Sekumpul & Banyumala Waterfalls – Private North Bali Tour

North Bali saves its best scenery for the long road north. This private day tour brings you to Sekumpul Waterfall, where several powerful cascades drop through forested cliffs, then to Banyumala, where twin falls feed a cool natural pool. It is a full day, but the reward is some of Bali’s finest mountain scenery.

I like the fact that you get two very different waterfalls in one outing. Sekumpul is dramatic and active, while Banyumala feels quieter and more suited to a swim. I also like the private car, flexible service, and local lunch, especially for visitors who want to see rural Bali without planning every turn.

The main drawback is the time on the road and the walking involved. Sekumpul and Banyumala both require walks, and rain can make paths slippery. If you want a slow beach day, this is not it. If you want a packed nature day with hotel pickup and few extra costs, it makes good sense.

Key points to know before booking

• Sekumpul takes about two hours: Expect village paths, forest walking, river-valley views, and several photo stops.
• Banyumala is the swimming stop: Twin cascades fall into a natural pool in Bali’s cooler highlands.
• The private car matters: Pickup and return are available across Badung, Denpasar, Gianyar, Tabanan, Bangli, Klungkung, and Buleleng.
• Lunch is local and flexible: The meal is served at a local restaurant or family setting, with vegetarian food arranged for one past guest.
• The Twin Lakes add a fine viewpoint: Buyan and Tamblingan provide broad mountain views between waterfall visits.
• The price covers the basics: At $77 per person, transport, lunch, water, and entrance fees are included.

Why this 10-hour North Bali day works

North Bali feels far removed from the crowded southern resorts. The roads climb toward cooler uplands, with villages, forest, and mountain views replacing beach clubs and traffic-heavy resort streets. This tour gives you a practical way to reach that area without hiring a car, working out entrance arrangements, or negotiating several separate rides.

You get a private, air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel lobby. That matters in Bali, where a day of sightseeing can become tiring simply because of heat and road time. You can leave your bags in the car, ask questions as you go, and adjust small parts of the day with your driver.

The activity lasts about 10 hours. Starting times depend on availability, and pickup is offered from large parts of Bali, including Badung Regency, Denpasar, Gianyar, Tabanan, Bangli, Klungkung, and Buleleng. Confirm your address when booking, especially if you are staying outside the main resort areas.

The service is private rather than shared. That gives you more control over photo stops, lunch timing, and the pace of the day. Previous departures were handled by drivers and guides including Febru, Adi, Yogi, and Angga, with particular praise for safe driving, good local advice, flexibility, and help with photos.

Reaching Sekumpul through village paths

Sekumpul is the big visual opening act. The route takes about two hours and includes a guided walk, sightseeing, photo stops, and views along the way. You should expect more than a roadside viewpoint. The experience leads you through village paths and tropical forest toward the falls.

The setting is what makes Sekumpul special. Water drops through steep green cliffs and river valleys, creating a large-scale scene that feels much wilder than the usual easy-access waterfall stop. The walk gives you changing views rather than one quick picture, so comfortable clothes and sensible footwear matter.

You do not need to treat this as a technical hike, but it is still an active outing. Paths may be wet, and the combination of stairs, uneven ground, and tropical weather can make the walk tiring. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a camera, as suggested for the tour, but keep your hands free when the path becomes awkward.

The entrance fee is included. A local guide meets you for the Sekumpul section, while your main English-speaking guide or driver helps keep the day organized. That arrangement is useful because the waterfall walk is the part of the tour where a little local direction makes the visit easier.

I would give Sekumpul your full attention rather than rushing through it. The two-hour allocation includes the walk and sightseeing, not two hours of standing at the base of the falls. Allow yourself time for the route, views, and photographs.

Banyumala gives you a place to swim

After Sekumpul, the tour continues to Banyumala Twin Waterfall, with roughly two hours for the visit. Banyumala has a different mood. Instead of focusing only on scale, the stop centers on twin cascades and a natural pool beneath them.

This is your best chance to get in the water. The highland setting keeps the air cooler than the coast, and the pool offers a refreshing break after the earlier walk. You can swim, take pictures, or simply sit near the falls if you prefer not to enter.

The itinerary describes this portion as a walk and hike with time for a self-guided visit. That means you should be ready to manage your own pace once you reach the waterfall. Follow local guidance around the water and paths, and take care on wet surfaces.

Banyumala is also where weather can affect your plans. One past departure shifted time toward a tea and coffee tasting when rain arrived. That is a useful sign of private-tour flexibility, but you should not assume the tasting is guaranteed as a regular stop. The listed plan focuses on Banyumala, lunch, and the Twin Lakes.

If swimming is important to you, pack suitable clothes and a small change of clothing. The official packing advice lists comfortable clothes, but it does not promise changing facilities or towels. Bring only what you need and keep valuables secure in the vehicle.

A Balinese lunch with room for dietary needs

The lunch stop lasts about an hour at De Koffie-Wanagiri, and the day includes an authentic Balinese meal at a local restaurant. One past meal took place at a Balinese family home, and vegetarian food was prepared on request. That kind of setting can make lunch feel more connected to the area than a standard tourist buffet.

Lunch is included, which improves the value of a long day in the mountains. You do not need to spend time searching for a restaurant between waterfalls, and the driver can keep the schedule moving. Mineral water is included as well, although I would still carry extra water if you tend to drink heavily in warm weather.

Food arrangements are worth confirming when you book. The available information supports vegetarian requests, but it does not list a full range of dietary options. Tell the provider about your needs ahead of time rather than waiting until the lunch stop.

The De Koffie-Wanagiri stop also includes free time and shopping. The tea and coffee activity may be offered as part of the break, particularly if weather changes the plan, but it should not be treated as the central promise of the tour. The waterfalls and lake viewpoint are the main attractions.

Buyan and Tamblingan from the highland viewpoint

The Twin Lake stop takes about an hour and a half. From the viewpoint, you look across Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan, two lakes set in Bali’s northern highlands. The broad view gives the day a welcome pause after the waterfall walks.

This stop is mainly about scenery and photographs. You will have time for a guided visit, a short walk, and views across the lakes. It is not presented as a boat trip or a long lakeside exploration, so keep your expectations focused on the viewpoint.

The contrast works well: Sekumpul gives you rushing water and steep forest, Banyumala gives you a pool and twin falls, and the Twin Lakes open the view across the mountains. You get three distinct types of scenery without adding another major hike.

A short canoe ride was included in one previous day, but it is not part of the stated standard itinerary. Treat it as a possible adjustment rather than something included in the $77 price. The included lake feature is the viewpoint and its entrance fee.

Is $77 per person good value?

At $77 per person, the tour is not simply charging for a waterfall ticket. The price includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking live guide, lunch, mineral water, and entrance fees for Sekumpul, Banyumala, and the Twin Lake viewpoint.

That package is useful if you are traveling as a couple, family, or small private group. A shared excursion may have a lower advertised price, but it usually gives you less control over stops and timing. Here, the driver can answer questions, help with practical needs, and adjust parts of the day when conditions change.

The value is strongest for visitors based in the covered pickup areas who want a complete day without arranging separate transport. It is also helpful if you want to visit North Bali but do not want to drive unfamiliar mountain roads.

The price does not cover souvenirs, snacks, or activities outside the listed schedule. Bring some spending money for shopping or extra refreshments. The tour is all-inclusive in the practical sense, but not every possible add-on is included.

What the private format feels like

A private tour changes the rhythm of the day. You are not waiting for a large bus full of people at every stop, and you can ask for help when you need it. Previous drivers were praised for safe driving, local culture explanations, photographs, food awareness, and flexibility.

That personal service can matter more than a formal lecture. Adi was noted for taking good photos, while Yogi and Angga were described as friendly, attentive, and helpful with changes and practical needs. Febru was praised for getting a group safely between stops. The provider assigns the actual guide and driver, so these names should be viewed as examples of the service rather than a guarantee of who you will receive.

You should be ready in the main hotel lobby at the scheduled pickup time. A late start can squeeze the waterfall visits, since the tour has several substantial stops and a long return journey. Hotel pickup is offered across seven areas, but exact availability depends on your location.

The English-speaking service is suitable for visitors who want cultural context as well as directions. It is not described as a specialist ecology tour, so book it for scenery, local contact, swimming, and practical guiding rather than a formal nature lecture.

What to bring for the waterfall walks

Pack light, but prepare for both sun and water. A hat, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable clothing are specifically recommended. I would also wear shoes with a good grip because the routes at both waterfalls can be wet or uneven.

A swimsuit and change of clothes make sense if you plan to swim at Banyumala. Towels are not listed as included, so do not count on one being provided. Mineral water is supplied, but an extra bottle and a small snack can still be useful during a long active day.

Keep your camera or phone protected from spray and rain. North Bali weather can change, and one previous tour adjusted its schedule because of rain. The private format helps with changes, but it cannot control the weather or make slippery paths dry.

Who should book this North Bali tour?

I would recommend this experience to nature-focused visitors who want two major waterfalls and the Twin Lakes in one day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a private car and do not want to build a North Bali route on their own.

It is also a good choice for anyone staying in southern Bali who wants a single organized day. The included pickup, lunch, entrance fees, and return transport remove much of the planning work.

You may want a different outing if you dislike walking, do not want to swim, or prefer a slow schedule with only one main sight. Ten hours is a long day, and the waterfall visits are active. The tour is also less suitable if you are looking mainly for nightlife, shopping, or beach time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full North Bali day with real outdoor stops, not just drive-by viewpoints. Sekumpul supplies the drama, Banyumala gives you the swim, and the Twin Lakes add a wide mountain view. The included meal and private transport make the $77 price reasonable for visitors who want the day handled from start to finish.

Skip it if you want minimal walking or dislike long road journeys. For everyone else, especially couples and small groups, this is a strong way to see the north with flexible drivers, local food, and the comfort of a private vehicle.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including hotel pickup, the waterfall visits, lunch, the Twin Lake viewpoint, and return transportation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided directly from your hotel lobby in the covered areas of Bali.

Which areas have pickup available?

Pickup is available in Badung Regency, Bangli Regency, Denpasar City, Buleleng, Tabanan Regency, Gianyar Regency, and Klungkung Regency.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is arranged for a private group in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. The activity includes a live English-speaking guide.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for Sekumpul Waterfall, Banyumala Waterfall, and the Twin Lake viewpoint are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An authentic Balinese lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Is vegetarian food available?

Vegetarian food has been arranged for a guest on a previous departure. Tell the provider about your dietary needs when booking.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is included at Banyumala Twin Waterfall, in the natural pool beneath the twin cascades.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying at the time of reservation.