Sekumpul Waterfall makes you earn the view. I like that this private day blends a jungle trek with classic lake temples, so you get both wild nature and Bali’s spiritual side in one smooth run. I also really enjoyed the sense of pacing: you’re not stuck on your own trying to find the best angles at Twin Lakes.
The big consideration is physical effort. To see Sekumpul close, you’ll walk a dirt path, tackle hundreds of stairs, then cross to get in the right place for the falls.
On the plus side, a guide handles the route and the tricky parts, which matters on Bali’s winding mountain roads and around river crossings. It’s one of those days where the planning does the heavy lifting for you.
In This Review
- Key Things You’ll Really Notice on This Tour
- A Private Day Built for Bali’s Winding Roads (and Your Time)
- Sekumpul Waterfall: The Stair Descent That Turns Into a Reward
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: Dewi Danu and the Lake-Temple Connection
- Tamblingan Lake: The Twin-Lake Area Without the Noise
- Scenic Viewpoints and a Coffee Plantation Stop
- Transfers, Time, and What Your $76.93 Actually Buys
- Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)
- What to Expect During the 10-Hour Flow
- Should You Book This Sekumpul + Lakes + Temple Tour?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the private tour?
- Where does the tour start?
- Is transportation included?
- Is this a group tour or a private tour?
- What are the main stops on the day?
- Is Sekumpul Waterfall difficult to access?
- Are entrance tickets included?
- What is included in the price besides the guide?
- What is not included?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Things You’ll Really Notice on This Tour

- A guided Sekumpul trek that helps you get down to the viewing areas without getting lost
- Round-trip transfers from Ubud, so you can focus on scenery instead of navigation
- Two lake stop-ups (Bratan area temple and Tamblingan) tied to the caldera story
- Real walking time, including the long stair descent for Sekumpul Waterfall
- A coffee plantation stop plus scenic viewpoints to break up the day
A Private Day Built for Bali’s Winding Roads (and Your Time)
If you’ve ever tried to drive in Bali’s hills, you know the roads can feel like a slow-motion rollercoaster. This tour solves that by taking transportation pressure off your shoulders with round-trip transfers and a guide in the driver’s seat for planning.
You’re also not stuck in a crowd. It’s a private tour, so your group goes together, follows the same rhythm, and you don’t lose time waiting around.
At about 10 hours, it’s a full day without feeling rushed in the way some multi-stop tours do. You’ll move between nature and temple visits, plus a couple of scenic breaks along the way.
And yes, it’s built for moderate physical effort. The day includes a trek that’s described as requiring work to reach the falls, so bring the right expectations.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Sekumpul Waterfall: The Stair Descent That Turns Into a Reward

Sekumpul Waterfall is the star of the day, and the tour doesn’t treat it like a quick photo stop. The main description is clear: from the parking area, you walk down a dirt road, take hundreds of stairs, and cross the river to see it up close.
That’s a lot of movement for a single attraction, but it’s also why this waterfall hits so hard visually. You’re not watching from a distance. You’re getting where the water is part of your surroundings.
The tour gives you about 2 hours at Sekumpul, with an admission ticket included for this stop. Two hours is enough time to go down, pause for photos, and come back without sprinting.
Practical tips from how the visit is set up:
- Wear shoes with real grip. You’ll be walking on uneven paths.
- Plan for a slower pace. “Hundreds of stairs” is real, even if you’re fit.
- If you’re traveling with anyone who gets tired on stairs, set expectations before you go.
This is also one of those places where the guide matters. The route is not obvious, and having someone lead the trek helps you avoid wrong turns around the river area and stair paths.
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: Dewi Danu and the Lake-Temple Connection

After the physical payoff of Sekumpul, the day shifts gears to something calmer and more structured: Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on the lake.
This temple is built in honor of Dewi Danu, the goddess of the lake. The setting is tied to deep time too: the lake formed after a volcanic eruption around 30,000 years ago. That connection changes how you look at the place. It’s not just a pretty temple by water; it’s a site with an origin story tied to geology.
You’ll have about 1 hour here, and the admission ticket is included for this stop. One hour is a good length for temple visits because you can take your time looking around, learn the meaning behind the setting, and still stay on schedule for the rest of the day.
One more thing: the tour includes a guide with professional commentary. In the reviews, Komang was specifically praised for his explanations and steady guidance. That matters at a temple like Bratan, where context makes the symbols easier to read.
Tamblingan Lake: The Twin-Lake Area Without the Noise
Tamblingan Lake is your second “lake moment,” and it adds variety to the day. It’s located at the foot of Mount Lesung in the Munduk administrative village area, and it belongs to the trio of lakes formed in an ancient caldera.
In simple terms, Tamblingan is part of the same volcanic story that created the wider lake region. The other two lakes in that caldera system to the east are Lake Buyan and Lake Bratan.
You get about 1 hour here, with an admission ticket included for this stop. This stop feels like a breather compared to Sekumpul. You still get the cool highland atmosphere and lake views, but you’re not tied to stairwork.
If you like scenery that feels grounded and local rather than overly performative, this is a strong match. It also works well as a pacing tool—after the temple, you get another natural setting before the day wraps with coffee and viewpoints.
Scenic Viewpoints and a Coffee Plantation Stop
Between major stops, the tour includes many scenic viewpoints and a visit to a coffee plantation.
This kind of in-between structure is more useful than it sounds. Long road transfers and early descents can blur together when you’re doing a one-and-done itinerary. Viewpoints give you small resets for photos and posture. Coffee gives you a break that’s practical after a trek day.
You’re not just rushing from one ticketed attraction to the next. You’re building a day where your attention has a few natural off-ramps.
What I’d keep in mind: the day includes food and drinks that are not listed as included. So if you’re planning to enjoy the coffee stop fully, keep some cash or plan on purchasing there.
Transfers, Time, and What Your $76.93 Actually Buys
At $76.93 per person, you’re paying for a private guide-and-driver style day with transportation built in, plus bottled water and the professional guide support.
That value math gets better when you look at what’s included:
- round-trip transfers (so you don’t have to coordinate your own rides)
- bottled water
- fuel surcharge and taxes/fees
- driver/guide and a professional guide
- admission tickets listed as included for the three named stops
Not included are food and drinks and (as noted) entrance fees to all sites. That sounds contradictory until you notice the detail: the itinerary lists admission tickets for specific stops (Sekumpul, Bratan temple, Tamblingan). If there are extra sites beyond those, entrance fees may fall to you.
For a day this full—waterfall trek, two lake-area stops, plus viewpoints and plantation—this pricing often makes sense compared to piecing together separate drivers and ticket timing on your own.
Also, the tour includes a mobile ticket. That’s a small thing, but it reduces the annoying last-minute friction when you’re trying to stay organized.
Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)
This one is a great match if you want a guided day through northern Bali’s sights but don’t want to do the map work, driving, or route-finding.
It’s especially good for:
- nature lovers who want Sekumpul Waterfall up close
- travelers who prefer a guide-led trek rather than DIY hiking
- couples or small groups who want a calmer private pace
- people who like a mix of temple + lakes + viewpoints in one day
It’s less ideal if:
- stairs are a deal-breaker for you
- your group wants a purely easy, low-effort itinerary
The tour states a moderate physical fitness level is required. That’s consistent with the waterfall access description: a long walk, lots of stairs, and crossing the river to see the falls from the right place.
Minimum age is 10 years, so it can work for older kids who can handle stair-heavy nature walks. The “private tour” format means your group stays together, which can be a plus for managing energy levels.
What to Expect During the 10-Hour Flow
You can expect a day that moves in a clear sequence:
- Sekumpul Waterfall first for the trek payoff
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple after, when you’ll be switching from active walking to slower temple time
- Tamblingan Lake as a calmer nature stop
- scenic viewpoints and a coffee plantation woven around the travel time
This order matters. Doing Sekumpul earlier keeps you from starting the day tired or behind schedule. Then you’re not stuck trying to squeeze in temple interest after a long stair workout.
Also, the tour is described as avoiding the stress of driving on unfamiliar winding mountain roads. That matters for first-time visitors who don’t want to think about traffic timing, turns, or finding parking.
If you like structure, this itinerary gives you enough planned stops that you don’t have to guess what’s worth your time.
Should You Book This Sekumpul + Lakes + Temple Tour?
I’d book it if your priority is the Sekumpul Waterfall experience with less logistical stress. The combination makes sense: you get the hard-to-reach waterfall, a lake temple with a meaningful backstory, and the Twin Lakes area with an additional caldera perspective.
I’d think twice if you’re not comfortable with stair-heavy nature access. This isn’t a smooth boardwalk situation. The visit is described as requiring effort to reach the viewing area, so set expectations early.
One more practical nudge: since Komang was praised for excellent explanations and guidance, choosing a tour with a strong guide fit can genuinely change your day. If you’re the type who wants the “why” behind the scenery, that’s a real win here.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the private tour?
It runs for approximately 10 hours.
Where does the tour start?
The tour is listed as being in the Ubud area, with pickup offered.
Is transportation included?
Yes. Round-trip transfers are included, and the tour includes a driver/guide.
Is this a group tour or a private tour?
This is a private tour. Only your group participates.
What are the main stops on the day?
The tour includes Sekumpul Waterfall, Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Tamblingan Lake, plus scenic viewpoints and a coffee plantation.
Is Sekumpul Waterfall difficult to access?
You’ll need to walk from the parking lot down a dirt road, take hundreds of stairs, and cross the river to see the falls close up. The tour recommends a moderate physical fitness level.
Are entrance tickets included?
The itinerary notes admission ticket included for Sekumpul Waterfall, Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, and Tamblingan Lake. The overall listing also notes that entrance fees to all sites are not included, so extra stops beyond those may require payment.
What is included in the price besides the guide?
Included items are all taxes, fees, fuel surcharge, bottled water, driver/guide, and a professional guide.
What is not included?
Food and drinks are not included, and entrance fees to all sites are noted as not included in the additional info.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is offered. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.























