Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls

Banyumala and Leke Leke give you two very different waterfall walks in one long day. Banyumala is reached through tropical plants and banana trees, while Leke Leke adds steep steps, a stream crossing, and views of rice fields, clove, and cocoa plants. The final stop, Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, brings a calmer cultural note.

I like the private car and prepaid entrance fees, which keep the day simple and let your group set the pace. I also like the chance to see Bali beyond Ubud’s busy core, with local guides such as Dede, Dodikr, Asta, and Putu helping with directions and photos.

The main caution is physical effort. The Leke Leke path includes a steep descent, awkward stairs, and stepping stones or shallow water. This is not a casual roadside sightseeing tour, and the eight-hour schedule may feel full if you want long swims or a slow temple visit.

Key points at a glance

• Two waterfall walks with different scenery: Banyumala brings a leafy forest path, while Leke Leke requires a more demanding descent and stream crossing.
• Ulun Danu Bratan adds culture: The lakeside temple gives the day more variety than a waterfall-only outing.
• Private transport keeps the route flexible: Pickup and drop-off are included, and only your own group takes part.
• The price covers the basics: At $55 per person, transport, an English-speaking driver, entrance fees, and taxes are included.
• Expect a moderate workout: The tour is recommended for ages 12 to 70 and requires a reasonable level of fitness.
• Bring protection for wet conditions: Pack sport shoes, spare clothes, a plastic bag for valuables, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera.

Two North Bali waterfalls in one day

This is a full-day outing into Bali’s backcountry, not a quick waterfall photo stop. You leave by private vehicle at about 9:00 a.m., travel with an English-speaking driver, and spend much of the day moving between forest paths, water, and one of Bali’s best-known temples.

I like this format for visitors staying in Ubud who want to see a different side of the island without arranging a car, driver, tickets, and route planning separately. The private setup matters. You are not tied to the pace of a large group, so you can take a breath on the stairs, stop for pictures, or spend less time at a stop that does not suit you.

The day is listed at roughly eight hours, though similar outings can run closer to seven hours depending on traffic, walking speed, and how long you spend at each stop. Bali roads can make a short-looking route take time, so keep your evening plans light.

Banyumala begins with a beautiful forest walk

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is the gentler-looking start, though it still involves walking downhill and returning uphill. The path passes tropical flowers, thick plants, and banana trees as it drops into the forest. That walk is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the water.

At the falls, you get the sight of two streams flowing together in a green setting. The water is described as very clean and cold, so bring a change of clothes if you plan to get wet. A waterproof camera is useful, but keep your phone and wallet in a sealed bag. A plastic bag for damp clothing and valuables is specifically worth packing.

The most important practical point is the return climb. A downhill walk can feel easy at first, but the same route becomes work on the way back. Wear sport shoes with a secure grip, not smooth sandals. You will be dealing with wet ground and uneven footing.

Banyumala suits you if you want natural scenery and a chance to spend time near the water. It is less suitable if you have trouble with slopes or want a completely flat sightseeing day.

Leke Leke adds the harder half-hour hike

The walk to Leke Leke takes about 30 minutes and includes a steep descent. Some of the stairs are challenging, so take them slowly and use caution. The path also crosses a stream, either by stepping across stones or by wading through the water.

This is where the tour becomes more than a simple waterfall visit. During the walk, you can look across the valley toward terraced rice fields, clove plants, and cocoa plants. The views give you a better sense of rural Bali, where farms and forest sit close together.

The waterfall itself is known for cold, clean water and a dramatic setting. You may find the setting more secluded in feel than a major attraction, but do not expect an effortless stop. The walk back up is the part that tests your legs.

I would treat the crossing as a real preparation issue. Wear shoes that can handle wet conditions, and avoid carrying loose items in your hands. A small bag that stays close to your body is easier to manage than a large daypack. Keep valuables dry before you start, not after the water appears.

Ulun Danu Bratan changes the mood

The route also includes Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, one of Bali’s most recognizable cultural sights. Set by Lake Bratan, it gives the day a different rhythm after the forest walks and cold water.

This stop is valuable because the outing is not limited to waterfalls. You get nature, rural views, and a temple visit in one private route. If you have only a short stay in Bali, that variety can make the $55 fare easier to justify.

The supplied timing does not specify how long you spend at Ulun Danu Bratan. Your actual time will depend on the pace of the day and the condition of the roads. Ask your driver early about the planned order and how much time remains, especially if you want to enjoy the temple without rushing.

What the private car really adds

Pickup and drop-off from your hotel are included, along with private transportation. That removes the need to negotiate a car hire or work out how to reach two remote waterfall paths on your own.

A private vehicle also gives you more control than a large coach. You can tell the driver if you need a short break, take your time on difficult stairs, or want help with a picture. Dede has been described as fun and helpful with photos, and Asta was noted for patience and taking Instagram-ready pictures. Dodikr has guided North Bali waterfall days, while Putu has been praised for honest recommendations. The exact person assigned to you is not guaranteed, so treat these names as examples of guides connected with the service, not a promise.

The English-speaking driver is both transport and local support. That is useful on a route where trail conditions and walking pace matter. Still, this is best understood as a driver-led private day, not a specialist naturalist tour. If you want detailed botanical or religious interpretation, ask what your guide covers before setting out.

What the $55 price includes

At $55 per person, the price includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off, private transport, an English-speaking driver, entrance fees, and taxes. That is a fair package for a private full-day outing, particularly if two or more people share the experience.

The value comes from convenience as much as from sightseeing. You do not have to pay each entrance fee at the gate or arrange separate transfers between the waterfalls and temple. Prepaid fees also make it easier to track your spending.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring money for lunch and water, plus a little extra for souvenirs. Some past outings connected with this service included lunch at a place chosen during the day and a coffee and tea tasting. The tour information also highlights a coffee plantation featuring luwak coffee, as well as craft villages associated with batik, engraving, and woodcarving. Because the stated stop list focuses on Banyumala, Leke Leke, and Ulun Danu Bratan, confirm with the provider if those extra visits are important to you. They may affect the day’s timing.

The tour is booked for at least two people. Solo booking is therefore not an option under the stated terms. For a pair or small private group, the price is easier to defend than it would be for one person paying alone.

The fitness question deserves an honest answer

The age guidance is 12 to 70, but age alone does not decide if this suits you. You need moderate physical fitness and confidence on uneven paths. Leke Leke is the tougher section, with steep stairs and a stream crossing. Banyumala also requires a descent followed by a climb back out.

I would not choose this outing if you need level paths, dislike wet footing, or have a condition that makes steep steps risky. The experience provider gives a clear warning about challenging stairs, so take it seriously.

For most fit adults and older children, the walk is manageable if you go slowly. Your guide can help with route direction and pacing, but you remain responsible for your footing. Sport shoes, sunscreen, spare clothes, and a waterproof way to protect valuables are the right basic kit.

How the day may feel from start to finish

The day starts with a 9:00 a.m. pickup. After the drive from your hotel, you reach the first waterfall and walk down through tropical growth to Banyumala. This opening section gives you time to settle into the day before the more demanding Leke Leke route.

At Leke Leke, allow time for the steep path, the stream, photographs, and the climb back. Do not rush simply because the walk is described as 30 minutes. That figure does not tell you how long the return, stops, or wet conditions will take.

Ulun Danu Bratan then provides a more structured sightseeing stop. Depending on the day’s pace, you may also have time for lunch, coffee or tea tasting, or craft-related visits. Since food is not included, carry cash and ask your driver what is realistic before adding extra stops.

You return by private vehicle to your hotel or agreed drop-off point. The full outing lasts about eight hours, but traffic and personal pace can change that. Avoid booking a tight evening flight or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend this tour to a couple or small group that wants several North Bali sights without hiring a car separately. It is especially useful if you value hotel pickup, prepaid fees, and a private schedule more than a highly specialized guided walk.

It also suits people who enjoy taking pictures. The driver-guides connected with the service have helped with photo angles and Instagram-style shots, and the waterfalls, stream crossings, rice fields, and temple provide plenty of visual variety.

You should think twice if your main goal is a long swim or a slow, quiet day. The route includes three major stops and may include additional coffee or craft visits, so the schedule can feel active. The water is cold, and the paths take effort.

At $55, I see good value for two or more people who want transport and admission handled in one booking. It is less compelling if you already have a private driver for the day or if you prefer to spend an entire day at one waterfall.

Booking and cancellation advice

The experience offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans carefully before that deadline.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 153 days in advance. That does not mean you must reserve that early, but it does suggest that popular dates can fill. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

Should you book Bali’s waterfall and temple day?

Book it if you want private transport, two waterfall walks, and Ulun Danu Bratan Temple in one manageable package. The strongest reasons are the varied scenery, prepaid entrance fees, and direct support from an English-speaking driver-guide.

Skip it if steep stairs, wet crossings, or a full day in the car and on foot sound unpleasant. The most useful question is not simply whether you like waterfalls. Ask if you are ready for the walk back up from Leke Leke.

For a fit pair staying in Ubud, I would consider this a practical way to reach North Bali without fuss. Pack carefully, leave room in your schedule, and confirm whether the coffee plantation and craft stops are part of your specific day.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

How difficult are the waterfall walks?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. Leke Leke includes a steep descent, challenging stairs, and a stream crossing by stepping stones or wading.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, a plastic bag or other dry protection for valuables, a waterproof camera, sport shoes, sunscreen, and money for souvenirs.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated.