North Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfalls & Rice Terrace

Sekumpul’s multiple falls, reached by jungle paths and river crossings, are the main event here. The private driver-guide also takes you to Banyumala’s twin cascades and Jatiluwih’s broad rice terraces, giving you three very different views of Bali in one day.

I like two things in particular: you have a private car and room to adjust the route, and the day combines strenuous waterfall walks with the slower pleasure of a rice-field stroll. Guides such as Oka, Adi, Kadek, and Angga are often praised for safe driving, local conversation, and helping with photos.

The trade-off is real: this is an ambitious day, with a long drive and steep, sometimes slippery steps. The advertised $35 price does not cover every entrance or the guided Sekumpul trek, so bring cash and confirm the extra charges before setting off.

Key points to know before you go

• Sekumpul requires more than a viewpoint visit: The trek down to the falls is an extra activity, generally arranged with a local guide, and adds both cost and effort.
• Banyumala offers a gentler pause, not a shortcut: Its twin falls and clear pools make a lovely second stop, but the path still involves walking and steps.
• Jatiluwih brings a change of pace: After the waterfall routes, you can stroll among rice fields and see the Subak irrigation system.
• The private format makes the day flexible: Your driver-guide can accommodate a slower pace or a change of stop, though fitting in every sight is not guaranteed.
• Footwear matters: Water shoes or sturdy sandals with grip are more useful than loose flip-flops on wet paths, stream crossings, and sharp rocks.
• Budget beyond the tour price: Meals, drinks, personal costs, and some admissions or activities are not included.

Sekumpul rewards the early start

The day begins with hotel pickup, usually at 7:30 a.m. in Ubud and 7 a.m. in central and southern Bali. You travel north with an English-speaking driver-guide, leaving the hotel area behind for a day among waterfalls and rice fields.

The drive is part of the outing, not just a transfer. Guides such as Susanta, Kadek, and Oka have been praised for sharing stories about Balinese life and pointing out local places along the way. You can ask questions, mention any interests, or tell your guide if you need a breakfast stop. Some itineraries have included a tea or coffee tasting stop, but treat that as a possible extra rather than a promised part of the route.

Sekumpul is the most demanding stop and, for many, the highlight. Several streams fall through a forested valley, and the sound of the water builds as you approach. The route takes you through jungle paths and across small rivers, then down and back up a steep run of steps. The view is worth the work, but this is not a casual roadside photo stop.

There are two distinct ways to visit. The included transfer and optional viewpoint admission are not the same as the full trek to the falls. The Sekumpul activity, including the local guide often required for the descent, is not included in the tour price. One visitor reported paying 375,000 IDR for an arrangement that included a guide, a scooter ride closer to the falls, and a coconut. That is a useful indication of the possible extra cost, not a fixed price for every visit. Ask your operator what is currently charged and exactly what the fee covers.

You may also encounter more than one waterfall on the Sekumpul route, including Fiji Falls. That makes the trek especially rewarding, but it also adds to the time and effort. If steep stairs are hard on your knees or you have limited stamina, tell your driver before you commit to the full walk. Guides have helped carry bags and supported people on the steps, but the route still calls for moderate fitness.

Banyumala brings a quieter kind of waterfall

Banyumala sits in a tranquil valley, with twin falls framed by greenery and pools at the base. It is a good counterpoint to Sekumpul: the first is a grand, strenuous outing, while Banyumala invites you to slow down, take photos, and, if conditions allow, cool off in the water.

The walk still involves steps, and the ground can be slippery, especially in rain. Bring a change of clothes and a towel if you plan to get wet. Water shoes or secure sandals with a firm sole are a better bet than flip-flops. One visitor found flip-flops uncomfortable around currents and sharp rocks, a small mistake that can make a beautiful stop feel needlessly awkward.

Admission to Banyumala is listed as optional, so check whether it is included in the amount you are paying. The tour’s included services cover transport and parking, but not every entrance or activity. Having cash on hand helps you manage these costs without slowing down the day.

Fog can also affect what you see in the mountains. One guide suggested changing the order of stops when fog threatened to obscure a waterfall. That is a sensible reason to let your driver adjust the route rather than cling to a fixed sequence. The private format gives you a chance to discuss the options, though weather may still limit visibility.

Jatiluwih offers a slower finish

After the waterfalls, Jatiluwih’s rice terraces provide a welcome change of pace. The broad fields and their carefully managed irrigation channels show how farming and water management shape daily life in Bali. The Subak system is part of the area’s cultural importance, and a good guide can add context that makes the view more than a photo backdrop.

You can take a leisurely walk through the terraces, stop for pictures, and enjoy the open views. The amount of time you have depends on how long the waterfall visits take and how the day is going. Pans, one guide praised for explaining Subak, took a guest around a longer loop so they could sketch and find different photo angles. That sort of flexibility is a real advantage of a private outing, but it is wise to tell your guide early if Jatiluwih is a priority.

Lunch is not included. The itinerary allows a break, and guides have taken people to local restaurants, including places with views over the rice fields. You pay for your meal and drinks yourself. If you would rather spend more time walking at Jatiluwih than sit down for a long lunch, say so before the day gets underway.

Jatiluwih admission is also listed as optional. Confirm the current entrance charge and whether it is part of your booking total. The tour can cover a lot of ground, but trying to see every stop at full length may make the day feel rushed. Some people choose to skip a waterfall or terrace walk when they are tired, and the driver can help discuss alternatives.

A private car makes a long day easier to shape

This is a private group tour, not a shared bus outing. That means the driver-guide’s attention is for you and your party, with more room to set the pace, make a practical stop, or change the plan if you are tired. Solo visitors have also taken the tour and felt comfortable with the arrangement.

The guides are a major part of the appeal. Names praised by people on this route include Oka, Adi, Kadek, Ana, Angga, Ojes, Budi, and Susanta. They have been described as friendly and attentive, with particular strengths in safe driving, cultural conversation, and taking photos. These are individual guides, so you cannot assume who will be assigned to your trip, but the driver-guide role is central to the experience.

The car also matters because North Bali’s roads can be narrow and the schedule includes several stops. A good driver takes care of the road while you rest between walks. Some guides have made extra stops when time allowed, such as at a coffee tasting place or a chocolate factory, but extras are not guaranteed. The best use of the private format is to communicate what matters most to you, then leave room for conditions and energy levels to shape the day.

Pickup is offered in Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, Kuta, Kintamani, and Jimbaran. Pecatu and Uluwatu pickups incur an additional 150,000 IDR. Confirm your exact hotel location when booking, since the pickup area determines whether a surcharge applies.

What the $35 price does and does not buy

At $35 per person, the headline price can look like a bargain for eight hours of private transport, a driver-guide, parking, tolls, bottled water, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The value is strongest if you want a driver for the day and prefer to link several North Bali sights without arranging each leg yourself.

But do not treat $35 as the full cost of the day. Meals, drinks, personal spending, and the Sekumpul waterfall activity are excluded. Admission to the Sekumpul viewpoint, Banyumala, and Jatiluwih is listed as optional, and the full Sekumpul trek may require a separate local guide and other fees. Confirm the inclusions and expected local charges before you travel, and bring cash.

The private format is also why this may not be the cheapest choice for a solo visitor who would rather split a ride with others. For a couple or small private party, the convenience and ability to adjust the day may make the cost worthwhile. Think of the advertised fare as the base for transport and guiding, not an all-in ticket to every path and pool.

Pack for wet steps, not just pretty photos

Bring a hat, sunscreen, a camera, cash, a towel, and a change of clothes. For the waterfall routes, prioritize footwear with grip and a secure fit. Sandals can work if they stay on your feet and handle wet rock, but ordinary flip-flops are a poor match for steep steps and stream crossings.

The tour runs rain or shine, so pack for changing weather. Rain can make paths slick and may affect the view, while fog can hide a waterfall later in the day. Early departures can help you reach the first stop before crowds build, and starting early may leave more room in the schedule. Still, weather and the pace of the hikes can change what fits into eight hours.

The operator says the tour is not suitable for children under three or people over 70. It also states that pregnant women and women during menstruation are not allowed to participate. Moderate physical fitness is needed because walking and steps are involved. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and littering is prohibited.

Is this North Bali tour right for you?

Book this if you want a full day of natural sights, can manage steep steps, and value having a private driver-guide rather than organizing transport yourself. Sekumpul is the reason to make the journey, while Banyumala and Jatiluwih add two contrasting stops that keep the day from being waterfalls alone.

I would think twice if you dislike long drives, need a gentle walking day, or are working to a strict budget that cannot absorb local entrance and guide fees. Before you pay, ask which admissions are included, what the Sekumpul trek costs, and how much time the driver expects to allow at each stop. If you are comfortable with the exertion and extra costs, the combination of waterfalls, rice-field views, and flexible private transport is a strong way to see a different side of Bali.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts eight hours. Pickup is usually at 7:30 a.m. in Ubud and 7 a.m. in central and southern Bali.

Is the Sekumpul trek included in the $35 price?

No. The Sekumpul waterfall activity is listed as not included. The viewpoint admission is optional, and the full trek may require a separate local guide and additional payment.

What is included in the tour price?

The listed inclusions are round-trip hotel transfers, an English-speaking driver-guide, parking and toll fees, bottled mineral water, and insurance. Some waterfall and rice terrace admissions are optional.

Which areas have hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered in Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, Kuta, Kintamani, and Jimbaran. Pecatu and Uluwatu pickups cost an additional 150,000 IDR.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, a change of clothes, a towel, sandals or water shoes, a camera, sunscreen, and cash. Shoes with grip are useful on wet steps and stream crossings.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness because it includes walking and steps. It is not suitable for children under three or people over 70, and the activity information excludes pregnant women and women during menstruation.