Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfall Guided Trek

Waterfalls reward the effort. This eight-hour Bali outing pairs Sekumpul’s twin cascades with Banyumala’s broad natural pool, giving you two very different waterfall settings in one day. I like the walk through Sekumpul village rice fields, and I like that a local guide handles the routes and photo spots. The main catch is the moderate to challenging trek, with tiring uphill sections and entrance fees paid separately.

You spend about two hours at Sekumpul, then another two at Banyumala, with a Twin Lake viewpoint added near the end. The $44 price is fair for private hotel transport, guiding, and a full day in North Bali, but it is not the final cost once waterfall admission, lunch, drinks, and personal expenses are added.

Key points before you book

• Two waterfall areas in one day: Sekumpul gives you tall, dramatic cascades, while Banyumala offers a wider fall and a swimming pool.
• A rice-field approach: The roughly 30-minute walk to Sekumpul passes through the fields around Sekumpul village.
• Swimming is part of the plan: You can enter the natural pools at Sekumpul and Banyumala, so bring swimwear and dry clothes.
• A real uphill workout: The route includes tiring climbs and is not suitable for people with mobility problems or back trouble.
• Helpful local guidance: English-speaking guides lead the walks, point out photo locations, and help you get oriented around the falls.
• North Bali transport included: Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered from places including Ubud, Lovina Beach, Denpasar, Gianyar, Singaraja, Wanagiri, Gobleg, and Badung Regency.

What the day is really like

This is not a quick roadside waterfall stop. It is a full day built around walking, swimming, changing clothes, and moving between several parts of North Bali.

The schedule allows about two hours of driving at the start, followed by two hours at Sekumpul. You then have about an hour on the road to Banyumala, two hours there, and a final 30-minute transfer to the Twin Lake viewpoint before returning to your hotel.

That timing matters. The waterfalls are the main event, but the day includes plenty of sitting in a vehicle. If you are based in Ubud, Denpasar, or farther south, the pickup and return make this practical, though you should expect a long day rather than eight hours of nonstop walking.

Your driver collects you from the hotel, and you should be waiting in the lobby 10 minutes before the agreed pickup time. The tour offers several pickup areas, but you need to confirm that your exact hotel falls within the service zone.

Walking through Sekumpul village rice fields

The first active part of the day is the walk toward Sekumpul Waterfall. It takes around 30 minutes and passes through panoramic rice fields near the village.

I like this part because it gives the visit a sense of place. You are not simply being dropped beside a viewing platform. You walk through the countryside before reaching the falls, with the guide helping you follow the route and prepare for the descent and return climb.

The wording for the trek is important. This is described as moderate to challenging, and the climb back can be tiring. Wear proper trekking shoes with a secure grip, not smooth-soled sandals or casual city shoes.

The walk may be manageable for people who are reasonably active, but it is a poor fit for anyone with back problems or limited mobility. Non-swimmers should also think carefully before booking because swimming is part of the planned time at both waterfall areas, even though you can choose not to enter the water.

Sekumpul Waterfall, Fiji, and Grobogan

Sekumpul is the visual centerpiece of the outing. It is known for its twin waterfalls, with tall streams dropping through the forested setting. The experience includes roughly two hours for walking, sightseeing, photographs, and a break.

You can swim in the natural pools and, according to the tour details, take photographs beneath the waterfall. That makes Sekumpul more than a viewpoint. You have time to get wet, cool off, and see the falls from closer range.

The route also includes Fiji Waterfall and Grobogan Waterfall. The exact amount of time spent at each is not separately listed, so think of them as part of your Sekumpul-area visit rather than separate long stops.

This is where a guide earns the fee. The local guide can help with the route, show you where to take pictures, and keep the visit moving without making it feel rushed. Ardy is one guide specifically praised for being professional, attentive to questions, and familiar with the area.

A useful practical point: spending two hours here does not mean two hours in the water. That block includes the walk, sightseeing, photos, breaks, and returning toward the vehicle. Bring snacks and water because lunch is not included.

Banyumala’s wider falls and natural pool

After Sekumpul, the vehicle travels for about an hour to Banyumala Waterfall. This transfer breaks up the walking, but it also adds to the day’s total road time.

Banyumala is described as another twin waterfall, though its character differs from Sekumpul. Sekumpul is taller and more dramatic. Banyumala is lower and wider, with a natural pool that suits a swim and a slower break.

You get about two hours here for a guided visit, photographs, free time, sightseeing, walking, and swimming. That longer pause lets you choose your pace. You can take pictures, sit near the water, or swim if conditions suit you.

Bring a swimsuit and a full change of clothes. The advice to expect getting wet applies to more than the swimming itself. Spray, wet paths, and splashing around the pools can leave your clothes damp even if you do not plan a long swim.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, according to the stated restrictions. If you are comfortable around water but do not want to swim, clarify this before booking rather than assuming the swimming portion can be removed.

The Twin Lake Viewpoint adds a final photo stop

The final scheduled stop is a 30-minute visit to Twin Lake View. It includes a break, photographs, sightseeing, and free time.

This is a useful finish because it shifts the day from close-up waterfall scenery to a wider view. You can catch your breath, take more photographs, and enjoy a short pause before the return drive.

The stop is brief, so do not expect a long visit or a separate major activity. Its value is as a final scenic break after the walks and swims, not as the main reason to book the tour.

Guide quality and the private-group option

The guide is an important part of this experience because the day combines village paths, waterfall routes, swimming areas, and several vehicle transfers.

The tour uses an English-speaking local guide. Ardy received especially strong praise for answering questions, paying attention to the group, and knowing the Sekumpul area well. The driver was also described as kind and well organized, which matters on a day with several long transfers.

A private group is available. That option is worth considering if you want more control over swimming time, photo stops, or walking speed. It may also make the day easier for families or friends with different fitness levels, though the basic route still involves strenuous sections.

The available information does not specify the standard group size or the exact private-group surcharge. Check those details before paying if group size is important to you.

What to bring for a wet, active day

Pack for an outing that combines a hike, two swimming locations, and a long drive.

• Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip
• Swimwear
• A complete change of clothes
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Water
• Snacks
• A small bag for wet clothing

The advice to carry water is not a throwaway note. You will walk, climb, and spend time outdoors, and lunch is not included. Bring enough to stay comfortable, or ask your provider where a food stop fits into the schedule.

A waterproof bag is also sensible for your phone, wallet, and dry clothes. The tour specifically advises you to expect getting wet, so treat that as part of the plan rather than an unlikely possibility.

What the $44 price covers

At $44 per person, the value is strongest if you want transport and a guide arranged in advance. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the local guide, the trek, visits to Sekumpul and Banyumala, and photo opportunities.

That saves you from arranging separate transport across North Bali and figuring out the waterfall routes yourself. The driver and guide also give the day structure, which is useful when three separate scenic areas are packed into one outing.

Still, $44 is not an all-in price. Waterfall entrance fees are paid on site, and lunch, drinks, snacks, and personal expenses are excluded. You should budget extra for those items.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms make the booking less rigid, but check the final conditions shown when you reserve, especially if your accommodation or pickup point changes.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see two of Bali’s major waterfalls in one day and do not mind physical effort. It suits people who enjoy walking through rural scenery, swimming in natural pools, and taking photographs from several angles.

It is also a good match if you are staying in Ubud, Lovina Beach, Singaraja, Wanagiri, Gobleg, Gianyar, Denpasar, or Badung Regency and want transport included. The hotel service removes much of the planning work.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, struggle with uphill walking, or want a relaxed day with little activity. The route is not designed for people with mobility impairments or back problems, and the tour lists non-swimmers among those it is not suitable for.

Families and friends should discuss the pace before booking. A private group may help, but the trail itself remains active and the tour does not promise an easy route.

Small details that improve the day

Start with the right footwear. The difference between proper trekking shoes and slippery casual shoes can affect both comfort and confidence on the route.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from water. The guide can help with photo opportunities, and the waterfalls are the sort of places where a few extra minutes in the right position can produce much better pictures.

Do not count on buying lunch as part of the tour. Pack snacks and water, then ask the provider about meal arrangements if you need something more substantial.

Finally, be honest about your fitness. The walk to the falls may sound short at around 30 minutes, but the full visit includes routes around the waterfalls and uphill sections on the way out. The return climb is the part most likely to test you.

FAQ

How long does the Sekumpul and Banyumala tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel transfers, the waterfall visits, the Twin Lake viewpoint, and the return to your accommodation.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for listed areas such as Ubud, Lovina Beach, Denpasar, Gianyar, Singaraja, Wanagiri, Gobleg, and Badung Regency. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to the waterfalls are paid separately on site.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is planned at the natural pools at Sekumpul and Banyumala. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes because you should expect to get wet.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Snacks, water, and personal expenses are also your responsibility.

Is the trek suitable for everyone?

No. The route is described as moderate to challenging and is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments. The tour also lists non-swimmers as unsuitable for the activity.

Should you book this waterfall trek?

Book it if you want a full North Bali day with two major waterfall areas, village rice fields, swimming, a local English-speaking guide, and hotel transport. The combination of Sekumpul’s taller cascades and Banyumala’s broader swimming pool gives you useful variety rather than two identical stops.

The strongest reason to go is the guided access and the time allowed at each waterfall. The strongest reason to hesitate is the effort: long transfers, uphill walking, extra entrance fees, and no included lunch.

For active visitors who pack properly and accept those limits, $44 is a reasonable starting price. Just bring trekking shoes, water, snacks, swimwear, dry clothes, and a little extra cash for admission fees.