North Bali looks good on paper. The drive just tests your patience a bit.

This door-to-door tour is built around Sekumpul Waterfalls and two postcard-worthy temple stops: Ulun Danu Beratan (on the lake) and Taman Ayun (a royal water temple and UNESCO Heritage Site). You’re not just jumping between highlights either. You get an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking tour guide, and insured transportation, with the option to include entrance fees in your booking.

I like two things most: first, the small-group feel (max 9 travelers) means the day doesn’t turn into a cattle line. Second, I really value that the plan includes hotel pickup and two-way transfers, which makes a notoriously stressful North Bali logistics day feel manageable.

One consideration: the drive time can be rough, especially if you’re picked up from farther south. You should be ready for a very long day, and plan your bathroom breaks early.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group, max 9 travelers: easier pace and fewer bottlenecks at viewpoints.
• Door-to-door pickup and drop-off: built for convenience from Ubud and many south Bali areas.
• Three iconic stops: Sekumpul Waterfalls plus Ulun Danu Beratan and Taman Ayun with tickets included when selected.
• Trekking guide is separate: you’ll likely pay the local trekking guide fee on the ground (IDR 150K medium or 250K long).
• Start at 6:30am: early enough to get moving before North Bali roads feel extra long.
• Built-in breaks and water: bottled water and an insured, guided setup, but lunch is not included.

Price and logistics: what $22.50 really covers

At $22.50 per person, this tour price feels like a solid deal for Bali standards because it includes more than a basic ticketed entrance-hopping day. You get pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking tour guide, bottled water, and insurance. If you choose the option that includes entrance fees, those are added too.

That said, the most important value check is this: Sekumpul trekking guide fees are not included. Your booking can include an English-speaking tour guide, but the local trekking guide for the hike is an extra cost paid separately on the ground. The listed fee is IDR 150K per person (Medium Trekking) or IDR 250K per person (Long Trekking). If you’re budgeting, factor that in right away so you don’t get surprised mid-day.

Another logistics point I’d respect: the itinerary includes three 1-hour stops, but the whole tour runs about 10 hours. That means you’re buying a full-day route, not just quick photo stops. You’ll want to treat this like an all-day outing: comfortable clothes, water-ready mindset, and patience for the road.

Morning start: the 6:30am decision and how to make it pay off

The tour starts at 6:30am. That’s not negotiable, and it’s also the whole point. North Bali is the kind of place where timing helps your experience. Leave early and you give yourself a better chance to enjoy cooler morning light around the waterfall area and temples.

If you’re staying in Ubud, this is especially practical because the tour explicitly supports pickups from Ubud and key south Bali locations. If you’re in farther spots like Lovina, Amed, Tulamben, or Candidasa, there’s an extra pickup charge listed (150K per person from Lovina/Amed/Tulamben, 100K per person from Candidasa). So check where you’re staying before you commit.

Small-group tours also benefit you here. With a maximum of 9 travelers, you tend to move more smoothly when the vehicle needs to reposition, and it’s easier for the guide to manage timing when someone needs a quick pause.

Stop 1: Sekumpul Waterfalls hike, steps, and getting the photo

Sekumpul Waterfalls is why most people sign up. This is a dreamy hike in Bali’s northern wilderness, and it’s also one of those outings where you feel every decision you made about footwear and pacing.

You’re scheduled for about 1 hour at Sekumpul with admission included (in the options where tickets are included). In reality, what matters is the trekking rhythm: you’ll likely be moving on uneven ground, and the hike involves enough effort that a local trekking guide can help you stay on track.

Here’s what I’d take from the on-the-ground experiences shared by others: a good driver and guide can make the day feel safer and easier at the start. One review highlighted Poetra as an incredible driver—kind, funny, and helpful—and noted he checked that people were comfortable with the local guide once you arrived. That’s exactly what you want on a hike day: someone who helps you feel set before you step into the trail.

One more reality check: the reviews also include a less-positive story about the day feeling long and uncomfortable for a portion of the time. That doesn’t mean the experience is always like that, but it does point to a practical truth: this is a long day. If you know you’re the type who needs a comfort break, do it when the opportunity appears rather than trying to wait.

The trekking guide fee: why it’s separate and what it means for you

It’s easy to assume an English-speaking guide covers everything. In this tour, you also have an English-speaking tour guide, but the Sekumpul & Trekking guide fee is not included. You pay it separately on arrival, and the fee depends on the trekking style: Medium (IDR 150K) or Long (IDR 250K).

So what does that mean in practice?

• You’ll pay for the local trekking guide on top of the tour price.
• You can still enjoy an English-speaking guide handling the overall route and timing.
• Your hiking experience will likely depend on the trekking guide’s pacing and support.

If you want the hike to feel more guided and less stressful, budget for the trekking guide fee and commit to a realistic pace. If you’re feeling unsure, it’s better to ask questions early rather than halfway through the trail.

Stop 2: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and the postcard view

After the waterfall stretch, you get a much calmer visual shift: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. This one is famous for its lakeside setting, and you really can’t miss it once you arrive. The temple’s look is the kind that turns up on postcards because the shrine sits right on the water’s edge, backed by mountain scenery.

You’re scheduled for about 1 hour here, and admission is included when you select the ticket-inclusive option. This stop works well in the day because it’s less physically demanding than Sekumpul, but it still feels like you’re seeing something special rather than just passing through.

Photography tip that fits the way this site is designed: plan to move slowly and look from multiple angles. The scene is built for layered views—temple, lake, and surrounding slopes. When you do want pictures, don’t be shy about asking the guide for a better angle. In one review, the driver was known for stopping along the way for photo moments, so there’s clearly a culture of letting you get your shot.

Stop 3: Taman Ayun Water Temple, UNESCO energy without the chaos

Your last stop is Taman Ayun Temple, described as a royal water temple and a UNESCO Heritage Site. Like Ulun Danu, it’s a famous Bali stop, but it doesn’t feel like a theme park. It has the calm, structured feel that temples do when they’re functioning as places of worship and community.

You’ll get about 1 hour, and again, admission is included if you selected the ticket-inclusive option.

This stop is a good closer because it balances the earlier adrenaline of the hike with a more composed, cultural atmosphere. If you enjoy temples and want a “big three” North Bali highlights route—waterfalls plus lakeside temple plus UNESCO temple—this itinerary does that neatly in one day.

The driving reality: why the day can feel long

Let’s be honest about the hard part: the drive. North Bali is farther than most first-time Bali travelers expect, and road time is real.

One review mentioned that from Jimbaran, it can be about 11 hours by car. That doesn’t mean your day will match that exactly, but it does explain why people either love this tour as a once-in-a-trip experience or find it hard if they’re not prepared for a long day.

What helps?

• Having hotel pickup so you’re not doing navigation and route planning under stress.
• Having a friendly driver who can pause for pictures and keep the ride comfortable.
• Going in with the mindset that you’re paying for an organized route, not a quick outing.

What hurts?

• If you’re the type who hates long stretches without a chance to reset.
• If you don’t budget time for fatigue after the hike.

If you’re sensitive to long travel days, consider packing snacks and staying hydrated. Lunch isn’t included, so you’ll likely be thinking about food at some point unless you plan ahead.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is a great match if you want:

• High-impact North Bali in one packed day: Sekumpul plus two major temples
• Convenience: pickup, transfers, a guided route, bottled water, insurance
• Small-group movement with a max of 9 travelers
• A flexible experience where your driver and guide can help you feel comfortable on the hike

It may not be ideal if:

• You hate long road days and need frequent breaks.
• You’re on a tight budget and don’t want to account for the trekking guide fee paid separately.
• You expect lunch and personal expenses to be handled for you (they aren’t).

What to choose: no tickets vs tickets vs private

Your options change what you’re paying for upfront:

• Small-group tour without tickets: you’ll handle entrance fees separately.
• Small-group tour with tickets and a guide: entrance fees are included (for the sites in the itinerary) and you still get an English-speaking tour guide.
• Private tour with tickets and a guide: similar ticket inclusion, with a more tailored experience for your group size.

Across all options, the important note stays the same: the trekking guide fee is additional. So whichever option you choose, you’ll still want to budget for that hike support cost.

If you like predictability, I’d lean toward the ticket-inclusive choice so you’re not thinking about entrance fees while you’re tired from early starts.

A balanced takeaway: the best parts are worth it, if you plan for the long day

This tour’s strongest selling points are practical and real: door-to-door pickup, small group size, and the fact that you hit three North Bali icons in one go. The waterfall and temple combo also creates a satisfying emotional rhythm—effort, awe, then calm beauty.

The main downside is equally real: it’s a full-day commitment with lots of driving, and the hike part adds physical effort. If you go in prepared, it feels like a worthwhile North Bali day. If you go in hoping it’s casual, it can feel like more than you expected.

Should you book North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized, guided route that covers the big North Bali hits with less hassle than self-driving. I especially think it’s a good fit if you’ll value an English-speaking guide, a comfortable ride, and a small group (max 9).

Hold off or choose another option if you strongly dislike long driving days, don’t want extra on-the-ground costs for the trekking guide, or need lunch included in the price.

If you do book, do two things: budget for the trekking guide fee, and treat this as a long day starting with a 6:30am wake-up. Then you’ll spend the day looking at waterfalls and temples instead of worrying about logistics.

FAQ

What is the approximate duration of the tour?

The tour runs for about 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins around 6:30am.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pick-up and Drop-off are included.

Where is free pickup available?

Free pick up is listed from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

Extra charges apply from Lovina, Amed, Tulamben (150K per person), and Candidasa (100K per person).

What does the tour price include?

It includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking tour guide, bottled water, insurance, and pick-up/drop-off. Entrance fees are included only if you select the option that includes them.

Are entrance fees included?

They are included if you choose the option where entrance fees are part of your booking. The tour notes that entrance fee inclusion depends on the selected option.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Do I need to pay for a trekking guide separately?

Yes. The Sekumpul & Trekking guide fee is not included. The listed fees are IDR 150K per person (Medium Trekking) or IDR 250K per person (Long Trekking).

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 9 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.