North Bali Tour: Banyumala Waterfall & Wanagiri Hidden Hills

North Bali is interesting because it flips the Bali script. Instead of sticking to the usual coastal circuit, you head north into cooler hills, lake views, and that green-water, waterfall rhythm. It’s a full-day loop that mixes big photo moments with calmer stops where you can actually pause.

I love how the tour packs in multiple paid sights with entrance tickets included, so you are not doing math all day. I also love the private setup, meaning you move with an English-speaking driver and can set a calmer pace between highlights.

One possible drawback: the day is long, and one of the stops involves a real trek to reach the waterfalls. If you want everything to feel perfectly smooth and convenient, you may find the pacing a bit tight.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Banyumala Twin Waterfalls (Air Terjun Tirta Kuning), known locally as Yellow Water Falls, with a hike to reach the viewpoint
• Wanagiri Hidden Hills and Bali Swing in Munduk, about 2 hours north of Ubud, with classic cliff-and-valley views
• Handara Iconic Gate for that famous gateway photo, even if it can be busy as a top Instagram stop
• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Beratan, where the lake surface helps frame the temple look
• Banjar Hot Springs for recovery time after trekking and driving
• Private tour feel with hotel pick up and drop off from select areas, plus an English-speaking driver

North Bali feels different: waterfall hikes, lake temples, and quieter roads

This tour is built around the North Bali mood: more time outdoors, more small roads, and fewer crowd clusters than the most popular Bali routes. You start in Ubud and end the day back in your base, but the scenery changes enough that it still feels like you left your comfort zone.

A big part of the appeal is variety. You get a waterfall hike in the green valleys, a swing-and-view stop in the Munduk highlands, and then a major temple on Lake Beratan. The rhythm helps, because the day is not just one long line of photo spots. You also get a stop connected to spirituality, plus hot springs to reset your legs.

If you like travel days that feel active but not chaotic, this is a solid format: one English-speaking driver, a private group, and a route that tries to keep you moving across North Bali without doing the planning yourself.

Price and value: what $80 in Ubud buys you

At $80 per person for a private day tour, the value mostly comes from what you do not have to organize. The package includes hotel pick up and drop off, an English-speaking driver, and all entrance tickets. There are also service and government taxes included in that price.

Meals are not included, so you will still need to budget for food and drinks during the day. But because the big-ticket items are handled, your day stays simpler: less time searching for tickets, less time negotiating entry lines, and fewer surprises.

Another value point: the tour is designed for a private experience. That matters when you have a long drive. Even if the itinerary still runs on a schedule, you get the comfort of going as just your group, not being merged into a huge bus plan.

The 8:00 am start, and how to plan for a 10-hour day

The tour starts at 8:00 am, and the total duration is about 10 hours. That long day is why the order of stops matters, and why weather matters too. The tour requires good weather, so if conditions are poor, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.

For your planning, think in terms of stamina rather than just sightseeing. You are doing a waterfall trek, multiple outdoor viewpoints, and enough driving that you should treat this like a true day trip, not a light excursion.

Since pick up is from select area hotels, double-check you are in the included pick up zone when you book. You will also get a mobile ticket, which is convenient the morning of.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: trek to Yellow Water Falls

Your waterfall moment begins at Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. Locals refer to it as Air Terjun Tirta Kuning, and you will hear the name Yellow Water Falls used as well. The reason this stop feels special is that it is not just a roadside waterfall. It sits in the green valleys of the Wanagiri village area in Buleleng, North Bali, and reaching it involves a hike.

What to expect: a more physical start than you might guess from the word waterfall. You are going for a rewarding payoff, but you need to respect the terrain. The time listed for this stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes, which typically includes the walk in and out plus time near the falls.

Practical tips that will help you enjoy it more:

• Wear shoes you trust on uneven ground. If the path is slippery, good traction matters.
• Bring a light rain layer even if the day looks fine. Conditions can change in the mountains.
• Keep your phone in a secure spot if the walk includes slick patches.

Is this the kind of place you can power through quickly? Yes, if you move steadily. But I recommend you treat it as a slow-photo and breathe kind of stop. When you get down there, the falls feel more earned.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the Bali Swing in Munduk

After Banyumala, you head toward Wanagiri Hidden Hills and Bali Swing, located in Munduk, about two hours north of Ubud. This is one of the places where Bali’s Instagram image is based on real, dramatic viewpoints. You are not just looking at a sign. You are in a hill area with wide valley views and a clear sense of altitude.

The listed time here is about 1 hour, which is long enough to enjoy the view, get photos, and still have time to keep the day on track. The swing is the main draw, but even if you do not swing, the surrounding viewpoints are the reason people come.

A key consideration: this is a popular photo stop, so if you are sensitive to crowds, plan your energy accordingly. You might not get the private-feeling photo you imagined. The way to handle it is to focus on the timing you control, like stepping away for a different angle and giving yourself a couple extra minutes to find a calmer lookout.

Also, with North Bali’s weather shifting, do not rely only on perfect light. Cloudier skies can still look great on the valley views, and getting there early in the day helps.

Handara Iconic Gate: famous gateway, and how to manage expectations

Next comes Handara Iconic Gate, a Balinese gate often described as the path to serenity. It has become a famous landmark for tourists who want that top Instagram-style photo, and it lives up to the visual theme of the gate, with a strong sense of symmetry and signage.

The time allotted is about 1 hour. That means you can take photos without rushing, but you still need to be realistic: when a spot is widely known, it can feel touristed. If you want it to feel like a quiet temple moment, you may feel slightly underwhelmed.

How to get the most out of it:

• Treat it as a photo stop, not a long meditation break.
• Look for angles where the background scenery does more work than the crowd does.
• If there is a line forming, you can adjust your plan, like taking a walk for a different view while you wait.

I like Handara Gate here because it is quick, visually strong, and it keeps the itinerary balanced. You have enough other stops that feel less staged, so one famous gate does not dominate the whole day.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: lake-framed spirituality on Lake Beratan

Now you switch from valley photo points to something more grounded: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. The name translates to the source temple of Lake Beratan, and the setting is part of the power. The temple shares scenic qualities with Bali’s sea temples of Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, but you experience it through the lens of a lake.

What makes it feel special is the way the lake surface helps frame the view. The temple sits where you can see reflections, and that changes with wind and cloud cover. The stop is listed at about 1 hour, which is enough time to walk the grounds and take in the lake backdrop without feeling stuck.

A practical note: this stop is outdoors too. Expect cooler air near the water, and pack for comfort. If the weather is good, this is the moment that makes the whole day feel coherent, because it turns your scenery into something slower and more meaningful.

Bayan Ancient Tree (Kayu Putih): a short fairy-tale pause

After the major temple, you get a lighter, quicker stop at Bayan Ancient Tree, also known as Kayu Putih. It is described as a giant tree in central Bali, believed to be among the oldest and biggest. The setting gives it a bit of a fairy-tale feeling, the kind of place where you stop and look up longer than you planned.

The time here is listed as about 30 minutes. That is perfect. It gives you a breather between temple and hot springs without turning into a full side trip. You can take photos, enjoy the shade if you find it, and keep your energy for the later relaxation.

If you are the type who likes quirky landmarks, this stop is a good inclusion. It balances the day away from just temples and water.

Banjar Hot Springs, plus a Buddhist monastery stop for a calmer finish

The tour overview includes a Buddhist monastery and a visit to Banjar Hot Springs. The hot springs are the clear payoff after a long day of driving, hiking, and walking. The idea is simple: you relax in therapeutic waters after sightseeing.

This is where I would shift your mindset. Up to now, you have been moving through viewpoints and sacred sites with photo and walk energy. At the hot springs, you have permission to slow down. Even if you do not spend the whole time soaking, it helps your body reset before your return.

What about the monastery? You should expect a quieter, more reflective stop than the gate and swing. The tour includes it as part of your cultural exploration, so it fits the theme of seeing Bali beyond just scenery.

Because the itinerary details for the monastery stop and exact timing are not specified, I recommend you keep your schedule flexible in your head. Think of it as a gentle cultural add-on that makes the day feel less like only a checklist.

Pacing and logistics: where “convenient” may feel limited

Here is the honest part: this is a 10-hour loop, and it includes a trek. Even with private transport and an English-speaking driver, you are still moving across North Bali distances.

One of the main considerations is what can feel less conveniently managed when a day is packed with multiple headline spots. Sometimes you can feel like you are always arriving or leaving, and not fully settling into one place. You might also notice that the time at a famous gate can feel less valuable if you expected a more unique, intimate moment.

My advice is to choose the right mindset before you go:

• Go into Handara Gate expecting a landmark photo, not a secret corner.
• Go into Banyumala expecting walking time, not just a quick peek.
• Let the hot springs be the reward, because it makes the day feel balanced when you are done.

Also, since the tour requires good weather, have a Plan B in your thinking. Bali’s hills can change quickly, and the tour may need to adjust.

What to wear, pack, and plan around meals

Meals are not included. That means you should plan for at least one food stop on your own, plus water and snacks if you prefer them. To keep the day comfortable, eat before you are too tired. On a long day, it is easier to snack early than to wait until you feel wiped out.

For clothing, think practical:

• Walking shoes for the Banyumala trek.
• A light layer for cooler air near lakes or in the highlands.
• Sun protection, because outdoor waiting and photo time can stretch.

If you are planning to use the hot springs, you might want to bring swimwear, but the tour information only says you relax in therapeutic waters, so pack what you feel comfortable with rather than assuming facilities.

Who this tour suits best

This works well if you want to explore North Bali from Ubud in one day, with hotel pick up, tickets handled, and the driving covered. The private format also makes it a good match for couples, friend groups, and anyone who does not want to share a vehicle with a large mixed crowd.

You should be aware of your comfort level with trekking. The Banyumala stop requires quite a trek, and that is the only part of the itinerary that sounds clearly more demanding. The rest is mostly walking and sightseeing time at viewpoints and temple grounds.

If you want a day that mixes nature and culture, with a true relaxation finish at hot springs, this itinerary fits.

The provider, Eco Bali Tours, and booking timing

The tour is operated by Eco Bali Tours – Day Tours. The experience uses a mobile ticket, and it is typically booked ahead, with an average booking window of 18 days in advance. That suggests it is popular enough that planning early helps.

The rating is also strong, with 4.9 out of 5 from 29 reviews, and it is recommended by 100% in the review summary you provided. That does not guarantee perfection, but it does mean the overall experience lands well for most people.

Should you book this North Bali Tour?

I think you should book it if you want a structured day that hits the main North Bali highlights without you doing the ticket work or figuring out routes. The value is strongest when you care about the combination of entrance tickets included, hotel transfers, and a private driver for a full-day circuit.

Skip it or think twice if your top priority is ultra-calm convenience, because this is a long day and Banyumala includes a trek. Also, if you hate famous photo stops, adjust your expectations for Handara Gate and focus on the scenic and cultural balance of the rest of the itinerary.

If your ideal Bali day is active outdoors, includes real landmarks like Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and Handara Gate, and ends with Banjar Hot Springs recovery, this tour is a very good match.

FAQ

What time does the North Bali Tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 10 hours.

Is hotel pick up and drop off included?

Yes. Hotel pick up and drop off are included from select area hotels.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour, so only your group participates.

Are entrance tickets included in the price?

Yes. All entrance tickets are included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

What language do they use with the driver?

An English-speaking driver is included.

Is the Handara Gate stop part of the tour?

Yes. The itinerary includes Handara Iconic Gate.

What is included besides tickets and transport?

The package includes private tour service, hotel pick up and drop off, an English-speaking driver, and service and government tax. A mobile ticket is also used.

What is the cancellation rule?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. The tour also requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.