without entry tickets, you should carry Indonesian rupiah in cash to pay at the destinations.

Banyumala Waterfall: The First Swim

After the temple, the route continues to Banyumala Waterfall for roughly two hours. This is one of the longer stops, giving you time to walk, see the falls, and swim in the natural pool.

The waterfall is surrounded by thick jungle, and the setting feels more secluded than a simple roadside attraction. The water provides a useful reset after the first part of the drive, but you should expect a walk and potentially wet or uneven ground.

This is not the place for sandals with poor grip. Wear comfortable shoes that you can manage on a walk, and pack swimwear where you can reach it without emptying your whole bag beside the car.

The tour does not include a towel, so bring your own. Sunscreen is still worth packing, even on a cloudy highland day. You will also want your camera, although protect it carefully around the water.

Banyumala is a strong stop for anyone who wants more than a quick photograph. The two-hour allowance gives you time to slow down. The tradeoff is that swimming and walking can use up energy early in the day, before the rice terraces and Yeh Hoo Waterfall.

Twin Lake Viewpoint and the Mountain Road

The Twin Lake View stop lasts about one hour and includes a photo stop, sightseeing, and scenic views along the way. From the viewpoint, you can look across the two lakes and the surrounding mountains.

This is a lookout stop rather than a long hike. That makes it a good change of pace after Banyumala, especially if you have been swimming. The view also helps you understand the highland geography of this part of Bali, with forested slopes and lakes set below the road.

Weather can affect the view. Cloud and mist are part of mountain scenery, so the panorama may not always be perfectly clear. Still, the stop is worthwhile because it breaks up the drive and gives you a chance to take photographs without a major walk.

Keep your camera ready during the approach. The scenic road views are included in the route, not just the formal viewpoint.

Lunch at a Local Restaurant

The planned lunch break lasts about 1.5 hours at a local restaurant. Meals are not included, so you should budget separately for food and drinks.

The long break is practical. By this stage, you have already visited a temple, walked around a waterfall, and stopped at the Twin Lakes. You will have time to eat without rushing straight back into the car.

Because the restaurant is described only as local, the exact menu and cost are not specified. Personal expenses are also not included, so bring enough Indonesian rupiah or confirm accepted payment methods with your driver.

This is a good moment to dry off, change clothes if needed, and refill your water. Bottled mineral water is included, but it is still wise to carry extra water for the remaining walks.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and the Subak System

Jatiluwih is one of the day’s major scenic stops. The rice terraces spread across the hills in broad layers, with green paddies shaped by Bali’s traditional subak irrigation system.

You have about 1.5 hours for sightseeing and walking. That is enough to step beyond the main viewing area and get a better sense of the terraces, though it is not a full-day trek through every section.

The value here is not only the view. The terraces show how farming, water management, village life, and religious practice connect in Bali. The subak system is an old cooperative approach to sharing irrigation water, and it explains why the paddies appear as an organized series of fields rather than random hillside plots.

Jatiluwih is also a welcome contrast to the waterfalls. Instead of jungle shade and rushing water, you get wide views and open air. Wear shoes you can walk in, and use sunscreen. The area may feel exposed compared with Banyumala.

For photographers, this is likely one of the strongest stops of the day. The cascading fields offer a broad view that is difficult to get around the southern resort areas. If you prefer cultural scenery to crowded attractions, Jatiluwih gives the tour much of its character.

Coffee Tasting Before the Final Waterfall

The route includes a visit to a coffee plantation with coffee tasting. The schedule does not state how long this stop lasts or whether any purchases are required, so treat it as a short tasting and shopping opportunity rather than a central part of the day.

You can use this stop to learn about local coffee and take a break between Jatiluwih and Yeh Hoo. If you are not interested in buying coffee, simply keep your expectations modest. The main value of the tour remains the temple, lakes, terraces, and waterfalls.

Yeh Hoo Waterfall as the Day’s Cool Finish

The final main stop is Air Terjun Yeh Hoo, also called Yeh Hoo Waterfall. You have about one hour to visit and swim.

Ending with water is smart. After the long drive, lunch, and walk through Jatiluwih, a swim gives you a chance to cool down before the return journey. The waterfall is described as being in a quiet setting, so this stop is aimed at relaxation rather than a long sightseeing circuit.

Bring your swimsuit and towel in a day bag, not packed deep inside your main luggage. You may also want a dry change of clothes for the ride home. The tour requires comfortable clothing and shoes, but your footwear should also be suitable for wet conditions around the falls.

The swimming time is not compulsory. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the hour for photographs and a rest. Still, if swimming is one of your main reasons for booking, remember that both waterfalls are part of a busy ten-hour route. You may feel ready for a quiet ride home by this point.

What $49 Covers and What It Does Not

At $49 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want several North Bali sights in one day. The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car, an English-speaking driver, bottled mineral water, parking, and entry tickets to the listed destinations.

The included stops are:

• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
• Twin Lake Viewpoint
• Banyumala Waterfall
• Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
• Yeh Hoo Waterfall

Meals and personal expenses are not included. You should also bring money for lunch, coffee products if you choose to buy them, and any other purchases.

The biggest value comes from combining transport and admission costs in a private day. Organizing these locations independently would require arranging a car and driver, handling the mountain roads, and paying separate entry fees. The limitation is that the schedule is packed, so you are paying for coverage of many places rather than long, unhurried time at one site.

The Driver Makes a Difference

The driver is an important part of this experience because the tour is private and the day involves many stops. English and Indonesian are available, and your driver handles transport, parking, and the basic guided sightseeing.

Puja is specifically noted for being friendly, flexible with requests, and keen to help with photographs. If Puja is assigned to your booking, you can expect a personal touch around photo stops. Do not assume a particular driver is guaranteed unless the operator confirms it.

A private group also gives you more control than a large coach tour. You can use the car between stops to rest, ask for a short pause, or adjust how much time you spend taking photographs. The listed schedule still provides the basic framework, so this is flexible private touring, not an entirely open-ended day.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see North Bali’s main natural and cultural sights in one outing. It suits people who enjoy scenic drives, short walks, waterfall swimming, photography, and a full day away from the beach areas.

It is also a good choice if you value door-to-door transport. Pickup and drop-off from several parts of Bali remove much of the planning work, and the air-conditioned car gives you a comfortable base between stops.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long car journeys, or changing clothes during a busy sightseeing day. The waterfalls require walking and swimming, while Jatiluwih includes time on foot. The tour is not suitable for people over 95, and the temple has the menstruation-related entry restriction noted above.

Pack these items:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Water
• A camera
• Dry clothes for after swimming

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Keep valuables protected around the waterfalls, and do not bring more than you need for the day.

Should You Book the North Bali Waterfall Tour?

Book this tour if you want a packed private day that joins Ulun Danu Beratan, Banyumala, Yeh Hoo, Twin Lake View, and Jatiluwih without arranging separate transport. The $49 price is attractive because it includes the car, driver, parking, bottled water, and destination entry tickets in the standard package.

I would choose it for the variety. You get temple scenery, mountain lakes, two waterfall swims, a coffee tasting, and rice terraces recognized by UNESCO. I would skip it if you want a slow, single-location day or if long drives and wet walks are not your style.

The smartest preparation is to wear practical clothes, carry a towel and spare clothing, and keep lunch money handy. If you want a private North Bali overview with plenty of scenery in one day, this is a strong value.

FAQ

How long does the North Bali tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including pickup, sightseeing, walking, swimming, lunch time, and the return drop-off.

Where can pickup be arranged?

Pickup is available from Gianyar, Ubud, Denpasar City, Tabanan Regency, Kuta, and North Kuta.

Where can drop-off be arranged?

Drop-off is available in Ubud, Gianyar, Tabanan Regency, North Kuta, Denpasar City, and Kuta.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The activity is arranged for a private group.

What languages does the driver speak?

The driver can speak English or Indonesian.

Are waterfall swims included?

Yes. Swimming time is included at Banyumala Waterfall and Yeh Hoo Waterfall.

Are meals included in the price?

No. Lunch and other meals are not included. Personal expenses are also excluded.

Are entrance tickets included?

Destination entry tickets are included in the standard package. If you choose a private tour option without entry tickets, bring Indonesian rupiah cash to pay at the sites.