Bali: Sekumpul and Banyumala Waterfall Guided Trek

Sekumpul is the star here: two tall streams dropping through Bali’s jungle, with a footpath that leads you close enough for spray and photos beneath the falls. You also visit Grobogan and Fiji Waterfalls before finishing at Banyumala, a wider waterfall with a cool natural pool.

I like the walk through Sekumpul village’s rice fields and the fact that you get real time at the water, not just a quick photo stop. I also like the personal service: guide Ardy is praised for answering questions and helping along the route. The catch is simple: the uphill sections are tiring, entrance fees are extra, and this is not a soft stroll.

Key points before you book

• Sekumpul gives you the big waterfall moment: Plan on about two hours around the falls, with time for photos and swimming.
• Banyumala adds a different setting: It is lower and wider, with a natural pool suited to a refreshing swim.
• The rice-field approach matters: The first walk takes about 30 minutes and gives you a quieter look at Sekumpul village.
• This is a real trek: Comfortable shoes, water, swimwear, and dry clothes are not optional extras.
• The day includes several long drives: Allow for a two-hour transfer at the start, a one-hour transfer between waterfalls, and a final 30-minute transfer to Twin Lake View.
• The $44 price covers the main service: Hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide, and the trek are included, but lunch, personal costs, and waterfall entrance fees are not.

Why these two waterfalls work well together

Bali has no shortage of waterfalls, but Sekumpul and Banyumala offer two distinct experiences in one day. Sekumpul is about height, drama, and the approach through village lanes and rice fields. Banyumala is about a broader curtain of falling water and time in a natural pool.

That contrast makes the eight-hour outing feel more worthwhile than a single waterfall visit. You are not simply stopping at two similar viewpoints. At Sekumpul, you spend about two hours walking, sightseeing, taking pictures, and enjoying the falls. At Banyumala, you get another two-hour visit with free time and swimming.

I would not treat this as a casual sightseeing drive with a few easy steps. The route includes a moderate to challenging trek, and the return climbs can be hard. One Italian guest described the waterfalls as spectacular but specifically noted that the uphill sections were tiring. That is the right expectation to carry into the day.

The two-hour ride to Sekumpul

Your day begins with pickup from a hotel or agreed location in places including Lovina Beach, Singaraja, Ubud, Denpasar, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Gobleg, and Wanagiri. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

The opening transfer takes about two hours. That is a significant part of the day, so location matters. If you are staying around northern Bali, the outing is more convenient. From southern areas such as Denpasar, Badung, or Ubud, the drive takes more of your day, but hotel pickup saves you the trouble of arranging a separate driver.

The vehicle transfer also gives you a chance to rest before the walking begins. Bring water and snacks, since lunch is not included. The schedule is full, and a simple snack can make the uphill return much easier.

You meet the local guide at the starting point for the trek. The guide leads you through the route and helps with the timing, the walking sections, and photo stops. English is the tour language, and a private group option is available if you want a more personal pace.

Walking through Sekumpul village and rice fields

The walk to Sekumpul takes around 30 minutes. This approach is one of the better parts of the outing because you do not arrive at the waterfall by vehicle and immediately line up for a picture. You pass through rice fields around Sekumpul village, with open views before the route closes in around the forest.

Wear shoes with a firm grip. The route can be wet, and the tour information describes the trek as moderate to challenging. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, while sandals or smooth-soled shoes are a poor choice for a path where you may get wet.

The rice-field walk also gives the day a local setting. You see more than the waterfall itself, and the route helps you understand how the falls sit within the village area. Do not expect a long village tour or a detailed cultural program. The focus remains the walk and the waterfalls.

Two hours at Sekumpul Waterfall

Sekumpul is the main event. The falls are described as twin waterfalls, and their height gives them a strong sense of scale. You have roughly two hours here for a guided visit, sightseeing, photos, and a break.

The water and spray make this a good place to use a waterproof phone case or protect your camera. You can take pictures close to the falls, and the guide can help with photo spots. This is one of the practical benefits of using a local guide: you spend less time wondering where to stand and more time enjoying the view.

Swimming is part of the experience at Sekumpul, so bring swimwear and a change of clothes. The natural pool can feel refreshing after the walk, but non-swimmers should not book this activity. The tour specifically lists the experience as unsuitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, and people with mobility impairments.

The route also includes visits to Grobogan and Fiji Waterfalls. These add variety to the Sekumpul section and give you more photo opportunities within the same area. The supplied schedule groups the Sekumpul visit as a two-hour stop, so do not assume you will have unlimited time at every individual fall.

Expect to get wet. That can mean spray, wet feet, or swimming clothes, depending on how close you get to the water. Pack dry clothes in a sealed bag and keep your phone and wallet protected.

What makes guide Ardy useful

One guide specifically praised in the feedback is Ardy, who led the Sekumpul portion. His strengths were practical ones: he answered questions, paid attention to the group, and knew the area well.

That matters on a trek like this. The value of a guide is not just pointing at a waterfall. You need someone who can help you handle the route, suggest useful photo positions, and keep the day moving so you still have time for Banyumala and Twin Lake View.

The driver also received praise for kindness and good manners. The service is described as well organized, which is important when the day involves several transfers and two separate waterfall visits. Still, guide assignments can vary, so Ardy should not be treated as guaranteed unless the operator confirms him directly.

The one-hour transfer to Banyumala

After Sekumpul, you spend about an hour transferring to Banyumala Waterfall. This is another reason to view the experience as a full-day outing rather than a short local walk.

The drive breaks up the physical effort, but it also reduces the amount of time available for lingering. If you like taking long swims or photographing every angle, the schedule may feel structured. The benefit is that you see two of northern Bali’s major waterfall areas in one organized day without arranging separate transport.

Use the transfer to eat a snack and change into dry clothes if needed. Since lunch is not included, you should bring food or plan on handling your own meal arrangements. The provided information does not specify a lunch stop, so do not count on one being built into the schedule.

Banyumala’s wider falls and natural pool

Banyumala offers a different visual payoff. It is described as lower but wider than Sekumpul, giving the waterfall a broad curtain effect rather than Sekumpul’s taller, more dramatic drop.

You have about two hours here for a guided visit, photos, sightseeing, free time, and swimming. That makes Banyumala more than a final checkbox. It is a second chance to get into the water, cool down, and enjoy a slower stretch after the harder walking near Sekumpul.

The natural pool is a major reason to bring swimwear. You should also carry a change of clothes because wet fabric becomes uncomfortable during the remaining drive. A small towel is not listed among the required items, but it would be sensible to pack one if you have room.

Again, do not underestimate the access path. The overall trek can be tiring, and the return climb may require patience. If you have back trouble, limited mobility, or difficulty with uneven routes, this is the point where the outing may stop being enjoyable.

Twin Lake View adds a short final stop

The final transfer takes about 30 minutes and leads to Twin Lake View. You spend roughly half an hour here with time for a photo stop, sightseeing, and a short break.

This is a compact ending rather than a full attraction visit. Its value is the change of pace after the waterfalls. You get a scenic viewpoint and a chance to catch your breath before the return to your drop-off location.

Because this stop is only about 30 minutes, keep your expectations modest. It is a useful add-on to the waterfall day, not a separate half-day visit. The exact feel of the view will depend on conditions, but the schedule gives you time for photographs and a quick look.

Transport, timing, and pickup areas

The advertised duration is eight hours, including transfers and visits. The schedule adds up to a two-hour opening transfer, two hours at Sekumpul, one hour to Banyumala, two hours there, and 30 minutes to Twin Lake View. The remaining time covers pickup, walking, and the return to your hotel.

Pickup and drop-off locations include Lovina Beach, Gobleg, Denpasar City, Singaraja, Gianyar, Badung Regency, Denpasar, Ubud, Wanagiri, and nearby listed areas. Confirm your exact location before booking, since the total day can feel very different from northern Bali than from southern Bali.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You should still be ready in the lobby 10 minutes before pickup, since a delayed start would shorten your time at the falls.

The activity is available as a private group. That is worth considering if members of your party walk at different speeds or if you want more control over photo and swimming time. The group arrangement is not specified for every booking, so check the option you are selecting.

Is $44 good value?

At $44 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transport and a guide bundled into a demanding waterfall day. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking local guide, the walking experience, visits to Sekumpul and Banyumala, photo help, and the Twin Lake View stop.

The price is not all-inclusive. Lunch, snacks, personal expenses, and entrance fees to the waterfalls are extra. That last point matters because the headline price does not represent every cost you will pay during the day.

I see the strongest value in the transport. Reaching two waterfall areas and Twin Lake View on your own would require planning and a driver familiar with the route. The guide adds value when the path gets confusing, when you want help with photographs, and when you need someone to manage the day’s pace.

If you only want one waterfall and dislike long drives, this may not be the best use of your money or time. If you want two major falls in one organized outing and are comfortable with a physical route, the price is easier to justify.

What to bring for a dry, comfortable day

Pack lightly, but pack the right things. I would bring:

• Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip
• Swimwear
• A complete change of clothes
• A water bottle
• Snacks or food for the day
• A camera or phone
• Waterproof protection for electronics
• A small towel if available

Hydration matters because the route includes walking, heat, and uphill sections. Keep your water accessible instead of buried in the vehicle.

Your camera is worthwhile, especially at Sekumpul, but protect it from spray. The guide can help with pictures, yet you should not hand over valuable gear without a secure strap or waterproof case.

Who should book this trek?

I would recommend it to you if you want active sightseeing, enjoy swimming outdoors, and like the idea of seeing Bali beyond the usual beach circuit. It suits people who can handle a moderate to challenging walk and who are happy to spend much of the day on the road.

It is also a good match for photographers. Sekumpul offers height and spray, Banyumala offers a wider fall and pool, the rice fields provide a different setting, and Twin Lake View gives you a final scenic stop.

I would not choose it for a relaxed day, a family member with mobility limitations, or anyone with back problems. Non-swimmers should also avoid it, since swimming is a central part of the experience and the activity is not designed for them.

The free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and the reserve-now, pay-later option give you some booking flexibility. The more important decision, though, is physical: can you manage wet paths and tiring climbs without turning the day into a slog?

Should you book this waterfall day?

Book it if you want two very different waterfalls, hotel transport, and a local guide who can help you manage the route and photographs. The combination of Sekumpul’s tall twin falls, Banyumala’s broad pool, rice-field walking, and Twin Lake View gives you a full northern Bali day for a fair base price.

Skip it if you want easy access, long unhurried stops, or a tour with lunch and entrance fees already covered. Bring proper shoes, water, snacks, swimwear, and dry clothes, and you will be prepared for what this outing really is: a rewarding but physical day in Bali’s waterfall country.

FAQ

How long does the waterfall tour last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transfers, walking, waterfall visits, and the Twin Lake View stop.

Which waterfalls are included?

The experience includes Sekumpul Waterfall, Grobogan Waterfall, Fiji Waterfall, and Banyumala Waterfall. It also includes a stop at Twin Lake View.

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. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Is swimming allowed?

Yes. You can swim in the natural pools at Sekumpul and Banyumala. You should bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to the waterfalls must be paid on site. Lunch and personal expenses are also not included.

Is the trek difficult?

The route is described as moderate to challenging. It includes a walk of about 30 minutes to Sekumpul and tiring uphill sections. Comfortable trekking shoes and drinking water are recommended.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or non-swimmers. A private group option is available, and the tour is conducted in English.