Explore the authentic North of Bali
Explore the authentic North of Bali
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More and more people explore the North of Bali, but it’s still a remote area. There are so many beautiful waterfalls around, as well as volcanos and incredible temples. We absolutely loved the North! Don’t skip this part of Bali and experience the authentic and remote areas of this island. Coming from Ubud, Canggu or Uluwatu we recommend to take a Grab or Uber to the North. In the North you can explore everything with a scooter on your own. The streets here are really good.
1. Ulun Daru Baratan Temple
Officially this place opens at 7 am, but they let you in earlier around 6 am for sunrise. We had to pay around 50.000 IDR per person. For another 100.000 IDR you can rent a wooden canoe to spend some time on the lake and to take beautiful pictures in front of the temple. Unfortunately we’ve been there in the dry season and the water was very low, normally the temple stands completely in water. The light and fog over the water and mountains look really beautiful.
2. Hangara Golf Gate
We highly recommend to be here early. This place became a popular perfect picture spot because of the big gate in front of the golf gate. Someday the golf resort decided to charge 20.000 IDR for all the people taking pictures there. Around 6 am you will be alone at this place and you are able to photograph a gate with red clouds and fog. At 8 am there will be a line of people waiting to take a picture. The gate is located directly at the main street.
3. Sekumpul Waterfall
We stayed at a hotel near the two lakes in the North. From there we needed 1 hour with a scooter to get to Sekumpul Waterfall. The streets were really good but you have to drive some serpentines. Unfortunately the locals already try to sell you a guide for a lot of money at the streets towards the waterfall who wants to accompany you on a scooter. Say no! It’s a rip-off.
Arriving at the main entrance of the waterfall it’s actually not possible to go down the few steps without a guide for 120.000 IDR. Some people told us that there is a second entrance to the waterfall where you have to pay only 15.000 IDR without a guide. On your way down to the waterfall you pass a smaller Hidden Fall. If you come early there aren’t a lot of people and the fall is still in the shadow. Be careful it’s really wet and slippery down there! The waterfall actually consists of several falls and it looks absolutely fascinating!
4. Hidden Hill Wanagiri Viewpoint
This place is so cool! Some really enterprising locals build a viewpoint with several picture points in only one place. Our favorite ones were the swing, the cocoon and the nest. Normally it costs 100.000 IDR per person, but they agreed with 150.000 IDR for both of us. They even have white reflectors to give you some light for backlight pictures in the cocoon. On the swing you get with a ladder, which they remove afterwards for the picture. They even offer a dress rental ;). In the morning you will have the best light, we had luck in the afternoon that there have been some clouds.
5. Siargara – the North Coast
If you decide to do a day trip to the North to Sekumpul Waterfall, Aling Aling Waterfall and Git Git Waterfall you can combine it with a stop at the north coast in Siargara. At an unknown beach we found some cute kids, unfortunately also a lot of plastic.
6. Aling Aling Waterfall
This waterfall is so cool! If you are staying at the two lakes in the North of Bali Aling Aling Waterfall is reachable in 45 minutes with a scooter. For 30.000 IDR you are allowed to take pictures but you aren’t allowed to jump. For 125.000 IDR you can jump from several platforms and several heights. Unfortunately there is no ticket for jumping only from this one point. However we really liked this place!
7. Git Git Waterfall
If you visit Aling Aling Waterfall you should definitely combine it with visiting Git Git Waterfall. We’ve been at Git Git Twin Waterfall close to the street, there is a second one further away. It’s only a short way down to the waterfall, you don’t need a guide and they don’t charge any fee. Walk on the left side between the rocks until you rech the waterfall, on the right side is a little cave where you can put your belongings while you swim. The water is really refreshing in the heat of the jungle. This waterfall is still a secret tip – it isn’t touristic at all. We didn’t expect this waterfall to be so beautiful.
8. Nung Nung Waterfall
This waterfall is located in the North of Bali, around 1 hour with a scooter from the two lakes in the North of Bali. You can combine this one with Leke Leke Waterfall. We arrived there around midday and there were a few tourists. Most of them are standing on the left side, walk the path on the ride side, climb over some rocks and you will find the perfect picture spot! The entrance fee is 10.000 IDR per person. The way down to the waterfall was exhausting.
9. Leke Leke Waterfall
This waterfall is close to Nung Nung, but a lot more touristic, therefore they charge 50.000 IDR per person. From Nung Nung you will need another 30 minutes. You have to pass a few touristic stalls until you reach the fall at the bottom. there is stone in front of the waterfall which you should climb for a picture!
10. Volcano Mt. Batur, Penelokan
We drove higher and higher up the mountains until we reached the viewpoint Penelokan with the best view on the vulcano Mount Batur. You can climb Mount Batur for sunrise with a guide! However, we decided to climb the biggest mountain Mount Agung on the island and skipped climbing Mount Batur. Mount Batur is definitely the easier hike but there are so many tourists! On Mount Agung you will be alone with your guide.
11. Munduk Moding Plantation
This is by far the most beautiful place in North Bali to enjoy sunset. Isn’t this view amazing? Because of the colder temperatures in the Munduk area there are often clouds at sunset. But when the clouds are lightened red this place looks absolutely surreal. It can be a lot colder in the North, especially in the morning, so bring some warm clothes with you!
The hotel is famous for its two pools on different levels with an incredible view. You should also book a tour through the Munduk Moding plantations, it’s really interesting!
12. Stay at Terrasse du Lac
Well this place isn’t a luxury experience, but we stayed there 3 nights and we absolutely enjoyed it! It’s a good affordable alternative for the North of Bali. The rooms are clean and come with a fireplace and the food is absolutely incredible! The best place to eat in the North!
How to get there? How to get around?
We highly recommend to rent a scooter at your hotel to be able to explore everything on your own without having to pay for an expensive day driver. The streets in the North are really good and it’s doable for beginners. Also we highly recommend to wear a long trousers although it’s really hot and looks silly (for example on top of a shorts, so you can change quickly). There are so many scooter accidents in Bali, I myself had one and covered legs reduces the injuries a lot! I think we don’t have to remind you to wear a helmet too.
*Anzeige/ad This article contains recommendations of hotels and restaurants. We collaborated with some of the hotels. However, this article represents our own and honest opinion.
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