North Bali: Banyumala Waterfall and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

North Bali packs a lot into one long day: a forest waterfall, a mountain lake temple, photo stops, a produce market, and one enormous tree. Banyumala Twin Waterfall is the real prize, with a natural pool where you can cool off after the 15-minute walk down.

I like the small group limit of six, which keeps the day more personal and gives you a better chance to ask questions. I also like the range of stops, especially the contrast between the playful photo sets at Wanagiri and the quiet setting of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

The main drawback is the amount of road time. With pickup from southern Bali, seven stops, and a return to your hotel, this is a full, active day. Rain can also change the mood and the views, as one guest found, so bring sensible clothing and keep your expectations flexible.

Key points at a glance

• Banyumala’s 15-minute walk: Reach a beautiful twin cascade and a natural plunge pool, but expect an uneven route and wet conditions.
• Six-person maximum: A small group makes photo stops and guide communication easier than a large coach tour.
• Wanagiri’s many sets: Choose from swings, bird nests, boat bows, teacups, tree houses, and other built photo spots.
• Ulun Danu on Lake Beratan: This temple stop offers the day’s strongest mix of architecture, water, mountains, and calm.
• Candikuning’s local produce: See orchids, roses, spices, fruit, and vegetables in a working market rather than another staged attraction.
• Guides matter here: Budi, Buddy, and Naya are named in the feedback, with particular praise for friendly service, clear explanations, flexibility, and careful driving.

What this North Bali day is really like

This tour is designed as a broad introduction to the Bedugul and North Bali area rather than a slow visit to one place. You leave your accommodation in the morning, travel into the highlands, and return after a sequence of nature, culture, photography, and market stops.

Pickup is offered from Legian, Denpasar, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Kuta Selatan, and Jimbaran. The same areas are available for drop-off, although the exact pickup time depends on your chosen date and location.

I would allow the whole day for this outing. The listed visits add up to several hours, but driving between southern Bali and the highlands takes time. That is not a flaw unique to this tour. It is simply the cost of reaching North Bali from the main hotel areas.

The vehicle and guide are important parts of the experience. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver or guide, and a group limited to six people. Communication is handled more easily if you provide a working WhatsApp number when booking.

Banyumala Waterfall and the walk to the pool

Banyumala Twin Waterfall is the strongest nature stop on the route. Water drops through a green setting into a natural pool, and you can swim there if conditions suit you.

The walk takes about 15 minutes. That sounds short, but the route is not presented as a flat paved stroll. You should expect a walk that can feel slippery or tiring, especially after rain. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring swimwear if you plan to enter the pool.

You will need to carry what you bring down and back up, so keep your day bag light. A camera or phone is worthwhile, but protect it from spray and wet hands. Sunscreen is also recommended, even though parts of the route and waterfall area may feel shaded.

The scheduled visit lasts about 1.5 hours. That gives you time to walk down, take photographs, enjoy the setting, and possibly swim without treating the waterfall as a rushed roadside stop.

This is the part of the day that requires the most physical effort. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems. If you are unsure about the walk or the pool, ask the guide before setting off.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills and Bali’s built photo sets

Wanagiri Hidden Hills is a very different kind of stop. Instead of waiting for a natural viewpoint, you move among designed photo platforms and props. The sets include a human-sized bird nest, swings, wooden teacups, a boat bow, wooden stars, tree houses, and an Indonesian take on the Eiffel Tower.

I like this stop if you enjoy building a photo collection rather than simply looking at scenery. Each structure gives you a different pose and frame, so the one-hour visit can pass quickly for anyone who enjoys taking pictures.

The honest trade-off is that these are constructed attractions. You are not visiting an untouched forest viewpoint. You are visiting a collection of playful platforms made for photographs, with mountain and lake views helping to complete the scene.

Bring a camera, and wear clothing that allows you to sit, balance, or use a swing comfortably. Your guide can help keep the stop moving, but you should not expect every platform to suit every person.

Handara Gate and the reality behind the photo

Handara Iconic Gate is one of Bali’s most recognizable photo stops. Its tall split gate frames green mountain surroundings and the grounds of a golf resort.

The gate is an entrance to the resort, not an ancient temple or a free-standing monument from Bali’s distant past. That distinction matters because the image can suggest something more historic than the site actually is.

You get about one hour here. That gives you time for the main photograph and for a look at the surrounding setting. It also means you are not being rushed through in a few minutes if the area is busy.

This stop works best when you treat it as a classic Bali photo opportunity. It is polished, recognizable, and easy to combine with the nearby temple, but it is less authentic than the traditional market later in the day.

Ulun Danu Beratan beside the mountain lake

Ulun Danu Beratan is the cultural and scenic center of the tour. The temple sits by Lake Beratan in the Bedugul highlands, surrounded by mountains and water.

The setting gives the visit its power. You can look across the lake, study the temple buildings and gardens, and enjoy a cooler highland atmosphere compared with the southern coast. The water and mountain backdrop also make this the most rewarding stop for wide photographs.

The visit lasts about one hour. Use the time to look beyond the familiar temple image. Pay attention to the relationship between the buildings, the lake, and the gardens. This is a spiritual site, so dress and behave respectfully even while taking photographs.

Weather can change the experience. Cloud or rain may soften the distant views and make photographs less dramatic, but the temple can still be worthwhile in poor weather. One guest specifically noted that the weather was not cooperative, while the guide helped keep the day engaging and explained the places along the way.

If you have limited patience for photo platforms, this is likely to be the stop you value most. It combines beauty with a stronger sense of place and gives the day a cultural anchor.

Candikuning Market and everyday North Bali

The visit to the traditional market in Candikuning Village lasts about 30 minutes. This is a short stop, but it adds something the other attractions do not: a glimpse of local produce and daily commerce.

Look for neatly arranged fruit, vegetables, spices, and flowers. Orchids and roses add bright color, while nutmeg, pepper, paprika, and turmeric show the range of ingredients sold here. Pomelo and durian are also available.

The market is useful for seeing Bali beyond its famous viewpoints. You may find it less polished than the photo stops, and that is exactly its value. It is a working place rather than a purpose-built attraction.

Thirty minutes is enough for a walk through the displays and perhaps a purchase, but not enough for an extended market visit. Keep the stop modest and respectful. Ask your guide about unfamiliar produce rather than handling goods without permission.

The giant tree at Kayu Putih Village

The final sightseeing stop is the huge tree at Kayu Putih Village, also referred to as Bayan Ancient Tree in the schedule. It has a fairy-tale appearance, with broad branches that make it a striking final photo setting.

You spend about 30 minutes here. The tree gives you a simple, memorable ending after the busier temple and photo stops. It also breaks up the return drive to your hotel.

This is not a long nature walk or a forest excursion. You are stopping to see and photograph one remarkable tree. That makes it easy to enjoy, but you should keep its scale in mind. If you want extensive time among old trees, this tour does not promise that.

How the guides shape the day

The guide can make a major difference on a route with this many stops. Budi received especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, careful, and good at explaining the places visited. He also made sure the group had enough time for photographs and scenery.

Buddy was praised for maintaining a positive attitude in poor weather and for explaining the sites in an engaging way. Naya was described as flexible, humorous, considerate, and an excellent driver who adapted the day to the group’s needs.

Those details matter because this tour involves repeated transitions. You need someone who can keep the schedule moving without turning every stop into a quick photo dash. You also want a driver who handles the long road sections calmly.

The published rating is 4.7 from 33 reviews, with the strongest praise focused on the guides, organization, driving, and the waterfall and temple. That fits the structure of the day: the sights are attractive, but the quality of the guide affects how relaxed the whole outing feels.

Price, inclusions, and overall value

The advertised price is $32 per person. That is a reasonable starting price for a full-day small-group trip with hotel pickup and drop-off, a driver or guide, and several entrance stops.

Check the booking option carefully because entrance fees and lunch are included only if that option is selected. Do not assume that every $32 booking contains every extra. The final value depends on which package you choose and whether lunch and admission charges are added.

You are paying for convenience as much as sightseeing. Reaching Banyumala, Wanagiri, Handara, Ulun Danu, Candikuning, and Kayu Putih independently would require arranging transport and coordinating several stops across North Bali. A small group also gives you more flexibility than a large bus.

The price is less compelling if you want a slow, private day with long stays at each place. Seven stops require compromises. You get variety, but you do not get unlimited time at the waterfall, temple, or market.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this day to you if you want a broad North Bali sampler and prefer someone else to handle the driving. It suits first-time visitors who want major photo stops, a waterfall swim, a mountain temple, and a market in one outing.

It is also a good fit for small groups that enjoy taking photographs. Wanagiri and Handara provide many staged picture opportunities, while Banyumala, Ulun Danu, and the giant tree offer more natural subjects.

You should think twice if you dislike long road days or prefer to spend half a day at one site. The waterfall walk also rules it out for people with the listed health or mobility concerns.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a camera. Wear practical footwear for Banyumala, and provide your WhatsApp number so the pickup is easier to coordinate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Bali schedule is still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-organized, small-group route through North Bali with strong guide support and a lot of visual variety. The best moments are Banyumala Waterfall and Ulun Danu Beratan, while Wanagiri and Handara suit anyone who enjoys Bali’s famous photo locations.

Skip it if you want a quiet, slow cultural day or cannot manage the waterfall walk. Also check whether lunch and entrance fees are included in your selected option. For $32 per person before any package differences, this is good value for a busy day that removes much of the transport planning.

FAQ

How long does the North Bali tour last?

The activity is valid for one day and includes morning pickup, several sightseeing stops, and return to your accommodation.

Where can pickup be arranged?

Pickup is available from Legian, Denpasar, Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Kuta Selatan, and Jimbaran.

Where can drop-off be arranged?

Drop-off is available in Legian, Canggu, Denpasar, Ubud, Kuta Selatan, Jimbaran, Kuta, and Seminyak.

Is Banyumala Waterfall suitable for swimming?

Yes. Banyumala has a natural plunge pool where you can swim, and swimwear is listed as something to bring.

How long is the walk to Banyumala Waterfall?

The walk to the waterfall takes about 15 minutes, and the planned visit lasts about 1.5 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is a small-group experience limited to six participants.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the option that includes it. Check the package details when booking.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included only if you select the option that includes them.

Which languages are available?

The tour is available in English and Indonesian, with a live guide.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.