Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfall Guided Trek

Sekumpul is the star here: two tall streams dropping through Bali’s northern jungle, reached by a walk through rice fields and a fairly tough climb. I like the chance to swim beneath the falls, and I like that the day includes both Sekumpul and Banyumala, not just one crowded photo stop.

You also get hotel pickup, an English-speaking local guide, and time to enjoy each waterfall rather than rushing through. The trade-off is clear: this is not an easy stroll. The steep, wet return climbs can be tiring, and entrance fees and lunch cost extra.

• Sekumpul’s twin falls are reached on foot through the rice fields of Sekumpul village.
• Grobogan and Fiji Waterfalls add more falling water and photo stops around the Sekumpul area.
• Banyumala’s broad twin falls offer another natural pool for swimming.
• Guide Ardy has been praised for his care, local knowledge, and willingness to answer questions.
• Twin Lake View provides a final half-hour stop before the drive back.
• Eight hours includes long transfers, with roughly three and a half hours spent on the road.

Why Sekumpul Makes This Day Worthwhile

Bali has waterfalls close to major resort areas, but Sekumpul feels like a proper northern Bali outing. The route takes you away from the coast and into a greener, quieter part of the island, where the walk itself becomes part of the experience.

The first walk takes about 30 minutes. You pass panoramic rice fields in Sekumpul village before reaching the falls. That matters because you are not simply stepping out of a car, taking one picture, and leaving. You get a look at the rural setting around the waterfall and a short taste of village life.

Sekumpul is often described as one of Bali’s best waterfalls, and the attraction is easy to understand once you see the setting. The water drops in two main streams against thick jungle, with the falls separated enough to create a broad, dramatic view. The exact look can change with rain and water flow, but the setting gives you plenty to photograph.

You have about two hours at Sekumpul. That is enough time to take pictures, enjoy the setting, and swim in the natural pools. Bring a camera, but also bring a dry plan for yourself. The spray and wet paths mean that your phone may need a waterproof pouch or careful storage.

The route includes the Grobogan and Fiji waterfalls as well. These are part of the waterfall experience around Sekumpul, giving you additional places to stop and frame photographs. The supplied details do not give separate visit times for each one, so you should think of them as part of the wider Sekumpul stop rather than separate, lengthy excursions.

The Walk Through Sekumpul Village

The village approach is one of the strongest parts of the day. Rice fields give you open views before the jungle closes in, and the change from cultivated land to forest helps you understand where the waterfall sits.

I like this kind of walk because it gives the destination some context. You are not looking at a waterfall in isolation. You are seeing it as part of a working rural area, with fields and village paths leading toward the forest.

Still, the half-hour walk is only the start of the physical effort. The entire trek is rated moderate to challenging, and the return portions can be hard on your legs. One Italian customer described the climbs back up as tiring, while also saying the falls were worth the effort. That is a fair description for anyone planning this day.

Wear proper trekking shoes with a good grip. Comfortable trainers may work for some people, but the advice is to bring shoes suited to wet ground. You should expect to get wet, so pack swimwear and a full change of clothes rather than relying on a small towel and optimism.

Two Hours at Sekumpul, With Time to Swim

A two-hour waterfall stop gives the guide room to set a sensible pace. You can take photos first, walk around the viewing areas, and then use the natural pools if conditions allow. The experience is not built around a quick dip followed by an immediate departure.

The water is refreshing, but non-swimmers should not book this trip. The activity specifically excludes people who cannot swim, and the pools are a central part of the day. If you do swim, keep your belongings secure and bring a change of clothes for the next transfer.

The guide also helps with photographs. That may sound minor, but it is useful at a place where the best angle often requires a little patience or a steady hand. Guide Ardy was singled out for professional service, careful attention, and strong knowledge of the area. You can ask him about the route and use his help to get photos without handing your phone to a random passerby.

The first stop is also where you should eat a snack if you need one. Lunch is not included, and the schedule does not promise a meal stop. Pack something simple, along with a water bottle. Eight hours of walking, swimming, and driving is much easier when you are not trying to run on breakfast alone.

Banyumala’s Wider Twin Falls

After Sekumpul, the vehicle transfer to Banyumala takes about an hour. The road time is not a small detail. The two waterfalls are in different areas, so you are trading several hours in the car for a fuller waterfall day.

Banyumala offers a different view from Sekumpul. It is described as lower but wider, with twin falls and a natural pool suitable for swimming. Sekumpul gives you height and drama, while Banyumala gives you a broad curtain of water and another chance to cool off.

You get about two hours at Banyumala for a guided visit, sightseeing, photos, free time, and swimming. This longer pause keeps the second waterfall from feeling like an afterthought. You can spend time looking at the falls, take a swim, and change clothes before the journey continues.

The same practical warnings apply here. Bring grippy shoes, expect wet conditions, and be ready for more walking. The waterfalls are not suitable for people with mobility impairments or back problems. The route demands balance and stamina, not just a willingness to pose beside water.

I would not book this as a relaxed sightseeing day if you dislike uneven paths or steep climbs. The waterfalls are rewarding, but the physical work is part of the price of reaching them.

The Final Stop at Twin Lake View

The final stop is Twin Lake View, with about 30 minutes for photographs, sightseeing, and free time. It offers a change of pace after the forest pools and wet paths.

The details supplied do not specify which two lakes are visible from the viewpoint, so I would treat this as a scenic pause rather than a guaranteed major attraction. Its value is practical as well as visual: you get a short chance to dry off, take more photographs, and break up the final transfer.

That last transfer takes about 30 minutes. The day then ends with drop-off at one of the listed areas, including Lovina Beach, Ubud, Wanagiri, Singaraja, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Denpasar, and Denpasar City.

How Much Driving Is Involved

The advertised duration is eight hours, but the schedule shows why you need to plan the day carefully. The first transfer takes about two hours, the trip from Sekumpul to Banyumala takes one hour, and the final transfer takes 30 minutes. That is roughly three and a half hours in the vehicle.

The waterfall and viewpoint stops account for about four and a half hours. In other words, this is a full-day northern Bali circuit, not an eight-hour trek. I see that as a good arrangement if you want two major waterfalls in one outing, but less attractive if your priority is spending nearly the whole day on foot.

Pickup and drop-off are available from several areas, including Ubud, Lovina Beach, Wanagiri, Gobleg, Singaraja, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Denpasar, and Denpasar City. You need to wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup. Since the list includes many locations, confirm that your exact hotel falls within the service area when booking.

The experience is offered with an English-speaking guide, and a private group is available. A private group can be especially useful here because the route is physical. You can ask for a slower pace, spend longer taking pictures, or adjust your swimming time without trying to match a large group.

What the $44 Price Really Covers

At $44 per person, the price is attractive for an eight-hour outing with hotel transport, a local guide, the trek, and visits to two waterfall areas. You are paying for the convenience of connecting remote sights that would be awkward to arrange independently, especially if you do not want to handle the long drives yourself.

The price also includes the photo help that comes with a local guide. That is a small but useful extra at Sekumpul, where your guide can help you find good angles and take pictures for you.

You must budget for entrance fees at the waterfalls. Those charges are paid on site and are not included, but no amount is provided, so I would carry cash in Indonesian rupiah and ask for the current total before setting out. Lunch and personal expenses are also extra.

The value depends on how you view the driving. If you are staying in central or southern Bali, the long transfer is part of the cost in time. If you already plan to explore northern Bali, this trip gives you a neat way to combine two waterfalls, a village walk, and Twin Lake View in one day.

What to Pack for Wet Paths and Long Transfers

The packing list is simple, but each item earns its place:

• Comfortable trekking shoes with reliable grip
• Swimwear
• A complete change of clothes
• A camera or phone in waterproof protection
• Snacks
• A refillable water bottle

You should wear clothes that can handle spray and mud. Keep your dry clothes sealed until you need them. A small bag is easier to manage on the walk than a large daypack, especially when you are moving between paths, pools, and viewpoints.

Hydration matters. The route includes walking in the open rice fields, forest paths, swimming, and several hours of transport. Bring water from the start because the tour only promises the guide, transport, and waterfall visits, not drinks.

I would also bring a towel if you have room, even though it is not listed in the official packing advice. That suggestion is common sense based on the planned swimming, but the supplied details do not promise that towels are provided.

Who Will Enjoy This Waterfall Day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want active sightseeing and prefer natural attractions to a packed schedule of temples and shops. It suits people who are comfortable walking on uneven ground, getting wet, and spending a good part of the day in a car.

Strong swimmers who want two natural pools will get the most from it. Photographers will also appreciate the time at each waterfall and the guide’s help with pictures. The rice-field approach adds a more local feel than a simple roadside viewpoint.

I would be cautious about booking if you have back problems, limited mobility, or dislike strenuous climbs. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or non-swimmers. The return climbs are specifically noted as tiring, so do not underestimate the word trekking in the title.

Families need to judge their own group carefully. The information does not set a minimum age or give child-specific guidance, so you should confirm suitability before booking if you are bringing children. The route is physical, wet, and long enough to test younger walkers.

The English-language guiding is another point to consider. The experience is listed with an English-speaking guide, and Ardy was praised for answering questions and handling the Sekumpul route professionally. If clear communication matters to you, ask whether Ardy is available on your date, since the details do not promise that every departure uses the same guide.

What the Five-Star Feedback Tells You

The strongest praise is consistent in three areas: the waterfalls, the driver, and the guide.

Luisa from Italy highlighted how spectacular the falls are, noting that Sekumpul is the higher one and Banyumala is lower but wider. She also made the useful point that the climbs are tiring but worthwhile. That is exactly the balance you need when deciding if this is for you.

Ben from Germany focused on organization and the kindness of the driver. For a day with several transfers, a pleasant driver matters. You spend around three and a half hours on the road, so polite service and a well-run schedule can shape the whole experience.

Paul from France praised the hotel pickup driver for his kindness and good manners, then gave particular credit to Ardy at Sekumpul. He described Ardy as professional, attentive, ready to answer questions, and familiar with the area. That is the kind of guide you want on a route where local help is useful for both pacing and photographs.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from five verified bookings. That is encouraging, especially because the praise covers more than scenery. Still, five ratings are a small sample, so I would use them as a positive signal rather than a guarantee that every departure will be identical.

Should You Book the Sekumpul and Banyumala Trek?

Book it if you want Bali’s northern waterfalls in one active day, value hotel transport, and are happy to trade long drives for two strong nature stops. The best parts are the rice-field walk, Sekumpul’s tall twin falls, Banyumala’s wider pools, and the chance to swim at both locations.

Do not book it as a gentle day out. The climbs are demanding, entrance fees are extra, lunch is not included, and much of the schedule is spent in the vehicle. Pack well, bring water, confirm your pickup point, and ask about guide Ardy if his availability matters to you.

For fit walkers who want more than a quick waterfall photograph, the $44 starting price offers solid value. For anyone with mobility or swimming limits, choose a less physical Bali outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the Sekumpul and Banyumala tour last?

The activity lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transfers, waterfall visits, the trek, swimming time, and the Twin Lake View stop.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed areas such as Ubud, Lovina Beach, Wanagiri, Gobleg, Singaraja, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Denpasar, and Denpasar City. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entrance fees for the waterfalls are paid on site and are not included in the tour price.

Can I swim at the waterfalls?

Yes. Swimming is included at the natural pools at Sekumpul and Banyumala. You should bring swimwear, a change of clothes, and water. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English. A private group option is also available.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable trekking shoes, swimwear, a change of clothes, a camera, snacks, and a water bottle. You should expect to get wet and be prepared for a moderate to challenging trek.