Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls

Northern Bali saves its best scenery for people willing to leave the easy road. This private day trip takes you down forest paths to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls and Leke Leke Waterfall, with cold water, tropical plants, steep steps, and valley views along the way. You also visit Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, one of Bali’s most recognizable lakeside sights.

I like the private vehicle and prepaid entrance fees, since you can focus on the day instead of bargaining over costs or sharing a bus with strangers. I also like the local driver-host setup. Guides such as Dodik, Asta, Dede, and Putu have been praised for friendly service, honest suggestions, and patient help with photos.

The main catch is physical: this is not a gentle sightseeing loop. The hikes include steep descents, difficult stairs, stream crossings, and slippery ground. At $55 per person, the value is strong for two or more people, but you should be comfortable with a moderate hike and a long day on Bali’s winding roads.

Key points at a glance

• Banyumala starts with a tropical forest descent: Expect banana trees, flowers, and thick plant growth on the way to the falls.
• Leke Leke requires careful footing: The roughly 30-minute hike includes steep stairs and a stream crossing by stepping stones or shallow wading.
• Ulun Danu Bratan adds a cultural stop: The temple gives the day more variety than a waterfall-only outing.
• A private car keeps the pace flexible: Your group travels alone, with hotel or port pickup and drop-off included.
• The guides can add a personal touch: Dede has helped with photos, while Putu has been praised for candid recommendations and fair advice.
• Pack for water, not just walking: Bring spare clothes, a plastic bag for valuables, sports shoes, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera.

Why these two waterfalls make a good Bali day trip

Many Bali outings stay close to Ubud’s most familiar stops. This route heads farther into the island’s northern backcountry, where the reward is a quieter-feeling walk through plants, farms, and forest. The waterfalls are not simple roadside photo stops. You earn them on foot.

That matters because the walking is part of the appeal. At Banyumala, the path drops through tropical growth filled with flowers, banana trees, and other plants. You get a gradual change from road to forest, then the sound and sight of the falls at the bottom.

Leke Leke feels more demanding. The walk takes about 30 minutes and includes a steep descent. Some stairs are difficult, and the route crosses a stream using stepping stones or by wading through the water. During the hike, you can look across the valley toward terraced rice fields, clove plants, and cocoa plants.

The payoff is a waterfall surrounded by a more secluded natural setting. The water is described as very clean and cold, so bring a change of clothes if you plan to swim. The day works best when you treat the hikes as the main event, not as minor stops between vehicle rides.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: a pretty path before the main view

Banyumala is the softer introduction to the walking. The route descends into the forest for about half an hour, passing tropical flowers, banana trees, and thick greenery. I like this approach because it gives the stop a sense of arrival. You are not simply stepping out of a car, taking one photograph, and leaving.

The name Banyumala Twin Waterfalls points to the pair of falling streams that form the main sight. The setting is suited to taking time, cooling off, and looking closely at the plant life around the water. If you swim, remember that the water is cold. A towel and dry clothes will make the return walk much more comfortable.

The descent becomes the climb on the way back. That is easy to underestimate in Bali’s heat, especially after time in the water. Keep your pace steady and use the guide’s local knowledge about where to place your feet.

This stop should suit you if you enjoy a short forest walk and a natural swimming spot. It may frustrate you if you need level paths, dislike damp ground, or want a quick roadside attraction.

Leke Leke: the tougher walk and better sense of adventure

Leke Leke asks more from your legs. The route takes around 30 minutes, with a steep descent and stairs that can be challenging. The stream crossing is another small test. You may use stepping stones, or you may need to wade, depending on conditions.

That is why sports shoes are a better choice than sandals. The information for this trip specifically warns about challenging stairs and recommends a moderate level of fitness. I would also keep your phone, wallet, and camera in a waterproof bag. A plastic bag is listed as a useful backup for valuables.

The route gives you more than the waterfall itself. You can see across the valley toward rice terraces and crops including clove and cocoa. Those details help you understand how much of Bali’s beauty comes from working countryside, not only temples and beaches.

At the bottom, Leke Leke rewards you with cold, clean water and a dramatic forest setting. You can swim, but the effort and slippery footing mean you should avoid rushing. Take care on the return climb, when tired legs make a misstep more likely.

If you want an easy photo stop, Leke Leke is not the best match. If you want a proper walk with a clear payoff, it is one of the strongest parts of the day.

Ulun Danu Bratan brings temple scenery to the route

The third scheduled stop is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. Sitting at Lake Bratan, it gives the day a different rhythm after the wet and strenuous waterfall walks. Instead of more forest steps, you get a major Balinese cultural and scenic sight.

The temple is described as one of the best spots in Bali, and its setting on the lake is the main draw. It makes a useful counterpoint to the waterfalls: one stop shows the island’s forest and water, while the other connects water with Balinese temple design and religious life.

The exact order can matter. After the waterfalls, you may welcome a stop that does not require another long descent. Still, you should allow enough time for the route. The tour lasts about eight hours, and northern Bali roads can make the day feel full even before you add walking.

The supplied description also mentions craft villages and a luwak coffee plantation. The listed itinerary names Banyumala, Leke Leke, and Ulun Danu Bratan, while the overview describes visits to batik, engraving, and woodcarving villages plus a plantation known for luwak coffee. Because those details do not line up perfectly, confirm the exact stops with Putu Bali Driver before you book if the crafts or coffee visit is important to you.

What the private car changes

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or port are included, along with private transportation. Only your group participates, so you do not have to match the pace of a large coach group or wait for people at every stop.

That privacy is particularly useful on a day with wet clothes, muddy shoes, and uneven walking. You can keep spare clothing in the car, leave larger items behind during the hikes, and return to your own vehicle between stops.

The English-speaking driver acts as your local host. The experience is not described as a formal, specialist-led hiking tour, so set your expectations accordingly. You get local assistance, transport, and guidance, rather than a detailed naturalist lecture.

The people named in past praise include Dodik, Asta, Dede, and Putu. Dede was noted for being fun, friendly, patient, and helpful with photographs. Putu was praised for honest recommendations. Those qualities matter on a private day because your driver helps shape the pace and practical choices.

You should still tell the driver what matters most to you. If you want more time at a waterfall, need to slow down on stairs, or prefer to skip shopping, say so early. A private tour gives you room to communicate, but it does not remove the need to speak up.

Is $55 a fair price?

At $55 per person, the package includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle, an English-speaking driver, entrance fees, and taxes. Food and drinks are not included.

For two people or more, that is a sensible price for a full day of private transport and several major stops. Bali’s roads make a private car especially useful when the route reaches the north. You are paying not only for admission, but also for the driver’s time, fuel, and the convenience of returning to the same vehicle after each walk.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a short waterfall visit. The day involves long transport time, difficult steps, and no included meal. Bring money for food, drinks, and souvenirs. One past booking included lunch at a place chosen during the day, but lunch is not part of the stated inclusions, so treat that as a possible arrangement, not a promise.

The coffee stop can also add interest, but coffee tasting and luwak coffee are not listed among the included food and drinks. Ask what is covered before purchasing anything at a plantation or craft stop.

How to prepare for the stairs, water, and weather

Your packing list should be practical rather than fashionable:

• Sports shoes with a secure grip
• A full change of clothes
• A plastic bag or dry pouch for valuables
• A waterproof camera or protected phone
• Sunscreen
• Money for food and souvenirs

The tour is recommended for ages 12 to 70, with a moderate physical fitness level. That age range is a guide, not a guarantee that the route will feel easy. Fitness, balance, and comfort on wet stairs matter more than the number on your passport.

Start time is 9:00 a.m., and the tour lasts about eight hours. Since swimming and stream crossings are possible, leave room in your day for wet gear and a slower pace. Do not carry more than you need on the trails.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this private waterfall tour?

I would choose this trip if you want waterfalls with real walking, prefer your own vehicle, and like combining nature with a temple visit. It is also a good fit for couples, families with older children, and small groups that want an English-speaking local host without joining a large bus.

The tour suits people who enjoy swimming, forest paths, and rural views. It also works well if you want help taking photographs. Dede, in particular, was praised for patient, photo-friendly assistance, though the assigned driver is not guaranteed to be him.

I would think twice if anyone in your group struggles with steep stairs, uneven surfaces, or stream crossings. The route is not suitable for a relaxed stroll, and the cold water may not appeal to everyone. You should also confirm the craft village and coffee plantation stops if those are central to your plans, since the route details focus most clearly on the two waterfalls and Ulun Danu Bratan.

Should you book it?

Book it if the idea of earning two cold-water waterfalls by foot sounds better than spending the day at easy roadside sights. The combination of private transport, prepaid fees, northern Bali scenery, and a temple stop offers good value at $55 per person.

Skip it if you want a short, effortless outing or need fully level access. The best reason to book is the chance to see Banyumala and Leke Leke at a manageable private pace, with a driver who can help with photos, local choices, and the practical parts of a wet and sometimes slippery day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 9:00 a.m.

Are hotel and port transfers included?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included in the tour price.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and transportation is provided in a private vehicle.

How difficult are the waterfall walks?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. Banyumala involves a forest descent, while Leke Leke includes a roughly 30-minute hike, steep stairs, and a stream crossing by stepping stones or wading.

What should I bring?

Bring sports shoes, sunscreen, a change of clothes, a plastic bag or dry method for protecting valuables, a waterproof camera, and money for souvenirs. Food and drinks are not included.