North Bali waterfalls: Sekumpul or Munduk?
Both trips take you into the cooler, greener north of Bali, and both combine a waterfall with a lake temple. They are still quite different days: one is about a big waterfall and a long drive, the other about a forest walk, a canoe and a swim.
AMANI Journeys editorial teamPublished 1 Nov 20263 min read
The short answer
Choose Sekumpul if the big waterfall is the point and you don't mind a long day in the car and a steep walk with many steps. Choose Munduk if you prefer a varied, slower day – forest walk, canoe on the lake and a waterfall you can swim in – with less fixed sightseeing. Both need decent fitness and shoes that grip on wet stone.
| Sekumpul | Munduk | |
|---|---|---|
| Whole day | about 10 hours with pickup | 2–8 hours depending on the option; longer with pickup from the south |
| Waterfall | Sekumpul, about 2 hours with a local trek | Banyumala, about 1.5 hours with time to swim |
| Walking | Trek to the falls, length by chosen route | About 2 hours through forest by Lake Tamblingan |
| Temples | Ulun Danu Bratan and Taman Ayun | Temples by Lake Tamblingan, incl. Ulun Danu Tamblingan |
| On the water | – | Traditional canoe, about 45 minutes |
| Paid on site | Trekking guide fee; entrance in the standard option | Usually nothing besides optional lunch |
| Group | Small group (the listing states a maximum of five per group) | Guided walk, pickup optional |
Two "Ulun Danu" temples
Both listings mention Ulun Danu, but it is not the same place. The Sekumpul tour visits Ulun Danu Bratan, the lakeside temple with tiered roofs on Lake Bratan. The Munduk tour visits Ulun Danu Tamblingan, a quieter temple reached by canoe across Lake Tamblingan. Worth knowing if you already have one of them on another day.
The Sekumpul day
The Sekumpul and Ulun Danu tour we list is run as a small group and takes about ten hours, including pickup from Ubud and the southern resort areas. You spend about two hours at Sekumpul waterfall with a local trekking guide, then an hour each at Ulun Danu Bratan and at Taman Ayun, a royal water temple that is part of Bali's UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. Lunch is an optional extra. The listing is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems or wheelchair users.
Before you book, check in your option:
- Fees on site: the local trekking guide is paid in cash. The listing quotes IDR 150,000 per person for a medium trek and IDR 250,000 for a long one, and elsewhere IDR 150,000 per group – count on paying per person and ask the driver on the day.
- Entrance tickets: included only in options marked with entrance fees; in the standard option bring about IDR 150,000 in cash.
- Pickup time: the driver confirms it the evening before.
North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls & Ulun Danu Lake Temple
4.7/5 · 488 reviews
Affiliate links
The Munduk day
The Munduk twin lakes hike we list starts at a viewpoint over Lakes Buyan and Tamblingan, continues with a forest walk of about two hours past small temples, then a traditional canoe across Lake Tamblingan (about 45 minutes) to Ulun Danu Tamblingan. It ends at Banyumala waterfall, with about an hour and a half to walk down, swim and climb back up.
The listing includes a trekking guide, the canoe, entrance tickets, water, a walking stick, coffee or tea and a sticky-rice snack. Lunch is an add-on; pickup is optional. The walk is described as moderate, it continues in light rain, and severe weather can change the plan. Not suitable for people with heart problems or wheelchair users.
Munduk: Twin Lakes Jungle Hike, Canoe & Waterfall
4.9/5 · 840 reviews
Affiliate links
Which one for you?
- Waterfall photos and a classic sightseeing day: Sekumpul.
- Being outdoors, walking and swimming: Munduk.
- Staying in the south and short on energy: both are long; Munduk can be shorter if you start nearer the north.
- Rainy season: trails get slippery on both; go early in the day.
Related articles
Snorkelling with manta rays at Nusa Penida: what to expect
A manta snorkelling day from Sanur: what the trip includes, why sightings are never guaranteed, how rough the sea can be, and who should think twice before booking.
ATV and rafting in Bali: one combo day or two separate trips?
Quad biking and Ayung River rafting near Ubud: when the combo day makes sense, when to book them separately, how long each takes, what is included and what to bring.
Gili Islands from Bali: day trip or stay overnight?
The Gili Islands are a fast-boat ride from Padang Bai, but they are not part of Bali. When a snorkelling day trip is enough, when to stay a night, and what each costs in time and fees.
Not sure what to choose?
Tell us when you'll be in Bali and what you enjoy, and we'll suggest tours or transfers that fit.