North Bali Trip with 2 Hidden Waterfalls Private Tour

Northern Bali’s best moments here come with wet feet and tired legs. You visit Banyumala’s mountain-fed pool and Banyumana Amerta’s curtain-like falls, then trade jungle paths for views over the twin lakes. It is a full day built around scenery rather than temples or beach clubs.

I like the private setup, especially the freedom to move at your own pace, and I like the close look at plantations, farms, and daily village life between the main stops. Driver Made has also been singled out for being kind, helpful, and good at explaining local life. The catch is simple: the hikes are strenuous in Bali’s heat, and the $41 price depends on which booking option you choose.

Key points to know before booking

• Banyumala is more than a twin waterfall: The falls feed a cold natural pool that is suitable for swimming if you are comfortable in mountain water.
• Banyumana Amerta needs a hike: Expect about 20 minutes from the entrance, with stairs and uneven sections through banana plantations.
• A local bike saves your legs: A rider takes you up and down the small access road at Banyumana Amerta, though you still walk to the falls.
• This is a private day, not a rushed group outing: You have a private car and English-speaking driver for roughly nine hours.
• Wanagiri Hill adds a viewpoint stop: You get twin-lake views, jungle scenery, and photo opportunities after the waterfall walks.
• Lunch and some costs need checking: Lunch is not included, and entry tickets depend on the selected package.

Two North Bali waterfalls in one long day

This tour takes you north from Bali’s main holiday areas to a cooler, wetter part of the island. The journey from Canggu, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, or Ubud makes the day long, but the reward is a pair of very different waterfalls rather than one quick roadside stop.

Your private driver picks you up at your hotel area and returns you to one of the listed drop-off areas after the day’s activities. You should be ready in the lobby five minutes before pickup. The exact start time depends on availability, so check it before booking.

The private format matters here. You are not tied to a large group’s swimming time or walking speed. If the path leaves you breathing hard, you can slow down. If the water looks inviting, you have more freedom to enjoy it rather than rushing toward the next scheduled stop.

Banyumala’s cold mountain pool

Banyumala Waterfall is often called a twin waterfall, though the setting is a little broader than that name suggests. Several streams drop into a deep natural pool, creating a lush scene with water coming down through the jungle.

The pool is the main reason to bring a swimsuit and towel. The water comes from the mountains, so it is colder than a lowland swimming spot. That is refreshing in Bali’s humidity, but it can feel brisk when you first get in. You do not need to swim to appreciate the stop, though non-swimmers should note that the tour is not considered suitable for them.

Take care on the approach. Waterfalls mean wet surfaces, and the forest path can be slippery, particularly after rain. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, and that advice is worth following. Flip-flops may be fine for the poolside, but they are a poor choice for a steep or damp path.

The appeal of Banyumala is its natural setting. There is no need for a long list of attractions here. You get falling water, a mountain pool, and thick jungle around you. Plan on getting damp, even if you only walk near the water.

Banyumana Amerta and the curtain of water

The second waterfall has a different feel. Banyumana Amerta lies about 3 kilometers north of Lake Buyan, and the walk from the entrance takes about 20 minutes. The route passes banana plantations and descends a series of stairs toward two waterfalls close to each other.

One fall resembles a broad curtain of water. It makes an excellent photo background, but the setting is not only for pictures. You can swim here too, depending on water conditions and your comfort with the route. The stairs and return climb make this stop more demanding than the description may first suggest.

A useful feature is the included local bike transfer with a rider. It takes you up and down the small access road at Banyumana Amerta, saving energy on that section. It does not remove the walk to the falls, so you still need to manage the stairs and uneven ground on foot.

That bike transfer is especially helpful if you are not used to Bali’s heat or steep paths. One visitor specifically advised using the motorbike service to spare your legs. You still get the walk through the plantations and down to the water, but you avoid spending all your energy on the access road.

Why the hiking effort matters

The waterfalls are not roadside photo stops. You have to walk to reach them, and the combination of humidity, heat, stairs, and wet ground can make the day more physical than expected.

One detailed account described the hikes as strenuous, particularly for someone not in top shape. That is useful advice, not a warning meant to put you off. The effort is part of why the sites feel removed from Bali’s busy southern coast, but you should pace yourself and carry water.

The driver may walk the trails with you. Made, one of the drivers associated with this experience, has been praised for joining the hikes, keeping an eye on safety, and helping if something went wrong. His explanations of local daily life also add something beyond transportation. Driver assignments can vary, so Made should not be treated as guaranteed.

Rain can change the feel of the day. Paths may become slick, and the waterfalls can look more forceful. One outing continued through heavy rain, with the driver doing his best to keep the day comfortable. Bring a towel, cash, sturdy shoes, and a flexible attitude.

Wanagiri Hill and the twin lakes

After the waterfalls, the tour moves toward Wanagiri Hill, a popular viewpoint above Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. The area is known for views across the twin lakes, with wild jungle scenery around the water.

This stop gives the day a change of pace. At the waterfalls, you are close to the water and focused on the trail. At Wanagiri, you look out across the wider northern Bali setting. It is a good place for photographs, especially if you want a picture that shows more than a waterfall wall.

The viewpoint portion is photo-focused, but it also helps you understand the area. Buyan and Tamblingan sit in a cooler mountain zone, far removed in feel from the beach districts. The jungle around the lakes provides the backdrop, while the height gives you a broader view than the waterfall paths allow.

Conditions matter. Clouds or rain can reduce the view, and the weather may change quickly in the mountains. I would treat this as a worthwhile scenic stop, but not make the entire booking decision based on getting a perfect panorama.

Plantations, farms, and luwak coffee

The route includes views of farms and plantations, with a visit to a luwak coffee plantation available as part of the day’s northern Bali experience. This section gives you a look at how rural life fits around the tourist sights.

The value here is in the contrast. You are not moving from one attraction to another without context. Between the falls and the viewpoints, you see cultivated land and village surroundings. A good driver can make these stretches more meaningful by explaining what you are seeing.

The supplied details do not promise a particular tasting, purchase, or demonstration at the plantation, so check what is included before you book. If you are interested in luwak coffee, ask your driver or provider what the visit involves and keep personal spending in mind.

This is also where a private tour can feel more useful than a fixed group route. You can ask questions about the farms, coffee, or local routines as you go. Driver Made was specifically praised for making explanations about local daily life interesting, though again, your assigned driver may be someone else.

Lunch, transport, and the real value of $41

The listed price is $41 per person for nine hours, which can be good value if you want a private car, driver, and a full day in North Bali without arranging several separate rides. The price is not a simple all-in figure, though.

There are two pricing approaches: a car-and-driver option and an all-inclusive option. Entry tickets are included only when you select the all-inclusive package. Lunch is not included, and personal expenses are extra. Ask exactly which option you are viewing before paying, especially if the displayed price changes by group size or package.

The private car is the main value. North Bali sites are spread out, and arranging transport independently can be awkward when you also need to find waterfall entrances, manage the access roads, and return to your hotel. Here, the driver handles the route while you concentrate on the scenery.

Bottled water is included. The local bike with rider at Banyumana Amerta is included with both options, which is a useful detail because it reduces one of the day’s more tiring road sections. Bring cash for lunch, drinks, entry costs if your package excludes them, and any personal purchases.

The day lasts about nine hours, but road time will form part of that total. From the southern resort areas, this is not a quick half-day activity. You should book it because you want the waterfalls and mountain scenery, not because you want to spend most of the day close to your hotel.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to someone who wants active scenery, a private ride, and a break from Bali’s southern resort strip. It suits couples, families with older children who can handle the paths, and small private groups that prefer not to share a vehicle.

It is especially good for people who want to swim in natural pools, photograph waterfalls, and see some of the countryside around Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. The private setup also suits anyone who likes asking questions and adjusting the pace.

I would think twice if you dislike stairs, have trouble walking on wet ground, or want a relaxed sightseeing day with little physical effort. The tour is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers and people with altitude sickness. Even if you skip swimming, the walks remain part of the experience.

Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A swimsuit and towel
• Cash for lunch and personal expenses
• A bottle of water, though one bottle is supplied
• A change of clothes if you plan to swim

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Pickup outside the listed Bali areas may cost extra, so confirm your hotel location before booking.

Should you book the North Bali waterfall tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing two northern waterfalls in one private day, with time for a mountain swim, rural scenery, twin-lake views, and a coffee plantation visit. The strongest parts are the natural settings, the flexibility of a private car, and the included bike transfer at Banyumana Amerta.

Skip it if you want an easy, polished sightseeing trip with no steep paths or if lunch and every entrance fee must be included in the headline price. At $41 per person, it offers strong value when the package matches your needs, but check the car-only versus all-inclusive choice first.

For an active day, the combination of Banyumala, Banyumana Amerta, and Wanagiri Hill gives you a good slice of North Bali. Just wear proper shoes, save your legs for the stairs, and expect the weather to have a say.

FAQ

How long does the North Bali waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Pickup and return are available for listed areas including Ubud, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Sanur.

Are entry tickets included?

Entry tickets are included when you select the all-inclusive option. They are not included in the car-and-driver-only option.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though you can stop at a local restaurant and pay separately.

Can I swim at the waterfalls?

Yes, swimming is possible at Banyumala and Banyumana Amerta. The Banyumala pool is mountain-fed and cold, and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is transport provided at Banyumana Amerta Waterfall?

Yes. A local bike with rider provides pickup and return along the small access road at Banyumana Amerta. You still need to walk from the entrance to the waterfalls.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a towel, and cash. A bottle of water is included.