Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfall Guided Trek

Waterfalls reward strong legs. This eight-hour Bali outing pairs the tall Sekumpul falls with the broader Banyumala falls, and I like the rice-field walk at Sekumpul and the chance to swim in natural pools at both sites. Your guide also helps with photos and keeps the route organized.

The main catch is the trek itself. Expect a moderate to challenging walk, wet paths, and tiring climbs back uphill. Entrance fees are not included in the $44 price, and the long transfers make this a full-day commitment rather than a quick waterfall stop.

The experience is private-group friendly and includes hotel pickup, drop-off, an English-speaking guide, and transport between three scenic stops. Guides such as Ardy have earned praise for answering questions, knowing the route, and taking good care of the day’s details.

Key things to know before you book

• Sekumpul takes effort: The walk from the meeting point takes about 30 minutes, with rice fields and village views along the route.
• You get two very different waterfalls: Sekumpul is tall and dramatic, while Banyumala is lower and wider, with a good swimming pool.
• The day includes a third photo stop: The Twin Lake View adds a short scenic break after the waterfalls.
• Bring clothes you can get wet: Swimming, spray, and damp paths are part of the experience.
• The $44 price covers the basics: Transport, guide service, trekking, and hotel pickup are included, but entrance fees, lunch, snacks, and personal spending are extra.
• This is not an easy stroll: Comfortable trekking shoes, water, and reasonable fitness will make a big difference.

Two waterfalls, one long day in northern Bali

This tour is built around two of Bali’s best-known waterfall areas, Sekumpul and Banyumala. They are not next door to one another, so the day involves plenty of road time, but that is also what lets you see two different corners of the north in one outing.

The advertised duration is eight hours. That includes about two hours to reach the Sekumpul area, one hour between the waterfalls, and another 30 minutes toward the Twin Lake View before your return. Add the walking and sightseeing, and you have a busy day with little wasted time.

I like the basic plan because it gives you more than one waterfall without trying to cram in five rushed stops. The trade-off is simple: if you dislike long drives or steep paths, this may feel demanding.

Pickup is available from places including Ubud, Denpasar, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Singaraja, Lovina Beach, Gobleg, Wanagiri, and nearby areas. The exact pickup point matters because the journey from southern Bali can take longer than the listed activity time suggests.

You should be waiting in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup. That small bit of planning helps, especially when the day already includes long transfers.

The walk through Sekumpul village and rice fields

The first major stop is Sekumpul Waterfall. From the meeting point, you walk for around 30 minutes through the Sekumpul village area and along rice fields. This approach is part of the appeal. You are not simply stepping out of a vehicle beside a viewpoint, taking one photo, and leaving.

The rice-field section gives the morning a slower start. You get open views, village scenery, and a sense of the local setting before the forest and falls take over. I would treat this walk as the first part of the attraction, not as a necessary nuisance.

Your guide leads the route and can help with photos along the way. That is useful here because the best waterfall photographs may require careful positioning, and wet conditions are not ideal for handling a phone or camera while walking.

The path is not described as easy. The tour specifically warns of a moderate to challenging trek, and the return climbs can be tiring. Luisa from Italy described the uphill sections as strenuous, but also said the waterfalls made the effort worthwhile. That is a fair expectation to carry with you.

Wear proper trekking shoes rather than smooth-soled sandals. Bring water, and keep your camera protected when the path becomes damp.

Why Sekumpul deserves two hours

Sekumpul is the dramatic centerpiece of the day. The waterfall is known for its tall twin falls, and you have roughly two hours for the visit, with the possibility of spending two to three hours in the area depending on the schedule.

The height is what gives Sekumpul its strong visual impact. You can take photographs beneath the waterfall area, and the surrounding jungle setting makes the stop feel more substantial than a roadside viewpoint.

The natural pools are another reason to allow time here. You can take a refreshing swim, but the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, so you should be comfortable in natural water before booking. Even if you do not swim, there is time for photos and for simply enjoying the falls.

The ground can be wet, and you may get soaked from spray or swimming. A change of clothes is not an optional luxury here. It is one of the most useful things in your bag.

The guide’s role is especially valuable at Sekumpul. Ardy, one guide praised for this experience, was described as professional, attentive to questions, and familiar with the area. That kind of local help matters more on a physical outing than on a simple sightseeing drive.

Do not expect a leisurely two hours with no effort. You will spend part of the visit walking, negotiating wet ground, swimming if you choose, and climbing back out. The payoff is a waterfall stop that feels like a real outing rather than a quick photograph.

The road to Banyumala and a different kind of waterfall

After Sekumpul, the tour allows about one hour for the transfer to Banyumala Waterfall. This is a useful pause after the first trek, though it also adds to the total time spent in the vehicle.

Banyumala is presented as another twin waterfall, but its character is different. It is lower and wider than Sekumpul, with water spreading across a broad rock face and collecting in a natural pool. The change in scale gives the second stop its own appeal instead of making it feel like a repeat.

You receive about two hours here for a guided visit, photographs, free time, and swimming. This is generous enough to enjoy the setting without needing to rush straight back to the car.

I like the order of the day. Sekumpul brings the tallest, most dramatic falls first, while Banyumala offers a more relaxed pool stop later. If you are tired after Sekumpul, Banyumala gives you a chance to slow down. If you still have energy, you can swim and take more photos.

The road transfer is worth considering when you judge the tour. From a southern pickup point, the day may feel long because of the initial journey, the hour between waterfalls, and the return drive. From northern locations such as Lovina Beach or Singaraja, the arrangement may feel more manageable.

Swimming, photos, and what to pack

Swimming is a major part of the experience, but you need to prepare for more than just putting on a swimsuit. The tour advises comfortable shoes, swimwear, a change of clothes, water, snacks, and a camera.

Your footwear should handle uneven and wet ground. The information does not promise changing facilities, so keeping your dry clothes packed in a protected bag is a sensible move. You may want to separate your phone and camera from wet clothing as well.

Bring your own water bottle. Lunch is not included, and the schedule is long enough that snacks are worth carrying. The supplied information does not state that food is provided at either waterfall, so do not plan the day around an included meal.

The guide can help with photo opportunities, which is useful if you are traveling alone or want more than quick arm’s-length pictures. Still, protect your equipment. Waterfall spray and swimming pools are not kind to unprotected electronics.

If you choose not to swim, you can use the time for sightseeing and photographs. But the tour lists non-swimmers among those for whom the activity is not suitable, so swimming ability is treated as an important safety consideration, not a minor extra.

Twin Lake View gives the day a final pause

The last sightseeing stop is Twin Lake View, with about 30 minutes for photographs, free time, and a guided visit. It is a shorter stop than either waterfall, but it breaks up the trip home and adds a broad scenic view to a day otherwise centered on jungle paths and falling water.

You should not expect another major attraction here. Think of it as a brief viewpoint stop and a chance to take in a different part of northern Bali after the more physical sections of the day.

The 30-minute visit is about right for photos and a quick look. It also means you are not spending the entire day in the same type of setting. That variety helps, especially after several hours of walking and swimming.

Is $44 good value?

At $44 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transport and a guide. You are getting hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking local guide, the trekking experience, visits to two major waterfalls, photo help, and the Twin Lake View stop.

The value improves if you are staying far from the waterfalls or do not want to arrange separate transport. Driving between remote attractions in Bali can be inconvenient, and having one person organize the route saves effort.

You still need to budget for entrance fees, which are paid on site and are not included. Lunch, snacks, drinks, and personal expenses are also extra. The tour price is therefore not the full cost of the day.

A private group is available, which can make the pace more comfortable and the photo stops easier to manage. The supplied details do not state the standard group size, so ask about group arrangements if that affects your decision.

The activity also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms give you some planning flexibility, but they do not change the physical demands of the outing.

How the guide affects the experience

A waterfall trek is only as good as the person leading it. The guide needs to handle the route, answer questions, help with photos, and keep the day moving between several locations.

The guide praise attached to this experience is specific. Ardy was singled out for being professional, attentive, and familiar with Sekumpul. The driver was also described as kind and well-mannered, while another booking described the tour as well organized and the driver as very friendly.

That matters because this is not just a guided walk. It is a package of driving, timing, trekking, swimming, and photo stops. Good coordination makes the day easier, especially when you are wet, tired, and ready to get back to your hotel.

The listed tour language is English. If you have questions about the route, swimming conditions, or the exact pickup timing, raise them before setting out.

Who should book this waterfall trek?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want two major waterfalls in one day, enjoy active sightseeing, and do not mind a long schedule. It suits people who prefer natural scenery and local guiding over a relaxed beach day.

It is also a good fit if you want the convenience of hotel pickup from a wide range of Bali locations. The private-group option may appeal to couples, families with older children, or friends who want more control over photo and swimming time.

You should think twice if you have back problems or a mobility impairment. The route includes walking, uphill sections, and wet ground. The tour also says it is not suitable for non-swimmers.

This is not the right choice if you want an effortless viewpoint tour. The steep return sections and the need for comfortable trekking shoes are central to the experience, not minor warnings tucked into the fine print.

Practical booking advice for a smoother day

Choose a starting point that keeps your transfer time sensible. Pickup is offered in both southern and northern Bali, but the road journey will feel different depending on where you stay.

Wear your trekking shoes from the start. Pack swimwear where you can reach it, and bring a dry change of clothes in a waterproof bag. Water and snacks are essential because lunch is not included.

Allow extra room in your day for the drive back. The listed duration is eight hours, but road conditions and pickup locations can affect how the outing fits around evening plans.

Keep cash or another payment method available for entrance fees and personal expenses. Those costs are paid separately at the waterfalls.

Should you book it?

Book this trek if you want a full day of waterfalls, swimming, village scenery, and guided outdoor activity for $44 before entrance fees and food. Sekumpul gives you height and drama, Banyumala gives you a broader pool for swimming, and Twin Lake View adds a final scenic pause.

Skip it if you need an easy walk, dislike long transfers, or are not comfortable swimming. For the right person, the tiring climbs are a fair exchange for seeing two of Bali’s strongest waterfall sights with transport and a local guide already arranged.

FAQ

How long does the Sekumpul and Banyumala waterfall tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including transfers, walking, waterfall visits, and the Twin Lake View stop.

What waterfalls are included?

The tour includes Sekumpul Waterfall, Grobogan and Fiji Waterfalls in the Sekumpul area, and Banyumala Waterfall.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from listed locations such as Ubud, Denpasar, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Singaraja, Lovina Beach, Gobleg, and Wanagiri.

How long is the walk to Sekumpul Waterfall?

The walk from the meeting point to Sekumpul Waterfall takes around 30 minutes and passes through rice fields and the Sekumpul village area.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is available at the natural pools at Sekumpul and Banyumala, but you should bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

Is the trek difficult?

The trek is described as moderate to challenging. Comfortable trekking shoes are recommended, and the uphill sections can be tiring.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entrance fees to the waterfalls must be paid on site and are not included in the $44 price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You should bring snacks and a water bottle.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.