Bali: Bedugul Temple, Banyumala Waterfall, UNESCO Rice Terrace

Bali’s cooler north feels worlds away. This private day trip from Seminyak links a lakeside temple, a forest waterfall, and the broad rice terraces of Jatiluwih, with your own English-speaking driver handling the long roads between them.

I like the private format, which lets you decide how long to stay at each stop. I also like the mix of sights: Ulun Danu Bratan offers classic Balinese architecture, Banyumala gives you the chance to swim, and Jatiluwih brings wide rural views. The main drawback is the long amount of time spent driving from southern Bali, and entrance fees are extra.

Santanu has earned especially warm praise for being fun, informative, and easy to spend a full day with. Since the tour allows you to adjust your time at each stop, it works best for people who prefer a flexible day rather than a tightly managed group outing.

Key points at a glance

• Private vehicle and driver: Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver for your group alone.
• Three very different stops: Visit Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and the Jatiluwih rice terraces.
• Swimming is possible: Banyumala Waterfall can be a pleasant place for a swim, but bring a towel and spare clothes.
• Flexible sightseeing: You can decide how long to spend at each location, within the roughly eight-hour tour window.
• Pickup from southern Bali: Pickup and drop-off are included from Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, Sanur, Ubud, Jimbaran, Tanjung Benoa, and Nusa Dua.
• Budget carefully: The $39 price covers transport, driver, parking, tax, and bottled water, but admission fees of IDR 180,000 per person are not included.

What this northern Bali day trip does well

This tour succeeds because it avoids the usual single-theme day. You are not spending the entire day looking at temples or rice fields. Instead, the route gives you three distinct views of Bali, from a lake in the highlands to a waterfall in the forest and open agricultural country.

I especially like the way the private setup changes the pace. At a crowded group stop, you often leave when the guide says it is time. Here, you can linger at a favorite viewpoint or move along if a stop does not hold your attention. That freedom matters on a full day with several hours of road travel.

The tour is also practical for anyone who does not want to rent a scooter or arrange several separate rides. Northern Bali roads can take time, and navigating them yourself would pull your attention away from the scenery. Sitting in an air-conditioned vehicle lets you watch the villages, hills, and changing countryside as you go.

Still, you should keep your expectations realistic. The advertised tour lasts about eight hours, and the three listed stops account for around two hours of sightseeing. The rest is likely spent on transfers, especially since the tour begins in southern Bali and reaches the northern highlands before returning. This is a sightseeing day, not a slow rural stay.

Starting from Seminyak and heading into the highlands

Pickup is offered from your hotel, with the listed start time at 8:00 a.m. The itinerary also describes pickup at 8:30 a.m., so confirm the exact time with the operator before the morning of your tour. That small difference is worth clearing up, especially if you are arranging breakfast or sharing a hotel entrance with several properties.

The route heads toward Bali’s mountains and highlands. The drive is part of the experience, though not the quickest way to see the island. You will trade the busy southern resort zone for cooler upland surroundings and a more rural feel.

The air-conditioned vehicle is an important part of the value here. At $39 per person, the price is modest for a private tour, especially if two or more people share the ride. You also avoid separate parking costs, since parking fees, local tax, and bottled mineral water are included.

Food and other drinks are not included. You can buy them during the day, but the supplied details do not specify a restaurant stop, so I would eat breakfast before pickup and carry some spending money for refreshments.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on the lake

Your first main stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, reached after the drive through Bali’s mountain region. The temple sits on a plateau by Lake Bratan, giving it a cool highland setting and the kind of water-and-mountain view that makes this one of Bali’s most recognizable temple visits.

You are scheduled to spend about 45 minutes here. That is enough time to walk around, take photographs, and appreciate the temple grounds, but it is not a long temple visit. If you enjoy architectural details or quiet observation, you may wish the schedule allowed more time.

The lake setting is the reason to visit. The temple buildings are attractive, but the surrounding water and upland air give the stop its particular character. This is also a good early pause after the morning drive, before the route continues toward Banyumala.

Admission is not included. The tour information gives a total entrance cost of IDR 180,000 per person for all entry fees, so budget for that amount in addition to the tour price. Since the exact breakdown by site is not supplied, ask the driver or operator how the fee is collected.

A private driver can be useful here because you do not have to keep up with a large group. You can focus on the temple grounds at your own speed, then return to the vehicle when you are ready. The tradeoff is that the visit is fairly short for anyone who wants a slow, detailed look.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls and the swim option

The second stop takes you into a lush forest area, followed by a pleasant walk to Banyumala Waterfall. The visit is planned for about 50 minutes, which gives you time to reach the waterfall, look around, and possibly swim.

Banyumala is often described as a twin waterfall, and the water may appear especially full after rain. That means the exact look of the falls can change with weather conditions. A recent wet spell may add force and volume, while other conditions may offer a calmer scene.

This is the most active stop of the day. The walk is described as pleasant, but you should still bring sensible footwear and be ready for wet ground. The details do not specify the length or difficulty of the walk, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

If you plan to swim, pack a towel and extra clothes. Neither is included. Bottled water is supplied, but food and drinks beyond that are your responsibility. You will also need to account for the entrance fee, since all admissions are excluded from the tour price.

The 50-minute stop can feel brief if you want a long swim or time to dry off. It is a good fit for a quick dip and a forest walk, but less suitable if the waterfall is your main reason for visiting northern Bali. Your private format helps here, since you can discuss the pace with the driver, though the overall day still has a fixed return schedule.

Jatiluwih rice terraces and Mount Batukaru views

The final listed stop is Jatiluwih Green Land, home to wide rice terraces and views toward Mount Batukaru. The area is presented as a UNESCO rice terrace site, and it offers a different kind of beauty from the temple and waterfall: broad agricultural views, fresh air, and carefully shaped fields stretching across the hills.

You have about 50 minutes at Jatiluwih. That is enough for the main panorama and photographs, but it does not provide much time for a long walk through the terraces. If you want to explore several paths or sit quietly with the view, ask how much flexibility remains in the day.

Jatiluwih is the stop that gives the tour its strongest sense of rural Bali. The rice fields are not merely a photo backdrop. They reflect the farming culture that shapes much of the island, with terraces arranged across the slopes and Mount Batukaru forming a dramatic background when conditions are clear.

Weather will affect the experience. Clouds or rain can soften the mountain view, while clear conditions may reveal more of the terrace system. I would treat the open scenery as a bonus rather than expect a perfect postcard every day.

The final stop can also be a welcome change after the waterfall. You move from shaded forest and wet paths to open fields and sky. Since it comes at the end of the route, the timing may depend on traffic and how long you spend earlier, another reason the private format is useful.

How the private tour changes the day

The vehicle and driver are reserved for your group, not shared with other participants. That gives you more control than a standard coach outing and removes the need to coordinate with strangers at each stop.

Your driver accompanies you throughout the day and speaks English. The supplied information describes the driver as both chauffeur and guide, so you can expect help with the route and general information about Bali. Santanu is specifically praised for sharing information about the city, culture, and Bali while keeping the mood fun.

That personal contact is one of the tour’s most praised features. Santanu is also credited with helping the day run smoothly and allowing the group to choose how long to spend at each place. If Santanu is not your assigned driver, the exact style of guiding may differ, but you can still expect a private English-speaking driver.

The private arrangement does not mean every part of the day is fully open-ended. You still have a pickup time, a roughly eight-hour duration, and three planned stops. Think of it as adjustable sightseeing within a set route, not a completely custom Bali charter.

Is $39 a good value?

At $39 per person, the tour offers good value for a private day out, particularly for couples, families, or small groups. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver, parking, local tax, and bottled water.

The value improves as more people share the vehicle, since the same private transport is spread across your group. You also save yourself the cost and stress of arranging a driver separately for a route that reaches several distant areas.

The main extra cost is admission. Entrance fees are listed as IDR 180,000 per person, and they are not included in the advertised price. Food and drinks are also extra, as are towels and spare clothing if you need to buy them locally.

I would compare this price with the cost of a private driver for a full day, but the exact comparison depends on your group size and hotel location. The clearest benefit is convenience: pickup, transport, parking, and a driver are bundled together. You are paying for a ready-made route and less planning, not just for entry to the three sights.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see northern Bali in one day without renting a vehicle. It suits people who value a private car, prefer a flexible pace, and want a mix of culture, nature, and scenery.

It is also a good choice for couples and small groups who want more control than a large bus tour provides. Families may appreciate the direct pickup and private vehicle, though the waterfall walk and swimming area should be considered carefully for younger children.

The tour is less ideal if you dislike long drives or want to spend several hours at one location. The stops are fairly short, and the route covers a lot of ground. It may also disappoint visitors seeking a detailed temple tour, a long waterfall swim, or a full rice terrace hike.

Bring light clothing for the warm lowlands, something suitable for the cooler highlands, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Since the day includes outdoor stops, practical shoes will serve you better than fashion footwear.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local Bali time.

Should you book this Bali tour?

Book it if you want three contrasting northern Bali sights, private transport, and a driver who can adjust the pace. The combination of Ulun Danu Temple, Banyumala Waterfall, and Jatiluwih gives you more variety than a temple-only outing, while the $39 starting price keeps the day affordable before admissions.

Skip it if you want a slow, unhurried visit at each place or prefer to avoid long drives from Seminyak. Before booking, confirm the pickup time, ask how the IDR 180,000 entrance cost is handled, and be sure the swimming stop fits your comfort level.

For most visitors staying in southern Bali, this is a practical way to reach the island’s cooler, greener north without taking on the roads yourself. Santanu’s friendly guiding style is a particular plus, but the real strength is the private format and the variety packed into one day.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes private hotel pickup and drop-off in listed Bali areas, an air-conditioned vehicle, a private English-speaking driver, parking fees, local tax, and bottled mineral water.

Are entrance fees included?

No. All entrance fees are excluded. The tour information lists the total entry cost as IDR 180,000 per person.

Where does hotel pickup operate?

Pickup and drop-off are offered in Ubud, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran, Sanur, Tanjung Benoa, and Nusa Dua.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting information lists an 8:00 a.m. start. The itinerary describes hotel pickup at 8:30 a.m., so confirm your exact pickup time with Dewata Memories Tours.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is this a group tour?

No. It is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

Can I swim at Banyumala Waterfall?

Yes, swimming at Banyumala Waterfall is possible. Bring a towel and extra clothing because these items are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted for a refund.