Bali Northern Trip : Majestic Waterfall Tour

Sekumpul’s natural rock slide is the star of this northern Bali outing. Smooth stone sends water rushing toward the pool below, turning a pretty waterfall visit into a proper bit of fun. I like the mix of active waterfall time and the calm beauty of Ulun Danu Temple, and I like having a small group capped at five people. The main drawback is the long day and the walking: this is not a gentle sightseeing loop.

I also like the people who make the trip work. Drivers and guides such as Komang, Lesmana, Agus, Putu, and Luh have helped visitors with local stories, flexible timing, and unusually good photos and drone videos. Bring sandals, a towel, and dry clothes, and remember that entrance tickets and personal costs are not covered by the $36 price.

Key points at a glance

• Sekumpul’s natural water slide gives you more to do than simply admire a waterfall from a viewpoint.
• Banyumala Twin Waterfalls drops in two main streams, creating a striking, throne-like shape and a peaceful swimming setting.
• Ulun Danu Bratan Temple adds Balinese culture and one of the island’s most recognizable waterside sights.
• A small group of up to five makes it easier to adjust photo stops, swimming time, and the order of visits.
• Guides often handle photography well, with reports of professional-looking photos, videos, and drone footage from Agus Lesmana and others.
• The route is physically active, with walks, waterfall access, and, according to one detailed account, scooter rides used to help reach the falls.

Why northern Bali is worth the long ride

Northern Bali feels different from the island’s better-known beach and nightlife areas. The road north brings changing views of hillsides, rice terraces, and occasional stretches of ocean. You spend much of the day moving through rural scenery rather than hopping between urban attractions.

That scenery matters because the journey is a large part of the experience. A 10-hour tour can sound long on paper, but the route gives you a look at a quieter side of Bali. You may also have time to talk with your driver about Balinese culture, family life, spirituality, and daily work. Komang, Lesmana, Agus, and Putu are specifically noted for making that time useful rather than treating the drive as dead space.

Still, do not book this expecting a quick trip from a nearby hotel. Pickup is offered from Kuta Selatan, Ubud, Denpasar, Sanur, Jimbaran, Legian, Seminyak, Gianyar, and Kuta, but the northern route takes time from any of these bases. A full day in an air-conditioned vehicle is helpful, especially after walking to the falls, but the early part of the day can feel road-heavy.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple brings culture before the waterfalls

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is the first major stop. It is not a waterfall, and that change of pace is welcome. The temple is famous for its water setting and is one of Bali’s most recognizable sights, so it gives the day a cultural anchor before the more physical part begins.

You can expect time for sightseeing and photographs rather than a long guided religious program. The value here is visual and cultural. The temple helps you understand why water matters so much in Balinese life, even if the visit itself is fairly brief compared with the waterfall stops.

Bring an extra layer. The higher northern areas can feel cooler than the coast, and one visitor specifically advised dressing in layers, using the practical onion method of adding and removing clothing. This is especially useful if your pickup is in a warm beach district and you arrive at a cooler mountain area later.

Temple entry is not included in the tour price. That detail is easy to miss when comparing packages, so budget for admission fees in addition to the $36. The same applies to personal expenses and any meal you choose to buy along the way.

Sekumpul Waterfall is the active centerpiece

Sekumpul is described as Bali’s highest waterfall, but the height is only part of its appeal. The unusual feature is the natural rock slide, where water follows a smooth rock formation toward the pool below. It gives you a chance to do more than take a picture and leave.

Swimming is included in the planned stop, so pack a towel and a full change of clothes. Sandals are specifically recommended, and hiking sandals are a sensible choice because they offer more grip than ordinary flip-flops. You should expect wet feet and muddy or uneven sections rather than a paved path from vehicle to water.

The route can involve a substantial walk. One detailed account also noted scooter rides to help with access to the falls. That may save energy on part of the approach, but it does not turn the visit into a step-free outing. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and anyone with limited mobility should ask for clear access details before booking.

The reward is a real sense of participation. Sliding down the rock and swimming beneath the waterfall feels more memorable than viewing water from a fenced platform. You may also see local children enjoying the slide, which adds a lively, everyday quality to the stop. The water is described as refreshing, though you should be comfortable in natural water and prepared to change afterward.

The guide can make a big difference here. Agus Lesmana is praised for taking photos and drone footage, while other guides have helped visitors find good angles and keep the group moving. If photographs matter to you, tell your guide early. The small group size gives you a better chance of getting help without holding up a large coach party.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls reward the walk

Banyumala is the quieter-looking counterpart to Sekumpul. Two main streams flow down the rock face, creating a shape often compared to a grand throne. The effect is broad and graceful rather than focused on one single plunge.

The stop includes a walk and a photo visit. The setting is suited to slowing down after the more playful Sekumpul stop. You can take in the sound of the water, enjoy the pool area, and make photographs without treating the place as a quick checkbox.

The path means this is another active stop. Wear footwear that can cope with wet surfaces, and keep your hands free where possible. A towel, sandals, and dry clothes are not optional extras for this particular day. They are the items that keep a fun swim from becoming an uncomfortable ride back to your hotel.

Banyumala also shows why visiting two waterfalls is better than relying on a single famous viewpoint. Sekumpul gives you the natural slide and a more adventurous feel. Banyumala offers twin streams and a calmer setting. Together, they provide variety rather than the same waterfall experience repeated twice.

Guides add the local detail and photo help

The strongest feature of this tour may be the guide service. Names connected with especially warm and practical help include Komang, Lesmana, Agus, Putu, Luh, Yoga, and Chavez. Availability of a particular person cannot be guaranteed, but you can request a preferred guide when booking.

The useful part is not only the English conversation. Guides have explained Balinese culture, local life, spirituality, and the way people relate to the land. That turns a scenic drive into a chance to ask questions you would not answer from a photo stop alone.

Photography is another real advantage. Several guides have taken careful portraits and action shots, and Agus Lesmana is noted for using a drone and transferring footage to phones. Chavez is also praised for taking especially good pictures. This can be valuable if you are traveling as a couple and do not want every image to be a selfie.

Do not assume every booking automatically includes drone footage. The information shows that some guides have this equipment and use it, but it does not promise it for every departure. Ask before you count on aerial video as part of your package.

Flexibility also appears to be part of the service. Guides may adjust the order of the stops or the amount of time you spend at the waterfalls, depending on the group’s wishes and the conditions that day. That is easier with a maximum of five people than with a full bus, though the basic route remains Ulun Danu, Sekumpul, and Banyumala.

What the $36 price really covers

At $36 per person, this is strong value if you want private-style transport without paying for a fully private vehicle. You receive an air-conditioned car, fuel, mineral water, an English-speaking driver, and hotel pickup and drop-off from the listed areas.

The group limit matters. With no more than five participants, you are not waiting for dozens of people to finish every photo stop. You also have a better chance of discussing timing with the driver and guide. For a long northern Bali route, that personal attention can make the day feel less mechanical.

The price does not cover entrance tickets, meals, personal expenses, or wheelchair access. Entrance fees are the most important extra cost to remember. The tour may also include local access arrangements at the waterfalls, but the provided details do not give a complete fee breakdown, so ask what you will pay at each site.

You reserve without paying immediately, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability. Pickup is included, but you should wait in your hotel lobby for the driver rather than expecting collection from a room, restaurant, or roadside meeting point.

Prepare for water, walking, and changing weather

Pack for an active day, not a standard temple tour. Your basic kit should include:

• A swimsuit or clothes suitable for swimming
• A complete change of dry clothes
• A towel
• Sandals or hiking sandals
• A light layer for the cooler northern areas
• Money for entrance tickets and personal expenses

The tour involves waterfalls, walking, and swimming. Keep phones and cameras protected from spray, and do not wear footwear you cannot get wet. Red clothing was suggested by one visitor as a way to stand out in photographs, but that is a photo tip, not a requirement.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users. If you have an injury, balance problem, or strong dislike of slippery paths, ask detailed questions before paying. The natural slide and waterfall pools are the attraction, but they also require sensible footing and confidence around water.

Who should book this northern Bali day

I would choose this trip if you want waterfalls with some action, not just viewpoints. Couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy swimming, photographs, and long scenic drives are the best match. It also suits anyone who wants an English-speaking local driver and guide rather than a silent transfer service.

The tour is particularly good for people who want help with pictures. If you are traveling with a partner, a guide who can take photos and perhaps drone footage solves a common problem. Just confirm what equipment and services are available for your departure.

I would hesitate if you have only a short amount of time in Bali or strongly dislike long drives. I would also choose another activity if you need wheelchair access or want a relaxed day with very little walking. Northern Bali rewards effort, but you do need to put in that effort.

The 4.6 rating from 23 ratings suggests a consistently strong experience, and the repeated praise centers on the guides, waterfall scenery, flexibility, and photography. The drawbacks are practical rather than hidden: the day is long, the route is active, and admission costs are extra.

Should you book the Majestic Waterfall Tour?

Book it if Sekumpul’s natural slide, swimming, and Banyumala’s twin falls sound more appealing than another beach day. At $36, the included transport, fuel, water, and small group make the package good value, especially when a guide such as Komang, Lesmana, or Agus adds local conversation and photo help.

Skip it if you want a short, easy outing or cannot manage uneven walking. For the right person, this is a full northern Bali day with three distinct rewards: a famous water temple, an adventurous waterfall stop, and a quieter twin cascade. Pack dry clothes, wear proper sandals, and keep some money aside for entrance tickets.

FAQ

How long does the Bali Northern Trip take?

The activity lasts 10 hours, including transportation between your accommodation, Ulun Danu Temple, Sekumpul Waterfall, Banyumala Waterfalls, and your drop-off location.

What is included in the price?

The $36 price includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, petrol fuel, mineral water, an English-speaking driver, and pickup and drop-off from the listed locations.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. Entrance tickets are not included, so you should budget extra money for admissions and other personal expenses.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is included at Sekumpul Waterfall, and you should bring a towel, sandals, and a change of clothes.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Kuta Selatan, Ubud, Denpasar, Sanur, Jimbaran, Legian, Seminyak, Gianyar, and Kuta. You should wait in your hotel lobby for the driver.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users because it includes walking and visits to waterfalls.