Full Day Bali North West Tour – Waterfall and Scenic Site

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is the star of this northern Bali day trip. You’ll also reach Wanagiri Hidden Hills, Handara Gate, and Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, with a private driver handling the route. I like the small-group privacy and the generous time for photos at each stop.

I also like that lunch and admission are included, which makes the $70 price easier to judge. The tradeoff is simple: this is a long day with four sightseeing stops, so the drive between Ubud and northern Bali will take up part of your eight hours.

Key points to know before booking

• Banyumala Twin Waterfalls gets the longest stop: You have about three hours there, far more than a quick roadside photo break.
• The tour is private: Only your group takes part, and solo guests are welcome.
• Four major stops fit into one day: Waterfalls, twin-lake views, a famous gate, and a temple all appear on the route.
• Lunch and admission are included: The $70 fee covers more than transport alone.
• Guide-driver Siman has earned praise for a relaxed approach: You can use the drive to ask about Bali’s culture and what to do afterward.
• The cancellation window is clear: Cancel at least 24 hours before the 8 a.m. start for a full refund.

Why this northern Bali route works from Ubud

This is a good choice if you want to see a different side of Bali without sorting out transport, directions, and entrance fees yourself. The route heads northwest from Ubud toward waterfalls, highland viewpoints, and a temple on Lake Bratan.

The appeal is variety. You are not spending the whole day at one beach or one temple. Instead, the day moves through four distinct settings: a forest waterfall, a viewpoint over twin lakes, a decorative gate, and a lakeside Hindu temple.

At $70 per person, the value depends partly on how many people are in your group. Since the tour is private, the price buys flexibility and a dedicated driver rather than a seat on a large coach. It also includes lunch and admission tickets, two costs that can quietly add up on a full-day outing.

The tour starts at 8 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. That makes an early start important. You get a better chance of reaching the northern sights with enough time for each stop, though the schedule still leaves little room for a slow, unplanned afternoon.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls gets three hours

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is the main event, and the three-hour allocation tells you how the day is weighted. The falls are known for two streams of water dropping side by side, creating a more unusual view than a single cascade.

You have time here for more than a quick picture. The schedule allows you to take in the setting, ask your guide questions, and enjoy the stop at a less hurried pace. If you want the waterfall to be the emotional center of the day, this route gives it the attention it deserves.

The listing confirms admission is included, but it does not provide details about the walking route, swimming conditions, or facilities. Do not book this stop expecting a fully explained hiking program. Ask the guide what to expect on the day, especially if you have concerns about walking or wet conditions.

Three hours is generous, but it also means this is where the tour can feel least efficient for someone who only wants a quick photograph. If you prefer rapid sightseeing, you might find the time allocation too long. If you enjoy natural scenery and want room to pause, it is one of the tour’s strongest features.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the twin lakes

The next major stop lasts about two hours at Wanagiri Hidden Hills. The draw is the view toward Buyan and Tamblingan lakes, two bodies of water seen from the northern highlands.

This is a viewpoint stop, not simply another waterfall or temple. You get a change of pace after Banyumala, with time to look across the lakes and take photographs. The route is especially useful for anyone who wants Bali pictures beyond the usual rice terraces and beach scenes.

The name can create a certain expectation, so keep the stop in perspective. The main attraction is the elevated view and the photo setting. The provided details do not confirm particular swings, nests, platforms, or other structures, so I would not book this tour based on one specific photo prop.

Two hours gives you enough time to enjoy the view without rushing. It also adds to the day’s overall pace. You are visiting several popular northern sites, and Wanagiri is one of the stops where your guide can help you decide how much time to spend taking pictures versus simply looking out across the lakes.

Handara Iconic Gate is a one-hour photo stop

Handara Iconic Gate is scheduled for about one hour. Its Balinese carved design and green hill backdrop make it one of the route’s most recognizable photo locations.

This is a focused stop. You come for the gate, take pictures, and enjoy the setting rather than expecting a long cultural visit. One hour is a sensible amount of time for that purpose, particularly on a day that already includes a three-hour waterfall stop and a two-hour lake viewpoint.

The gate is a popular sight, so the experience is more about capturing a memorable image than finding solitude. That is not a criticism, but it is worth knowing. If your idea of northern Bali is quiet roads and empty viewpoints, this particular stop may feel more arranged for photographs.

Admission is included, which keeps the day’s cost easier to track. Your guide-driver can also help you manage the timing, an advantage on a route where each stop has a set place in the schedule.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple closes the day

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple receives about one hour. It is one of Bali’s oldest temples and is known for its distinctive setting at Lake Bratan.

This is the stop that gives the day its strongest cultural focus. After waterfalls and viewpoints, the temple adds Balinese religious architecture and a sense of place. Your guide is there to explain Bali’s history and culture, so this is a good moment to ask questions rather than simply walk around taking pictures.

One hour will give you an introduction, not a full study of the temple complex. That is enough for a final sightseeing stop, but anyone wanting a detailed temple visit may wish for more time. The schedule is built for breadth, allowing you to see several important places in one outing.

Admission is included here as well. Since the tour does not list a separate guiding program inside the temple, ask your guide how much cultural explanation is available during the visit and what parts of the site you will see.

A private vehicle changes the feel of the day

The tour is private, meaning only your group participates. That matters more than it might on paper. You are not waiting for a coach full of people to finish lunch or gather at each photo stop.

You can also ask your guide-driver about Bali along the way. The tour promises information about local history and culture, and the guide can offer suggestions for what to do after the outing. That makes the vehicle time useful rather than merely a transfer between attractions.

Siman is named as one guide-driver associated with the experience. He is described as friendly and relaxed, with a pace that worked well for a full day of sightseeing. I would still confirm your assigned guide when booking, since the provider is Bali Golden Tour and the named driver may not be assigned to every departure.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify the exact pickup area or whether every Ubud address is covered. Confirm the pickup point before the day begins. The advertised start time is 8 a.m., so have your meeting details settled in advance.

Lunch and admission make the $70 price easier to judge

The $70 per-person price includes lunch and admission tickets for the listed stops. That gives you a clearer total cost than a tour that advertises a low rate and adds entrance fees later.

The value is strongest for solo guests or small groups who do not want to arrange a private car independently. Solo travelers are specifically welcome, and a private day can be more comfortable than joining an unknown group. For a larger group, ask about group discounts, which are offered.

Price alone does not tell the whole story. You are paying for a full day, a driver, route planning, four attractions, lunch, and entrance fees. The main question is not whether $70 is the cheapest way to reach northern Bali. It is whether the convenience and private format are worth more to you than making separate transport arrangements.

Keep in mind that the eight-hour duration includes the day’s transportation as well as sightseeing. The tour summary does not give exact driving times, vehicle details, or a menu for lunch. If those points matter to you, ask Bali Golden Tour before confirming.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this experience to someone staying in Ubud who wants a broad introduction to northern Bali in one day. It suits people who enjoy taking photographs, seeing several famous locations, and asking a guide questions during the drive.

It also fits solo visitors well. You do not need to assemble a group to participate, and the private setup means the day is not built around strangers. Couples, families, and small private groups can benefit from the same format, especially if they want a little control over the pace.

The route is less ideal for someone seeking a slow, deeply detailed visit at each site. Four stops in eight hours require movement, and the waterfall and lake viewpoint receive more time than the gate and temple. It may also disappoint anyone looking for only one peaceful natural location.

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating from 24 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but it matches the practical strengths of the outing: a relaxed pace, a friendly guide-driver, good variety, and a private vehicle.

What to ask before you go

A few details are not provided, so I would confirm them before booking. Ask where pickup is available, what kind of walking is required at Banyumala, and what is included in the lunch arrangement.

You should also ask whether the guide assigned to your date is Siman or another member of the Bali Golden Tour team. Siman is specifically praised for being friendly and for keeping the day relaxed, but the information does not promise that he leads every departure.

Wear or bring whatever you normally need for a waterfall and outdoor sightseeing day, but do not assume the tour supplies special equipment. The published details confirm the sights, lunch, admission, private format, and pickup offer. They do not confirm towels, changing areas, refreshments beyond lunch, or weather backup plans.

Cancellation is flexible if you act early. You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local Bali time.

Should you book this Bali day trip?

Book it if you want four well-known northern Bali sights in one private day, with lunch and admission handled for you. The waterfall receives real time, the twin lakes add a strong scenic break, and Ulun Danu Bratan Temple brings culture into the mix.

Skip it if you want a quiet single-site outing, a detailed temple study, or a schedule with little time in the car. For most people based in Ubud, though, the $70 price is fair when you value privacy, a dedicated driver, and a day that does not require you to plan every turn.

FAQ

How long is the Full Day Bali North West Tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The specific pickup area is not provided, so confirm your location with Bali Golden Tour.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can solo travelers book this tour?

Yes. Solo travelers are welcome.

What is included in the price?

The $70 per-person price includes lunch and admission tickets for the listed stops.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, Wanagiri Hidden Hills, Handara Iconic Gate, and Ulun Danu Bratan Temple.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A guide-driver accompanies the tour and provides information about Bali’s history and culture.

Who is the named guide-driver?

Siman is named as a guide-driver associated with the experience. The information does not confirm that he leads every departure.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.