North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

Sekumpul is the main event here: seven waterfalls spread through northern Bali, reached by a demanding hike through the countryside. I like that this tour takes on the long drive for you, then adds two of Bali’s most photogenic temples, Ulun Danu Beratan on the lake and Taman Ayun with its broad moat and pagoda-like meru towers.

I also like the small maximum group of nine and the door-to-door pickup from Kuta, Ubud, and several south Bali areas. Drivers such as Poetra have been praised for being kind, funny, flexible with photo stops, and careful about your comfort. The catch is the long day and tough waterfall trek. From Jimbaran, the whole outing may stretch to around 11 or 12 hours, and the local trekking guide fee is extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Sekumpul means a real hike: The medium trek costs IDR 150,000 per person, while the long trek costs IDR 250,000 per person.
• The advertised price is a starting point: At about $22.50 per person, the basic option may not include every entrance fee or guide service.
• You visit three major sights: Sekumpul Waterfalls, Ulun Danu Beratan, and Taman Ayun Temple.
• Pickup covers much of south Bali: Free collection is offered in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.
• The group stays small: No more than nine people are scheduled for the shared tour.
• Allow more than 10 hours: Traffic, distance, photo stops, and the waterfall hike can push the day well beyond the stated 10-hour estimate.

Why Sekumpul is worth the long ride

Northern Bali feels far removed from the beach districts. The road trip is long, but Sekumpul rewards the effort with a set of waterfalls rather than a single viewpoint. The route leads you into Bali’s greener interior, where the falls appear among trees and steep hillsides.

The phrase seven waterfalls is important. You are not simply getting out of a vehicle, taking one photo, and leaving. The experience is built around walking between viewpoints and falls, with the exact route depending on the medium or long trekking choice.

You should treat this as a proper outing on foot. One review describes the climb as tiring enough to require many stops, especially on the return. That is useful warning, not a reason to skip the place. The best way to enjoy Sekumpul is to accept a slower pace and leave room for rests.

A local trekking guide is required at an additional cost. The medium trek is IDR 150,000 per person, and the long trek is IDR 250,000. I would not try to save money here. A local guide helps with the route and gives you another pair of eyes on slippery or steep sections.

The main tour guide or driver may help coordinate the arrival, but the waterfall guide is a separate service. Confirm exactly what your chosen package includes before departure, since the options vary.

The early pickup and the long northern road

The scheduled start is 6:30 a.m. That early hour makes sense. Sekumpul is in northern Bali, while Kuta and the southern beach districts are much farther away. A morning departure gives you the best chance of reaching the waterfall without losing even more time to traffic.

Pickup is offered from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Collection from Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben costs an additional IDR 150,000 per person, while Candidasa carries an extra IDR 100,000 per person.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters on a day like this. You spend a large part of the tour on the road, so comfortable transport is more than a nice extra. Bottled water is included, but lunch is not. Bring food or be ready to buy it during the day, if a stop allows.

The driving is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. Self-driving to Sekumpul can be stressful when you are unfamiliar with Bali’s roads and the distances involved. Here, you can use the ride to rest, watch the scenery, or ask for a photo stop.

That said, do not expect a quick transfer. One poor experience involved more than two and a half hours without a comfort break, followed by an unpleasant stop. This points to an important question to ask at pickup: when is the next restroom or meal stop? A little planning can make the long road much easier.

Choosing the medium or long Sekumpul trek

The medium trek costs less and should suit you if you want the main waterfall experience without adding the longest route. The long trek costs more and is the better choice if seeing more of Sekumpul matters more than saving time and energy.

The supplied information does not give exact distances, elevation figures, or walking times for either route. I would not assume that the medium trek is easy. The reviews describe the return climb as physically demanding, and one person who was not especially sporty found it exhausting.

Wear shoes with a firm grip and bring clothing you do not mind getting wet or muddy. This is practical advice based on the nature of a waterfall hike, not a promise about exact conditions on your date. The tour includes insurance, but you still need to judge your own fitness honestly.

Take the route at your pace. The guide can help you move safely, and the driver can help with coordination before and after the walk. A previous guest specifically praised the guide for watching carefully during the trek, which is the kind of support you want on uneven ground.

The waterfall itself is the reward. You get several falls, forest views, and a stronger sense of Bali’s northern interior than you would from a roadside attraction. If you want a relaxed sightseeing day with little walking, this is not the right tour.

Ulun Danu Beratan and the famous lake photos

After Sekumpul, the tour continues to Ulun Danu Beratan. This temple complex sits beside the lake in mountain scenery and is one of Bali’s most recognizable postcard views. Its shrines appear to float over the water, giving the site a calm, distinctive look.

The scheduled visit lasts about one hour. That is enough for photos and a walk around the main grounds, but it is not a long temple study. You will want to use your time carefully, especially if the waterfall trek has run late.

Ulun Danu is a good contrast to Sekumpul. The waterfall stop is active and physical, while the temple offers a chance to slow down and admire the architecture and lake setting. The change of pace helps the day feel like more than a hike with two quick add-ons.

Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to cooler mountain air. The tour data describes the area as mountain scenery, but it does not promise a specific temperature, so pack for changeable conditions rather than assuming it will feel like the coast.

Photography is one of the clear reasons to include this stop. The shrines by the water are instantly recognizable, and the setting gives you a different kind of Bali image from the forest and falls at Sekumpul.

Taman Ayun brings a quieter temple finish

The final major stop is Taman Ayun Temple, described as another famous UNESCO Heritage Site. Its name is linked with a garden temple setting, and the complex is known for its moat and tall meru towers.

You get about an hour here. That makes Taman Ayun a useful final stop because it lets you walk, look around, and take in Balinese temple design without the physical demands of Sekumpul.

Do not expect a private spiritual visit. This is a well-known attraction, and the appeal is its formal layout, towers, and water surrounding the grounds. The tour gives you a compact introduction rather than a long religious or architectural lesson.

An English-speaking guide is included, depending on the option booked. Some packages offer a guide and entrance fees, while the basic version may not. If temple context matters to you, choose the option that clearly includes the guide rather than assuming every price tier offers the same service.

The order of the day makes sense: strenuous nature first, lakeside temple next, then a cultural site before the drive home. Still, if the waterfall visit takes longer than planned, Taman Ayun may feel rushed. That is the tradeoff for fitting three well-known sites into one day from southern Bali.

What the $22.50 price really buys you

At roughly $22.50 per person, this looks inexpensive for a private vehicle, hotel pickup, a full-day route, and three major attractions. The value is strongest if you are staying in Kuta, Ubud, or another included pickup area and do not want to arrange transport to northern Bali yourself.

You need to read the package choices closely. The tour offers a small-group option without tickets, a small-group option with tickets and a guide, and a private option with tickets and a guide. The waterfall trekking guide remains an additional fee, with IDR 150,000 for the medium trek or IDR 250,000 for the long trek.

That means the advertised price is not necessarily your final cost. Add entrance fees if your selected option excludes them, add the trekking guide, and remember that lunch and personal expenses are not covered.

The value improves for a small group. With a maximum of nine people, you avoid the feel of a large coach excursion, and there is a better chance of asking for a short photo stop or clarification from the guide. A private upgrade may be worthwhile for couples or families who want more control over the pace.

The price is less attractive if you dislike long drives, want a slow temple visit, or are not comfortable paying extra at the waterfall. This is a transport-heavy day, and its value comes from convenience and access rather than from a leisurely schedule.

The people who make the day work

The driver has a major role because the route is long. Poetra received especially strong praise for being kind, funny, and attentive, and for checking that everything was comfortable at the waterfall. Another driver was described as flexible about stopping for photos.

Those details matter. On a 10-hour tour, a friendly driver can make the road time far easier. You also need someone who communicates clearly about the waterfall arrival, local guide, rest breaks, and return schedule.

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, and a French-speaking guide has also been praised for detailed explanations and unusual kindness. The information does not promise that a French-speaking guide will be assigned to every booking, so request language needs in advance rather than counting on it.

The experience is capped at nine people, but the exact group size on your date is not stated. A smaller group generally gives you more flexibility, while a full group can make the waterfall pace feel less personal.

Timing, comfort, and small things to plan

The stated duration is about 10 hours, but your actual day can be longer. A pickup from Jimbaran has been described as lasting around 11 hours, and another outing reached 12 hours after delays and stops.

Plan for a full day away from your hotel. Eat before pickup, carry a snack, and bring water even though a bottle is provided. Since lunch is not included, do not leave your food plans until the final temple.

Restroom access is worth discussing at the start. The long drive can include extended stretches without a comfort break, and one difficult account specifically complained about this issue.

Keep your phone charged. You will have photo opportunities at the falls, Ulun Danu, and Taman Ayun, and a long road day can make a portable battery useful. This is a practical suggestion, not an included feature.

The tour is available every day, and last-minute booking is offered. Still, it is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of about 24 days. If you need a particular pickup point, guide language, or private vehicle, booking earlier gives you a better chance of getting the arrangement you want.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this North Bali day trip?

I would recommend it to you if Sekumpul is high on your Bali list but you do not want to drive there yourself. It also suits anyone who wants three very different sights in one day: waterfalls, a lakeside temple, and a formal temple complex.

It is a good fit for active couples, small groups of friends, and families with older children who can handle a long hike. The private option makes more sense if you want to control rest stops or keep the day within your own group.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike steep walking, or want a restful holiday day. The supplied information says most people can participate, but the waterfall route is still demanding and the return climb can be tiring.

I would also think twice if you are staying far east of the main pickup zone and must pay an extra collection fee. The tour is designed around southern Bali and Ubud pickup, so the distance may reduce its value from Lovina, Amed, Tulamben, or Candidasa.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 6:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is about 10 hours. From some southern Bali locations, the day may last 11 or 12 hours because of driving, traffic, photo stops, and the waterfall trek.

Which locations offer free pickup?

Free pickup is offered from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

Is pickup available from Lovina or Amed?

Yes, but an additional charge of IDR 150,000 per person applies from Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben. Candidasa pickup costs an additional IDR 100,000 per person.

Is the Sekumpul trekking guide included?

No. The trekking guide fee is additional. The medium trek costs IDR 150,000 per person, and the long trek costs IDR 250,000 per person.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The maximum group size is nine people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Sekumpul without the self-drive headache and you are ready for a long, active day. The combination of seven waterfalls, Ulun Danu Beratan, and Taman Ayun gives you a strong taste of northern Bali for a low starting price.

Before paying, check three things: the exact ticket inclusions, the trekking guide fee, and the pickup area. If you plan for the extra costs, bring food, and choose the trek that matches your fitness, this is a practical way to reach some of Bali’s most memorable sights.