Best of North Bali Tour, Hot Spring, Waterfall, Lake Temples

North Bali gives you a very different day from the beach strip. This private tour heads into cooler mountain country, where you visit Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery, soak at Banjar Hot Springs, walk to Banyumala Twin Waterfall, and finish at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on the lake. It is a big day, but the route packs in several of Bali’s most varied sights.

I like the private vehicle and flexible timing. You travel only with your own party, so you can adjust the pace and stop for lunch at a local restaurant if you choose. I also like the route’s range: a Buddhist monastery, sulphuric hot springs, forested lakes, a waterfall, a photo viewpoint, and a Hindu temple.

The main drawback is the amount of driving. The tour lasts about 9 to 10 hours, and North Bali’s winding mountain roads can make the day feel long. You will also want sunscreen, modest clothing, and shoes suitable for uneven paths and wet areas.

Key points to know before booking

• Brahma Vihara Arama: Visit Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery, with gardens and mountain air far from the southern resort zone.
• Banjar Hot Springs: Soak in warm volcanic sulphur water, a pleasant break after the drive north.
• Banyumala Twin Waterfall: Reach a valley waterfall with a central cascade and smaller streams on either side.
• Private day out: Your group gets its own air-conditioned vehicle, driver-guide, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off.
• Flexible lunch stop: Lunch is available as an option, and the driver can take you to a local restaurant.
• Six major stops: The route offers cultural sites, water, forest scenery, and one of Bali’s best-known temple settings.

Why this North Bali route works as a full-day outing

This is not a slow village walk or a single-site visit. It is a road trip through the northern highlands, with several stops that feel quite different from one another. That variety is the tour’s main strength.

You begin at a Buddhist monastery, then move to hot springs, lakes, and a waterfall before reaching two highly photographed viewpoints and a Hindu temple. I like that the day does not revolve around one type of attraction. You get a look at Bali’s religious variety, natural scenery, and popular photo stops in one outing.

The private format matters here. You are not sharing the vehicle with strangers, and the driver can work around your group’s needs. The schedule remains full, but you have more control than you would on a fixed group bus. The tour also includes petrol, parking, taxes, services, and entrance tickets, which makes the $80 price easier to judge.

That price is reasonable if you value convenience and plan to visit several northern sites in one day. It is less attractive if you prefer to spend a long time at one location or dislike extended car journeys. The optional lunch arrangement also lets you control the total cost rather than forcing a meal into the package.

Brahma Vihara Arama, Bali’s Buddhist mountain retreat

The first stop is Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery, described as the largest Buddhist monastery in Bali. Its name comes from the foundation associated with Bhiku Giri Rakketo Maha Thera, and the monastery was built in 1970.

Plan on about an hour here. The setting is part of the appeal. The monastery is surrounded by gardens, and the mountain air gives the visit a calm opening after the journey from Seminyak. You can expect a cultural stop rather than a quick photo pullout.

I especially like this beginning because it shows a side of Bali that can be missed if you stay focused on Hindu temples and coastal towns. The island’s religious life is broader than the usual postcard image, and this monastery gives the day some cultural balance.

Wear smart casual clothing and be respectful around the religious buildings. The tour information does not specify a formal robe requirement, but modest dress is the sensible choice. Bring a camera, though take a moment to look beyond the easiest photo. The gardens and architecture are part of what makes this stop worthwhile.

Banjar Hot Springs and the warm sulphur pools

Banjar Hot Springs offers a change of pace. The water comes from volcanic sources and has a warm temperature, with sulphur giving it a distinct mineral character. The pools are intended for soaking, so bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to get in.

The visit lasts about an hour. That is enough time for a pleasant soak without turning the whole day into a spa outing. The stop also breaks up the driving early in the route, which is useful on a long northern circuit.

The hot spring water is often associated with relief for people with rheumatic complaints, but you should treat that as general local information rather than medical advice. If you have a health condition, use your own judgment before entering the pools.

The timing can affect how relaxed this stop feels. The morning is described as the best time to visit, and an earlier arrival may help you enjoy the water before the site becomes busier. The tour’s flexible schedule gives your driver some room to adjust the order or pace, though the overall day still has many stops.

Tamblingan and Buyan, Bali’s twin-lake country

From Banjar, the route heads into the highlands toward Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan. These two lakes sit close together and provide some of the day’s best mountain scenery. The surrounding natural area has been kept relatively untouched, and both lakes support nearby communities.

You spend about an hour at the lake area. Expect viewpoints and fresh highland air rather than a long boat trip or a structured activity. The value here comes from the change in scenery. After the monastery and hot springs, the lakes bring open views and a quieter sense of place.

I would keep your camera ready during this section of the drive. The winding mountain roads are part of the experience, with views appearing between bends. At the same time, those roads explain why the tour takes most of a day. You are covering distance through hilly country, not moving between nearby city attractions.

If you are prone to motion sickness, the mountain roads may be worth considering before booking. The tour details do not promise a particular vehicle size or a special route for sensitive passengers. An air-conditioned private vehicle is included, and you can speak with your driver about comfort breaks.

Banyumala Twin Waterfall, the day’s most active stop

Banyumala Waterfall sits at the bottom of a valley. Water drops from three sides, with the biggest cascade in the center and smaller falls to the right and left. The setting gives you a stronger nature experience than a simple roadside viewpoint.

The stop is planned for about an hour, but this is where the terrain matters most. A valley waterfall usually involves an uneven walk, and wet ground can make the approach less comfortable. The supplied information does not give a precise walking distance or accessibility details, so you should not expect a fully level path.

This is a good place for sturdy footwear. Sandals may be fine for some people, but shoes with a secure grip are the safer choice. If you want photographs near the water, protect your phone and camera from spray.

The waterfall is one of the strongest reasons to choose this route. Wanagiri Hidden Hills is built around photos, while Banyumala gives you a more natural setting. I like having both in the same day, as long as you understand that the schedule allows roughly an hour rather than an extended forest walk.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the photo-stop question

Wanagiri Hidden Hills is a purpose-built photo area, often described as one of Bali’s early selfie parks. It offers arranged viewpoints designed for dramatic pictures, usually with the lakes and mountain scenery behind you.

You have about an hour here. If you enjoy taking group photos, this can be a fun part of the day. The private format is useful because your driver can help keep the timing practical, and you are not waiting for a large bus group to finish every picture.

Still, this stop will not appeal to everyone. It is a constructed photo attraction, not an untouched natural site. If you prefer temples, gardens, and forests, you may find the stop more commercial than the monastery or waterfall.

The best way to view it is as a light, playful break between nature stops. You do not need to treat it as the cultural heart of North Bali. It is there for the views and the pictures, and it can be worthwhile if you know exactly what you are getting.

Ulun Danu Beratan, a memorable final temple setting

The final major stop is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, in the highland area of Bedugul. The temple sits on Lake Beratan at roughly 1,500 meters, so the air is cooler than in Seminyak and the setting feels markedly different from the coast.

You get about an hour here. The temple’s position by the lake is the main attraction, with mountain scenery and water creating the classic Bali view. The highland weather can change, so bring a light layer if you tend to feel cool.

This is a Hindu temple, and the visit gives the day a useful contrast with Brahma Vihara Arama. You see two religious traditions in different architectural and natural settings. Even if you are mainly interested in photography, the lake setting gives this stop more depth than a stand-alone building in a crowded town.

Ulun Danu Beratan is also a sensible final stop. After the waterfall and photo viewpoint, the temple lets you slow down before the drive back. The schedule remains tight, but the setting invites a quieter final hour.

The private vehicle and guide setup

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking professional driver who serves as your guide, and pickup and drop-off at your hotel or villa. Only your group rides in the vehicle.

That arrangement is especially valuable for this route. North Bali is spread out, and the day involves several separate stops. Driving yourself would mean handling mountain roads, parking, directions, and timing while trying to enjoy the scenery. Here, you can focus on the day and discuss adjustments with the driver.

One guide named in the available tour information is Yuda. A direct account describes him as fun, relaxed, and well informed about the route, with good timing that helped the group reach several places before large buses arrived. That detail matters because the same attractions can feel quite different when you arrive ahead of a crowd.

You should still treat timing as a possibility, not a guarantee. Traffic, weather, road conditions, and stop lengths can all affect the day. The tour offers flexible time arrangements based on your request, but six major stops in 9 to 10 hours leave limited room for long meals or extended walks.

Lunch, inclusions, and the real value of $80

Lunch is available if you select that option. The driver can take you to a local restaurant, and the package offers an Indonesian set menu when lunch is selected. If you prefer to choose your own meal or keep the price lower, personal expenses are not included.

At $80 per person, the value depends on group size. A couple or small group pays for a private day with transport, an English-speaking driver-guide, entrance tickets, fuel, parking, taxes, and hotel transfers. That can be a fair deal when you add up the time and distance involved.

The tour becomes more attractive when you want convenience. You do not have to arrange separate tickets at six stops or negotiate transport between remote locations. The price is less compelling for someone who already has a driver, wants only one or two attractions, or would rather spend the day close to Seminyak.

Group discounts are available, although the details are not specified. Since the tour is private, ask about the final per-person price for your party before booking. The listed rate is a useful guide, but the total may depend on group size and whether lunch is added.

Who should book this North Bali day?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see several sides of Bali in one organized day. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to North Bali, couples or families who value a private vehicle, and anyone who would rather avoid planning a complicated mountain route.

It also works well for photographers, since the day includes lake views, a waterfall, monastery gardens, a temple by the water, and arranged viewpoints at Wanagiri. You should bring sunscreen and a camera, as advised, and wear clothing that works for both religious sites and outdoor stops.

You may want a different plan if you dislike long drives, need a relaxed schedule, or want serious hiking time. The tour gives you about an hour at each main stop, which is enough for a focused visit but not enough to explore every corner.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a varied private road trip and accept that the scenery comes with a long day in the vehicle. The strongest parts are the Buddhist monastery, Banyumala Waterfall, and Ulun Danu Beratan, while the hot springs add a welcome pause and Wanagiri supplies easy photo fun.

I would book it for a small group that wants transport, tickets, and timing handled in one package. I would skip it if your ideal Bali day means staying in one place, taking long walks, or avoiding purpose-built photo attractions. Ask about the optional lunch and group discount, dress modestly, wear secure shoes, and keep your schedule flexible.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Weather can also affect the outing, with a different date or full refund offered if poor conditions force cancellation.

FAQ

How long does the Best of North Bali Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and there are no other participants in your vehicle.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or villa are included.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes. A professional English-speaking driver serves as your tour guide.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entrance tickets for the listed stops are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. The meal is an Indonesian set menu.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and a camera. Smart casual clothing is recommended.

Can the schedule be adjusted?

The tour offers flexible time arrangements based on your request.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.