North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

Sekumpul is the star here: seven waterfalls in Bali’s northern hills, reached by a demanding trek that is far easier to enjoy when someone else handles the long drive. I like the mix of wild scenery and famous temples, especially the chance to see Ulun Danu Beratan floating beside the lake.

I also like the door-to-door pickup and the small maximum group of nine. Drivers such as Poetra have been praised for being kind, funny, flexible with photo stops, and careful about the local waterfall guide. The catch is that the low advertised price does not cover every cost, and the day can stretch to 11 or 12 hours.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven falls at Sekumpul: The main attraction involves a medium or long trek, with a separate local guide fee.
• Three major sights in one day: You visit Sekumpul Waterfall, Ulun Danu Beratan, and Taman Ayun Temple.
• Early 6:30 am departure: The pickup helps you make the most of a long day in North Bali.
• Small group format: The vehicle carries no more than nine people, with private tours available as an upgrade.
• Check the real price: Entrance fees may depend on the option you select, while trekking, lunch, and personal costs remain extra.
• Long road hours: The tour is listed at about 10 hours, but traffic, breaks, and the hike can push it longer.

Why Sekumpul is worth the long ride

North Bali is not a quick side trip from Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Dua, or Ubud. That is exactly why this tour makes sense. You can sit in an air-conditioned vehicle while a driver handles the road, rather than losing a day to navigation and parking.

The reward is Sekumpul Waterfall, a collection of seven falls spread through Bali’s northern wilderness. The appeal is not just one wall of water. You are heading toward a series of falls, with the walk itself forming a large part of the experience.

This is not a gentle viewpoint stop. You should expect a real trek, including a climb back out. The medium trek costs IDR 150,000 per person, while the long trek costs IDR 250,000 per person. Those charges are separate from the tour price, and the local trekking guide is also additional.

That extra guide is money well spent for many people. One especially positive account describes the local guide taking care with the walk and helping make the waterfall visit feel safer. The trip provider also notes that the trek is a separate local service, so confirm which route you want before setting off.

The fitness warning matters. One person described needing many pauses on the climb, while still finding the falls worth the effort. I would not book this as a relaxed sightseeing day if stairs, uneven ground, or a long uphill return are difficult for you.

What the $22.50 price really covers

At $22.50 per person, the base price looks attractive for a private transfer to North Bali plus three well-known sights. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking guide, and insurance.

The important detail is the ticket structure. Some booking options do not include entrance fees, while an upgraded small-group option includes tickets and a guide. A private option with tickets and a guide is also offered. Read the selected option carefully before paying, because the cheapest rate is not the full cost of the day.

You will also need to budget for the Sekumpul trekking guide and route fee. Medium trekking is IDR 150,000 per person, and long trekking is IDR 250,000 per person. Lunch is not included, and neither are personal expenses.

I see the price as good value if you want transport and a planned route without renting a car. It becomes less of a bargain if you add a private vehicle, the longer trek, entrance tickets, lunch, and extra pickup charges. Still, the value is solid for anyone who wants to combine remote waterfalls with two major temples in one day.

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

The 6:30 am pickup and the long road north

The day begins at 6:30 am. That early start is practical, not decorative. Sekumpul is far from Bali’s main resort areas, and the tour must cover the drive north, the trek, two temples, and the return journey.

The advertised duration is about 10 hours. In practice, allow more flexibility. One account described a 12-hour day, and another referred to roughly 11 hours from Jimbaran. A separate complaint focused on a drive of more than two and a half hours without a comfort stop.

That last point is worth taking seriously. Use the bathroom before departure and carry water, even though bottled water is included. Ask your guide about the next planned break if you are uncomfortable with long stretches in the vehicle.

The small-group limit of nine is a useful middle ground. You avoid the impersonal feel of a large coach, but you may pay less than you would for a fully private car. If you care about setting your own pace, stopping often, or choosing the trekking route without compromise, the private upgrade is the better fit.

The driving itself can be part of the day’s charm, especially when the driver is attentive. Poetra received particularly warm praise for being friendly, funny, and willing to stop for photographs. That kind of flexibility matters on a road trip through Bali, where a quick roadside view can be more memorable than another scheduled stop.

Sekumpul Waterfall: the day’s main challenge

The first stop is Sekumpul Waterfall, with about an hour listed for the visit. That time should be understood as the scheduled stop, not necessarily the total effort involved. The approach includes the trek, time near the falls, and the climb back toward the vehicle.

You search for seven falls in a forested northern setting rather than simply walking to a roadside viewpoint. The surroundings are the reason to choose Sekumpul over an easier waterfall stop. The setting feels more remote, and the effort gives the visit a sense of purpose.

Ask which trek your booking covers. The medium route is priced at IDR 150,000 per person, and the long route at IDR 250,000. The description does not spell out every difference between the routes, so your local guide is the right person to explain what each involves before you commit.

I would wear sturdy footwear and clothing that allows free movement. The supplied information does not promise changing facilities or a place to store belongings, so keep your day bag simple and secure. Your driver or guide can help clarify local arrangements when you arrive.

You will have photo chances, but do not let the camera set the pace. The falls are the point of the walk, and the climb back can be the hardest part. If you are not used to long uphill walks, choose the medium trek and build in time for rests.

This is also where the quality of the day depends most on the people around you. A good driver gets you there comfortably, then checks that you are settled with the local guide. Several highly positive accounts praised friendly, careful service, including one French-speaking driver-guide who was described as exceptionally kind and detailed.

Ulun Danu Beratan beside the mountain lake

After the waterfall, the tour moves to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, with about an hour at the site. This is Bali’s classic lakeside temple image: shrines placed beside the water, backed by highland scenery and often photographed from across the lake.

The visit offers a sharp change of mood after the trek. Instead of wet paths and physical effort, you get open views, ornamental temple buildings, and a more polished sightseeing setting. It is a strong stop for photographs, especially if you want one of Bali’s most recognizable views.

The schedule gives you about an hour, so do not expect a slow, detailed temple visit. Use the time to see the main grounds, frame your photos, and enjoy the lake setting. The tour does not state that a specialist temple lecture is included, but an English-speaking guide accompanies the day.

Ulun Danu is also a useful reason to book this route even if waterfalls are not your only goal. You get a famous cultural site without having to arrange a separate trip through the highlands. The combination makes the long drive feel more worthwhile.

Taman Ayun and the final temple stop

The last stop is Taman Ayun Temple, also listed at about one hour. This water temple is known for its formal grounds and royal connection, and the supplied information identifies it as a famous UNESCO Heritage Site.

Taman Ayun gives the day a quieter finish than Sekumpul. You are not tackling another major walk, and the site adds a different type of Balinese architecture to the program. I like this order: strenuous nature first, then two temple visits that let you slow down.

Keep your expectations sensible. The stop is only about an hour, and the overall route covers a lot of ground. You will see the key setting rather than spend half a day studying every structure.

The two temples also make this more than a waterfall transfer. Ulun Danu is about water, mountain scenery, and postcard views. Taman Ayun brings a royal temple complex into the same day. If you want a broad introduction to Bali’s natural and cultural sights, that range is the tour’s strongest feature.

What the guide and vehicle add to the day

The official setup includes an English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and hotel transfers. Those basics matter on a route with long drives and a strenuous stop.

The best accounts place unusual emphasis on the driver. Poetra was praised for his humor, kindness, comfort checks, and willingness to stop for photos. Another highly positive account described the driver and guide as accommodating and careful during the waterfall trek.

That service can shape your whole day. A driver who communicates clearly about timing, stops, and the local trekking guide helps prevent confusion over extra fees. At the waterfall, confirm what you are paying for and whether you are taking the medium or long route.

The group size is capped at nine, which should make communication easier than it would be on a large coach. It does not guarantee a private pace, though. If you want total control, select the private tour option with tickets and a guide.

There is a small warning here. One very poor experience described a long stretch without a comfort break and confusion about charges for items expected to be included. That account does not cancel out the many positive comments about the staff, but it shows why you should confirm inclusions and ask for breaks during the drive.

Who should book this Bali day trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want three major North Bali sights but do not want to drive yourself. The road is long, and the route is easier when transport, pickup, and timing are arranged in advance.

It suits active sightseers who can handle a demanding walk and still enjoy two temple visits afterward. It also works for photographers, since the waterfall, lake temple, and roadside scenery all offer different subjects.

You may prefer another tour if you want a slow day, a long lunch, or a gentle nature outing. Lunch is not included, the trek is extra, and the day may last longer than the advertised 10 hours.

Families and older people should judge the waterfall trek carefully. Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information, but that does not mean the route will feel easy for everyone. The local guide can help, but you still need to be comfortable with the physical demands.

Book the private option if you dislike waiting, want frequent photo stops, or are traveling with a group that prefers its own schedule. Choose the small-group option if keeping the price down matters more than complete flexibility.

Practical details that can save you trouble

The experience operates every day, and confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

Keep your booking details handy and check the pickup area carefully. The free pickup zone includes the main southern resorts and Ubud, but not every Bali destination. Lovina, Amed, Tulamben, and Candidasa carry extra charges.

The tour includes insurance and bottled water, but bring money for the trekking fee, lunch, and personal purchases. Since the entrance ticket depends on the option selected, check that detail before you finalize the booking.

Most important, plan for a full day rather than a strict 10-hour appointment. Traffic, the waterfall route, comfort stops, and photo breaks can all affect your return time.

Should you book the Sekumpul and temple tour?

Book it if Sekumpul is high on your Bali wish list and you want to pair it with Ulun Danu Beratan and Taman Ayun without facing the drive yourself. The combination is excellent, and the reported service from drivers such as Poetra adds real value.

Skip it if you need a short, easy outing or dislike extra charges appearing after the headline price. Before booking, choose the ticket option, decide on the medium or long trek, and accept that the day can run to 11 or 12 hours. With those points clear, this is a strong North Bali day trip for active visitors who want nature, temples, and simple door-to-door transport.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 6:30 am.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is listed at approximately 10 hours, but the day can run longer. Some supplied experiences lasted about 11 or 12 hours.

Where is free pickup available?

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

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees depend on the option selected. Some upgrades include tickets and a guide, while the base option may not.

Is the Sekumpul trekking fee included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.