North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

North Bali’s Sekumpul Waterfall is the star here: seven separate cascades reached through Bali’s green mountain country. The smart part is letting someone else handle the long drive from Kuta, Ubud, or the southern resorts. Poetra, one driver praised for his kindness and humor, even stopped for photos and checked that the local guide was treating the group well.

I like the mix of nature and temples. Ulun Danu Beratan gives you Bali’s famous water-temple view, while Taman Ayun adds a quieter royal temple stop. The small group, capped at nine people, also feels more personal than a large coach tour.

The catch is the length and the extra waterfall costs. This is advertised as about 10 hours, but a day from Jimbaran has taken closer to 11 or 12 hours, and the Sekumpul trek is not a gentle stroll. Your local trekking guide and entrance fees may also be separate, depending on the option you choose.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven waterfalls at Sekumpul: The trek is the main event, with several cascades to seek out rather than one quick viewpoint.
• Three major stops: You visit Sekumpul, Ulun Danu Beratan, and Taman Ayun in one long day.
• Small groups up to nine: This is more manageable than a bus tour and makes photo stops easier.
• Trekking fees are extra: Budget IDR 150,000 for the medium route or IDR 250,000 for the long route per person.
• Pickup covers much of Bali’s south: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud are included.
• The tour can run long: Leave room in your evening plans, especially from Jimbaran or other southern resorts.

Why Sekumpul is worth the long ride

Sekumpul is not a roadside waterfall where you hop out, take one picture, and leave. The appeal is the sense of searching through North Bali’s mountain country for a collection of falling streams. The tour promises access to seven different falls, making the walk feel like an outing rather than a single photo stop.

You should set your expectations correctly. The included stop is listed as one hour, but the waterfall visit involves trekking, and the exact route depends on the medium or long option you select. The supplied fees are IDR 150,000 per person for a medium trek and IDR 250,000 for a long trek. A local trekking guide is also not included in the basic tour price.

That extra guide is worth serious thought. At Sekumpul, the ground can be demanding, and one particularly useful account praised the guide for watching a visitor carefully during the trek. Another account specifically advised paying for a guide. You will have help with the route and footing, rather than trying to find the falls alone.

The walk can test your legs. One person described needing many pauses on the climb back up. That is not a reason to skip Sekumpul, but it is a reason to choose sensible footwear, bring water, and be honest about your fitness. The tour includes bottled water, but lunch is not included, and personal expenses remain your responsibility.

The early departure and the long North Bali road

The stated start time is 6:30 am. That early pickup makes sense because North Bali is far from Kuta and the southern resort belt, and the whole route includes three major stops. From Ubud, the drive should still be treated as a full morning commitment. From Jimbaran and other southern locations, the day can stretch to 11 or 12 hours.

The main benefit is convenience. You get hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you do not have to manage the winding drive, parking, or directions to Sekumpul. A driver can also stop for photographs when conditions allow. Poetra was praised for doing exactly that, while keeping an eye on comfort throughout the day.

There is one practical warning: make sure you understand the comfort-break plan before you leave. One very poor account described more than two and a half hours without a break, followed by a stop at an unpleasant place. That experience also involved unexpected payment for items the person thought were included. I would confirm the inclusions and ask your guide about meal and restroom timing at the start.

The advertised price is $22.50 per person, which is appealing for a private vehicle transfer, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, and three attractions in one day. But treat that as the starting price, not the full cost. Depending on your selected package, entrance fees and guide services may change the final amount. Sekumpul trekking fees are specifically separate.

Reaching the seven falls at Sekumpul

Sekumpul deserves the largest share of your attention, even though the schedule gives the stop about an hour. You are heading into one of Bali’s more dramatic waterfall areas, with water dropping through thick mountain vegetation and several viewing points along the route.

The wording about seven falls matters. You are not simply walking to one cascade and turning around. The route lets you see a group of falls, though the amount you cover depends on the trek option, your pace, and the time available. If photographing the falls is your main goal, ask for the longest practical visit and confirm how the one-hour schedule will work.

The local guide is separate from the main English-speaking tour guide. That distinction can be easy to miss when booking. The English-speaking guide handles the broader day, while the Sekumpul trekking guide supports you on the waterfall route. If you want the guide, include that cost in your planning.

Take the climb seriously. This is a poor fit if you want a flat, low-effort sightseeing day. The physical challenge is part of the appeal, but the return climb can be tiring, especially after a long drive and before two temple visits. You might find the medium route a better balance if you want the falls without committing to the longest walk.

Ulun Danu Beratan and Bali’s postcard view

After Sekumpul, the tour turns to Ulun Danu Beratan, the water temple on the edge of the lake. This is one of Bali’s most recognizable scenes: shrine buildings appear to sit on or beside the water, backed by cool mountain scenery.

The visit is scheduled for about an hour. That gives you time to walk around, take photographs, and appreciate the temple’s position by the lake without turning the stop into a long ceremonial visit. If the falls leave you tired, this is a welcome change of pace.

Ulun Danu is especially valuable for anyone who wants one of Bali’s classic images without arranging a separate trip into the highlands. The temple is visually different from Taman Ayun, so the two do not feel like duplicate stops. Here, the water and mountain setting do much of the work.

Your guide can add context, but the supplied tour details do not promise a specialist historian or a particular named guide for this stop. The guide language listed is English. If you receive a French-speaking driver-guide, as one person did, that can be a pleasant bonus, but you should not book on the assumption that a French guide is guaranteed.

Taman Ayun, the royal temple finale

Taman Ayun is the final stop, with about an hour set aside for the visit. It is described as a royal water temple and a UNESCO Heritage Site. After the open lake setting at Ulun Danu, Taman Ayun gives you a different look at Balinese temple design and grounds.

The timing works well. You have already seen Bali’s mountain and lake side, and Taman Ayun closes the day with a more formal temple visit before the return drive. It is also a useful stop for people who want cultural sights but do not want an entire day devoted only to temples.

Do remember that temple visits are not the same as entering a normal sightseeing building. The provided information does not spell out a dress code or clothing rental policy, so ask your guide what is expected before entering. Do not assume every fee or personal purchase is included in the tour price.

Small group comfort, private upgrade, and guide choices

The maximum group size is nine people. That is a good middle ground: cheaper than going alone, but small enough that a guide can usually keep track of the group and a vehicle can make occasional photo stops.

The booking choices matter. You can choose a small-group tour without tickets, a small-group option with tickets and a guide, or a private tour with tickets and a guide. Compare the final prices rather than choosing only by the headline fare. A lower base price can stop being a bargain once entrance fees and the Sekumpul trekking guide are added.

A private tour makes the most sense if you care about setting the pace, stopping for photos, or avoiding the uncertainty of sharing a long day with strangers. The group option is better value if you are comfortable with a fixed schedule and want to keep the cost down.

The driver-guide relationship can shape the day. Poetra received especially warm praise for being funny, kind, and attentive, while another driver was appreciated for stopping when photographs were wanted. Those are useful qualities on a 10-hour outing. Still, individual guide assignments can vary, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

What is included, and what can cost extra

The listed inclusions are hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking tour guide, bottled water, and insurance. Entrance fees are included only if you select the appropriate option.

Lunch is not included. That matters because the day begins early and may last well beyond the advertised 10 hours. Ask when and where the meal stop will happen, then carry enough money for food and personal purchases.

Sekumpul’s trekking guide fees are separate. The medium trek is listed at IDR 150,000 per person, and the long trek at IDR 250,000 per person. Pickup is free from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

Pickup from Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben costs an extra IDR 150,000 per person. Pickup from Candidasa costs an extra IDR 100,000 per person. If you are staying in one of those areas, add that cost before deciding if the package is good value.

Who should book this day out

I would choose this tour if you want Sekumpul but do not want to drive there yourself. The combination of transport, a small group, Ulun Danu, and Taman Ayun gives you a lot of Bali in one day.

It suits active visitors who can handle a demanding walk and do not mind an early start. It also works for photographers, since the waterfall and lake temple offer two very different settings, and the driver may be able to stop for extra pictures.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long vehicle journeys, need frequent comfort breaks, or want a relaxed day with no time pressure. Families and older visitors should consider the trek length carefully. Most people can participate, but that does not mean everyone will find the waterfall route easy.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 14 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. That points to a generally strong experience, but the uneven accounts show why you should confirm the fees, break schedule, and trek option before departure.

Should you book the Sekumpul and temple tour?

Book it if Sekumpul is high on your Bali list and you value door-to-door transport more than a slow, flexible day. At $22.50 per person, the basic price looks strong for the driving distance and three-stop plan, especially for a group of up to nine.

Choose the ticket and guide option if you want fewer surprises, and consider private transport if photography or pacing matters most. Add the trekking fee, lunch, and any pickup surcharge before comparing prices.

Skip it if you want an easy waterfall viewpoint or a short outing. Sekumpul rewards effort, but this is a long North Bali day with a real climb at its center.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 6:30 am.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately 10 hours, though the day may run longer from southern Bali locations.

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, Amed, and Tulamben?

Yes. An additional charge of IDR 150,000 per person applies from Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben.

Is pickup available from Candidasa?

Yes. Pickup from Candidasa costs an additional IDR 100,000 per person.

Are Sekumpul trekking fees included?

No. 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.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of nine people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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