North Bali: Ulun Danu, Waterfalls, Swing and Monkey Forest

North Bali packs a lot into one long day: twin-lake viewpoints, a jungle waterfall, a floating temple, and a monkey forest. The route gives you a useful look at Bali beyond the beach towns, with a private driver-guide to handle the roads and adjust the pace.

I like the personal service, especially when guides such as Agus, Kadek, Oka, and Jerink take photos, explain local customs, and wait while you enjoy each stop. I also like the mix of scenery and culture: Banyumala offers a real swim, while Ulun Danu gives you one of Bali’s most memorable temple settings. The tradeoff is a busy schedule and several walks, including steep steps to the waterfall.

Key points

• Wanagiri’s twin-lake views: Bird nests, swings, and mountain air make this the tour’s best photo stop.
• Banyumala Waterfall swim: Expect a jungle walk and steep stairs, but also a clear pool and a peaceful setting.
• Ulun Danu’s lake setting: The temple appears to float on Lake Beratan, with misty mountains behind it.
• Private door-to-door transport: Hotel pickup and drop-off cover Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, and Kuta.
• Flexible guide service: Guides including Adi, Agus, Kadek, Ojes, and Jerink have helped with photographs, timing, and route changes.
• Sangeh’s macaques and old temple: You see playful long-tailed monkeys among tall nutmeg trees, with a sacred temple in the forest.

A full North Bali day for $35

At $35 per person, this tour offers strong value if you want several major sights without arranging a private car yourself. You get hotel transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver-guide, bottled water, fuel, parking, and tolls.

The important catch is that several entrance fees are listed as optional. That includes Wanagiri, the swing photo spot, Banyumala Waterfall, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and Sangeh Monkey Forest. Ask exactly what you will pay at the entrance gates before setting off, since the advertised price does not necessarily cover every admission.

A private tour also changes the feel of the day. You are not tied to a large group or a fixed pace. Guides have helped with photos, waited patiently at each stop, and adjusted plans when rain or a closure caused trouble. That matters in Bali, where road delays can eat into a sightseeing schedule.

The day lasts about eight hours, with early pickup at 7:00 a.m. from Central and South Bali and 7:30 a.m. from Ubud. An early start is sensible. It gives you a better chance of reaching the photo spots before the busiest periods, and it puts the waterfall and temple earlier in the day.

Wanagiri Hidden Hill and the twin lakes

Your first stop is Wanagiri Hidden Hill, in Bali’s cool central highlands. The change from the hotter southern resorts is immediate. You get fresh mountain air and wide views toward Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan.

The attraction here is built around viewpoints and photo platforms. Bird nests, wooden swings, and other raised spots frame the two lakes and the surrounding hills. If you enjoy taking pictures, this is an easy place to fill your camera quickly. Guides often help with phone photos, which is useful when the best angle requires a little staging.

The site is more about views and photographs than a long cultural visit. You will not spend hours walking through a village or learning a detailed local story here. Think of it as a scenic opening to the day, with a calm setting and memorable views.

Wanagiri weather can change quickly. Morning mist may soften the view, while clear conditions reveal more of the lakes. Bring a light layer, but also pack sunscreen. The highlands can feel cool at first, yet you still spend time outdoors.

The swing and photo platforms may involve separate charges. Since both the Wanagiri entrance and swing are listed as optional, confirm the cost if you want to use them. You can still enjoy the viewpoint without treating every platform as a must-do.

Banyumala Waterfall and the steep walk down

Banyumala is the most active part of the tour. From the access area, you walk through thick vegetation and along steep sections toward the falls. The sound of water grows louder as you approach, and the reward is a series of cascades flowing into a clear pool.

You can swim, stand near the spray, or sit beside the water. The pool gives this stop more substance than a quick roadside viewpoint. It is a chance to slow down and cool off before getting back in the car.

The walk deserves honest attention. The stairs down to the waterfall can be steep, and you must climb them again on the way out. One visitor described the return as tiring, especially after swimming and walking around the falls. Moderate fitness is needed, and sandals with a secure grip are more useful than delicate flip-flops.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to enter the pool. A camera is worthwhile, but protect it from spray and rain. The waterfall visit operates in wet weather, so a slippery path is possible. The tour runs rain or shine, and this is the place where weather can affect comfort most.

Entrance is listed as optional, so budget for it separately. The waterfall is a major reason to choose this tour, but it is not the easiest stop. If you have knee, balance, or mobility concerns, ask the provider about current access before booking.

Lunch between the mountain stops

Lunch is scheduled in Bali between the waterfall and Ulun Danu Temple, but the meal is not included. You pay for your own food and drinks, along with any other personal expenses.

This arrangement gives you some choice, but it also means you should carry cash. The tour information specifically recommends cash, and it is useful for lunch, entrance fees, and small purchases. Mineral water is provided, so you do not need to organize drinking water for the ride.

The exact restaurant is not specified, so do not book this tour expecting a particular menu or dining style. Treat lunch as a practical break rather than a featured part of the experience.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Beratan

Ulun Danu Beratan is the cultural centerpiece of the route. The temple sits by Lake Beratan in Bedugul, surrounded by highland air and mountain views. From certain angles, its structures appear to float on the lake, especially when the water is calm.

The temple is dedicated to the goddess associated with the lake. Your guide can explain the site’s religious purpose and point out details within the grounds. This is where the tour moves beyond photo stops and gives you a better sense of Bali’s connection between water, farming, and worship.

Allow time to walk around rather than rushing straight to the most famous view. Reflections on the lake, temple roofs, gardens, and mountain mist all change the feel of the visit. The setting is peaceful, but it can also be popular, so your guide’s timing may help you find quieter moments.

The temple entrance is listed as optional, meaning you should clarify whether it is included in your booking price. Dress respectfully for a sacred site, even though no specific clothing rule is supplied in the tour details. A hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes will help during the outdoor walk.

The tour’s emphasis on Balinese farming also fits naturally here. Water from the highlands supports the island’s agricultural life, and the broader route includes views of rice terraces and traditional farming areas. Ask your guide to explain what you are seeing rather than treating the terraces as background scenery.

Sangeh Monkey Forest and its nutmeg trees

The final major stop is Sangeh Monkey Forest, in the village of Sangeh. Tall nutmeg trees shade the paths, and hundreds of long-tailed macaques live among them. The forest also contains an old temple, giving the visit a spiritual side beyond the animal encounters.

This is a lively way to finish the day. The monkeys may come close, watch visitors, and interact with one another. One particularly memorable account described monkeys surrounding people who carried bananas and peanuts, but you should follow your guide’s instructions and avoid treating the animals like tame pets.

The forest offers good photo opportunities, but keep your belongings under control. Do not tease the monkeys, reach toward them carelessly, or leave food and litter behind. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed anywhere on the tour, and littering is prohibited.

Sangeh’s admission is also listed as optional. Check whether the fee is included before you arrive. The forest has sometimes faced operational problems. On one occasion, a guide named Kadek redirected the visit when the site was closed because of facility issues, then found another sightseeing option so the day did not simply stop.

That flexibility is one of the private tour’s practical benefits. A fixed group excursion may have less room to change plans. Here, your guide can discuss alternatives if weather, traffic, or a temporary closure affects the route.

The private guide makes the difference

The vehicle and driver are not just transportation on this tour. Bali’s roads can be slow, especially on the return toward the southern resorts, and a calm driver matters. Guides such as Damic, Gus, Richard, Ferdy, and Jerink have been praised for safe driving, clear explanations, patience, and good timing.

Jerink, in particular, helped visitors reach several sights before larger crowds arrived and took photographs throughout the day. Ferdy adjusted the plan during poor weather and even helped with an extra stop that was not part of the basic route. These details show how much the day depends on the individual guide assigned to you.

You should not assume every guide will offer the exact same extras. The listed language is English, and the guides are expected to lead the visit, but photography help and added stops depend on time, weather, and the person driving you.

The private format is best for couples, families with older children, and small groups who want control over photo time. Children under three are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for people over 80. Pregnant women and women during menstruation are also excluded under the stated participation rules.

Timing, traffic, and physical effort

Eight hours sounds generous, but this is a packed route. You are covering several parts of Bali, walking at the waterfall and temple, and spending time getting between stops. Traffic can be heavy on the return journey, particularly toward the south. One guide was praised for remaining patient during a difficult traffic delay, but no driver can remove Bali’s road congestion.

Your best strategy is to decide which stops matter most. If the waterfall is your priority, protect enough time for the walk and swim. If temple photography is more important, tell the guide early. A private vehicle gives you some control, but it cannot make every section of the day longer.

Wear comfortable walking shoes or secure sandals. Pack a hat, sunscreen, towel, change of clothes, camera, and cash. A rain jacket would also be sensible, since the tour continues in wet weather, although it is not specifically listed among the required items.

What the $35 price really covers

The low headline price is attractive because private transport in Bali can cost more when arranged independently. You also avoid the work of plotting a route through mountain roads and coordinating four separate attractions.

Still, the final cost depends on optional admissions, lunch, drinks, and personal purchases. The price is strongest for two or more people sharing the private vehicle. Solo visitors may find the per-person cost less compelling, though the convenience and private attention still have value.

The included fuel, parking, tolls, bottled water, and hotel transfers remove several small expenses that can otherwise add up. Pickup is included from Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, and Kuta. Pickup from Pecatu or Uluwatu costs an additional 150,000 Indonesian rupiah.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact starting time and pickup location when booking.

Who should book this North Bali tour?

I would choose this tour if you want variety in a single day and prefer a private car to a large bus. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the highlands, couples looking for photos, and active sightseers who are happy to walk down to a waterfall.

It is less suitable if you want a slow day at one place, dislike early starts, or cannot manage steep steps. The waterfall is not an easy stroll, and the route can feel tiring after several stops.

The strongest part of the experience is the combination of personal guiding and varied scenery. You can begin with mountain views, cool off in a waterfall, learn about a lake temple, and finish among monkeys and old trees. Just confirm the entrance fees, pack for rain and swimming, and tell your guide which stop matters most to you.

FAQ

How long does the North Bali tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, sightseeing, travel between stops, and the return transfer.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is at 7:30 a.m. from Ubud and 7:00 a.m. from Central and South Bali.

Which areas have included hotel pickup?

Included pickup and drop-off cover Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, and Kuta.

Is pickup from Pecatu or Uluwatu included?

Pickup from the Pecatu or Uluwatu area costs an additional 150,000 Indonesian rupiah.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, meals, beverages, and other personal expenses are not included.

Are entrance tickets included?

The tour information lists the entrance fees for Wanagiri, the swing, Banyumala Waterfall, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and Sangeh Monkey Forest as optional. Confirm the exact ticket arrangements when booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group tour with an English-speaking live guide and private hotel transfers.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, change of clothes, towel, sandals, camera, sunscreen, and cash. A change of clothes and towel are especially useful if you swim at Banyumala Waterfall.

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children under three, pregnant women, and people over 80 are not accepted. The tour also states that women during menstruation are not allowed to participate. Moderate physical fitness is required because the route includes walking and steps.