Day trip · from Ubud
Munduk in a day from Ubud: Sekumpul, Banyumala, Lake Tamblingan
The highlands of north Bali in a day: the Sekumpul falls, the Banyumala pool and Lake Tamblingan in the forest. It can be done from Ubud, but it is as much a day of driving as of waterfalls, and each place’s best moment, early morning, is out of reach. The times given here are indicative.
- Updated on
- 4 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
You leave Ubud before daybreak to reach Sekumpul in the morning, when the path is safest. You then climb back towards the lakes: a swim at Banyumala in the early afternoon, then a short visit to the shore of Lake Tamblingan. The drive back to Ubud is in the late afternoon, often under cloud.
Contents
Key points
- Indicative times: they depend on the road, the weather and the time spent on the Sekumpul steps.
- Sekumpul first: afternoon showers make its steps slippery and the river stronger.
- Hundreds of steps at Sekumpul: reasonable fitness, shoes with grip, wet feet.
- It is cool at altitude: bring a sweater and a windbreaker, even if it is hot in Ubud.
Munduk is a ridge village in the northern mountains, between the lakes and the coast. From Ubud, you climb to the highlands, then drop north to Sekumpul before coming back towards the lakes.
On the programme: Sekumpul, Banyumala and Lake Tamblingan. For the road, see Ubud to Munduk.
The day, indicative times
- 6 amLeave Ubud with the driver, road to the northern mountains.
- 8:30 amSekumpul: entry, village guide, the way down to the falls.
- 11 amBack up, then the road to the lakes.
- 12:30 pmLunch on the ridge, in the cool air.
- 1:30 pmBanyumala: a short walk down, a swim if the flow allows.
- 3 pmLake Tamblingan: the shore and the temple, a canoe if time allows.
- 4 pmBack towards Ubud, arriving in the evening.
How the day runs
You leave Ubud before daybreak to reach Sekumpul in the morning, when the path is safest. You then climb back towards the lakes: a swim at Banyumala in the early afternoon, then a short visit to the shore of Lake Tamblingan. The drive back to Ubud is in the late afternoon, often under cloud.
It is a three-stop day, no more. If the group is slow on the Sekumpul steps, drop Banyumala rather than the lunch break. An early start pays twice: less traffic on the mountain road, and a path at Sekumpul that is still dry.
Who it suits
- Fit walkers who like waterfalls and cool air.
- Travellers who cannot sleep in Munduk but want to see the north.
Who it does not suit
- Children and people with limited mobility: the Sekumpul steps are long and steep.
- Anyone who wants Lake Tamblingan at dawn: you need to sleep in Munduk.
- Those who cope badly with winding mountain roads.
Getting there: the mountains, there and back
From Ubud to Munduk, allow less than the airport to Munduk, published at about 2 h 30: an order of magnitude. Sekumpul, north-east of Munduk, adds more road. The hard stretches are the mountain bends, the mist that slows everything in the afternoon, and the drive back south in traffic.
- Car with a driver: recommended, the day adds up to several hours of mountain road.
- Scooter: only for very experienced riders; rain, mist and bends pile up in the afternoon.
- Bring something for car sickness: the bends are many.
What you see
The jungle amphitheatre of Sekumpul and its many falls, the pool among the ferns at Banyumala where you can swim at normal flow, and the shore of Lake Tamblingan with its temple. The Jatiluwih terraces and the Ulun Danu Bratan temple do not fit into the same day.
Sekumpul
Several falls in an amphitheatre; a village guide is required at the main entrance.
Banyumala
Two falls and a pool for swimming; cold water, slippery path.
Lake Tamblingan
A lake in the forest and a temple at the water’s edge; covered clothing, sarong.
What you pay for, and what you do not
The driver for the day is the first item. On site, the Sekumpul entry and guide, the Banyumala entry and the car parks are run by the villages; at Tamblingan, the canoe and the guided walk are optional. Prices are given on site. Looking at the lake from the shore costs nothing.
| Item | Paid? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Ubud ↔ Munduk | Yes | By the day; mention Sekumpul when booking |
| Sekumpul entry and guide | Yes | Conditions displayed at the entrance |
| Banyumala entry | Yes | Paid at the access point |
| Canoe or guided walk at Tamblingan | Optional | With the village guides |
| Walk along the lake shore | No | Sarong required near the temple |
Mistakes to avoid
The classic trap is starting with the lake and leaving Sekumpul for the afternoon: you end up going down wet steps in a downpour. Others: adding too many stops and driving back through the bends after dark, following a “guide” met on the road rather than the one at the entrance, and setting off dressed for Ubud.
- At Sekumpul, take the guide at the entrance run by the village, not a roadside tout.
- Do not swim under the falls when the water is brown or strong.
- Bring a change of clothes: your feet will get wet, often more.
- Head back before dark: mist and bends make the descent slow.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Munduk in a day from Ubud?
Yes, but it is a long day on the road. You see three places, not the region, and rarely the lake when the mist is on it.
Do you need a guide at Sekumpul?
A village guide is required at the main entrance. The conditions are displayed on site.
Can you swim at Banyumala?
Yes, at normal flow. The water is cold; avoid swimming after heavy rain.
Is this day trip suitable for children?
It is not advised: the road is long and the Sekumpul steps are demanding, both going down and coming back up.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
