North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

North Bali rewards an early start. This 10-hour tour takes you from Kuta, Ubud, and several south Bali areas to the seven falls of Sekumpul, the lakefront shrines of Ulun Danu Beratan, and Taman Ayun Temple. I like the door-to-door transport, and I like that you can choose between a shared tour and a private option.

The biggest catch is the long road time. From Jimbaran, one account put the total day at about 11 hours, with a very long stretch before a comfort break. You also need to pay the Sekumpul trekking guide separately, so the low advertised price is not the final cost for most people.

The falls are the star, but the temple stops give the day a better shape. You get a hard, humid walk, quiet mountain scenery, famous Balinese architecture, and a ride home without having to handle North Bali’s winding roads yourself.

Key points before you book

• Sekumpul is a real hike, not a roadside photo stop: The route can include a medium trek for IDR 150,000 per person or a long trek for IDR 250,000 per person.
• Seven waterfalls make the morning worthwhile: The attraction is the collection of falls scattered through North Bali’s tropical setting, not just one viewpoint.
• Ulun Danu Beratan supplies the postcard moment: Its shrines sit beside the lake and appear to float over the water.
• Taman Ayun adds a second temple style: This water temple provides a calmer, more formal finish to the sightseeing.
• Transport is the main value: Pickup is available from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.
• The cheapest option needs careful reading: Entrance fees and guide services vary by booking choice, and the trekking guide is extra.

Why this North Bali day trip makes sense

North Bali is far easier to enjoy when someone else drives. Sekumpul is rewarding, but the trip from the southern resorts involves a long journey, and the final roads are not the sort of route most people want to manage while watching the clock, checking directions, and looking for parking.

This tour turns that problem into a full day with three distinct stops. You begin with the most physical activity, visit Ulun Danu Beratan for photographs and temple grounds, then finish at Taman Ayun. The order works well because the waterfall walk comes before you are tired from a full day of sightseeing.

The tour starts at about 6:30 a.m. and lasts roughly 10 hours. That early departure matters. It gives you a better chance of reaching Sekumpul before the day becomes hotter, though the exact pace depends on your pickup point and the group.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is included. Pickup and drop-off are offered from the listed south Bali areas and Ubud. The maximum group size is nine people, which is smaller than a large coach tour but not the same as having a car to yourself.

The private upgrade is worth considering if you dislike waiting or want more control over photo stops. A past booking gave special praise to a driver named Poetra for being kind, funny, and willing to stop when photos were wanted. Drivers will vary, but that detail points to one useful advantage of a private arrangement: you can ask for a more personal pace.

The Sekumpul waterfall trek

Sekumpul is the reason to book this day. The outing takes you into North Bali’s mountain country to see seven separate falls, giving the stop a sense of discovery rather than a single quick lookout.

The supplied schedule allows one hour at Sekumpul, but that should not be read as one hour of easy sightseeing. The waterfall guide fee is separate, and you can choose a medium trek for IDR 150,000 per person or a long trek for IDR 250,000 per person. Ask exactly what route your booking includes before you leave, since the physical effort and time can differ.

You should expect a demanding walk. One account described stopping many times on the climb and still feeling the effort was worth it. That is useful advice if you are not used to steep trails: the waterfalls may be beautiful, but the route is not a casual stroll in sandals.

A trekking guide is an important part of this stop. The guide helps with the route and with care on the trail, and one strong account specifically praised the guide for making sure the walker stayed safe. The main tour guide or driver is not necessarily the same person as the local Sekumpul trekking guide.

Wear footwear that can cope with a wet, uneven path. The supplied information does not promise changing rooms, showers, or particular trail conditions, so bring only what you need and protect your phone and camera. Bottled water is provided, but the tour does not include lunch, so you should plan for food during the day.

The greatest weakness is the mismatch between the simple tour description and the real demands of the stop. The waterfalls are marketed as a dreamy hike, but this is still a long transfer followed by physical exertion. If you want only gentle sightseeing, Sekumpul may not suit you.

Ulun Danu Beratan beside the lake

After the waterfall, the tour moves to Ulun Danu Beratan, the famous temple complex beside the mountain lake. Its shrines are frequently pictured in Bali postcards, and the setting is instantly recognizable: temple structures appear to sit on or just above the water.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for the main views and photographs, but it is not an unhurried visit to every corner of the grounds. I would use the time for the lakefront shrines first, then look around the temple area before returning to the vehicle.

This stop gives the day a needed change of pace. Sekumpul asks you to walk and concentrate on the trail. Ulun Danu asks you to slow down, frame the water and shrines, and take in Bali’s temple design without another climb.

The mountain setting can also mean a change in weather, though the supplied details do not promise clear conditions. Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to cooler highland air, but do not count on a particular forecast. The practical point is that the temple visit is primarily about scenery and photographs, while the waterfall is the active part of the day.

Entrance fees depend on the option you select. Some choices include tickets and a guide, while others do not. Check this closely at checkout so you are not surprised by an extra payment at the gate.

Taman Ayun’s formal temple grounds

Taman Ayun is the final listed stop, with about one hour set aside. It is described as another famous UNESCO Heritage Site and a water temple, giving you a second chance to see Balinese religious architecture in a different setting.

The visit works well at the end because it is less physically demanding than Sekumpul. You can walk through the temple grounds, take photographs, and enjoy a more composed final stop before the drive back to your hotel.

Do not expect Taman Ayun to replace the waterfall as the main event. Its value is contrast. Ulun Danu is tied closely to the lake and mountain view, while Taman Ayun gives you another architectural setting and keeps the day from becoming a one-attraction excursion.

As with any temple visit, dress respectfully. The tour information does not list a specific clothing requirement, so bring practical modest clothing rather than relying on beachwear. Your English-speaking guide can add local context, and the tour promises certified guides and local hints, although the depth of commentary may vary by guide.

What the $22.50 price really covers

At $22.50 per person, the starting price looks strong for a 10-hour day with vehicle transport and several major sights. The value comes mainly from avoiding a private driver cost and the stress of driving from the south to North Bali.

You need to read the options carefully. The tour can be booked as a small-group trip without tickets, a small-group trip with tickets and a guide, or a private trip with tickets and a guide. The Sekumpul trekking guide remains additional, with the medium and long trek fees listed separately.

The included items are pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking tour guide, bottled water, and insurance. Entrance fees are included only if you choose the option that includes them. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.

Extra pickup charges apply from Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben at IDR 150,000 per person, and from Candidasa at IDR 100,000 per person. Pickup is free from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

That makes the tour especially good value for someone staying in one of the free pickup zones. If you are traveling alone, a shared trip can keep the cost low. If two or more people want privacy, compare the private upgrade with the combined cost of separate transport, entrance tickets, and local help at Sekumpul.

The long day and the comfort-break problem

The hardest practical issue is not the waterfall itself. It is the road time. One very negative account described more than two and a half hours without a comfort break, followed by a stop at an unpleasant place, and a total day of 12 hours.

That is not proof every departure will run the same way, but it is a fair warning. The advertised duration is approximate, and traffic, pickup routes, road conditions, and time at each stop can stretch the day. Use the restroom before departure and ask your driver early when the next planned break will be.

The tour’s small maximum of nine people helps, but it does not remove the logistics of collecting passengers across southern Bali. A pickup in Ubud, Kuta, or Canggu may produce a different driving pattern from one in Nusa Dua or Jimbaran.

You should also avoid scheduling a flight, ferry, spa appointment, or important dinner immediately after the stated return time. The tour is a full day in the most literal sense, and the return can be later than the estimate.

The positive side is flexibility within reason. A driver was praised for stopping for photographs along the route, and friendly, accommodating service appears to be one of the tour’s strongest features. Still, a shared itinerary cannot stop everywhere, so a private vehicle is the safer choice if photo stops are central to your plans.

Who should choose this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Sekumpul but do not want to drive there yourself. It suits active visitors who can handle a demanding trek, accept a long day, and want two well-known temple stops included rather than paying for a waterfall-only transfer.

It also works for solo visitors and couples who value convenience. Pickup, a vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and a small group remove much of the planning burden.

Families and older adults should look closely at the trek choice before booking. The supplied information says most people can participate, but that does not mean the Sekumpul route is easy. The medium trek may be a better fit than the long trek, but you should confirm the route and physical demands in advance.

You may want another activity if you dislike early starts, long drives, steep walking, or changing plans around a group. The low base price cannot turn North Bali into a short excursion.

The tour is also less attractive if you already have a trusted private driver and want to spend as long as you like at each temple. In that case, the private option may make sense, but the value depends on the final price and what it includes.

Booking details worth checking

The experience is available every day, and confirmation is provided at booking. Last-minute booking is possible, though the average booking lead time is about 24 days, suggesting that advance planning is common.

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

Before paying, confirm four things: your pickup location, whether entrance tickets are included, whether the booking is shared or private, and which Sekumpul trek fee you will pay. Those four details affect both the price and the shape of your day.

The headline rating is 4.6 from 14 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. That points to a strong overall result, but the small sample and the sharply negative account mean you should book with realistic expectations about transport time and comfort stops.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. The actual day can be longer because of traffic, pickup routes, and time spent at the stops.

What time does the tour start?

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

Which places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Sekumpul Waterfall, Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, and Taman Ayun Temple.

How many waterfalls can I see at Sekumpul?

The experience is designed to take you to seven different falls at Sekumpul.

Is the Sekumpul trekking guide included?

No. The Sekumpul trekking guide fee is additional. The listed prices are IDR 150,000 per person for the medium trek and IDR 250,000 per person for the long trek.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included only with the booking option that specifies them. The available choices include a small-group option without tickets, a small-group option with tickets and a guide, and a private option with tickets and a guide.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included. Bottled water is included.

Where is free pickup available?

Free pickup is available from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Extra charges apply from Lovina, Amed, Tulamben, and Candidasa.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local 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 this North Bali tour?

Book it if Sekumpul is high on your Bali list and you want transport, a guide, and two major temples arranged in one day. The price is appealing, especially from a free pickup area, but add the trekking fee and check whether entrance tickets are part of your chosen option.

My main advice is simple: treat this as a strenuous full-day outing, not a relaxed temple circuit. If you can manage the walk and long drive, the seven falls and Ulun Danu’s lakefront shrines give you two of Bali’s most memorable settings, while Taman Ayun rounds out the day. If comfort breaks, leisurely pacing, or easy walking matter most, pay extra for a private trip or choose a gentler North Bali plan.