REVIEW · BALI
North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour
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Sekumpul Waterfalls feel like a jungle secret. I love how the 80-meter cascades drop into rock pools you can actually wade in, and I also love the photo-stable beauty of Ulun Danu Bratan Temple by the water. The one drawback to plan for is the trek: it’s steep, uneven, and your legs will feel it later.
This is a long day, but the pacing helps. You’ll start with a comfy, air-conditioned ride into northern Bali, then break things up with a cooler lunch at Lake Beratan and two major temples.
It’s also good value at around $41 per person, especially with pickup and a professional English-speaking guide. Just double-check which option you booked, because entrance fees and trekking guide fees can mean extra cash on site.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Getting to North Bali: AC Rides and Real Time on the Road
- Sekumpul Waterfalls: 80m Power, Wading Pools, and the Stairs You’ll Earn
- What to Expect at the Falls
- Lake Beratan Break: Buffet Lunch with Cooler Air
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: The Postcard Lakeside View, Up Close
- Taman Ayun Water Temple (UNESCO): UNESCO-Level Detail Without the Big-Crowd Pressure
- Price and Logistics: The Real Value Math (and What Might Cost Extra)
- What to Bring So the Day Stays Comfortable
- Who This Works For (and Who Should Skip It)
- Should You Book This North Bali Day Trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the North Bali Sekumpul and temples tour?
- What is the group size?
- Where do pickups happen?
- Are there extra pickup charges outside the main areas?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are entrance fees included?
- Do I have to pay a trekking guide fee?
- Can I swim or wade at Sekumpul?
- What should I bring?
- Is the tour suitable for everyone?
Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Sekumpul’s steep descent and rock-pool wading lets you get close to the falls, not just watch from afar
- Small groups (up to 5 per group) keep the trek manageable and the temple time less rushed
- Lake Beratan lunch at altitude brings cooler air and a welcome break from the heat and humidity
- Ulun Danu Bratan and Taman Ayun give you both the lakeside postcard view and a UNESCO-grade temple experience
- Bring cash for on-site fees so there are no awkward moments mid-day
Getting to North Bali: AC Rides and Real Time on the Road
This day trip starts with pickup from a bunch of Bali bases like Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. The exact pickup time depends on where you’re staying, and the driver should message you the evening before to confirm. If you’re farther out (Candidasa, Lovina, Amed, Tulamben), there are supplemental pickup charges, so it’s worth factoring that in early.
Once you’re moving, you’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Bali because northern routes can take time, and the heat can wear you down before you even start walking. In the driving phase, many guides also use the time to explain religion, daily life, and what you’ll see later at the temples, which makes the whole day feel more connected.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Bali.
Sekumpul Waterfalls: 80m Power, Wading Pools, and the Stairs You’ll Earn
Sekumpul is the headline. The name means grouped together in Bahasa, which feels right once you see how several cascades flow down in a dramatic cluster. The falls can reach up to 80 meters, and the first shock is scale. Up close, it doesn’t look like a postcard—it looks like moving stone and spray.
The trek to reach Sekumpul is where your fitness level matters. Expect steep, uneven footing and stairs on the way down and back up. Some people describe it as more demanding than they expected, and in one case, someone referenced 450+ steps. If you tend to skip workouts, bring extra patience and plan for slow steps, not speed.
What makes Sekumpul worth it is the access. At the bottom, you can wade in rock pools and get a closer view than most waterfall spots allow. You’ll want the right footwear here. Sneakers can work on dry days, but if the path is slippery, you’ll be glad you brought water shoes or something with grip.
Around the trail, you also pick up small nature lessons as you walk. You’ll pass local plants and get pointers on things like cacao, lemongrass, and coffee. Even if you don’t care about botany, those quick stops make the jungle feel like a living place, not just a backdrop.
A practical note: the waterfall spray can get you wet even when it’s not raining. People often recommend packing a change of clothes and bringing a towel so you’re not stuck feeling damp for the rest of the day. Also, a waterproof camera (or a waterproof phone case) can save you time and stress.
What to Expect at the Falls
- Time on-site is guided, with time built in for views and photos.
- You’ll have chances to get closer to the water and enjoy the rock pools.
- You’ll come back up the same steep path, so pace yourself on the way down.
Lake Beratan Break: Buffet Lunch with Cooler Air
Before the temples, you’ll stop around the Twin Lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan. This volcanic lake area gives you a different feel from the jungle trek—more open, more view-heavy, and usually calmer.
Then comes lunch at Lake Beratan. The big win here is altitude: Lake Beratan sits at about 1,231 meters above sea level. That often means cooler air than the coast, so lunch feels less like a punishment and more like a reset. You get a buffet lunch at a local restaurant with time to sit, eat, and cool down.
Even if you’re not a coffee person, you’ll likely appreciate how northern Bali turns local flavors into part of the day. In practice, you may get a tea and coffee stop or small tasting-style moment, since many guides build in local food and drink explanations while you’re near Lake Beratan.
This stop also helps you recover from Sekumpul. If your legs are sore, this is where you’ll feel normal again—at least temporarily.
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: The Postcard Lakeside View, Up Close
After lunch, the day shifts to temples, and Ulun Danu Bratan is the one people recognize instantly. These lakeside twin pagodas sit right by the water, and the architecture looks like it belongs in postcards. In person, what you notice is the calm. It’s not loud. You get that feeling of quiet order, even with other visitors nearby.
Your guide will help you understand what you’re seeing. A good driver-guide team (names you might hear like Dewa or Ronny) tends to explain temple layout and daily religious routines so the place doesn’t feel like random scenery. It also helps with practical temple etiquette—where to stand for photos, how to behave near worship areas, and what to expect from the flow of the visit.
Timing can make a difference. One of the most common ways guides add value is by getting you to key viewpoints with better spacing, so you can enjoy the scenery without spending half your time behind other people’s phones.
If you want a great photo, stand where your guide points. The angle matters here because the temple lines and water reflections are why this place shows up everywhere.
Taman Ayun Water Temple (UNESCO): UNESCO-Level Detail Without the Big-Crowd Pressure
Taman Ayun is UNESCO heritage, and that means you’re not just looking at a single shrine. The space is designed with water features and layered temple grounds that create depth as you walk.
What I like about Taman Ayun for your time budget is that it’s satisfying even if you’re tired. You don’t need to be super energetic to enjoy it—you can slow down, look at details, and still feel like you got something real out of the visit.
Also, it’s a great contrast after Sekumpul and Ulun Danu. Sekumpul is action and spray. Ulun Danu is postcard calm. Taman Ayun sits in between, balancing water, gardens, and temple architecture. It feels like northern Bali’s culture and nature are in the same frame.
Price and Logistics: The Real Value Math (and What Might Cost Extra)
The tour price is listed at about $41 per person, and for a 10-hour day with pickup, air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking guide, and coverage like insurance, that can be strong value.
But here’s the part you should check before you go: entrance fees can depend on the option you choose. Some packages include entrance fees (especially private and small group options with entrance fee coverage), while the standard small group option may not. If entrances aren’t covered, you should plan cash around IDR 150,000 on site.
Then there’s the trekking guide fee for Sekumpul. You’ll pay it on site based on how long your trek is:
- Medium trek: IDR 150,000 per person
- Long trek: IDR 250,000 per person
That fee is normal for this kind of waterfall access, but it’s smart to budget it so the day doesn’t feel more expensive than you expected.
What to Bring So the Day Stays Comfortable
- Comfortable shoes (grip matters on stairs and uneven paths)
- Swimwear
- Change of clothes
- Towel
- Waterproof camera (or case for your phone)
- Jacket (cooler air at Lake Beratan helps, but mornings/evenings can feel chilly)
- Cash (for on-site fees)
Who This Works For (and Who Should Skip It)
This is a solid fit if you want a full northern Bali day with a real physical activity and two high-impact temple stops. It also suits people who like small-group pacing. With a small group size (up to 5 per group), guides can manage safety on the trek and keep your temple visit from feeling like a conveyor belt.
It’s not suitable for everyone. The tour is listed as not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, and wheelchair users. If you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, or mobility limitations, consider a gentler plan and avoid committing to steep stairs and uneven paths.
Also, be honest with yourself about the waterfall trek. If you hate stairs, you’ll feel it here. If you enjoy slow, scenic walking and don’t mind a workout, you’ll love it.
Should You Book This North Bali Day Trip?
Book it if you want a day that mixes big nature energy with two temple experiences that actually match the famous photos. Sekumpul is the main event, and the option to wade in rock pools is exactly what makes this tour feel more worthwhile than a quick drive-by.
Skip it or pick another style of tour if you know stairs will be a problem for you, or if you want a strictly low-effort day. This isn’t just a sit-and-look day.
If you do book, do the boring prep work: bring water shoes or good grip footwear, pack a change of clothes, and keep some cash ready for entrance and trekking guide fees. That’s how you protect the day from small surprises—and keep your focus on the falls and the temples.
FAQ
How long is the North Bali Sekumpul and temples tour?
It runs for about 10 hours.
What is the group size?
It’s a small-group format, limited to up to 10 participants overall, with a maximum of 5 travelers per group.
Where do pickups happen?
Pickup is included from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Krobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.
Are there extra pickup charges outside the main areas?
Yes. Candidasa adds IDR 100,000 per person, and Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben add IDR 150,000 per person.
What’s included in the price?
Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (in the listed areas), air-conditioned transport, a professional English-speaking guide, mineral water, insurance, and fuel/toll charges. Entrance fees are included only for some package options.
Are entrance fees included?
Entrance fees are included for private and small group options that have entrance-fee coverage. For the standard small group option, entrance fees are not included, and you should prepare cash around IDR 150,000.
Do I have to pay a trekking guide fee?
Yes. You’ll pay on site for the trekking guide: IDR 150,000 per person for a medium trek, or IDR 250,000 per person for a long trek.
Can I swim or wade at Sekumpul?
The experience includes time at the falls where you can wade in rock pools, so swimwear helps.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, a waterproof camera, a jacket, and cash.
Is the tour suitable for everyone?
It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users.
