North Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfalls & Rice Terrace

Sekumpul is the star here: several tall streams drop through thick North Balinese forest, and reaching the base means a real walk, not a quick roadside photo. I like that this day combines serious waterfall scenery with the calm Jatiluwih rice terraces, so you get both wild nature and working farmland.

I also like the private format. Your driver-guide can adjust the order, slow down for photos, stop for breakfast, or replace a stop if rain or fatigue gets in the way. Guides including Oka, Ana, Adi, Angga, Kadek, and Budi have earned especially warm praise for safe driving, local conversation, and photo help.

The catch is simple: this is a long day with steep steps, wet rocks, and a lot of time in the car. The advertised $35 price is good value for private transport, but the Sekumpul trek and some entrance fees cost extra, so confirm exactly what your chosen option includes before you set off.

Key points at a glance

• Sekumpul requires effort: Expect a steep route, steps, river crossings, and slippery or sharp rocks if you walk to the falls.
• Banyumala offers a quieter swim: Its twin falls and clear pool are well suited to cooling off and sitting still for a while.
• Jatiluwih adds a cultural side: Walk through UNESCO-listed rice terraces and see Bali’s traditional Subak irrigation system.
• Your guide can reshape the day: Previous guests have switched the order, skipped a waterfall, or substituted Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.
• Water shoes matter: Sandals and flip-flops may be uncomfortable on wet stone and in moving water.
• Start early for better conditions: The Ubud pickup is listed at 7:30 a.m., while central and southern Bali pickups begin at 7 a.m.

Why North Bali is worth the long ride

Most beach-based Bali trips stay near the island’s southern resorts. This tour takes you north, where the roads pass through quieter villages, mountain country, farms, and forest. The drive is not a minor detail. Depending on your pickup point and traffic, it can take a good part of the day, but it gives you access to sights that are difficult to combine without a private car.

I see the appeal for anyone who wants more than temples and beach clubs. The route joins three very different settings. Sekumpul is dramatic and physical. Banyumala is peaceful and suited to a swim. Jatiluwih is open, green, and tied to Balinese farming traditions.

The 4.9 rating from 138 ratings reflects a strong pattern: people particularly appreciate the driver-guides. They are not just steering the car. Guides such as Pans, Ojes, Susanta, and Putu have been praised for explaining local customs, adjusting the pace, finding photo angles, and helping solo visitors feel comfortable.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. An eight-hour tour covering North Bali from Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, or Jimbaran is a packed day. You will see a lot, but you will not spend hours at every stop.

The early pickup and private car

Pickup times are listed as 7 a.m. from central and southern Bali and 7:30 a.m. from Ubud. That early start is useful. It gives you a better chance of reaching the waterfalls before the heaviest crowds, and mountain weather is often clearer in the morning.

Private transport is included from Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, Kuta, Kintamani, and Jimbaran. Pecatu and Uluwatu require an additional 150,000 IDR. Parking, tolls, bottled water, and insurance are included.

The private setup is valuable if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with family members who move at different speeds. You are not waiting for a large group to finish a swim or climb. If you need breakfast, a rest, or a change of plan, tell your guide.

The car also gives you a chance to learn about daily life in Bali. Guides have stopped at local grocery shops for breakfast, recommended local restaurants, pointed out landmarks, and shared stories about farming and village customs. That conversation can turn a long drive into part of the experience.

Sekumpul Waterfall: the main event

Sekumpul is usually the reason to book this trip. From the viewpoint, you can see multiple cascades dropping down the forested slopes. The sight is impressive even if you do not take the full route, but the base gives you a much closer and more powerful experience.

This is not a flat walk. You should expect a long, steep descent and an equally demanding climb back up. The route includes many steps and small stream crossings. Water levels and weather can change the feel of the path, so the same walk may be manageable one day and tiring the next.

Several people found the trek well worth the effort, but the practical advice is clear: bring trekking-friendly water shoes. One person arrived in flip-flops and found them awkward around currents and sharp rocks. Sandals may be acceptable for the easier viewpoint, but they are a poor choice for the full route.

A local guide accompanies the Sekumpul activity when you choose the trek. That service is not covered by the basic price. One recent experience put the entrance and trek arrangement at 375,000 IDR per person, including a local guide, a scooter ride closer to the falls, and a coconut. Fees and options can change, so ask for the current amount before beginning.

This is the most important booking detail. The $35 tour price does not automatically mean you can walk to the base of Sekumpul without paying more. The basic package may cover the viewpoint option, while the full activity has a separate charge.

Your driver-guide may help with bags and photos, but the local waterfall guide handles the walking route. Solo visitors have been paired with local guides, including a female guide when requested. That can be reassuring on a demanding route.

Banyumala: a cooler, quieter stop

Banyumala has a different mood. Twin waterfalls drop into a clear pool surrounded by forest, making this a good place to cool down after Sekumpul. If you like swimming, bring a towel and a change of clothes.

The approach still involves walking and steps, so do not treat Banyumala as a completely effortless stop. Wet ground can make the route harder, especially in rain. The reward is a peaceful pool and a more enclosed setting than the wide view at Sekumpul.

The two waterfalls in one day can be physically ambitious. Some people have chosen to skip Banyumala after the Sekumpul trek and go straight to Jatiluwih. That is not a failure of the tour. It is a sensible adjustment if your legs are tired or the weather turns poor.

Fog is another consideration in the mountains. One guide changed the order after fog made a later waterfall less visible. Starting early improves your odds of clear views, but it cannot control mountain weather.

Admission to Banyumala is described as optional, so clarify the exact entry cost and whether it is included in your selected package. The same applies to the waterfall activities generally.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: the quieter finish

Jatiluwih changes the pace completely. Instead of rushing water and wet steps, you get broad views over rice fields and a chance to walk through one of Bali’s most important farming areas. The terraces are UNESCO-listed and show how irrigation, village cooperation, and agriculture fit together.

The Subak system is a key part of the story. It is the traditional Balinese approach to managing water among rice-growing communities. Guides such as Pans have been praised for explaining Subak in clear, practical terms rather than treating the fields as a photo backdrop.

Allow yourself time to walk here. The area can be peaceful, especially if you arrive outside the busiest periods. One person who nearly skipped the rice terraces was glad to keep them, while another spent time sketching and following a longer loop for different views.

Lunch is not included, but guides can take you to a restaurant with a view. You can also use the stop for a coconut or a simple local meal. Bring cash, since meals, drinks, and personal purchases are your responsibility.

Jatiluwih is also the easiest part of the day to shorten if you are exhausted. It is worth keeping if you have the energy, since it gives the tour a cultural and agricultural side that the waterfalls alone cannot provide.

Flexibility is the tour’s real advantage

The written plan includes Sekumpul, Banyumala, a lunch break, and Jatiluwih. In practice, the private format lets you discuss the order with your driver-guide.

Some useful substitutions have included Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, a coffee or tea tasting, and a chocolate factory. These extra stops are not guaranteed, and you should not assume you can fit them all into eight hours. They make sense only when one waterfall is fogged in, rain changes the plan, or you decide that a temple suits your interests better.

Guides have also stopped for breakfast, found local restaurants, and made small adjustments for solo visitors or anyone feeling unwell. That personal attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private tour instead of a fixed group outing.

Your guide will speak English, but the amount of commentary can vary by person. Names that appear repeatedly in strong feedback include Oka, Ana, Adi, Angga, Kadek, Ojes, Budi, Susanta, and Made. The most valued qualities are friendly conversation, calm driving, cultural explanation, and help with photographs.

Do not expect every guide to provide the same style of commentary or the same optional stops. Tell your guide what matters to you at the start: swimming, photography, temples, local food, farming, or simply getting back on time.

Price and what you actually receive

At $35 per person, this is attractive for a private eight-hour day because hotel transport, a driver-guide, parking, tolls, bottled water, and insurance are included. For a couple or small private group, the cost compares well with arranging a car and separate transport on your own.

The value becomes less straightforward once you add entrance and activity fees. Sekumpul’s full trek is extra, and admission to Sekumpul, Banyumala, and Jatiluwih is marked as optional. Meals and drinks are also extra.

That wording calls for a message before booking. Ask these three questions:

• Does the chosen option include only the Sekumpul viewpoint or the full trek?
• What is the current fee for the local guide and waterfall entrance?
• Are Banyumala and Jatiluwih admission charges included in the final price?

The tour remains good value if you want a private vehicle and flexible planning. It is less appealing if you want a fully prepaid package with no additional cash expenses.

What to pack for the waterfalls

Pack for wet conditions, sun, and a strenuous walk. The recommended items are practical rather than fancy:

• Water shoes or sturdy sandals with a firm grip
• A towel and spare clothes
• Hat and sunscreen
• Camera or phone in a water-resistant case
• Cash for entrance fees, food, drinks, and personal expenses
• Drinking water, although a bottle is supplied

The tour operates in rain or shine. A light rain can make the waterfalls look fuller, but it also makes steps and rocks more slippery. Wear clothes that dry reasonably fast and keep important electronics protected.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and littering is prohibited. Children under three and people over 70 are not considered suitable for this activity. The description also says pregnant women and women during menstruation cannot participate, so check this restriction carefully before reserving.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want Bali’s major natural sights but do not want to organize several separate transfers. It suits people who enjoy walking, swimming, photography, and informal conversation with a local driver.

It is especially useful for solo visitors. A private car avoids joining strangers, and guides have helped solo guests arrange a local escort for the Sekumpul trek, carry bags, and take photographs.

You should think twice if steep steps are a problem, if you dislike long drives, or if you want a slow day at one waterfall. The schedule is ambitious, and you may decide to drop Banyumala after Sekumpul.

For photographers, the tour has real appeal. Guides have helped find angles at the waterfalls and rice fields, and early departures can reduce people in the background. Do not count on perfect light, though. Fog, rain, and changing water conditions are part of North Bali.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, flexible route through North Bali and are ready for a demanding walk. Sekumpul provides the drama, Banyumala gives you a place to cool off, and Jatiluwih supplies the wider cultural picture.

Before paying, confirm the waterfall option and extra fees. Then bring proper footwear, cash, dry clothes, and enough energy for the climb back from Sekumpul. If those details suit you, $35 is a strong starting price for a full day with transport and personal guidance.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, sightseeing, breaks, and the return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, Kuta, Kintamani, and Jimbaran. Pecatu and Uluwatu require an additional 150,000 IDR.

What time is pickup?

Pickup from Ubud is listed at 7:30 a.m. Pickup from central and southern Bali is listed at 7 a.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The group is private, so the driver-guide can adjust the pace and discuss changes with you.

Is the full Sekumpul trek included in the $35 price?

No. The Sekumpul activity is listed separately from the included services. A local guide and additional entrance or activity fees may be required for the route to the falls.

Are waterfall entrance fees included?

Admission to Sekumpul, Banyumala, and Jatiluwih is marked as optional. Confirm the current fees and selected option before the tour.

Do I need good physical fitness?

Yes. Moderate fitness is required because the tour includes walking, steps, a steep Sekumpul route, and small stream crossings.

Can I swim at Banyumala Waterfall?

Yes. Banyumala has clear pools suitable for a refreshing swim, so bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included. Your guide can help you stop at a restaurant, and you should carry cash for food and other personal expenses.

What languages are available?

The tour includes an English-speaking driver-guide.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Because the tour is private, you can discuss changes with your guide. Stops such as Ulun Danu Beratan Temple or a coffee tasting have been used as alternatives, but they are not guaranteed.

What happens if it rains or fog reduces visibility?

The tour operates in rain or shine. Your guide may change the order or replace a stop if weather affects visibility or conditions. Dress for rain and wet paths.