Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls

Reviewed · UBUD WATERFALL TOURS

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls

5.0 · 6 reviews From $55 Operated by Putu Bali Driver · Bookable on Viator
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Two waterfall hikes in one day. This private north Bali route mixes Banyumala and Leke Leke with forest trails, craft stops, and a coffee plantation on the way. You get an English-speaking host to keep things moving and explain what you’re seeing as you move from temple views to wet, cool waterfall air.

I love the private hotel pickup and drop-off. It’s one less thing to worry about on a long day, and it helps you start the hikes without rushing or hunting rides. I also like that the plan keeps costs simple, since entrance fees are handled up front and you won’t be hit with gate surprises mid-day.

One thing to plan for: this tour involves challenging stairs, plus a steep descent and a stream crossing with stepping stones or wading. If your knees or balance are a concern, go slow and wear the right shoes.

Quick take: Banyumala, Leke Leke, Bratan, crafts, and luwak coffee

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Quick take: Banyumala, Leke Leke, Bratan, crafts, and luwak coffee

  • Banyumala Twin Waterfalls on a flower-and-banana tree forest path
  • Leke Leke Waterfall with a steep descent and a stream crossing
  • Craft villages for batik, engraving, and woodcarving
  • Luwak coffee plantation stop with civet-partially-digested beans
  • Ulun Danu Bratan Temple added to a full north Bali day
  • Private transport with prepaid entrance fees and an English-speaking host

Private north Bali day: how the 9:00 start shapes the pace

This is an 8-hour, private day trip out of Ubud that starts at 9:00 am. The biggest practical win is the round-trip ride in a private vehicle from your hotel. You’re not coordinating with strangers, and you’re not squeezing in extra stops to make the day feel “worth it.” Your host/driver keeps the schedule intact: hike, waterfall time, then cultural stops.

The day is built around movement. You’ll hike to Banyumala first, then continue toward Leke Leke, and later you’ll add Ulun Danu Bratan Temple plus crafts and a coffee plantation stop. That means you should expect a steady flow rather than lots of long sit-down breaks.

Pricing-wise, $55 per person can feel fair for Bali because it includes private transport plus all fees and taxes. It’s not just a driver-and-hope-for-the-best situation. Still, remember food and drinks aren’t included unless specified—so budget for a meal and water.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: the forest trail is the warm-up

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: the forest trail is the warm-up
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls starts with a hike that, in the best way, feels like you’re walking through a living garden. The path is described as beautiful, with tropical flowers, plants, and banana trees as you descend into the forest. If you’re the type who enjoys the “journey” part of a hike, this opening section is likely to feel worth it even before you reach the falls.

You’ll reach the falls by walking down from the start. The tour includes preplanned time for this section, and the overall day is structured so you’re not sprinting between stops. Your English-speaking host is there to guide you through the route and point out what matters along the way.

Once you get to the falls, the reward is straightforward: you’re there for the view and the water. The info highlights that the water is clean and cold at the waterfalls, which is exactly what you want after a humid hike. If you plan to get your feet wet (or more), keep in mind you’ll want dry storage for valuables and a change of clothes waiting back at the car.

Practical drawback to keep in your head: the day includes stair-heavy sections later, so even though Banyumala can feel like the “nice warm-up,” it’s still part of a hike day. Wear shoes you trust on uneven surfaces.

Leke Leke Waterfall: steep stairs, cool water, and rice-field views

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Leke Leke Waterfall: steep stairs, cool water, and rice-field views
Leke Leke is the more intense waterfall moment. You’ll reach it after about a 30-minute hike with a steep descent. The stairs are described as challenging, so this is where you’ll want to slow down and use the rhythm your body can handle. If you’re prone to slipping on stairs, take extra care—this is not the place to rush for a photo.

As you descend, you’re not hiking through sameness. You get a view across the valley toward terraced rice fields, with clove and cocoa plants mentioned as part of what you can see along the way. That’s a key detail: the hike gives you scenery before you even arrive. In other words, even if you’re tired by the time you reach the bottom, you haven’t only earned the waterfall—you’ve already been rewarded with the landscape views on the descent.

Then comes the “wet feet” planning moment. At Leke Leke, you may cross a stream using stepping stones or by wading through water. The tour description specifically flags this, and it’s smart to take it seriously. Bring waterproof camera gear if you’re shooting photos, or plan to protect your phone with a bag or case.

Once you’re at the falls, the payoff is big: you can take in the waterfall sight and enjoy that clean, cold water feeling. It’s the kind of place where the air changes when the mist hits. If you want to swim or splash, your best approach is to do it safely and carefully, and keep an eye on footing around the edges.

A few more Ubud trips worth weighing up

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: a calmer cultural stop between hikes

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Ulun Danu Bratan Temple: a calmer cultural stop between hikes
After the waterfalls, the route includes Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. This is a strong choice to balance the day. After wet trails and uneven steps, you get a more settled setting to pause, look around, and reset.

The info you have calls it one of the best spots in Bali. I’ll keep that practical: even if you’re not deep into temple details, this stop tends to work well as a change of pace. It gives your legs a break while you still feel like you’re moving through meaningful places, not just riding from one viewpoint to another.

Since the tour schedule includes multiple active segments, treat Bratan as your “slow down” moment. Watch your step on uneven ground, follow your host’s guidance, and give yourself time to enjoy the setting without rushing the photos.

Crafts villages: batik, engraving, and woodcarving that you can shop wisely

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Crafts villages: batik, engraving, and woodcarving that you can shop wisely
Between waterfall time and the coffee stop, the day includes visits to local craft villages. The focus here is specific: batik, engraving, and woodcarving. That matters because it turns crafts from a vague “look and maybe buy” stop into something with a clear reason for existing on your route.

If you shop, do it with a little strategy. Crafts are one of those categories where quality can vary a lot. Ask questions. Look closely at finishing. If something is practical for you—like a small carved piece or a textile you’ll actually use—it’s easier to justify paying more for better work.

The host can guide you through what’s being made and why certain materials or methods matter. That’s where an English-speaking guide becomes more than a driver. You get context, and you avoid the classic tourist move of buying something you don’t really understand.

This is also why a private tour feels useful. In a shared group, shopping time gets squeezed. Here, your host can keep you moving when needed and slow down when you want to look.

Coffee plantation stop: how luwak coffee fits into the day

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Coffee plantation stop: how luwak coffee fits into the day
Next up is a coffee plantation stop known for luwak coffee. The key detail is that the beans are partially digested by civets. It’s a well-known Bali storyline, but the value of this stop is the timing: it happens after hiking and after you’ve already had a full run of sensory experiences.

Practical tip: if you’re sensitive to strong flavors, you can still enjoy the tasting format without committing to heavy pours. Go slow. Take a sip, then decide what you like.

This stop is also a good moment for a bathroom break and a sit-down reset. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll likely leave with a better sense of how the coffee experience works on the island and why it’s marketed the way it is.

Also note: the tour description doesn’t say food is included, but drinks might be offered as part of a tasting experience. Still, don’t assume. If you care about lunch and hydration, keep your expectations flexible and bring a plan for water.

Cost and value: what you’re really paying for at $55

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - Cost and value: what you’re really paying for at $55
At $55 per person, the headline value isn’t just the price tag—it’s what’s included. You get:

  • Round-trip private transport from your hotel
  • An English-speaking local host/driver
  • All entrance fees prepaid (so no gate-fee surprises)
  • All fees and taxes

That combination matters in Bali. A lot of “day tours” become expensive because entrance fees, parking, and stop-by-stop charges sneak in. Here, the tour structure is designed to keep costs predictable.

The tradeoff is that you handle your own comfort items and personal expenses. Food and drinks aren’t included unless specified, and there’s no promise of a long lunch break at a set restaurant. You should expect to plan around the hike timing.

If you’re traveling with a friend or two, the “minimum 2 people per booking” rule is also a good sign. It keeps the experience focused on your group rather than turning it into a crowded bus adventure.

What to bring: the “waterfall stairs kit” that saves the day

Bali Secret Waterfalls: Banyumala & Leke Leke Waterfalls - What to bring: the “waterfall stairs kit” that saves the day
The tour recommends a smart pack list, and I agree with all of it. Here’s what will keep you comfortable:

  • Change of clothes (you’ll thank yourself later)
  • A plastic bag or other way to keep valuables dry
  • Waterproof camera (or waterproof phone case)
  • Sport shoes with grip (you’ll face uneven ground and stairs)
  • Sunscreen
  • Money for souvenirs

Two more practical thoughts. First, keep your valuables in one dry spot. When you’re crossing streams or wading, the temptation is to hold things with one hand and forget how slippery your footing can be. Second, if you’re bringing a waterproof camera, test it before the hike day if you can—so you don’t discover a leak halfway down a steep trail.

Who should book this Bali secret waterfalls tour

This tour is a good fit if you want a full north Bali day with real hiking and real waterfall time, not just scenic pull-offs. It’s rated suitable for ages 12 to 70, and it’s described for people with moderate physical fitness.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

  • You’re okay with stairs and a steep descent
  • You don’t mind getting a bit wet at the stream crossing
  • You like mixing nature with culture (temple, crafts, coffee)

You might reconsider if:

  • You have mobility issues that make stair steps or steep descents difficult
  • Balance is a challenge for you, especially when crossing streams
  • You’re expecting a very relaxed, minimal-walking day

From the guide vibe side, the experience is built around an English-speaking host who can help you stay on track and keeps the day friendly. Names that have stood out in guide stories include Putu, along with hosts like Dodikr, Asta, and Dede—known for upbeat personalities and patience around stops.

Should you book? My honest take

If you want a memorable Bali day with Banyumala and Leke Leke as the core of your schedule, this private format makes a lot of sense. You’re paying for transport, guidance, and prepaid entries, and the day structure keeps you from wasting time figuring things out.

The main reason not to book is also the main reason this trip is fun: it involves stair-heavy hiking and some steep walking plus a stream crossing. If you can handle that, you’ll get clean, cold waterfall moments, valley views on the way down, and a full cultural add-on with Bratan temple, craft villages, and a luwak coffee plantation stop.

If you’re ready for wet shoes, slow stairs, and a day that feels like you actually went somewhere, book it.

FAQ

How long is the Banyumala and Leke Leke waterfalls tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. The tour includes hotel/port pickup and drop-off.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included, and entrance fees are prepaid.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.

How difficult are the hikes and stairs?

There is walking on challenging stairs, plus a steep descent on the Leke Leke hike. You may also cross a stream using stepping stones or by wading through water.

What should I bring, and is food included?

Bring change of clothes, a plastic bag to keep valuables dry, waterproof camera gear, sport shoes, sunscreen, and money for souvenirs. Food and drinks are not included unless specified.

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