North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

Sekumpul is the big reason to head north: a steep, uneven path leads down through tropical growth to falls that rise as high as 80 meters. I like that the day pairs this demanding walk with Ulun Danu Bratan, a lakeside temple framed by mountain scenery, rather than making the waterfall the only event.

I also like the chance to see two very different sides of Bali in one outing: cacao, lemongrass, and coffee plants along the waterfall route, followed by the carved temple courtyards of Taman Ayun. Guides such as Dewa, Alit, and Didik have helped make the long drive more than a transfer, sharing local stories and assisting with photos.

The trade-off is real: Sekumpul means a strenuous climb back up, and the round trip from southern Bali can be a long day. The advertised price of $41 also does not cover every cost in the standard option, so set aside cash for entrance and trekking fees, plus lunch and drinks.

Key points before you book

• Sekumpul’s payoff comes after a steep descent: The route includes many stairs, uneven ground, and water crossings. The climb back is the harder part for some.
• You visit two temples after the trek: Ulun Danu Bratan sits by Lake Beratan; Taman Ayun offers a different temple setting and architecture.
• The drive is part of the day: Pickup is available across several south and central Bali areas, but traffic and distance can stretch the schedule.
• Bring water shoes or sturdy footwear: You may walk through water, and sneakers or water shoes are useful on slippery, uneven sections.
• Budget for extra fees and meals: The standard option excludes entrance fees, and the trekking charge depends on the option and trek chosen.
• Confirm the group-size limit: Tour details give both five and 10 as the maximum, so check the exact option before booking.

Sekumpul makes the long ride worthwhile

This is a north Bali road trip built around a proper nature walk. Sekumpul means grouped together in Bahasa, a fitting name for a set of cascades in the forest. The main falls can reach about 80 meters, and the route brings you close enough to wade in the rock pools beneath them.

The path is not a casual stroll from a parking area. Expect a steep descent, many stairs, rough footing, and stretches where you walk through water. One visitor counted more than 450 steps. That number is a useful warning, not a promise of an exact count for every route: your chosen trek and conditions may affect the path.

The view is the reward, but remember that every step down has to be climbed back up. Guides at the falls, including Surya and Tom, have been praised for setting a patient pace and helping with rest stops and photos. Still, you should be comfortable with sustained uphill walking before choosing this trip. If you have a knee injury, back trouble, or limited mobility, the operator says the activity is not suitable for people with back problems or wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.

Along the way, your guide may point out familiar plants such as cacao, lemongrass, and coffee. These small details help the walk feel connected to the place rather than just a race to the waterfall. Take your time, keep your footing, and save energy for the return climb.

Water, stairs, and the right shoes

The falls are a place to get wet, not just take a distant photo. You can wade in the pools, and the water can feel very cold, especially if you have been walking in warm weather. Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, and a waterproof camera if you want pictures near the water.

For footwear, choose shoes that grip when wet and stay secure on uneven ground. Reviews specifically recommend sneakers or water shoes, and one visitor wished the need for water shoes had been made clearer. Flip-flops are a poor choice for a steep route with water crossings.

Pack a light jacket too. The tour goes up to Lake Beratan, around 1,231 meters above sea level, where the air is cooler than in Bali’s coastal areas. Carry cash for fees and personal expenses, and bring your own drinks beyond the mineral water supplied.

The drive north is a substantial part of the day

Pickup is offered in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. A driver contacts you the evening before to confirm your pickup time. If your hotel is in Candidasa, the stated supplement is IDR 100,000 per person; pickups from Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben carry a stated supplement of IDR 150,000 per person.

The tour uses an air-conditioned car, and the drive is a welcome chance to rest between stops. Guides and drivers named in past accounts include Dewa, Alit, Didik, and Ronny. Their roles can combine driving and guiding, and several have been praised for safe driving, local knowledge, patience, and help taking photos. Names and guide assignments vary, so don’t book expecting a particular person.

Do allow for the distance. The published schedule includes around two hours in a vehicle before the waterfall and another vehicle segment later, but pickup locations and traffic affect the real timing. Some visitors have found the return to southern Bali slow, and one person ran out of energy for the final temple after the hike. This is a full 10-hour outing on paper, but it can feel longer when roads are busy.

The group-size information is not consistent: the tour is described in one place as a maximum of five people and elsewhere as up to 10. Check which version you are booking. A smaller group can mean easier coordination and more room for questions, but shared pickups from different areas can add time.

Lunch near Lake Beratan brings a change of pace

After the waterfall, the route pauses at the Twin Lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, part of Bali’s volcanic scenery. The planned lunch stop is near Lake Beratan, where the cooler altitude offers a welcome break after the climb. The tour description calls the meal a buffet at a local restaurant.

There is an important budgeting wrinkle: meals and additional drinks are listed as not included. Treat lunch as a stop on the route, not a meal already covered by the $41 price, unless your chosen booking option says otherwise. Bring cash and check what the restaurant meal costs before setting out.

Some accounts describe local tea and coffee tastings along the way, but this is not stated as a guaranteed stop. Think of any tasting as a possible extra, not a core part of the day.

Ulun Danu Bratan is the postcard stop

Ulun Danu Bratan sits at the edge of Lake Beratan, surrounded by the highland setting that makes this temple feel different from Bali’s coastal shrines. Its lakeside pagodas are among the island’s most familiar sights. After the waterfall’s noise and exertion, this stop is gentler: you can look across the water, take in the architecture, and hear your guide explain the temple and its place in Balinese culture.

The scheduled visit is about an hour. That gives you time for a walk and photos, though it is not an open-ended visit. Guides such as Alit and Dewa have been praised for explaining temple details and helping visitors get pictures. If photos matter to you, ask your guide for help rather than trying to rush through the grounds.

The lake and mountain setting are a major part of the appeal, but weather can change the view. Bring that jacket, and keep expectations flexible if clouds or rain move in.

Taman Ayun offers a different temple setting

The final temple stop is Taman Ayun, described as a major UNESCO heritage site. Unlike Ulun Danu’s waterside setting, this visit gives you another chance to see Balinese temple architecture in a different setting. The tour allots about an hour, with a guided visit and time to look around.

This stop adds cultural context after a day focused heavily on nature. The English-speaking guide can help explain what you are seeing, and guides have been praised for sharing stories about religion, history, and daily life. If the waterfall trek leaves you tired, though, you may have less energy for a second temple visit. Pace yourself early rather than spending every minute at the falls.

What the $41 price does and does not cover

At $41 per person, the tour can be good value if you want transport, a guide, and several North Bali highlights arranged in one day. The drive is long, the waterfall requires a local trek, and reaching the temples independently would take planning. Pickup, air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking guide, mineral water, fuel, tolls, and insurance are listed as included.

The headline price is not the full day’s likely cost. In the standard small-group option, entrance fees are excluded; the guidance is to bring around IDR 150,000 for these. The trekking fee also needs attention. The information gives IDR 150,000 per group for a trekking guide, while another fee note lists IDR 150,000 per person for a medium trek and IDR 250,000 per person for a long trek. Because those charges are presented differently, confirm the trek type and exact amount for your booking before you go.

Meals, extra drinks, and personal expenses are also not included. Some booking options include entrance fees, while the standard small-group option does not, so compare the option details rather than assuming every $41 booking covers admission.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits you if you want a full day that combines a memorable waterfall with two well-known temples, and you are fit enough for a steep walk. It is especially useful if you value hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide, or would rather have someone else manage the long northbound drive.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed day, have difficulty with stairs, or are uncomfortable getting wet. The falls are the main physical challenge, and the temple stops come after it. Families may find the outing workable depending on the child’s stamina; one family with a three-year-old had a positive experience, but that does not make the trek easy for every young child.

Before paying, check the group-size cap, what entrance fees are covered, and which trekking fee applies. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity; cancellations made later than that or no-shows are not refunded. Booking with the pay-later option is available.

Should you book the Sekumpul and temple tour?

Book it if Sekumpul is high on your Bali list and you are ready for a strenuous climb, a long drive, and a packed day. The waterfall is the clear highlight, while Ulun Danu and Taman Ayun add welcome variety and cultural context. I would choose it for the combination, not for a leisurely temple visit.

Skip it if you need an easy pace or want every cost bundled into one clear price. For everyone else, sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, cash, and a realistic view of the climb will make this a better day. Confirm the trek and fees before booking, then leave room in your schedule for the drive back.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is listed as 10 hours. Traffic, pickup locations, and the time needed for the waterfall trek can affect the day’s timing.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity information gives conflicting limits: one section says up to five people, while another says up to 10. Confirm the limit for the specific option you book.

Are entrance fees included?

Not in the standard small-group option. The tour details say to bring around IDR 150,000 for entrance fees. Some private and small-group options offer entrance fees included.

What does the trekking guide cost?

The fee information differs by trek and booking details. It gives IDR 150,000 per group for a trekking guide, and also lists IDR 150,000 per person for a medium trek or IDR 250,000 per person for a long trek. Confirm the amount and trek type before you go.

Is lunch included in the $41 price?

Meals and additional drinks are listed as not included, even though the route includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant. Budget separately for your meal and drinks.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring comfortable shoes with grip, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, a waterproof camera, a jacket, and cash. Sneakers or water shoes are useful for the steep path and water crossings.

Can I swim at Sekumpul?

You can wade in the rock pools at the bottom of the falls. The water may feel cold, so bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

Which areas have included pickup?

Pickup is listed as included from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Extra charges apply for Candidasa, Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour, and no-shows, are not refunded.