Bali Most Scenic Waterfalls Trekking

North Bali’s Wanagiri hills are the real draw here. In one long day, you can walk forest paths to as many as seven waterfalls, stop for swims, and finish with lunch beside the lakes. This is a nature-heavy outing, not a quick photo stop.

I like the private format, since you can set your own pace and pause when you want. I also like the mix of famous sights, such as Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, with quieter forest waterfalls. The main caution is the transport service: one booking had a 90-minute pickup delay and poor communication, so confirm your pickup details before the morning begins.

Key points to know before you book

• Up to seven waterfalls: Pucak Manik, Cemara, Canging, Bidadari, Campuhan, Celos, and Spa waterfalls are named on the route.
• A private walking day: Your group hikes with a local guide rather than joining a large shared party.
• Swimming and jumping are possible: The guide can assist, but you should decide based on your comfort and the conditions.
• Hotel pickup is included: Transfers are offered from Kuta, Ubud, and nearby areas.
• Lunch and basic gear are covered: Expect bottled water, coffee or tea, lunch, and walking sticks.
• Budget for extra tickets: Ulun Danu Bratan costs IDR 75,000 per person, and Bali Handara Gate costs IDR 40,000 per person.

Why the Wanagiri hills make this an unusual Bali day trip

Many Bali day tours follow the same crowded southern route. This one heads north, into the mountain area around Wanagiri, Buyan Lake, and Tamblingan Lake. The setting changes quickly from roadside viewpoints to jungle tracks, water, and steep green hills.

The appeal is variety. You are not spending eight hours at one waterfall. You move through several forest spots, see two mountain lakes, pass rice terraces, and visit two familiar Bali landmarks along the way.

I like this format for visitors who want a full day outdoors but do not want to organize several separate taxi rides. A local guide handles the route, transport, and timing. Your group also has room to linger, swim, or slow down instead of matching the pace of a busload of people.

The day still demands energy. This is a trekking tour, not a sightseeing loop where you step out of a vehicle for five minutes. Paths can be wet, uneven, and demanding, especially near waterfalls. The exact amount of walking is not stated, so you should be comfortable with a substantial forest hike and bring shoes that can handle mud and water.

The morning route through Bali’s mountain country

The tour lasts about eight hours, with pickup from hotels in Ubud, Kuta, and nearby areas. The early part of the day includes several scenic stops before the waterfall walk begins.

The first named stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, the famous lakeside temple associated with Lake Bratan. It gives you a classic view of Bali’s highland setting and adds a cultural stop to a day otherwise focused on nature.

The temple ticket is not included. The listed price is IDR 75,000 per person, so add that to the advertised $35 cost. Since entrance fees can change, check the current amount when you book.

Next comes the Bali Handara Gate of Heavens, a well-known entrance gate in the highlands. The listed ticket is IDR 40,000 per person. This is another extra charge, and it is worth knowing about before you arrive so the low headline price does not surprise you later.

The route then reaches Wanagiri village and Wanagiri Hills. This is the base for the more adventurous part of the day. The area is known for highland views over the lakes and forest, and it provides the setting for the waterfall trek.

You will also see Buyan Lake and Tamblingan Lake. These paired mountain lakes give the day some breathing room between the walking sections. The tour description places lunch by the lakes at the end of the activity, with local food, coffee or tea, and refreshments provided.

What the waterfall trek is really like

The central walk explores waterfalls scattered through the forest around North Bali. The route names seven possible stops:

• Pucak Manik Waterfall
• Cemara Waterfall
• Canging Waterfall
• Bidadari, also called Angels, Waterfall
• Campuhan Waterfall
• Celos Waterfall
• Spa Waterfall

The wording is important: you may see up to seven waterfalls. That is different from a guarantee that every group will visit every named site on every outing. Route conditions, timing, and weather can affect the day, so ask the guide how many falls are planned when you meet.

The best part of this arrangement is the sense of discovery. You are not simply standing at a paved lookout. You walk through jungle surroundings to reach the water, with the guide helping you find the way and manage the more active parts.

Swimming is allowed at suitable stops, and you can try jumps into the water with assistance from the guide or local expert. I would treat this as an option, not a requirement. Water levels and footing can change, and nobody should feel pressured to jump. If you prefer, you can enjoy the falls from the edge and keep your energy for the next section.

Bring a swimsuit under your walking clothes if you plan to get in. A towel is not listed among the included items, so pack one. You should also protect your phone from spray and carry only what you want to take on wet paths.

The private format matters most here. Some people want to swim for a while. Others want to take photos and move on. With only your own party participating, you can discuss the pace with the guide instead of trying to keep up with a fixed group.

A closer look at the named stops

Pucak Manik Waterfall is one of the named forest falls on the route. It helps set the tone for the day: natural scenery, walking, and a less developed setting than Bali’s best-known tourist stops.

Cemara and Canging waterfalls add more variety as the path continues through the northern forest. Seeing several falls in a single outing means no one stop has to carry the whole day. If one pool is too crowded, wet, or difficult to reach, the next section may offer a different view.

Bidadari, or Angels Waterfall, has a name designed for a postcard, but the practical attraction is the setting. It is part of the wider forest route, where the pleasure comes from the walk between falls as much as from each cascade.

Campuhan and Celos waterfalls continue the sequence of water and jungle. The tour is described as an off-mainstream experience, and the lack of crowds can be one of its strongest advantages. One especially positive account described reaching a dramatic natural sight after a path to seven waterfalls, with no other people seen along the way.

Spa Waterfall completes the list of named possibilities. The tour also offers a one-hour foot massage for IDR 300,000 per person, but that service is not included. It may suit you after a long walk, though it adds a significant extra cost compared with the tour itself.

Do not expect every fall to be polished for tourism. That is part of the appeal, but it also means conditions may feel basic. The supplied information does not promise changing rooms, toilets at every stop, or paved trails, so plan for a straightforward outdoor outing.

Lunch, refreshments, and the value of the $35 price

At $35, the tour offers a strong amount of coverage for a full day. The price includes private transportation, a local guide, lunch, bottled water, coffee or tea, walking sticks, and all listed tour fees except the two attraction tickets.

That package is more useful than a low price alone. Transport from Ubud or Kuta can take much of a day to arrange independently, especially when you are combining mountain lakes, temple grounds, a gate attraction, and several waterfalls. Here, you pay one rate for the vehicle and the basic day’s supplies.

The two entrance tickets bring the cost up. Ulun Danu Bratan is IDR 75,000 per person, and Bali Handara Gate is IDR 40,000 per person. Personal expenses are also excluded. The optional foot massage costs IDR 300,000 per person, so it is best viewed as a separate add-on, not part of the bargain.

Lunch by the lakes is a welcome practical detail. A long walk in the northern hills is easier when you do not need to search for food midway through the day. The menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish.

Group discounts are offered, but the exact discount is not provided. Since the activity is private, a larger party may find the cost more useful when shared across the group. Ask for the current group rate rather than assuming the listed $35 price applies unchanged to everyone.

Private transport and the one service concern to watch

Pickup is offered from hotels in Ubud, Kuta, and surrounding areas. That makes this a sensible option if you are based in one of Bali’s main visitor centers but want to reach the northern mountains without planning the drive yourself.

The private vehicle also gives you more control than a shared coach. Your group can travel together, keep its own walking rhythm, and speak directly with the guide about swimming or stopping for photos.

There is one important warning. A booking experienced a 90-minute pickup delay, with no call or text during the wait, and the driver reportedly had car trouble. A vehicle problem can happen anywhere, but the communication failure is the part to take seriously.

I would confirm the pickup time, hotel address, and a working contact number before the day. If you are staying in a large resort, give the exact lobby or entrance point. Keep the provider’s contact details handy, and do not schedule a flight or another fixed activity immediately after the tour.

The overall score is 4.6 from nine ratings, with both strong praise and a clear service complaint. That is a good sign for the scenery and guiding, but it also tells you that the transport operation may not be perfect every time.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This outing suits you if you want active nature rather than a relaxed sightseeing day. You should enjoy walking on forest paths, getting wet, and spending much of the day outdoors.

It works especially well for:

• Couples or friends who want a private day in the northern hills
• Families with older children who can manage a long trek
• Visitors who want waterfalls away from Bali’s busiest routes
• People who enjoy swimming and are comfortable with basic outdoor conditions
• Anyone who would rather pay one fee for transport, lunch, and guiding

It is less suitable if you want a short, easy walk, a tightly timed luxury tour, or guaranteed access to every named waterfall. The route includes active sections, and the description does not provide a detailed difficulty rating.

Most travelers can participate, according to the supplied tour information, but that broad statement does not replace a personal judgment about your fitness. Tell the provider about any walking limitations before booking.

What to pack for the forest and water

The included walking sticks are useful, but they do not replace sensible clothing. Wear shoes with good grip and clothes that can handle mud and spray.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• A change of clothes
• Sun protection
• Insect repellent
• A waterproof phone pouch
• Small personal snacks if you need food between stops

Bottled water, lunch, and coffee or tea are supplied. You do not need to carry a full day of drinks, but a small daypack will make the walk easier.

The weather matters. The activity requires good conditions, and the provider may cancel for poor weather, offering another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Bali Most Scenic Waterfalls Trekking tour?

Book it if the idea of walking to several North Bali waterfalls sounds better than spending the day at one famous viewpoint. The private guide, included transport, lunch, and chance to swim give the $35 price real value, even after adding the Ulun Danu Bratan and Handara Gate tickets.

I would book with two conditions. First, confirm the pickup plan because one serious delay was linked to poor communication. Second, accept that this is a genuine outdoor day, with uneven paths and a route that can change with conditions.

For quiet forest scenery, a flexible pace, and a full look at Bali’s northern hills, this is a strong choice. For an effortless day with no extra fees or walking demands, choose something gentler.

FAQ

How long does the Bali waterfalls tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and transfers are offered from hotels in Kuta, Ubud, and surrounding areas.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the private format lets you walk at your own pace.

How many waterfalls will I see?

The route offers up to seven waterfalls. The named sites are Pucak Manik, Cemara, Canging, Bidadari or Angels, Campuhan, Celos, and Spa waterfalls.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, bottled water, and coffee or tea are included. Personal expenses are not included.

What extra fees should I expect?

Ulun Danu Bratan costs IDR 75,000 per person, and Bali Handara Gate costs IDR 40,000 per person. A one-hour foot massage is available for IDR 300,000 per person.