Bali: Gitgit and Alingaling Waterfalls Small Group Tour

Aling-Aling is the main event here: a 35-meter waterfall and clear pools where you can swim, slide, or jump from platforms with a trekking guide. Then the day continues to Gitgit Falls and the tranquil grounds of Taman Ayun Temple, giving you a mix of Bali’s natural beauty and temple architecture.

I like that the tour pairs two very different waterfall stops, and that hotel pickup, transport, and a guide are included in the $55 price. The reported highlight is Aling-Aling, where the natural water features make the stop more active than a quick photo visit.

One point to check before you book: the tour details list entrance fees as included, but also recommend cash for fees, and an account of the trip describes an extra 500,000 IDR charge for a Gitgit guide. Confirm what you will pay on the day, especially for guiding at Gitgit.

The details that matter before you go

• Aling-Aling is the active stop: Plan for swimming, sliding, and jumping from platforms, with a trekking guide.
• Gitgit adds a second waterfall setting: The visit is scheduled for 2.5 hours, but a guide may be required there, so clarify whether that cost is covered.
• Taman Ayun changes the pace: The temple visit lasts about 30 minutes and offers a quieter final stop.
• Expect a long day: The round trip takes 10.5 hours, with pickup and drop-off across several south Bali areas and Ubud.
• Budget for lunch and incidentals: Food and extra drinks are not included, and carrying cash is recommended.
• Small-group size needs confirmation: The details give both a maximum of 10 participants and a maximum of 5 per group.

A full day trading the beach strip for waterfalls

If your Bali days have been mostly Kuta beaches, Ubud cafes, and traffic between them, this trip shifts the focus to the island’s northern waterfalls. The day is built around two substantial nature stops, followed by a short visit to Taman Ayun Temple. It is a useful choice if you want to see more than one side of Bali without arranging transport, entry, and a local guide yourself.

The trade-off is time. At 10.5 hours, this is not a quick outing, and the drive north takes up part of the day. Pickup is offered from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. If you are staying in Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben, pickup is available for an added 150,000 IDR per person; from Candidasa, the stated extra is 100,000 IDR per person.

You travel in an air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide. That matters on a day with multiple stops and a mix of walking, swimming, and sightseeing. The small-group format should also make it easier to coordinate than a large coach tour, though the stated group limit varies between five and ten people. Ask the operator to confirm the expected size when you book.

Aling-Aling: the day’s most active waterfall stop

Aling-Aling is the stop to build your expectations around. The waterfall drops about 35 meters, and the visit is not limited to standing at a lookout. You can swim in the clear water, slide down natural features, or jump from platforms, making this the most energetic part of the outing.

The stop is scheduled for 2.5 hours, which gives you more time than a brief photo break. A trekking guide is included, and the fee information lists 125,000 IDR for the Aling-Aling entrance and guide. The tour details also say entrance fees are included in the $55 price, so check how that fee is handled rather than assuming you will need to pay it separately.

The swimming and sliding are the clearest reasons to choose this tour over a sightseeing-only waterfall visit. One account singled out sliding between the falls, swimming, and jumping from platforms as a particularly memorable experience. That is a good clue about the kind of day this is: more physical and playful than passive, but only if you are comfortable in water and with the activities available on the day.

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, and a sun hat. Bottled water is included, but food and additional drinks are not. The tour does not list a detailed difficulty level or swimming requirements, so if you have concerns about the activities, ask before booking rather than assuming every option is suitable for everyone.

Lunch is a useful pause, not an included meal

After Aling-Aling, the group stops at a local restaurant for lunch. It is a practical break between the two waterfall visits, and a chance to dry off and recharge before the afternoon. The meal itself is not included in the tour price, so set aside money for food and any extra drinks.

The schedule does not name the restaurant or specify what is served. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator in advance what options may be available. Carrying some cash is sensible, both for lunch and for any fees that are not clearly covered by the tour price.

Gitgit: a second waterfall, with a fee question to settle

Gitgit offers a different setting after the active swimming stop at Aling-Aling. The tour allows 2.5 hours for the guided visit, and the falls are often described as among Bali’s most beautiful. That longer window suggests this is intended as a proper stop, not a quick pull-off on the way back.

Here, the cost details deserve special attention. The stated Gitgit entrance fee is 20,000 IDR, and the tour’s included list says entrance fees and a trekking guide are covered. But one account of the trip describes being told at the parking area that a guide was required and being asked to pay an additional 500,000 IDR. The account also notes a disagreement over whether that guide was included.

That is a sizeable difference from the listed entrance fee. Before you set off, ask directly whether the Gitgit guide is included in your booking price, whether it is mandatory, and what the maximum total on-site charge could be. This is the most important practical check for keeping the advertised $55 price in perspective.

Taman Ayun: a calm finish after the water

The final stop is Pura Taman Ayun, a temple known for lotus blossoms, intricate carvings, and a peaceful moat. The tour allows about 30 minutes here, so think of it as a concise visit rather than an extended temple tour. After two waterfall stops, the change of pace is welcome.

The temple gives the day a cultural counterpoint. You have spent much of it among water and jungle, then finish with a look at Bali’s distinctive temple architecture. The entrance fee is listed as 20,000 IDR, while entrance fees are also described as included in the package. As with the waterfall costs, confirm whether that amount is already covered.

Thirty minutes is enough for a look around, but not a deep exploration. If temple visits are your main interest, this short stop may feel limited. If you want a little cultural context alongside a nature-focused day, it rounds out the route well.

Is $55 good value for this route?

At $55 per person, the value depends on what you count as included and whether extra costs arise. The price covers a long day of air-conditioned transport, pickup and drop-off in a wide range of areas, an English-speaking guide, a trekking guide, insurance, bottled water, fuel, tolls, local taxes, and listed entrance fees. Arranging those elements independently can take time, especially when you are heading to northern Bali.

But lunch and additional drinks are extra, and the Gitgit guide charge needs a clear answer before you commit. The listed entrance fees are 125,000 IDR for Aling-Aling with its trekking guide, 20,000 IDR for Gitgit, and 20,000 IDR for Taman Ayun. Since the tour says entrance fees are included while also advising you to bring cash, ask the operator to confirm which costs, if any, you should expect to pay locally.

The reported 500,000 IDR Gitgit guide charge is the main value concern. It may not apply to every departure, but it is large enough that you should not leave it to chance. Get a clear response about the guide fee and any compulsory on-site costs, then compare the confirmed total with the convenience of having transport and several stops arranged for you.

Who should book this waterfall day?

I would consider this tour if you want to make a full day of Bali’s northern waterfalls, enjoy swimming and water-based activities, and prefer pickup and transport to planning the route yourself. It also suits you if you like mixing outdoor stops with a short temple visit rather than spending the whole day on one kind of sight.

It is a less obvious fit if you want a relaxed half-day, dislike long drives, or prefer to avoid physical activities. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you need for the day.

Before booking, confirm the group size, the Gitgit guide charge, and how included entrance fees are handled. Then pack swimwear, a change of clothes, sun protection, and some cash for lunch or other expenses. If those details suit your plans, the combination of Aling-Aling’s water activities, Gitgit’s scenery, and Taman Ayun’s quieter grounds makes for a varied day away from Bali’s busiest visitor areas.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the $55 price?

The listed inclusions are pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned minivan transport, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, a trekking guide, insurance, bottled water, local taxes and fees, fuel, and toll charges.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a local restaurant for lunch, but food and additional drinks are not included.

Which areas offer pickup?

Pickup is listed for Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Extra-cost pickup is available from Lovina, Amed, Tulamben, and Candidasa.

How much extra does pickup from Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben cost?

The stated additional cost is 150,000 IDR per person from Lovina, Amed, or Tulamben. From Candidasa, it is 100,000 IDR per person.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, and sunscreen. The tour also recommends carrying cash for food and entrance fees.

Are the waterfall entrance fees included?

The tour details say entrance fees are included, but also recommend bringing cash and list fees for the three stops. Confirm with the operator which fees are covered and whether any local payment is required.

Is a guide at Gitgit included?

The tour details list a trekking guide as included, but one account describes an additional 500,000 IDR charge for a required Gitgit guide. Confirm the guide arrangement and any extra cost before booking.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

The tour is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and wheelchair users.