Experience Private Bali Northern Trip at North Waterfall

The main draw here is Sekumpul Waterfall, a dramatic series of seven cascades reached by a demanding trek. You also get Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, a quieter swimming spot, and Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Beratan, all in one long day from Ubud.

I like the private car and hotel pickup, since northern Bali is a long way from Ubud and you can avoid arranging several rides. I also like that lunch, snacks, bottled water, and entrance tickets are included, so the $36 price covers most of the day’s basic costs.

The main caution is the guide language. One booking reported that the driver did not speak English despite the advertised English-speaking guide service. Confirm this point before you pay, especially if temple context and clear hiking instructions matter to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Sekumpul is the physical highlight: Allow three hours for the waterfall visit, including the trek and time near the cascades.
• Banyumala offers a different mood: Its twin falls are described as quiet and relatively untouched, with a setting suited to a refreshing swim.
• Ulun Danu adds culture to the day: The water temple sits beside Lake Beratan and gives the tour more range than a waterfall-only outing.
• Five hours are spent on transport: The full tour lasts about 10 hours, with pickup, drop-off, and road time taking roughly half the day.
• The $36 package is broad: Transport, driver, admission, lunch, snacks, and water are included.
• Bring swim and trail gear: Extra clothes, a towel, and insect repellent are specifically recommended.

Three northern Bali sights in one private day

This is a full-day outing from Ubud, not a quick half-day trip. The advertised duration is about 10 hours, and around five of those hours are used for hotel pickup, return, and travel between the stops.

That long road time is the tradeoff for reaching Bali’s northern highlands. You get three very different places in one booking: a temple, a major waterfall reached on foot, and a second waterfall with a calmer feel.

I see the private format as a real advantage. Only your group takes part, so you are not tied to the pace of a large coach. You can also use the vehicle as a base for dry clothes, towels, and personal items during the wet parts of the day.

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional driver. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, along with bottled water, snacks, lunch, and admission tickets at all three stops. At $36 per person, that is a strong package if you want transport and entry costs handled together.

The price makes the most sense for two or more people sharing a private booking, though the exact group discount is not specified. Solo visitors should compare the total cost with other private day trips, since road time is substantial.

Ulun Danu Temple and Lake Beratan

Your first listed stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, also written as Ulundanu Temple in the tour details. You get about one hour here, with admission included.

The temple sits beside Lake Beratan in the Bedugul highlands. Its setting on the water is the main visual reason to visit. The complex is dedicated to the goddess associated with the lake, giving you a clear connection between Balinese worship and the surrounding water.

I like starting with this stop because it gives the day a cultural opening before the more physical waterfall visits. You can take in the temple grounds, look across the lake, and learn about the site from the driver guide if the guide can provide the promised English commentary.

One hour is enough for a focused visit, but not for a slow, detailed study of every part of the complex. If you enjoy temples mainly for photography and setting, the time should feel reasonable. If you want extensive religious or architectural explanation, ask in advance how much guiding is included.

The highland location also means you should carry a light layer, though no specific clothing requirement is provided in the tour information. Bring practical walking shoes rather than treating this as a simple roadside photo stop.

Sekumpul Waterfall requires the most effort

Sekumpul receives the largest time allowance, about three hours, and for good reason. It is described as Bali’s most beautiful waterfall and includes seven cascading falls, with a natural water slide listed among the highlights.

This is the tour’s main adventure section. You should expect a trek rather than a short walk from the car. The description calls the route challenging, so your footwear and fitness matter more here than at Ulun Danu Temple.

The reward is a much more dramatic natural setting than a single narrow cascade. Water drops through thick greenery, and the multiple falls create the sense of a broad series rather than one isolated viewpoint. If conditions allow, you can cool off in the water, but you should expect to get wet around the falls.

The tour specifically tells you to bring extra clothes and a towel. That advice is practical, not optional decoration. Even if you do not swim, spray, wet paths, and the natural water slide can leave you damp.

Use the three-hour window carefully. It needs to cover the walk, time beside the falls, possible swimming, and the return to the vehicle. You should not plan a leisurely lunch or other sightseeing during this block.

Insect repellent is also recommended. Northern Bali’s waterfall areas have a humid, plant-filled setting, so carrying a small bottle is sensible. The tour supplies bottled water and snacks, but the information does not say that repellent, towels, or spare clothing are provided.

The description calls Sekumpul the highest waterfall in Bali, while also describing seven cascades. Treat the stop as a major waterfall experience, but do not base your decision only on the exact superlative. The important point is that this is the most demanding and time-consuming part of the day.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls bring a quieter finish

The final stop is Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, with about one hour allocated. This is presented as a less developed, more peaceful place than many better-known waterfall stops in Bali.

Its defining feature is the pair of falls. That gives you a different view from Sekumpul, where the appeal comes from several cascading streams spread through the area. Banyumala is described as suitable for a quiet break and a refreshing swim.

The one-hour limit means you should keep your visit focused. You may have enough time to see the falls, take photographs, and get into the water, but not to linger without watching the clock. Your driver still has to return you to Ubud within the 10-hour schedule.

I like the contrast between the two waterfalls. Sekumpul supplies scale and exertion. Banyumala offers a gentler final stop where you can slow down before the long ride back.

Bring the same trail and swim precautions here as at Sekumpul. Wear shoes that can handle wet ground, keep a dry change of clothes available, and use the towel you packed. The tour includes snacks and lunch, but it does not list changing facilities or other personal equipment.

What five hours of road time means for your day

A private trip gives you control over your group, but it does not remove Bali’s distances. The tour states that about half of the 10-hour day goes to hotel pickup, drop-off, and travel between destinations.

That means you should think of this as a northern Bali road trip with three stops, not three nearby attractions. The air-conditioned vehicle matters because you will spend many hours in it. Bottled water and snacks are useful during the transfers, while the included lunch removes one extra decision from a tightly timed day.

Pickup is offered from your hotel, but the provided information does not list exact pickup areas or a fixed departure hour. Confirm the pickup time and location after booking. A very early start may be needed to fit the temple, both waterfalls, meals, and return drive into 10 hours, but the supplied details do not state a specific departure time.

The private setup is particularly helpful if your group has different energy levels. Someone can rest in the car while others spend longer at a stop, though the total schedule still leaves limited room for delays. You should avoid adding extra sights unless the operator confirms that the timing can handle them.

The English guide question needs attention

The experience is presented with a professional and friendly driver, and the description refers to an English-speaking driver guide. Yet one booking reported that the driver did not speak English and did not know the terms of the tour.

That is the clearest weakness in the available information. If you mainly need a safe ride and basic navigation, the language issue may be manageable. If you want temple explanations, clear trail instructions, and help understanding the schedule, it can change the quality of the day.

I would contact Bali Exploring Tours before booking and ask for written confirmation that an English-speaking driver guide will be assigned. Ask whether the driver will explain Ulun Danu Temple and assist with the waterfall route, rather than simply provide transportation.

No guide names are provided, so there is no particular driver you can request based on the available details. Keep your confirmation and the promised inclusions accessible on your phone in case there is confusion about lunch, tickets, or the route.

The overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 12 ratings, with 92 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, but the sample is small, and the language complaint is specific enough to deserve attention.

What to pack for the waterfall route

The packing list is short but important. You should bring:

• Extra clothes
• A towel
• Insect repellent
• Practical walking shoes
• A way to keep your phone and valuables dry
• Swimwear if you plan to enter the water

The tour includes snacks, bottled water, lunch, transportation, and admission tickets. You do not need to budget separately for those listed items, but personal expenses are not included.

Do not rely on the car to solve every packing problem. The tour details do not say that towels, lockers, waterproof bags, or changing facilities are supplied. Carry the things you need from the start.

The waterfalls are the reason to choose this outing, so prepare for water and uneven walking rather than dressing only for a temple visit. A dry shirt for the ride home can make the final hours much more comfortable.

Who will get the most from this $36 tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a private day from Ubud that combines scenery, culture, and a moderate physical challenge. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups that prefer their own vehicle to a large shared coach.

It is especially good value if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, entrance tickets, lunch, and a guide. The included admission at all three stops makes budgeting simple, and hotel pickup saves you from arranging a northern Bali driver on your own.

You should think twice if you dislike long car journeys or have limited mobility. The tour says most people can participate, but Sekumpul is specifically described as challenging, and the schedule gives it three hours. The information does not provide detailed accessibility guidance, so ask the operator about the trail before paying if stairs, steep paths, or wet ground are a concern.

This is also not the best choice if your priority is a slow temple visit. Ulun Danu gets only one hour, while the waterfalls and transfers take most of the day.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and the cutoff follows local time. That is useful flexibility, but it still pays to confirm the guide language and pickup details early.

Should you book this northern waterfall trip?

Book it if you want three northern Bali sights in one private day and you are comfortable spending about five hours on the road. The combination of Sekumpul’s seven cascades, Banyumala’s twin falls, and the Lake Beratan temple gives you more variety than a waterfall-only outing.

The $36 price is appealing because it includes the vehicle, hotel transfers, driver, entrance fees, lunch, snacks, and water. The main condition is that you confirm the English-speaking guide arrangement before booking.

I would choose this experience for an active first look at northern Bali, especially if your group values privacy and simple pricing. I would skip it if you want a relaxed schedule, dislike strenuous walks, or need detailed guaranteed commentary in English. Bring a towel, spare clothes, insect repellent, and patience for the road, and the day has the ingredients for a rewarding northern adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Bali northern tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. About five hours are used for hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, and travel between destinations.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Sekumpul Waterfall, and Banyumala Twin Waterfalls.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are entrance tickets and lunch included?

Yes. Admission tickets to all listed attractions, lunch at a local restaurant, snacks, and bottled water are included.

What should I bring?

Bring extra clothes, a towel, and insect repellent. These items are specifically recommended because the waterfall visits can involve water and outdoor walking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.