Ultimate Bali in 9 Days – Day 5
Bali is picturesque – it is arguably the most photogenic island in South-East Asia. Overall, we can call it an Instagrammable island in the age of social media. Starting from the sea of rice terraces, to dreamy infinity pools overlooking the crystal-clear oceans, white sand beaches, magnificent waterfalls, wild jungles with lush palm trees, prepossessing temples, fiery sunsets, colorful smoothie bowls, to posing in the nests or swinging facing the green mountains or paddy fields – Bali has it all. Every corner of Bali – south, central, east, north, or west – offers Instagrammable spots. Here I am going to list down the top 5 locations of North Bali only. You must visit these places to put more attention to your Instagram feed. However, I do not believe in traveling for social media. But I certainly believe to have amazing vacation memories to look back on. These spots will surely do the justice.
Highlights of the Day
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
- Handara Golf Course Gate
- Twin Lake View Point at Wanagiri Hidden Hills
- Sekumpul Waterfall
- Jatiliwuh Rice Terraces
North Bali Day Tour from Ubud
It is our fifth day in Bali. Uluwatu was a pleasant surprise to us on our first day. We explored the secret beaches and stayed in Bubble Hotel on our second day. Then on the third day, we checked in at Firefly Eco-Lodge – the best ecostay in Ubud – for three days. We explored the best places in Ubud by a scooter on the fourth day. Finally, on the fifth day, we decided to hire a car with an English-speaking driver-cum-guide. He will take us to North Bali. This cost us around Rp 900,000 – the rate is a bit higher than usual. This is because the driver came to pick us up really early and we booked the car for 12 h. So here is the list of top 5 destinations in North Bali that are aesthetically-pleasing for you. In other words, here is a list of top 5 Instagrammable locations in North Bali.
1. Sunrise at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
We were picked up at around 4.30 AM from our eco-lodge in Ubud by Budi, our driver. He drove up north to Bedugul, a favorite cool upland weekend and holiday retreat for both locals and foreigners. The area connects the north and south of Bali, and its most important landmark is the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. It is both a famous picturesque and significant temple complex located on the western side of the Beratan Lake in Bedugul. The entrance fee is Rp 50,000 per person.
2. Handara Golf & Resort Iconic Gate
Only 5 min north from Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, you reach the most popular gate of Handara Golf & Resort. In Bali, you will find many such gates, which traditionally symbolizes the entrance from the outer world to the temple. In this case, as golf plays an important role in Indonesian culture, particularly in Bali, the gate symbolizes the entrance from the outer world to the golf resort. This iconic gate to a pathway to serenity has also become one of the hottest Instagrammable spots. The entrance fee is Rp 30,000 per person. This allows you to spend an overall time of only 10 min to click all your pictures in this area.
3. Twin Lake Viewpoint at Wanagiri Hidden Hills
Another 10 km to the left of Handara Gate, lies the Wanagiri Hidden Hills, which has recently become a ‘selfie peak region’. The most popular Instagram pictures of people in a giant bird’s nest or a swing overlooking the lake have been clicked here. You will find many selfie spots here – each location has different attractions, usually including a nest, a swing, and some kind of bamboo lookout. You need to find the one that will make you happy the most. I chose the Twin Lake Viewpoint, majorly for its location. The entrance fee is Rp 50,000 per person.
4. Sekumpul Waterfall
According to Budi, our driver, Sekumpul waterfall is the most scenic natural waterfall in the whole of Bali. I agree to the same – waterfalls do not get more impressive or bigger in Bali than Sekumpul. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls we have ever seen, and a must on any Bali itinerary. The road from Wanagiri Hidden Hills to Sekumpul waterfall is curvy and it took us around an hour to reach. After we reached the car parking site, we did a nature hike through the Sekumpul village for around 1.5 h one way. The hike involves a good deal of effort. The pathencompasses dirt tracks, more than a hundred steps, and also crossing over streams. The entrance fee is Rp 20,000 per person.
5. Jatiliwuh Rice Terraces
On the way down south back from Sekumpul waterfall to Ubud, we visited Jatiliwuh Rice Terraces. It is 1.5 h drive away from Sekumpul waterfall. It was once a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site candidate, with over 600 hectares of rice fields. The name itself means ‘Jati’ – really and ‘Luwih’ – beautiful. It is considered to the most beautiful rice terraces in Bali. The dramatic landscape of rice terraces that follow the smooth hillside topography of Mount Batukaru is highly Instagrammable. The entrance fee is 40,000 IDR per person.
Relax in Firefly Eco-Lodge in Ubud
It took Budi around 1.5 h to drive from Jatiliwuh Rice Terraces back to Ubud. We reached Firefly Eco-Lodge at around 4.30 PM. So, that was a 12-h tour overall. All we needed now is just some rest. But before that, we took a nice shower and had food – we were really hungry.
Soon after the meal, we checked out from the Bamboo Eco-Cottage and shifted to the Red Room. We had booked different styled accommodations in the same property for our stay in Ubud. Later, we just relaxed in the common space of the eco-lodge. We had some good food, chilled in the common space, and went to bed early. We deserved a sound sleep after such a long hunt of Instagrammable locations in North Bali.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN IDR)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 4 in Indonesia – North Bali, Bali.
- Car with driver including fuel, toll, and parking fees: 500,000
- Entrance fee of all locations: 190,000
- Food and miscellaneous: 140,000
Total expense (roughly): 830,000 IDR
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Wow! Those waterfalls are unlike any I have seen before. Looks like you have packed so much adventure into 9 days!
You are right, Shane.
I’m so bummed that I missed North Bali when I was in Bali last. Now I have a reason to return, as your pictures are absolutely stunning! Your red and yellow dress is perfect against the background – wish I had the ability to pull together these kinds of pictures!
Thanks for noticing.
Wow!! How incredibly gorgeous. My partner and I are planning on visiting Bali next year and this is a great list!
Follow our Instagram, you will get more ideas.
Lovely photos! Seems like Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan never get crowded! I would love to visit Bali! Great recommendations!
Thanks!
This list is absolutely amazing! I visited these places and they all look just as amazing as the pictures, which look stunning by the way 🙂
Thanks for the appreciation.
Bali always reminds me of the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” and I want to experience riding a local bicycle in that paddy fields. Hope someday I will 😀
The movie was epic!
WOw such beuatiful pictures! Definitely worthy for instagram. Thank you for sharing all these epic locations with us
More than happy to do that!
Wow that waterfall is breathtaking. Bali is a paradise! Love all the pictures here
Glad that you liked it.
Wow Shreya really such picturesque places, Bertan Lake with mist and beautiful Ulun Danu temple looks so serene, Handara Iconic Gate have such an exotic backdrop to click yourself ❤️
And twin lake view point certainly have some of most gorgeous views and the waterfall ?
I just adore the serneity and beauty of Firefly Eco lodge, would love to be there some day ?
Beautifully captured, pics are just ❤️
Doing great, keep it up
Thanks so much for your words, Arun.
All of these spots are so beautiful. Hoping to get to Bali next year, so I’ll definitely check out all these places. It seems like the whole island is just gorgeous, I can’t wait.
Do contact me if any help needed for Bali!
These are all such stunning shots! I think Bali has gotten the reputation of being overrun by tourists but your photos beg to differ! These areas look so calm and unspoiled.
True that.
Bali is definitely an instagrammable place. All those temples and they even have the swing and instagram park. So cool and I love how green it is there.
Bali is green, but unfortunately the locals use a lot of plastic. I hope they can respect the nature.
Quite lovely pictures and yes, very instagrammable. You really worked the opportunities and both seemed to enjoy the different places. Loved the huge baskets and that gateway. Who doesn’t love waterfall pictures as well?
Totally! The places are so photogenic.
Bali is so amazing that I really want to go back! Most people end up exploring only the south & west part and very few make it to the north. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is my favourite Bali temple and its so cool that you managed to catch the sunrise there. I didn’t know that Handara Golf & Resort Iconic Gate is only 5 min away from the temple else I would have definitely made it there, can’t believe I missed it. Sekumpul waterfall looks magnificent!
The gate has become very popular recently.
I am totally loving your photos guys, espeically the sunrise and the purple sky effect…and those waterfalls! Amazing! I really want to go to Bali now!
You should visit Bali soon, Danik.
The Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple is beautiful beyond words. The golf entrance gate and twin lake point too is quite famous and you guys got good clicks there. Road to Sekumpul and it’s view is spectacular. These places are surely best instagrammable places
Yes, gramming all the way!