Banyuwana & Banyumala Waterfalls Tour Private – All-Inclusive

North Bali’s waterfalls are the main event here. You walk down through banana trees, tropical plants, and forest to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, then continue to Banyu Wana Amertha, where cool water and a natural setting reward the climb back up. I like the private format, which lets guides such as Kadek, Ravy, Made, or Asta adjust the pace. I also like the mix of waterfalls, mountain views, rice terraces, and a Hindu temple in one day.

The catch is the word day. The advertised duration is about seven to eight hours, but some departures have run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Long drives link the stops, and the waterfall paths include steep, slick stairs. The tour description also mixes Banyumala, Banyu Wana, and Sekumpul, so confirm the exact route before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Banyumala is reached through a scenic forest path: Expect banana trees, tropical flowers, plants, and a descent toward the water.
• Banyu Wana requires a steep 30-minute walk: Stepping stones cross a stream, and some stairs can be difficult.
• The private car is a major advantage: You travel with only your own group and can often slow down, stop for photos, or adjust the order.
• The day may include more than the listed waterfall stops: Mountain viewpoints, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, breakfast near Mount Batur, and a coffee plantation appear in the route descriptions and past departures.
• The hike is harder on the return: Going down is only half the job. Wet steps, heat, and uphill walking can make the climb back demanding.
• The $50 price is strongest for two or more people: It covers pickup, private transport, an English-speaking driver, and entrance fees, but not lunch or coffee purchases.

Why the waterfalls make this tour worth considering

I would choose this tour for the waterfalls, not for a quick checklist of Bali sights. Banyumala and Banyu Wana offer a closer look at the island’s wet northern interior, where the reward comes after a walk rather than beside a parking area.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is approached on a path through tropical growth. Banana trees and flowers line the descent, giving the walk a pleasant sense of entering the forest. At the bottom, the twin streams create the kind of cool, wet setting that makes a swim or paddle especially appealing.

Banyu Wana Amertha adds another waterfall stop, but it also adds effort. The walk takes about 30 minutes and includes a steep descent, a stream crossing on stepping stones, and stairs that may feel awkward underfoot. I would treat this as a real hike, not a casual stroll.

Some routes connected with this experience also include Sekumpul Waterfall. That matters because the Sekumpul section can involve two walking stages: roughly 15 to 20 minutes downhill to a first viewpoint, followed by about 10 more minutes toward the falls themselves. The exact waterfall combination should be confirmed, since the name of the tour and the written route do not match perfectly.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls and the first forest walk

The first stop is a good test of your shoes and your legs. You descend through greenery toward Banyumala, with tropical flowers, broad banana leaves, and forest plants replacing the usual roadside views.

The path is beautiful, but downhill walking can be deceptive. You may feel fresh at the start and forget that every step down becomes an uphill step later. Wear sport shoes with solid grip, especially during wet weather.

The waterfall stop lasts about an hour, with admission included. Bring a change of clothes and a plastic bag for wet items. A waterproof camera is useful, but protect phones and wallets carefully. The water and the path both create easy chances for belongings to get soaked.

Swimming is part of the appeal at the waterfalls, but do not treat the setting like a supervised pool. The supplied advice specifically warns about challenging stairs, and several route descriptions emphasize that the return climb is the tougher part.

Banyu Wana Amertha and the slippery climb

Banyu Wana Amertha follows with another walk, listed at about 30 minutes. The descent is steep, and you cross a stream using stepping stones. I would slow down here, keep one hand free for balance, and avoid carrying loose items in your hands.

Some stairs are difficult, especially when rain makes them slick. The tour suits most active adults, but the stated age range is 12 to 65. That is a useful guide rather than a promise that the walk will feel easy for everyone.

A few practical choices make a big difference:

• Wear sport shoes, not smooth-soled sandals.
• Carry only what you need on the path.
• Keep valuables in a waterproof pouch or sealed plastic bag.
• Bring sunscreen, even though much of the route is shaded.
• Pack dry clothes for the ride afterward.
• Allow extra time if you need regular rest stops.

The private setup helps here. Guides including Kadek Tosa and other named drivers have been described as patient with slower walkers. One departure included a motorcycle ride back to the top from the Sekumpul area for 20,000 Indonesian rupiah, less than $2 at the time of that account. Do not assume that option is included at every waterfall, but ask your guide if the climb becomes too much.

Mount Batur views and Tegalalang Rice Terrace

The route often reaches beyond the waterfalls. Stops connected with the day include a view of Mount Batur, the Kintamani area, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

The Mount Batur stop can be more than a quick photo pullout. One breakfast location faces the volcano and its caldera, giving you a chance to eat while looking across the broad mountain basin. Breakfast is not listed as an included meal, so budget for food. One detailed departure described the breakfast view as the best meal setting of the trip, but your experience will depend on weather and the exact route.

Tegalalang offers the familiar stepped rice-field view associated with the Ubud area. It is a strong photo stop and a useful contrast to the forest waterfalls. The tradeoff is repetition. If you have already visited Tegalalang or taken another Bali sightseeing tour, this part may feel familiar.

The driver can make a big difference during these road sections. Guides such as Newman and Made have been praised for knowing the island well and adjusting around traffic. Still, North Bali takes time to reach from southern resorts. The drives can run around two hours between major stops, and some full departures have lasted close to 12 hours.

That long day is easier to accept if you see the tour as a way to cover distant parts of Bali without arranging several separate rides. It is less appealing if you want a slow waterfall visit with little time in the car.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan beside Lake Bratan

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is the cultural centerpiece of the route. The temple complex sits on the shore of Lake Bratan in the mountain area around Bedugul, about 45 minutes from the Sekumpul area according to the route details.

The setting is the attraction: temple buildings, mountain air, and the lake create a very different mood from the waterfall paths. I like having this stop after the physical part of the day, since it provides a quieter place for photos and a change of pace.

The listed visit lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough to see the main grounds and take pictures, but not enough for a slow, detailed visit. Treat it as a scenic temple stop rather than a long cultural tour.

The guide’s role can vary. Some drivers, including Ravy, Arta, Gede, and Putu, have been described as friendly, flexible, and willing to explain places along the way. One account found the driver acted mainly as transport, with little explanation of the sights. If cultural context matters to you, ask at the start how much guiding will be provided at each stop.

Remember to dress respectfully for a Hindu temple. The supplied details do not specify a dress code or clothing rental, so plan modest clothing rather than relying on the operator to provide anything.

Coffee, lunch, and extra spending

A coffee plantation appears in some versions of the route, often after the temple or during the return journey. It gives you a break from the car and waterfalls, but it can also become a shopping stop.

Luwak coffee is available at high prices. One detailed account put the most expensive type at about 1,100,000 Indonesian rupiah for 250 grams. Other coffees and teas are also offered. You do not need to buy anything, but set a spending limit before you arrive if you prefer not to make an unplanned purchase.

Lunch is not included. The tour includes private transport, an English-speaking driver, admission fees, and hotel or port pickup and drop-off, but food remains your responsibility. Carry money for meals and souvenirs.

At $50 per person, the value depends on group size and your starting point. With at least two people, you are paying for a private vehicle, a full day of transport across central and northern Bali, a driver, and included entry fees. A solo booking is not available because a minimum of two people is required.

For a couple or small group, this is a practical way to reach places that are not simple to combine with local taxis. The value weakens if the day stretches to 12 hours, if you dislike long drives, or if you are mainly interested in one waterfall.

Private transport and the guide experience

Pickup and drop-off are offered at your hotel or port, with an 8 a.m. start time. The private format means no strangers share your vehicle or dictate the pace. That matters when one person wants more waterfall time, another needs rest breaks, or you want to stop for photographs.

Named guides and drivers connected with past departures include Dodik, Asta, Ravy, Kadek, Newman, Arta, Gede, Made, Ma-De, Kadek Tosa, and Putu. The strongest pattern is personal service: prompt pickup, patience on the stairs, help with photographs, and flexibility when the group wants to change the timing.

Asta has been praised for taking fun and romantic photos. Ravy has been described as friendly and gracious, with the ability to adapt the route to a group’s needs. Kadek Tosa is a good name to request if available, especially if your group expects to walk slowly. These guides are not guaranteed for every departure, so consider the names examples rather than promises.

The main weakness is that an English-speaking driver is not always the same as a full cultural guide. You may receive clear help with transport and the walk, but not a detailed explanation at every temple, plantation, or viewpoint. If that distinction matters, ask before departure.

Fitness, weather, and what to pack

This is suitable for most people who can manage a moderate hike, but the stairs deserve respect. The route includes downhill walking, steep uphill sections, slippery steps, and a stream crossing. The waterfalls are beautiful precisely because they are in a less polished setting, so do not expect flat paths from the car to the water.

Rain can change the day quickly in the mountain area. One departure encountered a heavy storm during the climb, while another suggested that rain made the uphill walk oddly refreshing. Bring a raincoat or umbrella. The operator does not promise wet-weather gear, and one practical improvement would be for visitors to carry their own.

Pack:

• Sport shoes with grip
• A change of clothes
• A plastic bag for wet belongings
• A waterproof camera or phone case
• Sunscreen
• Money for food, coffee, and souvenirs
• Water and anything you need for a long day

The stated age range is 12 to 65, and most people can participate. I would not book it for anyone who struggles with steep stairs, slippery surfaces, or long hours in a vehicle.

Who should book this north Bali day?

I would book this for a couple, family with older children, or small group that wants a private car and several major sights in one outing. It is especially useful if you are staying in Ubud and want to reach the northern waterfalls without arranging transport yourself.

It also suits photographers. You get forest paths, falling water, rice terraces, a volcano view, a lakeside temple, and perhaps a coffee plantation. The guide may help with photos, and the private schedule gives you more control than a large coach tour.

I would hesitate if you want a short, gentle activity. The driving can be long, the route may last beyond the stated seven to eight hours, and the walk back from the waterfalls can leave your legs sore the next day.

The 97 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 89 reviews point to a reliable experience overall, but the practical details matter more than the number. Confirm the waterfall names, ask how long the route is from your hotel, and clarify if you want a guide rather than only a driver.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Banyumala and Banyu Wana?

Book it if your idea of a good Bali day includes cold waterfall water, mountain roads, photo stops, a temple by a lake, and a real walk through the forest. The private car, patient drivers, and included entrance fees make $50 per person a fair price for two or more people.

Skip it if you dislike steep stairs, long drives, or sales-oriented coffee stops. Most important, confirm the final route before paying, since the description names Banyumala and Banyu Wana while also referring to Sekumpul. With that point settled, this is a strong choice for seeing Bali beyond the usual Ubud circuit.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is about seven to eight hours. Some departures have lasted much longer, from around 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., because of long drives and multiple stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included, along with private transportation.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget for food during the day.

How difficult is the waterfall walk?

The walk is moderately challenging and includes steep, slippery stairs, a stream crossing on stepping stones, and an uphill return. Sport shoes are recommended.

How many people are required to book?

A minimum of two people per booking is required. The activity is private, so only your own group participates.