North Bali Trip with 2 Hidden Waterfalls Private Tour

Northern Bali gives you a very different day from the beach towns and busy southern roads. This private trip takes you to Banyumala Waterfall, with its cold mountain pool, then to Banyumana Amertha, where a short trail passes banana plantations before reaching two falls close together. I like the swimming, and I like that the drive includes farms, local life, the twin lakes, and Wanagiri Hill rather than only a quick waterfall stop.

The main catch is the physical effort. The paths and stairs can feel strenuous in heat and humidity, and the water is cold. Bring proper shoes, a towel, cash, and enough energy for a full nine-hour day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different waterfalls: Banyumala has a broad natural pool, while Banyumana Amertha is known for a curtain-like fall and nearby cascades.
• A real jungle outing: The Banyumana Amertha walk takes about 20 minutes and passes banana plantations and stairs.
• Private transport matters: You travel with your own car and English-speaking driver or guide, rather than moving with a large group.
• Use the local motorbike transfer: A rider takes you up and down the access road at Banyumana Amertha, saving your legs before and after the walk.
• The day includes more than waterfalls: Wanagiri Hill, the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, and a coffee luwak plantation add variety.
• Check the booking option carefully: Entry tickets are included with the all-inclusive choice, but lunch and personal spending are not.

Why northern Bali makes a good day trip

The appeal here is simple: you get water, forest, farms, mountain views, and local conversation in one long day. Southern Bali is convenient for restaurants, beaches, and nightlife, but northern Bali feels quieter and more rural. You see plantations and farms along the way, and your driver can explain parts of everyday life in Bali.

The private format is useful because the day involves wet clothes, changing energy levels, and a fair amount of walking. You can spend more time at a waterfall if you want to swim, or keep moving if the weather turns. A shared group would give you less control.

The tour lasts about nine hours and includes hotel pickup and return from listed areas such as Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, and Legian. Pickup outside the stated service area may cost extra. You should be ready in the hotel lobby about five minutes before the agreed pickup time.

Banyumala Waterfall and its cold mountain pool

Banyumala is often called a twin waterfall, though the setting is better understood as a natural pool fed by several falling streams. That distinction matters because the appeal is not just one tall cascade. You get a pool surrounded by jungle scenery, with water coming down from the mountain.

Swimming is one of the best reasons to come here. The pool looks inviting, but the water is cold. If you are happy with a brisk swim, this can be the most refreshing part of the day. If you dislike cold water, you can still enjoy the view and take photographs from the edge.

You should wear shoes with a good grip. The trip information specifically asks you to bring comfortable shoes, and that advice is worth taking seriously. Wet ground, stairs, and jungle paths are not a good match for smooth sandals.

The waterfall stop also sets the pace for the rest of the day. This is not a drive-up sightseeing tour where you step out, take one picture, and get back in the car. You need to be comfortable walking on uneven paths and managing heat and humidity.

Banyumana Amertha through banana plantations

The approach to Banyumana Amertha is part of the experience. The entrance is on a small road about three kilometers north of Lake Buyan, and the walk to the falls takes roughly 20 minutes. You pass banana plantations and go down a series of stairs before reaching two waterfalls close to one another.

The setting feels more personal than a major sightseeing stop. You move through working agricultural land before reaching the water, so the walk gives you a look at how the countryside is used rather than presenting only a polished attraction.

One waterfall resembles a curtain of water. It makes a fine background for photographs, but this is also a place where you can swim if conditions suit you. Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to enter the water. The tour includes a bottle of water, but you should carry cash for anything else you may want during the day.

A practical tip can save your legs. A local motorbike rider provides transport up and down the access road at Banyumana Amertha, and this is included with both booking options. You still need to walk down to the falls, but using the motorbike for the road section can reduce the strain, especially after the first waterfall. Christina specifically found the hikes harder than expected and recommended using the motorbike transfer.

That warning is useful. The scenery may look easy in photographs, but heat, humidity, stairs, and wet paths add up. If you are not in good shape for walking, use the available ride and tell your guide how you are feeling.

Wanagiri Hill and the twin lakes

After the waterfalls, the day shifts from swimming to views. Wanagiri Hill looks toward the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, with jungle scenery around them. It is a popular picture stop, so expect the focus here to be viewpoints and photographs rather than a long nature walk.

The twin lakes give you a strong sense of northern Bali’s mountain setting. They also make a useful contrast with the waterfalls. Instead of looking into a narrow pool surrounded by trees, you get a wider view over forest and water.

Wanagiri Hill is especially helpful if you want photos that show more of Bali than beaches and temples. The stop does not replace the waterfalls, but it gives the day a visual change and a chance to rest after the stairs.

The exact time at each stop can vary because this is a private tour. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to choose it over a large group. You can take your photographs without feeling rushed, though the nine-hour schedule still limits how long you can linger.

Coffee luwak plantation and rural life

The coffee luwak plantation adds another local product to the day. The visit gives you a chance to learn about coffee production and try a different kind of plantation stop after seeing banana farms near Banyumana Amertha.

I like this part because it connects the scenery with work. You are not only looking at jungle and waterfalls, you are also seeing how plants and agricultural products fit into local life. The experience can be especially useful if you want a break from pure sightseeing.

The supplied details do not promise a particular tasting menu or a set plantation program, so you should treat this as a visit rather than assume exactly what will be offered. Your English-speaking driver or guide can help explain what you are seeing.

One driver named Made received especially strong praise for his kindness, help on the walks, and explanations of daily life in Bali. He also stayed positive during heavy rain and joined the hikes, which is the sort of practical support that matters more than a memorized speech when weather and trails become difficult.

Lunch, transport, and what the price covers

At $41 per person, the trip can offer good value if you want private transport, a full day out, and several northern Bali stops in one booking. The price is not just for two waterfall entrances. You are also paying for a private car, driver or guide, pickup and return, and the ability to move at your own pace.

Check which price option you select. Entry tickets are included with the all-inclusive choice, while the car-and-driver-only option may leave those costs to you. Lunch is not included in either description, so plan to pay separately if you stop at a local restaurant.

The tour gives you a chance to eat local food, but it does not name a specific restaurant or fixed menu. That is useful if you want flexibility, though you should carry cash and keep your lunch expectations open.

Pickup is available in the main listed areas, including Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, and Legian. If your hotel is elsewhere, an added fee may apply. Since this is a long day, confirm the pickup point and the selected package before you book.

Weather, fitness, and practical preparation

Rain can change the character of the day. Waterfalls may look especially dramatic in wet weather, but paths can become more slippery and the walk can feel harder. Made was praised for keeping the experience pleasant during pouring rain, but good weather support from a guide cannot remove the need for care on stairs.

You should bring:

• Comfortable shoes with a firm grip
• A towel and spare clothes if you plan to swim
• Cash for lunch, personal expenses, or optional purchases
• A bottle of water, with one bottle provided
• A light layer or rain protection if the forecast looks uncertain

The tour is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers and people with altitude sickness. You do not have to swim at every stop, but you should be comfortable around natural pools and the physical demands of the paths. If stairs and humid walking are a concern, tell the driver early and use the motorbike transfer at Banyumana Amertha.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is basic tour etiquette, but it is included in the activity rules and worth noting for a full-day private outing.

Who will enjoy this private waterfall tour

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with fit older children, friends, and solo visitors who want northern Bali without arranging several separate rides. The private car is particularly useful for people who value a flexible schedule and prefer a driver who can explain local life along the route.

It suits you best if swimming, walking, and rural scenery sound better than a relaxed beach day. It is also a good choice if you want several types of scenery in one outing: jungle pools, plantations, lakes, viewpoints, and coffee.

I would be cautious if you want a gentle sightseeing day with little walking. The waterfalls require effort, and the heat can make the stairs feel longer than expected. Non-swimmers and anyone with altitude sickness should choose another outing.

The experience has received a top rating from 10 verified bookings, with particular praise for the waterfalls, the drivers, and the friendly local explanations. That does not change the physical demands, but it suggests that the human side of the trip is one of its strengths.

Should you book this North Bali tour?

Book it if you want two waterfalls, a swim, mountain scenery, and a private guide in a single day. The best practical choice is to select the option that includes entry tickets, use the motorbike transfer at Banyumana Amertha, and bring shoes made for wet paths.

Skip it if you want a short, easy outing or dislike cold water and steep walking. For everyone else, $41 per person is a fair starting price for a private nine-hour day, provided you budget separately for lunch and confirm what your chosen package includes.

FAQ

How long does the North Bali waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including pickup, sightseeing, waterfall visits, and return to your hotel.

Which waterfalls are included?

The tour visits Banyumala Waterfall and Banyumana Amertha Waterfall in northern Bali.

Can I swim at the waterfalls?

Swimming is possible at the natural pool at Banyumala and at Banyumana Amertha, depending on your comfort and conditions. The water at Banyumala is cold because it comes from the mountains.

How difficult are the walks?

The Banyumana Amertha walk takes about 20 minutes from the entrance and includes stairs. The hikes can feel strenuous in heat and humidity, so comfortable shoes are important.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group and includes a private car with an English-speaking driver or guide.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though you can stop at a local restaurant and pay separately.

Are waterfall entry tickets included?

Entry tickets are included when you choose the all-inclusive option. Check the selected price option because the car-and-driver-only choice does not provide the same inclusions.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available in listed areas including Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, and Legian. Pickup outside those areas may require an additional fee.