Banyumala Jungles & Waterfalls
The Banyumala Waterfall in Northern Bali is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali, set in the lush backdrop of a thick jungle. It’s about an easy two hours drive from Ubud and a one-hour drive from Singaraja. It’s commonly called as the Twin Waterfall, but it feels like a hundred small waterfalls gathering into a natural pool. If you’re one of those that loves swimming, the pool out here is just perfect. Since it is high up in the mountains, the weather gets pretty cold here and so is the water from the falls. The trek down to the falls is a short 20-30 min, but it is a tricky one since it is through rickety bamboo stairs and can be quite slippery even in the dry seasons. Since Banyumala is hidden, crowds are scarce and this place is ideal for tourists who love meditation, yoga etc.
Location : North Bali
Time for visit : 8 AM to 6 PM
Hike Difficulty : Moderately difficult
Hike time : 20-30 min one way
Ideal visit : April through August
Sekumpul Waterfalls
Most tourists stand witness to the fact that you hear the Sekumpul Waterfalls, before you actually see it. And when you do see it, you will have to pinch yourself to digest the magnificence of the 80 M fall that the waters gush to – it is for sure, the thin line between reality and the world of fantasy. Sekumpul is Nature’s bouquet of seven waterfalls in one area, the misty, water droplets-laden atmosphere lending to the natural beauty of the place. Getting down from the view point takes good effort of hiking through dirt tracks, streams and some hundred steps. However, once you get down and look at the gorgeous falls, you will feel that the effort was well worth it. Sekumpul should definitely be on your must-do lists while in Bali.
Location : Sekumpul, North Bali
Time for visit : Ideally early morning to 2 pm - for best lighting
Hike Difficulty : Moderately difficult
Hike time : 20-30 min one way
Ideal visit : May to September
Munduk Waterfalls
It would be more apt if we called it the Munduk Trek - a trek that opens you up to a number of waterfalls. Amongst them, our favourites are the Red Coral (or) the Munduk Waterfall, the Labuhan Kebo Waterfall, the Melanting Waterfall and the Golden Valley. Munduk is a small mountain town and it’s an ideal setting to experience the Balinese lifestyle with its authentic cuisine in one of the homestays. Alternatively you could visit these waterfalls through a cab or by hired bikes, depending on where you stay in Bali. Apart from these gorgeous waterfalls, you can also imbibe the rustic air of Bali’s rice fields, lakes, temples and some lovely trails that seem to belong only on picture postcards.
Location : Munduk, North Bali
Time for visit : 6 AM to 6 PM, but ideally done early morning
Hike Difficulty : Moderately easy
Hike time : Ideally spend a day, unhurried
Ideal visit : October to April, unless you love the monsoons
Twin Lakes Jungle & Trekking
If you’re in Munduk, the twin lakes, the jungles around and the treks are a must do. The Twin Lakes of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan are truly Nature’s wonders – they form part of a caldera (cauldron-like hollows) of the Bedugul Volcano. The twin lakes were at one point in time a single lake – later separated by a huge landslide in the 1800s. The trek through a lush, protected rainforest area to the Twin Lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan takes you through dense forests and some amazing temples that have you spellbound about an era that is long gone, but still manages to reach out to you in the present times. This side of Bali has attracted professional photographers and ardent spiritual seekers for ages now.
Location : Munduk, North Bali
Time for visit : 6 AM to 6 PM
Hike Difficulty : Easy to Moderate
Hike time : Ideally spend a day, unhurried
Ideal visit : October to April, unless you love the monsoons
