North Bali Trip with 2 Hidden Waterfalls Private Tour

Waterfalls reward a little effort. This nine-hour private trip takes you north from Bali’s busier resort areas to Banyumala and Banyumana Amertha, where mountain water fills natural pools beneath thick jungle. I like the chance to swim and the glimpse of plantations, farms, and ordinary village life along the way. I also like having a private car and English-speaking driver, rather than being tied to a large group.

The main catch is the physical effort. The paths include stairs and uneven sections, and one review describes the hikes as strenuous in Bali’s heat and humidity. You should also check exactly which price option you are booking, since entry tickets are included only with the all-inclusive choice, while lunch is not included.

Key points before you book

• Banyumala is more than a single twin fall: Its name suggests two waterfalls, but the setting includes several streams feeding a cold natural pool.
• Banyumana Amertha requires a 20-minute walk: The route passes banana plantations before descending stairs to two nearby waterfalls.
• A local motorbike can save your legs: At Banyumana Amertha, a rider and bike are provided for the trip to and from the waterfall entrance under both pricing options.
• Wanagiri Hill adds a change of pace: You get views of Buyan and Tamblingan lakes, with jungle scenery around the lookout.
• Coffee luwak is part of the day: The plantation visit gives you a look at a well-known Balinese coffee tradition.
• The $41 price needs careful checking: Lunch is extra, and entry tickets depend on whether you choose the car-and-driver option or all-inclusive option.

Why northern Bali makes a good day trip

Southern Bali is easy to reach, but it can also feel crowded and heavily built up. This trip heads north toward the mountain area, where farms, plantations, forest, and freshwater falls make up much of the scenery.

That change matters. You are not simply collecting two photo stops. You get a look at a quieter side of the island, with the driver able to explain parts of local daily life along the road. Guide Made received particular praise for being friendly, helpful, and informative, including his explanations of how local people live.

The journey takes a full nine hours, so expect a long day rather than a quick outing. Pickup is available from Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Sanur. The listed pickup points also include Legian and Warung Semawang. If your hotel sits outside the stated areas, an extra charge may apply.

Your driver picks you up at the hotel and returns you there after the final stop. Since the group is private, you can enjoy the day with your own party instead of adjusting to strangers. That is useful when you want time for a swim, need a slower walking pace, or prefer not to rush photographs.

Banyumala Waterfall and its cold mountain pool

Banyumala is usually the first major stop, and it gives you the classic north Bali waterfall experience: falling water, forest, rocks, and a natural pool suitable for swimming.

The name Banyumala is often connected with a twin waterfall, though the actual setting is better understood as several falls flowing into the same area. That makes the scene more interesting than a single narrow stream. Water comes down from the mountains, so the pool can feel cold, especially after you have been walking in warm, humid weather.

I would bring a towel and swimwear even if you are unsure about swimming. The pool is one of the main pleasures of the stop, but you should not feel pressured to enter the water. You can enjoy the falls from the edge and take in the jungle setting instead.

The path is not described as fully easy or flat, and the day’s second waterfall includes stairs and a hike. The practical lesson is simple: wear proper walking shoes, not smooth sandals. Bring cash for personal expenses and possible purchases, and keep water available. One bottle of water is included, but you may want more for a full day in the heat.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers according to the activity information, and it is also not recommended for people with altitude sickness. That warning should be taken seriously, even though the falls are not presented as a technical climbing activity.

Banyumana Amertha and the 20-minute plantation walk

Banyumana Amertha has a different feel from Banyumala. The entrance sits on a small road roughly three kilometers north of Lake Buyan, and the walk from the entrance takes about 20 minutes.

You pass banana plantations before reaching a series of stairs. The route is part of the experience, but it is also where the physical demand becomes clear. A verified booking described both waterfall walks as strenuous, especially in hot and humid conditions. If you are not in good shape for stairs, allow extra time and do not treat this as a casual stroll.

The reward is two waterfalls close together. One has a curtain-like appearance, with water spread across the rock in a broad sheet. It makes a strong background for photographs, and you may also be able to swim.

A useful feature here is the local motorbike transfer. A rider takes you up and down the small road to the waterfall entrance, and this service is included with both available options. You still need to walk down to the falls, but the motorbike can save energy on the approach and return. One visitor specifically recommended using it to spare tired legs.

Your guide may walk with you. Made was praised for joining the hikes and keeping an eye on the group, with the reassurance that he could help get assistance if needed. That is a small but meaningful advantage of a private day tour. You have someone with you who knows the route and is not simply waiting beside the vehicle.

Rain can change the feel of this stop. Northern Bali can receive heavy showers, and one outing continued in pouring rain. The falls may look powerful in wet weather, but stairs and paths can become more slippery. Comfortable shoes with a secure sole are essential.

Wanagiri Hill and the two lake view

After the waterfalls, the trip moves to Wanagiri Hill, a viewpoint over Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. The two lakes are often called Bali’s twin lakes, and the surrounding jungle gives the stop a cooler, more open feeling after the enclosed waterfall paths.

This is mainly a photography and scenery stop. You can look across the water and forest, take pictures, and rest your legs before the coffee plantation visit. The value here is variety. The day is not just waterfall after waterfall, and the hill gives you a wider view of northern Bali.

The description highlights Wanagiri as a good place for photographs and wild jungle scenery. Do not expect a long cultural visit or a detailed mountain trek from the information provided. Think of it as a short scenic pause with a strong visual payoff.

The viewpoint also helps you understand the area you have been driving through. The falls come from the mountain region around the lakes, while farms and plantations fill the lower areas. The route connects those pieces in a way you would miss by visiting only a single attraction.

Coffee luwak and a look at local production

The coffee luwak plantation adds a local agriculture stop to the day. It gives you the chance to learn about a coffee product associated with Bali and to see plantation life rather than spending every hour at a viewpoint.

The available information does not specify how long the plantation visit lasts or exactly what tastings are included, so I would treat it as a brief cultural and agricultural stop rather than plan the day around it. If coffee interests you, it adds real value. If you prefer waterfalls and swimming, it may feel less important.

That balance is part of the tour’s appeal. You see natural attractions, but you also pass working plantations and farms. The driver’s explanations about local daily life can make the road sections more meaningful, especially if you ask questions along the way.

Lunch, pricing, and what the $41 covers

The advertised price is $41 per person, which can be good value for a nine-hour private vehicle and driver, especially for two or more people sharing the experience. You are paying for door-to-door transport, a private group, an English-speaking driver-guide, and a full northern Bali route.

But check the option carefully before paying. The activity offers a car-and-driver-only option and an all-inclusive option. Entry tickets are included when you select the all-inclusive option, while the description does not include them in the basic arrangement. A bottle of water is included, as is the local bike transfer at Banyumana Amertha.

Lunch is not included. You can stop at a local restaurant and choose from local food, but you pay separately. Personal expenses are also extra, so carry cash as requested.

The price works best if you value convenience. Reaching two waterfalls, Wanagiri Hill, and a plantation independently would require arranging transport and managing several stops yourself. The private format also lets you spend more time at a favorite location, although the total nine-hour schedule still requires sensible pacing.

How difficult is the day?

The most important planning point is fitness. The route includes a 20-minute walk, stairs, uneven paths, and movement around waterfall areas. The heat and humidity can make a moderate walk feel harder than it looks on paper.

You do not need to be a serious hiker, but you should be comfortable walking downhill and uphill. Wear shoes with grip, bring a towel, and carry cash. A change of clothes is sensible if you swim or get caught in rain, though only comfortable shoes, towel, and cash are specifically listed as items to bring.

Non-swimmers are listed as unsuitable for the activity, and people with altitude sickness should also avoid it. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

The private setup helps, but it does not remove the physical work. A driver can explain the route, join the hike, and help if something goes wrong, yet you still need to manage the stairs yourself. If you have knee problems or limited mobility, the information provided does not confirm that the route is suitable, so ask the operator before booking.

What the guides add to the experience

A good driver matters on a long Bali day. You spend hours on the road, and an English-speaking guide can turn that time into a chance to understand the farms, plantations, and villages you pass.

Made was especially praised for being kind, friendly, informative, and fun. He also walked to the waterfalls and offered reassurance during the hikes. That kind of personal help is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private tour rather than arranging a simple transfer.

The guide quality may vary by departure, so I would not assume Made will be assigned to every booking. Still, the operator is PT. Bintang Savaya Trans, and the experience is designed around a driver-guide rather than a bare taxi service.

Who should book this private waterfall day?

I would recommend it to couples, families with active older children, and small groups who want northern Bali’s waterfalls without arranging transport themselves. It suits you if swimming, forest scenery, local farms, and photography all sound worthwhile.

It is less suitable if you want a slow luxury day, dislike stairs, or prefer easy access from the vehicle to every sight. It is also a poor match for anyone who does not swim, has altitude sickness, or wants lunch and entrance fees bundled automatically without checking the selected option.

The strongest part of the day is the mix. Banyumala gives you a cold mountain pool, Banyumana Amertha gives you two nearby falls and plantation paths, Wanagiri adds lake views, and the coffee stop brings in local agriculture. You get more than one type of northern Bali scenery in a single outing.

Final verdict: book it if you want waterfalls with a local route

I would book this tour if you want a private, active day and are happy to work for the scenery. The two waterfalls are the main reason to go, while the twin lakes, farms, and coffee plantation keep the schedule from feeling repetitive.

At $41 per person, the value is strongest when your option includes the entrance tickets and your group shares the private vehicle. Add lunch, bring cash, and confirm the inclusions before booking.

Do not book it expecting a soft, effortless sightseeing trip. Book it for cold pools, wet jungle paths, local roads, and the chance to see northern Bali with a helpful driver-guide. If Made is assigned to your day, his friendly explanations and willingness to walk with you could make the experience even better.

FAQ

How long does the North Bali waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts nine hours, including hotel pickup, the waterfall visits, Wanagiri Hill, the coffee plantation, and the return journey.

Which waterfalls are included?

The tour visits Banyumala Waterfall and Banyumana Amertha Waterfall in northern Bali.

Can I swim at the waterfalls?

Swimming is possible at Banyumala and at one of the Banyumana Amertha waterfalls. The water at Banyumala can be cold because it comes from the mountains.

How long is the walk to Banyumana Amertha Waterfall?

The walk from the entrance takes about 20 minutes and includes banana plantations and a series of stairs.

Is transportation included?

A private car and driver-guide are included. Pickup and return are available in Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Sanur, with listed points also including Legian and Warung Semawang. An extra fee may apply outside the stated areas.

Are entrance tickets included in the price?

Entry tickets are included when you select the all-inclusive option. Check the selected option carefully because the car-and-driver-only choice does not provide the same inclusions.

Is lunch included?

No. You can eat at a local restaurant during the day, but lunch must be paid for separately.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a towel, and cash. A bottle of water is included, and you may also want swimwear and a change of clothes for the waterfall stops.