Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfall Guided Trek

Sekumpul is the star here: a jungle waterfall reached on foot through the rice fields of Sekumpul village. You get more than a quick roadside photo, with time to walk, swim, and see nearby Grobogan and Fiji falls before heading to Banyumala.

I like the rice-field approach, which gives the outing a real village setting instead of making it just a series of vehicle stops. I also like the two very different waterfall visits: Sekumpul is tall and dramatic, while Banyumala is lower and wider, with a pool suited to a refreshing swim.

The catch is the climb back out. The trek is moderate to challenging, and the entrance fees are paid separately on site. If steep paths, wet footing, or a long day in the car sound unpleasant, this may not be your best Bali outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Sekumpul takes about two hours: Allow time for the walk, photos, waterfall views, and a swim in the natural pools.
• The rice-field route adds local character: The roughly 30-minute walk passes through the fields around Sekumpul village.
• Banyumala is wider and calmer in feel: You get free time to swim and enjoy the pool after the Sekumpul visit.
• The day includes long transfers: Expect about two hours to reach Sekumpul, one hour between the waterfalls, and another 30 minutes before the Twin Lake View stop.
• The guide matters on this trek: Ardy was specifically praised for being attentive, professional, and able to answer questions during one outing.
• Bring clothes for getting wet: Comfortable trekking shoes, swimwear, a change of clothes, water, snacks, and a camera are all useful.

Why these two waterfalls make a strong day trip

Bali has no shortage of waterfalls, but Sekumpul and Banyumala offer different rewards in one outing. Sekumpul gives you the grand approach and the tall falls. Banyumala gives you a broader cascade and time in a natural pool.

That contrast makes the $44 price easier to understand. You are not paying only for a short stop and a photograph. The experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport between several northern Bali sights, a local guide, the trekking portion, and time at two major waterfall areas.

Still, keep the price in perspective. Entrance fees are not included, and lunch is also your responsibility. The tour can be good value if you want transport and a guide arranged for you, but it is not an all-inclusive day.

The ride north and the meeting point

The day begins with pickup from a range of locations, including Ubud, Denpasar, Badung Regency, Gianyar, Singaraja, Lovina Beach, Gobleg, Wanagiri, and nearby areas. You should be waiting in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the agreed pickup time.

The first transfer takes about two hours. That is a serious stretch of road, especially if you are starting from southern Bali. Your reward is access to waterfall country in the north, but you should not mistake this for a quick half-day outing.

The broad pickup area is useful if you are moving between parts of Bali, and the private-group option gives you more control over the day. The exact pace can still depend on road conditions and your starting point. Ask for the pickup time and meeting details when you book, especially if your hotel is outside the main areas listed.

You will meet an English-speaking local guide at the starting point for the trek. One guide named Ardy was singled out for his professionalism, attentiveness, and ability to answer questions. Another booking praised the driver for being kind and well organized. Those details matter on a day with long transfers and a demanding walk.

Walking through Sekumpul village rice fields

The walk to Sekumpul Waterfall takes around 30 minutes. It passes through panoramic rice fields, giving you a chance to see the village setting before reaching the forest and falls.

This is one of the most appealing parts of the experience. A vehicle can deliver you to a viewpoint, but walking through the fields gives the visit a slower rhythm. You get time to look around, take photographs, and adjust to the terrain before the main waterfall stop.

Do not treat the 30-minute walk as a flat stroll. The tour information describes the trek as moderate to challenging, and the return route includes tiring climbs. Comfortable trekking shoes are important. Flip-flops may be fine for a poolside change of footwear, but they are a poor choice for the full route.

The trail can also leave you wet. Bring swimwear and a complete change of clothes, not just a spare shirt. A water bottle is essential, and snacks are sensible because lunch is not included.

Two hours at Sekumpul Waterfall

You spend about two hours at Sekumpul, with time for a guided visit, photographs, sightseeing, and a break. Sekumpul is known for its tall twin falls, and the scale of the water dropping through the jungle is the main visual reward of the day.

You can take photos near the falls, including photographs beneath the falling water according to the experience details. Your guide can help you find suitable viewpoints and photograph you, which is useful if you are traveling alone or want more than a collection of quick phone snaps.

The natural pools provide the chance for a refreshing swim. The water may feel welcome after the walk, but you should remember that this is not a gentle resort pool. Wet rocks, current, and uneven footing are part of the setting. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and people with back problems or mobility impairments should not book it.

Sekumpul also includes nearby Grobogan and Fiji Waterfalls. These add variety to the stop and make the two-hour visit feel fuller than a single viewpoint. You should expect a mix of walking, pauses, photographs, and time by the water rather than a tightly timed sequence at each fall.

The climb back is the part to plan for. One account described the uphill sections as tiring but worth the effort. That is a useful way to judge the day: the scenery is the reason to come, but you need enough stamina to enjoy the route rather than merely endure it.

The transfer to Banyumala

After Sekumpul, the vehicle ride to Banyumala takes about one hour. This break between walks is helpful, since the first trek can leave your legs tired and your clothes damp.

It also makes the day feel long. You will spend several hours in transfers, especially if you start from Ubud or southern Bali. I would choose this trip for a full day focused on northern Bali waterfalls, not for a packed schedule with several unrelated attractions.

The transfer is part of the value if you do not want to arrange separate transport to remote waterfall areas. It also removes the need to navigate the route yourself. On the other hand, anyone who dislikes long car journeys may prefer a hotel closer to northern Bali or a shorter local outing.

Swimming at Banyumala Waterfalls

Banyumala is described as another twin waterfall, but its character differs from Sekumpul. It is lower and wider, with water spread across a broader section of rock. The setting gives you a second chance to enjoy the water after the first waterfall visit.

You get about two hours here for a guided visit, sightseeing, photographs, free time, and swimming. That generous block lets you choose your pace. You can focus on pictures, sit near the pool, or get into the water if conditions suit you.

Bring swimwear under your trekking clothes if possible. A dry change of clothes will make the ride afterward much more comfortable. Keep your camera protected from spray and carry water even though you will be surrounded by it.

Banyumala is not a substitute for Sekumpul. If you want one enormous, dramatic waterfall, Sekumpul is likely to be the highlight. If you value time in the water and a second setting with a wider fall, Banyumala makes the extra transfer worthwhile.

Again, do not assume the final approach will be effortless. The activity warns you to expect a moderate to challenging trek, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or back problems. The guide can lead the route, but a guide cannot remove the physical demands of the path.

A short stop at Twin Lake View

The final sightseeing stop is Twin Lake View, reached after a transfer of about 30 minutes from Banyumala. You get approximately 30 minutes for photographs, free time, and views.

This is a small but useful closing stop. After two waterfall visits, the viewpoint gives you a chance to see a different side of Bali without committing to another long walk. It also breaks up the journey back to your drop-off location.

Do not book the tour mainly for this stop. The waterfalls and village walk are the heart of the day. Twin Lake View works best as a final scenic pause and a chance to stretch, take a few pictures, and settle in for the return ride.

What the $44 price really covers

At $44 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want a guided day with transport. Hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, the trekking experience, and visits to both waterfall areas are included.

The strongest value is convenience. Sekumpul and Banyumala are not casual walk-up attractions from the main resort zones, and the day involves several transfers. Having a driver and local guide saves you from arranging transport between separate trailheads and viewpoints.

But budget for the extras. Waterfall entrance fees are not included and must be paid on site. Lunch, snacks, and personal expenses are also excluded. The price therefore works best when you treat it as the base cost, then add the admission charges and food.

A private group is available, which may be worthwhile if you care about setting your own pace, taking many photos, or spending longer in the water. The supplied information does not state that every departure is private, so confirm the group arrangement before booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. These policies are useful if your Bali schedule is still shifting, but they do not change the physical demands of the trek.

Who should book this waterfall trek

I would recommend this for you if you want:

• Two major waterfall areas in one northern Bali day
• A guided route rather than independent trail planning
• Time to swim and take photographs
• A village and rice-field approach, not just roadside viewpoints
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from one of the listed areas
• A full eight-hour outing with a mix of walking, transfers, and scenery

It suits active visitors who are comfortable with wet paths and uphill sections. Swimmers who enjoy natural pools will get more from the day than people who only want to look at the falls.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, limited mobility, or low tolerance for steep climbs. Non-swimmers should not book it. You also need to be comfortable spending roughly three and a half hours in transfers, depending on your pickup and drop-off point.

The best practical approach is to wear proper shoes from the hotel, carry water and snacks, and keep a dry outfit ready. Do not count on lunch being provided, and do not forget that entrance fees are separate.

Should you book the Sekumpul and Banyumala trek?

Book it if you want Bali waterfall scenery with the hard work and transport organized for you. The rice-field walk, the tall Sekumpul falls, the wider Banyumala pool, and the stop at Twin Lake View give the day a satisfying range.

Skip it if you want a relaxed sightseeing trip with little walking. The climbs are real, the road time is long, and the extra entrance fees and food costs mean $44 is not the final spend.

For fit visitors who pack properly and accept a demanding day, this is a practical way to see two of northern Bali’s best-known waterfalls. The guide can help with the route and photographs, and the experience gives you more than a quick stop at a viewpoint.

FAQ

How long does the waterfall tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including transfers, the waterfall visits, the Twin Lake View stop, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Which waterfalls are included?

The tour includes Sekumpul Waterfall, Grobogan Waterfall, Fiji Waterfall, and Banyumala Waterfalls. It also stops at Twin Lake View.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed locations such as Ubud, Denpasar, Gianyar, Singaraja, Lovina Beach, Gobleg, Wanagiri, and Badung Regency. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is available at the natural pools at Sekumpul and Banyumala. You should bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entrance fees to the waterfalls must be paid on site and are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Bring snacks and water, or plan for your own food during the day.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable trekking shoes and bring swimwear, a change of clothes, water, snacks, and a camera. You should expect to get wet.

Is the trek suitable for everyone?

No. The trek is moderate to challenging and is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or non-swimmers.