Gitgit Waterfall Tour (2024 Itineraries)

Gitgit Waterfall

Going on a Gigitgit Waterfall Tour is something you will never regret. If you only get the chance for one day tour to check out a waterfall, I highly recommend this one. It’s a 160km round journey that will take you a full 10 hours if you stick to the schedule. Gitgit waterfall is the best bang-for-buck waterfall in Northern BaliAling-Aling and Sekumpul Waterfalls are also in the same area but it takes longer to get to either of them, meaning you have less time for other attractions, and they both have a mandatory local guide hire.

The departure time is completely up to you, but I recommend heading off as early as possible to beat most of the traffic. The roads leading to Gitgit Waterfall are quite narrow and windy and the traffic around Danu Beratan can get quite brutal, especially in the afternoons in the high season.

I’ve optimised these itineraries based on feedback from friends, family and guests to make the most of your time and tick off the attractions in a logical order. I recommend leaving early for this tour because it’s going to be a long (but awesome) day.

Remember, you can modify the destinations you want to visit on the day, so if there is somewhere you want to stay longer or skip an attraction in favour of another, my drivers are flexible and it’s entirely up to you.

I have personally vetted all the drivers I work with. They text me when they pick you up and again when you have been dropped off at the end of the day. I also email your driver’s name, profile photo, vehicle photo and phone number beforehand to ensure your safety and provide confidence.


Itinerary 1: Gigit + Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

What I love about this itinerary is the efficient use of time plus stopping at Junglegold, a local chocolate factory where you can try lots (and I mean lots) of chocolates. It’s also an excellent stop to buy loads of gifts for friends and family back home because they make small tins of speciality chocolates that pack well and are less than half the price as in the stores.

It also visits Taman Ayun Temple, which is under-rated in my opinion and is usually much less crowded than the frenetic Tanah Lot. Taman Ayun gives you an excellent insight into Balinese temple culture and is on the route, so it’s an efficient use of your travelling time.

Gitgit Waterfall Tour

Itinerary 2: Gigit + Sangeh Monkey Forest + Ubud

This itinerary is perfect for people being picked up from places like Sanur, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu as it crosses eastwards through Ubud making the trip back home more efficient.

It’s also an excellent itinerary for people being picked up from Ubud as it will allow you more time to spend at the attractions and you take a bit more time and stop at places like the Secret Garden Village or visit the Bali Swing if you have enough time left (and you aren’t too tired :).

  • Gitgit Waterfall
  • Handarah Golf Course Gates
  • Danu Beratan (Floating Temple)
  • Secret Garden Village
  • Sangeh Monkey Forest
  • Bali Swing (time permitting)
  • Ubud Palace
  • Drop-off
Gitgit Waterfall Tour

Itinerary 3: Gigit Waterfall + Tanah Lot Temple

This is for people who only want to do one massive tour but see both Gitgit Waterfall and Tanah Lot temple right at the end of the day, possibly making it for sunset.

You will spend more time on the road because of the extra distance to Tanah Lot, and getting there before sundown will depend on your discipline in getting on the road there when your driver recommends doing so. Stopping for a long lunch is not an option if you want to fit all of this in.

It makes more sense to choose this option if you are departing from Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta or Legian. Departing from further away like Nusa Dua or Uluwatu isn’t going to give you enough time.

  • Gitgit Waterfall
  • Handarah Golf Course Gates
  • Danu Beratan (Floating Temple)
  • Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
  • Tanah Lot
  • Drop-off
Gitgit Waterfall + Tanah Lot Tour

Gitgit Waterfall

It will take around 2.5 hours to get from the Seminyak area to Gitgit Waterfall.

It’s around 35m high surrounded by lush jungle and home to a local troop of monkeys that you might see drinking downstream or in the trees around the falls.

Gitgit Waterfall Tour

There’s a decent-sized car park with public toilets available for a small fee and the walk down to the foot of the falls is around 500m. There are plenty of locals looking to be your guide, which cost IDR100k per person, but it’s not mandatory and I recommend you can walk this yourself.

There are very few options (if any) for lunch in the area surrounding Gigit Waterfall, so after getting back up to the car park, you will be taken back along the route you came in and take a side detour along Danu Buyan (Lake Buyan) to Twin Lake View, where there are a few local warungs (Indonesian for low-end local restaurant) where you can get snacks or lunch. Save the good restaurants for another night and use lunch as a fuel stop after visiting Gitgit and before Handarah Gates. It’s a great opportunity to experience local food before going further around the lakeside to check out some famous swings overlooking the lake.


Handarah Golf Course Gates

Stone gates are an important architectural tradition in Balinese culture. You will see them literally everywhere, from entrance ways to villages, temples and places of cultural significance.

At the entrance to Handarah Golf Course are the famous Handarah Gates. This is a photographer’s dream location with the lush mountains making a stunning backdrop behind the huge stone gates that are an excellent example of Balinese architecture.

Handarah Gates - Best Tourist Attractions in Bali
Handarah Gates – Best Tourist Attractions in Bali

Entrance Fee: Free
Location: Handarah Golf Course
Opening Hours: 24 hours


Danu Beratan – Floating Temple

After Handara gate you will stop at The Floating Temple (Pura Ulan Danu Beratan in Balinese), one of the iconic images of Bali. You will pass by the temple on your way to Gigit Waterfall, but it’s better to stop on the way back in order to get to Gitgit as early as possible.

Danu Beretan - Bali Holiday Secrets

Also known as the Floating Water Temple the trip into the highlands of Bali to visit this iconic temple is well worth the effort.

Even though it can be busy in the afternoon it’s recommended you stop here on the way back to maximise your experience at Gitgit Waterfall earlier in the day.


Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

An incredibly beautiful area of verdant terraced rice paddies located in the shadow of Mount Batukaru. Running from the mountains to the coast, Jatiluwih Green Land as it is commonly known was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007. Jati means ‘really’ and Luwih means ‘special’, and it’s easy to see why. There are a number of cafes with stunning views in the area, making it an excellent place to stop for a while.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces - Best Attractions in Bali
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces – Best Attractions in Bali

Entrance Fee: Rp 40,000
Location: Jl Jatiluwih No No.Desa, Jatiluwih, Penebel
Opening Hours: Mo-Su 08:30-18:00


What is and isn’t included?

  • Toyota Avanza/Xenia or similar 6-seater SUV w/ air-con
  • Fuel & taxes
  • English-speaking driver
  • Up to 10 hours of driving time (12 hrs for the Tanah Lot option)
  • The driver waits at all attractions for you
  • Flexible itinerary – make changes during the day

If you go over the allocated number of hours you can simply pay your driver the extra IDR 100k per hour or part thereof directly, so you don’t have to worry about cutting your day short if you’re still enjoying the trip.

Not Included:

  • Entrance fees or event tickets
  • Meals and refreshments

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4 Comments

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  1. Hello Michael,

    I hope you are well

    We are considering to book – Itinerary 1: Gigit + Jatiluwih Rice Terraces – from Ubud and were wondering if we could add in the itinerary 2 stops. The 1st at Vihara Dharma Giri and the 2nd at Brahmavihara Drama?

    Thank you
    Federica&Stefano

    • Hello Federica and Stefano,

      You are actually free to alter any of your itineraries. After booking, you’ll receive your driver’s contact information. From here you can discuss your suggested stops in between, and they can also suggest route options and times.

      Looking forward to your trip!
      Safe travels,
      Michael

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