My 2025 North Bali Waterfall Trip Review: Is It Worth It?

So, you’re looking at the 2025 Northern Bali Waterfall trip, right? I was basically in the same spot, just a little while ago. You see all these amazing pictures, but you know, you sort of wonder what it’s actually like. Like, is it as good as it looks online, or is it one of those things that’s more or less just for the photos? Well, I went ahead and did the whole thing, so I could honestly tell you about it. At the end of the day, I’m here to give you the real story, from the super early morning start all the way to the long drive back, you know?

First Impressions: The Early Morning Start

Alright, so the day pretty much starts before the sun is even up, which is, to be honest, a bit of a shock to the system. The pickup was actually on time, which was a very good start. As I was saying, we left the busy areas of Canggu, and the van was actually comfortable enough for a long ride. As a matter of fact, you need that comfort because the drive north is quite a long one, almost three hours, you know. But anyway, it’s not a boring drive at all. You just see the island change right before your eyes, which is pretty cool. The chaotic streets sort of melt away and, you know, they get replaced by these really green, layered rice terraces that are just climbing up the hills. In some respects, it’s like watching Bali wake up. The driver, he was a local guy, and he was very friendly, pointing out villages and stuff along the way. Honestly, you almost forget you’re in a van for a tour; it kind of feels like a road trip with a friend, at the end of the day.

You can clearly see that the further north you go, the air feels different, you know, a bit cooler and fresher. We made, like, one quick stop for coffee, and it wasn’t some tourist trap. Instead, it was this tiny little place on the side of the road with views that were absolutely stunning. I mean, it was just a simple cup of Balinese coffee, but drinking it while looking out over the jungle and volcanoes in the distance was a really special moment, to be honest. This is the Bali people talk about, the one that’s a little harder to find. So, the long drive, which might seem like a downside, is actually part of the whole experience. It sort of prepares you for the change of pace and the natural beauty that you’re about to be completely surrounded by, you know?

The Main Event: Tackling Sekumpul Waterfall

Okay, so after the long drive, we finally got to the starting point for Sekumpul Waterfall, and let me tell you, this is the main show for a reason. First, you just have to know that it’s not a simple walk in the park to get there. There’s a hike involved, and it’s basically all downhill at the start, down hundreds of concrete steps that are a little bit slick in places. We had a local guide for the waterfall part of the trip, which you actually need. He was a young guy from the nearby village and honestly knew the path like the back of his hand, which was very reassuring. He kept saying, “Slowly, slowly,” and frankly, that was some of the best advice for the entire day. The air gets more and more humid as you go down, and you can just start to hear this faint roar in the distance, getting louder with every step. It’s a very exciting feeling, I mean, that growing sound of water.

And then, you know, you turn a corner, and there it is. Seriously, all the pictures you’ve seen don’t really prepare you for seeing Sekumpul in person. It’s not just one waterfall; it’s like a whole collection of them, these tall streams of water pouring down a massive, jungle-covered cliff. The scale of it is just enormous. It’s pretty much one of those moments that makes you feel really small in the best way possible. At the bottom, you have to cross a shallow river to get right up close. The water is surprisingly cold and the spray from the falls just soaks you, but it feels so good after the hot and sweaty walk down. You can just stand there, with your head tilted back, and watch the water thunder down from so high up. It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest. We spent a good amount of time there, taking it all in, and our guide was really great about letting us just enjoy the moment instead of rushing us, you know?

More Than Just One Fall: Gitgit and Aling-Aling Adventures

Now, you might think after seeing Sekumpul, any other waterfall would be a letdown, but that’s not really the case, because the other stops on the trip are very different experiences. Next, for instance, we went to Gitgit Waterfall. This one is way more accessible. The walk is much shorter and flatter, which, frankly, my legs were very happy about. Gitgit is sort of that classic, powerful, single-plunge waterfall that you imagine when you think of a tropical paradise. It pours into this beautiful, clear pool, and the whole area is surrounded by lush greenery. It’s less of an epic trek and more of a lovely nature spot, so it was a nice change of pace. It’s obviously very popular, so there were a few more people around, but it still felt special, you know?

Then came the part I was honestly both excited and a little nervous about: Aling-Aling. So, the main waterfall at Aling-Aling is sacred, and you can’t actually swim in it. But the real reason you go is for the smaller waterfalls right next to it. As a matter of fact, this area is a natural water park. There are natural rock slides and places where you can jump from cliffs into deep pools of water. We’re talking about jumps from 5, 10, and even 15 meters high. The guides there are amazing, though. They show you exactly where to jump and how to land safely. I mean, I started with the 5-meter jump, and my heart was just pounding. But once you do it, the rush is incredible! It’s just pure, silly fun. Of course, you don’t have to jump if you don’t want to. You can just watch or swim in the pools. But if you have a bit of a brave side, it’s definitely something you should try, at the end of the day. It made the trip feel like a real adventure, not just sightseeing.

The Little Things: Lunch and Local Culture

You know, a full day of hiking and swimming makes you really, really hungry. So, I was pretty interested to see what the included lunch would be like. Sometimes on these tours, the food is a bit disappointing, right? Well, this was actually a pleasant surprise. We stopped at a small, family-run warung, a type of local restaurant, that overlooked some rice fields. It wasn’t fancy at all, but it was just perfect. The food was, basically, a buffet of authentic Indonesian dishes. There was nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), some chicken satay, gado-gado (vegetables with peanut sauce), and these amazing fried bananas for dessert. It all tasted so fresh and was clearly made with a lot of care. Eating a proper home-cooked style meal like that felt so much better than getting a generic sandwich, you know? It actually felt like we were getting a little taste of the real local culture, not just the touristy side of things.

By the way, another one of the little things that made the trip was our driver and guide. Throughout the day, our main driver, Ketut, shared so much about Balinese life. He would just point things out, like a temple ceremony we passed or the complex irrigation system for the rice paddies called the subak. He was really open to questions, so we could just ask anything we were curious about. At Aling-Aling, the local jumping guides were just so full of energy and fun. It didn’t feel like they were just doing a job; they were genuinely having a good time with us. In a way, these interactions are just as memorable as the waterfalls themselves. It’s one thing to see beautiful places, but it’s another to connect, even for a short time, with the people who live there. It just adds a completely different layer to the whole experience, and honestly, that’s what makes travel so special.

Was It Really a Good Trip? My Final Thoughts

So, at the end of the day, after the long drive back to the south with tired legs and a camera full of pictures, the big question is, was the 2025 Northern Bali Waterfall trip worth it? And for me, the answer is absolutely, definitely yes. It’s a very long day, and it’s physically demanding in parts, so you have to be ready for that. This probably isn’t the right trip for you if you’re traveling with very small children or if you have issues with mobility, to be honest. The steps at Sekumpul are no joke, seriously. But if you have a sense of adventure and you want to see a side of Bali that feels wilder and more untouched than the busy beach clubs, then you will absolutely love this. You get to see some of the most stunning natural sights on the whole island, you know?

You’re not just seeing waterfalls; you’re kind of hiking through the jungle, pushing your comfort zone with some cliff jumping, and just connecting with nature in a way that feels really genuine.

Frankly, what I liked most was the variety. One moment you’re in awe of Sekumpul’s sheer size, and the next you’re laughing your head off as you slide down a natural rock slide at Aling-Aling. It covers all the bases from stunning beauty to pure fun. My advice would be to just wear good, grippy shoes (not flip-flops), bring a change of clothes, and just embrace the whole day. Don’t worry about getting your hair wet or being a bit tired. That’s pretty much part of the fun. For adventure seekers and nature lovers, this is a pretty much perfect Bali day out. It’s a memory that will definitely stick with you long after your tan has faded, you know?

Quick takeaways for you:

• So, you know, be ready for a really early start and a very long travel day, but the scenery is basically worth it.
• The trek to Sekumpul is a bit tough, with many steps, but seeing the waterfall is an absolutely amazing payoff.
• Aling-Aling is like a natural playground for adults, so if you like a bit of a thrill, you’ll have a great time there.
• Basically, the included local lunch was surprisingly delicious and a really nice touch.
• This trip is honestly best for people with a moderate fitness level who are up for a little adventure.

Read our full review: [2025 Northern Bali Waterfall Trip Full Review and Details]

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