Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls
Two waterfall hikes, one great north Bali day.
This is a private outing from Ubud that mixes jungle trails, twin falls, and a temple viewpoint—plus craft stops and a luwak coffee taste. I like how the day isn’t just about one photo spot. It’s about walking through real Balinese backcountry—bananas, tropical plants, and forest shade—then cooling off at falls.
What I like most is the clean, no-surprise setup: all entrance fees are prepaid, so you’re not stuck negotiating at the gate. I also really value the human touch here. You’ll have an English-speaking local host/driver, and in past trips guides like Dodikr, Asta, and Dede were called out for friendliness and for helping with Instagram-style pictures without rushing you.
One thing to consider: this isn’t a flat stroll. Expect challenging stairs, a steep descent, and a stream crossing with stepping stones or by wading. If your knees or balance are iffy, take that seriously and pack smart.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Private North Bali Route: What Your Day Looks Like From Ubud
- Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: Forest Steps and Cold Reward
- Leke Leke Waterfall Trek: Steep Descent and Rice-Field Views
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: A Calmer Pause at a Top Bali Spot
- Craft Villages and Luwak Coffee Plantation: Culture Between Waterfalls
- Price and Value for $55: When Private Transport Makes Sense
- Footwear, Stairs, and a Waterproof Camera: How to Prepare
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)
- Should You Book This Banyumala and Leke Leke Day Trip?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start, and how long is it?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Are entrance fees included?
- Is this a private tour?
- How challenging is the walking?
- What should I bring?
- Are food and drinks included?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Prepaid entrance fees so you can focus on the hikes, not the payments
- Banyumala Twin Waterfalls with a forest path full of tropical plants and banana trees
- Leke Leke Waterfall trek with a steep descent and caution on stairs
- Clean, cold waterfall water that makes the effort feel worth it
- Ulun Danu Bratan temple as a scenic culture break between nature stops
- Craft villages and luwak coffee for context, not just scenery
Private North Bali Route: What Your Day Looks Like From Ubud
This tour runs about 8 hours and starts at 9:00 am. It’s a private vehicle with round-trip pickup from your hotel, which matters in Bali. North Bali locations aren’t close together, and a private car keeps the day smooth instead of bouncing between awkward meeting points.
The route is built around a simple rhythm: hike to waterfalls, slow down for temple views, then add hands-on culture (crafts and coffee). That mix is why this day trip works. You get the jungle and the wow factor, but you also get a reason behind the countryside stops—batik and woodcraft traditions, and a coffee tasting tied to civets.
One practical note: it’s booked with a minimum of 2 people per booking. So if you’re traveling solo, you’ll want to check whether it’s paired with other guests or if the operator requires a minimum group size on your date.
If you're still narrowing it down, here are other tours in Ubud we've reviewed.
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: Forest Steps and Cold Reward

Your first waterfall stop is Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. The approach is part of the attraction. You walk a path through thick greenery with tropical flowers, plenty of banana trees, and general forest shade as you descend. This is the kind of hike that feels “earned,” because the setting changes as you move: bright outdoor moments fade into cooler, greener air.
In terms of effort, the day isn’t described as an easy wander. You’ll be going down into the forest, and you should expect stairs as you go. The good news is that the trail is described as especially beautiful itself, which makes the walk feel like more than just a means to reach the falls.
When you get to Banyumala, the payoff is the view and the water. The tour description emphasizes clean, cold water, which is the big reason people want to come to these Bali waterfall areas in the first place. Even if you don’t plan on getting in, that cold water feeling changes how the whole day lands. You’re not just looking—you’re also cooling off.
If you’re the type who likes good photos, the forest surroundings help. You’ll have natural backdrops without needing to stage anything. Just remember: your shoes and balance matter more than your camera settings here.
Leke Leke Waterfall Trek: Steep Descent and Rice-Field Views

Next is Leke Leke Waterfall, reached after about a 30-minute hike. This is where the trip asks a bit more from you. The descent is described as steep, and some stairs are challenging. If you rush, you’ll feel it in your calves and your confidence.
Add in the stream crossing. You’ll cross on stepping stones or by wading through the water, depending on conditions. This is not the moment to wear flimsy sandals or anything that slips easily. Plan for wet surfaces and a careful pace.
Here’s what makes it memorable: during the trek, you’ll look out across a valley with terraced rice fields, plus clove and cocoa plants. That view is a nice break from the enclosed forest path. It gives you context for why this area feels so agricultural, not just scenic.
Once you reach the falls, the experience is again about the water itself. The description highlights the spectacular sight and that the water is very clean and cold. This is also the point in the day where you’ll appreciate having change clothes, because the combination of mist and wet feet can catch you off guard.
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: A Calmer Pause at a Top Bali Spot

After the waterfalls, the tour adds Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. It’s framed as one of the best spots in Bali, and that makes sense. When you’ve spent time in humid forest trails, a temple stop gives your eyes a different kind of reward: wider views, calmer pacing, and a cultural anchor.
I like temple stops on hiking days because they reset your body. You’re not only resting your legs—you’re switching attention. From a practical perspective, it also breaks up the wet-and-stairs rhythm so you can regroup, take photos, and catch your breath.
Just keep your expectations realistic. You’re not going to “power through” this part. Plan to slow down, respect the space, and dress appropriately. The tour info doesn’t spell out dress rules, so you’ll want to follow the norms you see on site and bring something that covers as needed.
Craft Villages and Luwak Coffee Plantation: Culture Between Waterfalls

Even though the waterfall stops are the headline, the day also includes craft villages known for batik, engraving, and woodcarving. This matters because it turns your time in rural Bali into something more than scenery passing by. Crafts here aren’t a souvenir afterthought; they’re part of daily identity and local work.
Then there’s the coffee plantation focused on luwak coffee—made with beans that have been partially digested by civets. This is one of those Bali food-and-drink stops that people either love or want to understand more carefully. If you’re curious, you’ll get a guided explanation and tasting time as part of the day.
I also like how these stops fit the day’s energy. After steep stairs and slippery stream crossings, craft and coffee add variety without being physically demanding. You can sit for a bit, see the process, and buy something only if it genuinely feels right (and not just because the clock says you should).
The tour info also notes to bring money for souvenirs. That’s a real hint: plan ahead if you might want small crafts or coffee-related items.
Price and Value for $55: When Private Transport Makes Sense

The price is $55 per person, with no hidden expenses because all entrance fees are prepaid. For Bali, that matters. Entrance fees at popular natural sites can add up fast, especially when you’re moving across different areas in one day.
What makes $55 feel reasonable here is the full package: round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off, private transportation, and an English-speaking host/driver. When you’re doing a day that includes multiple distinct stops—two waterfall treks, a temple, plus crafts and coffee—private logistics often cost more than you expect. Here, the structure tries to keep things controlled.
One more value angle: the tour is designed as a single, guided day, so you’re less likely to lose time figuring out routes, transport timing, and parking. When you’re hiking, time lost is time your body feels later.
That said, value depends on fit. If you’re already comfortable hiring your own driver for the same route and you don’t care about a guide, you might find cheaper options. But if you want a smooth day with someone local handling the flow, this one sits in the fair-to-good category.
If you do book, you also get peace of mind with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance (full refund). That lowers the risk if weather or health changes.
Footwear, Stairs, and a Waterproof Camera: How to Prepare

Read the fitness info and treat it as real. This experience is for ages 12 to 70 and needs moderate physical fitness. The key phrase is walking on challenging stairs.
My practical prep list for this day would look like this:
- Sport shoes with grip. Wet stones and stairs are the enemy of smooth trips.
- A change of clothes. The day includes steep descents and a stream crossing, so plan to feel cleaner afterward.
- A plastic bag or waterproof pouch for valuables. You’ll likely be around water.
- A waterproof camera if you want waterfall shots without stress.
- Sunscreen. Even when you’re in forest shade, you can still burn.
- Money for souvenirs. Crafts and coffee mean you might buy something.
One small tip: keep your pacing slow on the steep parts. The best photos come when you’re stable, not when you sprint for a viewpoint.
Also, the tour uses mobile ticket format. So make sure your phone battery is good before you head out—water days are not when you want a dead phone.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This is a strong choice for you if you want a private day in north Bali that’s mostly outdoors but still grounded in culture. You’ll likely enjoy it if you:
- Like waterfall hikes more than lounging
- Want an English-speaking local guide to handle timing and explanations
- Value prepaid logistics so your day stays easy to manage
It might be a poor fit if you:
- Have knee issues or balance problems and aren’t comfortable with steep descents and stairs
- Don’t want to deal with wet conditions from the stream crossing
It’s also best for groups who prefer a custom day. Since it’s private, you’re not squeezed into a large crowd schedule. That flexibility matters when you’re navigating slippery areas.
Should You Book This Banyumala and Leke Leke Day Trip?
I’d book this tour if you want a well-paced north Bali day that balances hikes, culture, and cooling off at two waterfall sites. The combination of prepaid entrance fees, private transport, and an English-speaking local host keeps the day from feeling chaotic.
You should think twice only if the idea of challenging stairs and crossing a stream makes you nervous. If that’s you, either plan for slower pacing or look for a less hike-heavy option.
If you’re ready to put on grippy shoes and take your time, this is exactly the kind of Bali day trip that feels like you experienced the island—not just passed through it.
FAQ
What time does the tour start, and how long is it?
The tour starts at 9:00 am and runs about 8 hours (approx.).
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. The tour includes hotel/port pickup and drop-off, plus private transportation.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. All fees and taxes are included, and the tour states that entrance fees are prepaid with no hidden expenses.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
How challenging is the walking?
You should expect a hike that involves challenging stairs, including a steep descent on the way to Leke Leke. There’s also a stream crossing on stepping stones or by wading.
What should I bring?
Bring change of clothes, a plastic bag or other way to keep valuables dry, a waterproof camera, sport shoes, sunscreen, and money for souvenirs.
Are food and drinks included?
Food and drinks are not included unless specified. Plan for you to buy what you need during the day.
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