Munduk is a 2-hour drive from Ubud. Given the amount of things to see and the general logistics, I recommend taking a 1-day tour to Ubud and comeback. Accommodation in Munduk is much more expensive, and the logistics of packing your bags and carrying them around for a day or two is not worth it.
So, start your day early, around 7:30 am, to arrive at your first destination around 9:30 am. There are several tour packages in the center of Ubud, but I know the best person you can choose to go with: Eddy Strawberry. The sweetest, funniest and most cultured person you will ever meet. He will ask you for 800,000 rupees (€48) to pick you up in Ubud, do the entire route through Munduk and drop you off back in Ubud. Contact him if you wish: +62 877 6120 5030.
Munduk is a 2-hour drive from Ubud. Given the amount of things to see and the general logistics, I recommend taking a 1-day tour to Ubud and comeback. Accommodation in Munduk is much more expensive, and the logistics of packing your bags and carrying them around for a day or two is not worth it.
So, start your day early, around 7:30 am, to arrive at your first destination around 9:30 am. There are several tour packages in the center of Ubud, but I know the best person you can choose to go with: Eddy Strawberry. The sweetest, funniest and most cultured person you will ever meet. He will ask you for 800,000 rupees (€48) to pick you up in Ubud, do the entire route through Munduk and drop you off back in Ubud. Contact him if you wish: +62 877 6120 5030.
1. Sekumpul/Fiji Waterfall: known for being the most beautiful waterfall in Bali, Sekumpul Waterfall surprises you every minute. When you get to the ticket office, you have to choose between the medium trek (150,000 rupees – €9) or the long trek (250,000 rupees – €15). For both, you have to go by motorbike with one of the locals to the starting point. From the start of the trek to the waterfall, it takes around 35 minutes, and going uphill, it takes 40/45 minutes. It is quite steep, slippery and you even have to cross a river holding on to a rope. But as soon as you get closer, you realize that you would do that route 20 more times just to see what your eyes are seeing. It is a waterfall that takes your breath away, due to its grandeur. As if that isn´t enough, it takes just 10 minutes to get from Sekumpul to Fiji Waterfall, which is also beautiful and much safer for swimming. It's open from 8am to 5pm and you should expect to spend 3 hours there;
2. Bali Twin Lake: Lakes Tamblingan and Buyan, high up in the mountainous region of Bali, are without a doubt a must-see destination. If you don’t have time to do the trekking (which takes a few hours), I recommend you to go to the “Bali Twin Lake Trekking Point”, a viewpoint that offers a spectacular view of the two lakes, with the mighty Mount Agung in the background. On this same street, there is a place called “Wanagiri Hidden Hills”, for those who like Instagrammable spots. It has from nests to platforms, boats and swings (...). Obviously it is paid, but as it is not something that interests me, I did not go and, therefore, I do not know how much it costs;
3. Handara Gate: an iconic point in Munduk, but it was nothing more than a disappointment. It is worth stopping by, to satisfy your curiosity, only because it is on the way to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. It is seen as a landmark in Bali, as it is an imposing stone gate with the highlands of northern Bali in the background, but it is nothing more and nothing less than the entrance to a hotel. To get close and take a photo, you have to pay 50,000 rupees (€3);
4. Pura Ulun Danu Beratan: on the edge of the lake and overlooking the mountains, this is a temple where the goddess of water, rivers and lakes is worshipped. It is therefore considered one of the water temples, and various ceremonies are held there. The gardens surrounding it are beautiful and well-kept. Definitely a must-see. It is open every day from 7am to 7pm and the entrance fee is 75,000 rupees (€4.50);
5. Leke Leke Waterfall: a small waterfall, but straight out of a movie. It is my favourite one, because there are fewer tourists, it is simple but gorgeous, and it is much easier to swim than in others. The walk from the ticket office to the waterfall is about 15 minutes. The entrance fee is 50,000 rupees (€3) and it is open from 8am to 5pm. If you go early in the morning or just before closing, you will always find fewer people.
