Bali Secret Waterfalls with Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Tour

Bali’s north and west offer a striking change of pace from the island’s beach towns: forest paths, a waterfall, a lakeside temple, and wide rice terraces all fit into one long day. This private tour links four very different stops, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking driver-guide to make the route easier to manage.

I like that the day pairs Sangeh’s quieter macaque forest with Leke Leke Waterfall, then gives you time at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Jatiluwih’s rice terraces. I also like the private format: guides such as Dika, Natha, and Dian have been praised for sharing cultural details and adjusting the day to suit their groups.

The main consideration is the distance covered. You’ll be out for about 10 hours, and the stops are each scheduled for roughly an hour, so this is a sampler of the region rather than a slow visit to any one place. Lunch is not included, and admission fees depend on the option you choose.

Four Bali stops worth knowing before you book

• Sangeh Monkey Forest: See a forest home to around 200 macaques, in a spot described as more natural and less visited than Bali’s better-known monkey sites.
• Leke Leke Waterfall: Spend about an hour at a secluded waterfall, with time for photos and swimming.
• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple: Walk through an important Hindu Shaivite water temple that appears to float on Lake Beratan.
• Jatiluwih’s rice terraces: Take in a UNESCO World Heritage site, with time to walk among its broad stepped fields.
• Private transport and guide: Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, with hotel pickup and drop-off in several Bali areas.
• A full-day route: Expect around 10 hours, with about an hour at each major stop and the remainder spent traveling between them.

A full day from forest shade to mountain views

This tour is designed to show you a different side of Bali from the coastal resort areas. Its four main stops move from a macaque forest to a waterfall, then to a temple on a lake and the broad rice fields of Jatiluwih.

That variety is the day’s strongest feature. You don’t have to choose between culture and nature, or arrange separate transport for sites spread across North and West Bali. The trade-off is time: this is a scenic overview, not a leisurely stay at each stop.

The tour lasts about 10 hours, and pickup is offered from areas including Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar. The vehicle is private and air-conditioned, and the English-speaking guide also drives. That arrangement gives you more personal attention than a large group tour, though the day’s pace still depends on the long route.

Sangeh Monkey Forest: macaques among the trees

The first listed stop is Sangeh Monkey Forest, where around 200 macaques live in a forest setting. You’ll have about an hour for a guided visit and sightseeing. This is a useful opening stop because it puts Bali’s wildlife and forest environment alongside the temples and farming sites later in the day.

Sangeh is presented as a quieter, more natural forest than the island’s more famous monkey destinations. That description may appeal if you want a woodland visit without making a monkey attraction the whole focus of your day. Still, macaques are wild animals, and you should keep your belongings close and follow your guide’s instructions.

I’d treat the hour as a chance to walk, look, and listen rather than rush through for a photo. Your guide can add context to the place, and the private format makes it easier to ask questions as you go. Don’t expect a long trek or a full nature program; the visit is one part of a day with four principal stops.

Leke Leke Waterfall: a short nature break

Next comes Leke Leke Waterfall, a secluded stop described as a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush vegetation. The plan allows about an hour for a visit, photos, and swimming. Bring a change of clothes if you might get in the water, and have your camera ready for the cascade and its green setting.

The waterfall adds a welcome change from temples and fields. If you enjoy being near water, this may become the most refreshing part of the itinerary. Swimming is listed as an option, but the information provided does not specify water conditions or how much time you’ll have in the pool, so follow your guide’s advice on the day.

An hour is enough for a focused visit, but not an invitation to linger indefinitely. You’ll also want to factor in the effort of getting to and from the waterfall area. The route details do not describe the path or its difficulty, so wear practical footwear rather than assuming this is a stop you can do in dress shoes.

Ulun Danu Beratan: a temple on the lake

At Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, the setting is part of the experience. The temple sits beside Lake Beratan in the Bedugul area, and its structures appear to float on the water. The visit includes a guided walk and about an hour for sightseeing.

The temple is important to Hindu Shaivites, and the tour is meant to explain that significance as well as point out other cultural and religious structures within the complex. That context matters: the temple is not simply a photogenic lakeside stop, but a place of religious meaning. A guide can help you notice more than the waterline and towers.

The schedule gives you time to look around, but it is not a deep study of the site. If religious architecture interests you, ask questions while you walk. The tour’s guide-led format is useful here, especially for a first visit when you may not know which parts of the complex deserve your attention.

The listing describes the temple as eleven-tiered, though the key practical point is that you’ll be visiting a significant water temple with several structures to see. Weather and visibility can affect the lake views, so it’s wise to think of the temple as a cultural stop first and a scenic one second.

Jatiluwih: rice terraces on a grand scale

The final major stop is Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll have about an hour for photos, sightseeing, and a walk among the rice fields. The terraces stretch across the hills, with forest and misty mountains forming the backdrop described for this part of Bali.

This is a strong finish because it gives you a sense of the island’s agricultural character after the forest, waterfall, and temple. The scale of the terraces is a contrast to the close-up visits earlier in the day. If you want to understand Bali beyond its beaches, this stop gives you a view of the countryside and the work behind its familiar rice fields.

An hour means you’ll need to keep an eye on the clock if you want to walk and take photos. The tour does not specify a particular walking route or trail length, so ask your guide what fits the schedule when you arrive. I’d prioritize a short walk and time to take in the wider view rather than trying to cover every path.

What the private guide adds

The tour’s strongest service feature is that your English-speaking guide also drives. You’re not being passed between a driver and separate guides at every stop, and a private group can make the day feel more flexible. One group described customizing an all-inclusive version and praised guide Natha for being spontaneous; Dika was noted for sharing information, while Dian was praised for explaining history and culture and keeping the day fun.

Those names are useful examples, not a promise that you’ll be assigned a particular guide. What you can expect from the tour is a live English-speaking guide and a private vehicle. The personal format can make it easier to ask questions and adjust the rhythm, but the advertised stops and the long drive still shape the day.

This tour is particularly practical for a first visit to Bali. You can see several well-known kinds of places without arranging separate transport, negotiating each leg, or building the route yourself. If you have already visited the main northern sights, however, you may prefer to spend a full day at fewer places.

Price, inclusions, and the lunch question

The stated price is $35 per person, which can be good value for a private, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver-guide, bottled water, and parking. The value improves if you’re sharing the private vehicle with others in your party, since the group gets personal transport rather than a seat on a large coach.

Check the exact option before booking, especially for entry fees. Admission is included only if you select an option that includes it, so the base price may not cover every ticket. That distinction can change the final cost, and it’s worth confirming which sites and fees are covered rather than assuming all entrances are bundled.

Lunch is not included. With a 10-hour outing, plan to pay for a meal separately or ask the operator what food arrangements are possible. Cash is listed among the recommended things to bring, which is sensible for purchases during the day. Bottled water is included, but you should still arrive ready for a full day out.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms are useful if your Bali plans are still taking shape, but they don’t change the main question: whether you want a long, multi-stop day rather than a slower visit to one area.

Who should choose this day out

I’d recommend this tour if you’re visiting Bali for the first time and want a broad introduction to its inland sights. It combines wildlife, a waterfall, religious architecture, and rice cultivation, so you get more variety than a single-site excursion. The private vehicle also suits couples, families with older children, or small groups who value having their own guide and transport.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed pace, long walks, or hours at the waterfall and terraces. Each stop is allotted about an hour, and a large part of the day goes toward traveling between places. Babies under one year are listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Bring a camera, cash, and a change of clothes if you plan to swim. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour picks up from a range of locations, but confirm that your hotel is within the included service area; the stated pickup zones include Sanur, Ubud, Kuta and Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

Should you book the Bali waterfall and temple tour?

Book it if you want a private, well-rounded day that connects four very different sides of Bali, and you’re comfortable spending about 10 hours on the outing. The chance to see Sangeh’s macaques, swim at Leke Leke, visit Ulun Danu Beratan, and walk at Jatiluwih makes for a varied first look at the island’s north and west.

Before you pay, check which option includes entrance fees and make a plan for lunch. If those details suit you, the private transport and English-speaking driver-guide make this an efficient way to see several widely separated sites in one day. If you’d rather linger, choose fewer stops and give each one more time.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours. Each of the four main stops is scheduled for roughly one hour.

Which places does the tour visit?

The main stops are Sangeh Monkey Forest, Leke Leke Waterfall, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and Jatiluwih Rice Terrace.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included in areas such as Sanur, Ubud, Kuta and Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar. The driver meets you in the hotel lobby.

Is this a private tour?

A private group is available. The tour includes a private, air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking guide who also serves as the driver.

Are entry fees included in the price?

Entry fees are included only if you select an option that includes them. Check your chosen option before booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so plan to pay for a meal separately.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes if you may swim, a camera, and cash.