Your cruise day gets a North Bali makeover. This Celukan Bawang shore excursion is built to show off North Bali’s cooler highlands and quieter coast in one long day, with a route that flows from temples to crater lakes to waterfalls. I especially like that key entrance tickets are included (so you spend less time figuring out fees), and I also like the air-conditioned private vehicle with an English-speaking driver, which makes the long ride feel manageable.

The trade-off is time. Expect a 6 to 10 hour schedule with several stops, and some moments are short, so you’ll want to move smart and keep essentials handy for outdoors and water stops.

Key highlights you’ll actually notice

• Port-first timing: The day is designed so you return to Celukan Bawang with plenty of time for your cruise departure.
• Ticket coverage: Entrance tickets are included for most listed sights (but not for booking options that customize the itinerary).
• North Bali variety: Lake temple views, Twin Lake viewpoints, waterfalls, hot springs, a major Buddhist monastery, and Lovina black sand.
• Scenery in the highlands: Ulun Danu Bratan sits in the cool highlands area near Bedugul, so you get a temperature shift from the coast.
• English-speaking private driver: You’re not stuck with a rough language barrier while bouncing between sights.
• Mobile ticket and pickup: It’s set up for cruise logistics, with pickup offered and a mobile ticket for smoother check-in.

North Bali vs. the South: why this loop feels calmer

North Bali has a different rhythm than the busier southern areas. You trade crowds for a quieter mix of coast, crater lakes, and foresty waterfall country, which is exactly what you want on a cruise day when time is limited.

I like that the route doesn’t just repeat the same type of stop. You get temples, views, waterfalls, and a hot-spring break, then you finish with Lovina Beach’s black sand coast—all without the day turning into one long temple parade.

You’ll also notice the geography. This itinerary moves between coastal areas near Lovina and cooler highland sections around Bedugul/Munduk. That shift matters because it changes what you’ll feel—humidity and sun by the coast, then more shade and misty air in the hills.

Getting picked up from Celukan Bawang and staying on schedule

Since this is a shore excursion, the whole structure is built around getting you back to the port. You can expect pickup offered and travel by an air-conditioned vehicle, with a private driver who speaks English.

On a day like this, comfort during transit is not a luxury—it’s how you keep your energy for stops that involve walking and time outdoors. Bottled water is included, which helps when you’re bouncing between viewpoints and waterfall areas.

One practical thought: you’re going to be in the car a lot. The stops are spread out across North Bali, so if you hate switching locations every hour or two, you may find the pacing a bit busy.

Ulun Danu Bratan: lake-temple views with highland weather

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is one of the most photogenic stops in North Bali, and it’s easy to see why. It sits on the shores of Lake Beratan (Bedugul highlands) and is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water.

This stop is included with an admission ticket, and the scheduled time is about 1 hour. That’s enough time to take in the lake setting, look around the temple area, and still get to the next viewpoint before the day gets too hot or hazy.

A tip that’s useful here: the temple area is described as part of a cooler highlands region. Even if the coast feels warm, you may want a light layer so you’re not freezing when you hit shaded temple paths or breezy lakeside air.

Twin Lake View: Buyan and Tamblingan from the same vantage

Next comes Twin Lake Viewpoint, a scenic stop designed for big-picture appreciation. You’ll get views of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan, both crater lakes surrounded by dense tropical forest.

The allocated time is about 30 minutes, which tells you the purpose: this is a viewpoint stop. You’ll want to prioritize a good photo angle, enjoy the forest-lake contrast, and then move on—rather than expecting a long, in-depth walking experience.

What I like about pairing a viewpoint with the next waterfall area is that it resets your brain. After lake scenery, you shift back to movement and water sights, and the day feels varied instead of repetitive.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: cool off at a natural pool

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls is where the itinerary turns physical. The waterfalls cascade down lush green cliffs into a clear, refreshing natural pool area, and you’re given about 1 hour here.

Admission ticket is included for this stop, which matters because waterfall attractions can have surprise fees if you’re navigating on your own. With included entry, you can focus on the actual experience: the sound, the mist, and the short walk between viewpoints.

One consideration: this is a water-and-walk stop. If you’re not into slippery rocks or wet footing, go slow, watch your step, and think about what shoes you’re wearing. You’ll also want to plan for moisture—bring what you need to keep your phone and camera safer.

Banjar Hot Springs: Air Panas Banjar for a real recharge

After waterfalls, Banjar Hot Springs is a smart change of pace. This natural hot water bathing spot is located near Lovina, and locally it’s known as Air Panas Banjar.

You’re scheduled for about 1 hour, and admission is included. The description mentions warm mineral-rich spring water flowing from stone-carved dragon features, which gives the place more character than a plain soak.

This is the kind of stop that can make or break your day, depending on your comfort level with bathing in public hot springs. If you want the downtime, it’s a great reset. If you’d rather skip bathing, you can still enjoy the setting, but the “value” of this stop is clearly tied to using it as intended.

Brahma Vihara Arama: the “Little Borobudur” comparison makes sense

Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery is one of the biggest cultural stops on the route. It’s described as the largest Buddhist monastery in Bali, located in the hills near Banjar in North Bali.

It’s often called the Little Borobudur because of its beautiful stupas and detailed carvings. The time you get is about 1 hour, and admission is included, so you’re not rushed because you’re paying at the door or waiting around.

What I appreciate here is how it balances the day. After water and viewpoints, you get a different kind of focus—looking slowly at architecture details and spiritual spaces. If your cruise day list only had beaches and waterfalls, this stop would be the missing cultural anchor.

Lovina Beach (black sand): quiet coastal time without the crowds

Then you shift to Lovina Beach. Unlike the more crowded southern coastlines, Lovina is known for its calm black sand shores and a relaxed feel.

Your time here is about 1 hour, and the beach admission is free. For a cruise excursion schedule, this is exactly the right kind of stop: low pressure, scenic, and good for stretching your legs after a long day.

One practical point: one hour goes fast. If you like beach photos, bring a small plan—walk to a spot you like, take what you need, then relax. If you don’t love sand time, you can use the hour more for fresh air and shade breaks.

Munduk Waterfall in the highlands: the coffee-and-clove setting

Munduk Waterfall brings you back to North Bali’s forested highlands. The area is described as surrounded by lush greenery and coffee and clove plantations, which is a nice sensory detail for a waterfall stop.

You’re scheduled for about 1 hour, and admission is included. This time window works well because it lets you see the falls, take a breath, and still keep your momentum toward the end of the day.

If you’ve been in full sun earlier, you’ll probably appreciate the change. Highland waterfall areas often feel cooler and more shaded, which makes the stop easier on your energy levels.

Price and value: what $25.66 includes on a cruise day

At $25.66 per person, this tour pricing is positioned as budget-friendly for the amount of ground it covers. The best part for value is the way costs are handled: bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, parking fees, travel insurance, and an English-speaking driver are included.

On top of that, entrance tickets are included for the listed sights, except for booking options that let you customize the itinerary (customize options don’t include entrance fees). For a North Bali day with multiple ticketed stops—temple, viewpoints with entry, waterfalls, and a monastery—this matters. It can be the difference between a predictable day and a day where you’re paying out repeatedly.

What’s not included is also important. Personal expenses are on you, and if the Wanagiri ATV quad bike stop is part of your plan, the data doesn’t confirm ATV costs as included. So treat anything activity-like beyond the listed included entrances as an extra cost to budget for.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is a strong match if you want a one-day North Bali sampler with variety: lake temple, crater lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, monastery culture, and a relaxed beach finish.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Are comfortable with a long day and moving between stops
• Want mostly guided, ticket-managed sightseeing instead of DIY coordination
• Care more about seeing a lot than lingering for hours at just one place

You might think twice if you:

• Hate packed schedules and prefer slower travel
• Strongly dislike wet, slippery, outdoor walking (waterfall areas can be demanding)
• Are sensitive to baths in public hot spring settings and would rather skip that type of experience entirely

Smart packing for this North Bali cruise day

Because you’ll be mixing temples, waterfalls, hot springs, and a beach, you’ll be happiest if you pack for moisture and quick transitions.

Bring:

• A small towel or quick-dry item for water stops
• Comfortable shoes you trust on uneven ground
• A light layer for the cooler highland temple and waterfall areas
• A dry bag or protective pouch for your phone/camera

If you’re doing any bathing time at the hot springs, plan to keep your change of clothing protected too. The tour provides bottled water and vehicle comfort, but you still control your personal comfort items.

Should you book this Celukan Bawang North Bali shore excursion?

I’d book this tour if your cruise day goal is simple: see major North Bali highlights without stress, and come back to the port with time to spare. The biggest reasons are the ticket-included sightseeing approach and the private, English-speaking driver with AC transport.

I’d skip or reconsider if you’re the type who hates moving fast, wants only one or two stops, or you know you won’t use the hot springs and may not want any extra activity costs tied to the quad bike stop.

If you want a well-structured North Bali day that hits temples, crater lakes, waterfalls, and a calmer coastal mood, this one fits your checklist.