Munduk, despite its scenic viewpoints, easy driving and rolling mountains is one spot in Bali that is not visited frequently compared to other areas of Bali. If nature is calling you or you want to escape the burning heat of the rest of Bali then take a trip up to Munduk where you’ll find a number of things to do in Munduk that will surely impress you.
Towering waterfalls gush down off of the mountains, there are treks galore for you to explore the green highlands and small villages dot the area with coffee plantations, friendly locals and picturesque lakes. It’s one spot in Bali where many people head for a short while but end up staying longer making it one of the best places to visit in Bali.
Do yourself a favour and add Munduk to your Bali itinerary, you can thank me later. Keep reading to find out what to do in Munduk.
Forgot travel insurance? No worries!
It’s still possible to get affordable travel insurance when travelling.
SafetyWing can be purchased in 180 countries and provides coverage for medical, travel delays, luggage, emergency response plus other perks for a third of the price compared to the biggest competitor for similar coverage.
How to Get to Munduk
Getting to Munduk can be done like getting to anywhere in Bali. The best area to get to Munduk from is Ubud as it’s the closest major destination to Munduk.
The easiest way is to hire a private car or grab a taxi but this will be the most expensive option. A second option is to use Grab, Uber or Go-Jek (the Indonesian version of Grab or Uber) which will be a cheaper price than a taxi or private car but the drivers will most likely try and bump the price up.
A third option is to take a local bus or shuttle bus. The Ubung terminal in Denpasar has a local bus that leaves for Seririt which passes Munduk and costs 60,000. The bus should pass Munduk at 1pm and leave from the station at 9am. This bus company is Merta Ayu.
A second company, Gedong Sari Tours and Travel has a daily shuttle between Ubud and Munduk and offers door to door service for 140,000. Please check times and prices and they can often change, this is just to give you a rough idea.
Lastly, you can hire a scooter (50,000/day) and drive yourself. I did this from Ubud and it was a beautiful drive on smooth roads with many hills and corners as you are driving through the mountains! Plus you can stop and get great pictures from the many viewpoints. The drive from Ubud is around 1-1.5 hours.
Getting Around Munduk
Unfortunately, nothing is close in Munduk and the chances are that you’re going to want to see some attractions outside of Munduk too. Because of this I highly recommend driving yourself so that you can explore on your own time.
If you don’t drive it is popular to hire a private car to get you around. This can be an affordable option if you’re in a group. Private cars typically start at 500,000 for the day.
Another option is to book a tour. There are many options from Ubud that will take you to all of Munduk and the surrounding areas highlights. Once in Munduk, there are also tours for trekking and waterfalls.
Things to do in Munduk
Munduk is loaded with incredible Bali activities and some of the top Bali attractions, it really is one of Bali’s hidden gems. Follow this guide and you’ll tick off a few of the best things to do in Bali.
Tour All of the Waterfalls in the Area
Bali is home to some stunning waterfalls and if you limit yourself to only the ones around Ubud then you are seriously missing out. Since Munduk is up in the highlands this means that the towering mountains offer the perfect platforms for waterfalls to plunge off of. I saw a few waterfalls in Lombok and even though they impressed me, these are easier to get to and the best waterfall I’ve seen anywhere is here. Here are some Bali waterfalls to check out:
- Banyumala Waterfall: If you only go to one waterfall make it this one, though be very careful driving, the road, I’m sorry, path, leading down is not good. Parking here is 2,000 and you will then need to take the path down on the left-hand side, beware, it’s a hike. Entrance is 15,000 and you can swim here. There is also a second waterfall down the path behind you once you’re at the bottom.
- Gitgit Waterfall: This is actually a collection of three waterfalls and very touristy. On Google Maps the point it brings up for Gitgit waterfall is actually after where you enter but there is a large sign telling you where to park for the entrance. Parking here is donation based and you will be asked immediately to take a guide to support the local community for 150,000 per person. There is no need for a guide as it is a very obvious and a mostly paved path. Entrance to the falls is 40,000 (the most I paid for a waterfall in Bali) and using the swing will cost extra. One waterfall has an actual swing the other has a Tarzan style swing.
- Munduk Waterfall: This waterfall is right in the heart of Munduk and can be walked to from a good number of accommodations around. It’s a simple waterfall but very beautiful that you can walk up to. Entrance is 20,000.
- Aling-Aling Waterfall: The Aling-Aling waterfall is the most northern waterfall from Munduk but is a treat for visitors as it acts as a natural slide into pools. There are cement stairs leading down to the bottom and entrance is 20,000.
- Melanting Waterfall: Melanting is a tall and powerful waterfall with a 15 metre drop. This waterfall is also in Munduk and takes a bit more hiking to get to but it’s worth it to see the beautiful Munduk wilderness along the way. The entrance is 10,000.
Check Out the Viewpoints Around Twin Lakes
Driving to Munduk from Ubud will take you around the Twin Lakes and you’ll be gawking at the views. There are multiple viewpoints around the lakes that have been practically designed for Instagram lovers.
You’ll be able to get very scenic shots from these photogenic viewpoints that include swings, hearts, nests, extended bridges and more. My favourite to visit was Twin Lake viewpoint (marked as Twin Lake Wanagiri spot on Google Maps). Another viewpoint that is supposed to be good is pucak swing and agro tourism (labeled as that on Google Maps).
Go Munduk Trekking
What draws visitors to Munduk is the beautiful scenery and the best way to see it is to trek through the highlands. It’s very popular and there are tours available that will have a guide take you through the best areas. Many will take you to the closest waterfalls. If you decide to go trekking by yourself it is best to do it in the morning before the clouds move in and block your view!
See Bali’s Most Famous Temple
One of Bali’s most picturesque spots is a temple in northern Bali that sits just outside of Munduk, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. Translated literally it means ‘the source temple of Lake Beratan’. Lake Beratan is the lake which the temple sits on.
Its still waters give it a floating effect and mirror the temple’s reflection. Mountains rise in the background for unbeatable views. The temple complex also has well maintained and manicured lawns. You can rent a boat if you wish to see the temple from the lakeside, though it’s more picturesque from the land. Entrance is 50,000.
Take a Picture at the Golf Gates
Another popular picture in Bali is at gates that lead to a golf course. It’s an odd Munduk activity but beautiful nonetheless. They aren’t significant but they frame the mountains in the background making it an ideal picture spot. It’s also very close to Temple Pura Ulun Danu Bratan so it’s an easy stop. There is a 30,000 rupiah fee to take a picture. Try to go later in the day as the lighting is better than the early morning as the sun is too high and you miss the details on the gates.
Explore Tamblingan Lake
Tamblingan Lake is at the base of Mount Lesung and is the ‘twin’ lake of Lake Buyan. The lake is very scenic with its very still waters. It’s a beautiful place to explore with a serene setting. To get here you must hike and you will be rewarded with stunning views where in the end you can rent a canoe to relax along the waters.
Try Munduk Coffee
Munduk coffee is supposed to be some of the best on the island, if not the best in all of Bali. The cool area of Munduk in the mountains makes it a great spot to grow vegetables and also coffee.
There are many coffee plantations around Munduk in the village so be sure to stop in at a Munduk coffee plantation during a trek or pull over to a coffee shop to enjoy some for yourself.
See the Giant Banyan Tree
The Giant Banyan Tree is a site to behold and is just outside Munduk. This tree is 700 years old, 85 metres high and has roots so large that you can walk along them. It’s located in a village called Gesing and has two temples close to it, Pura Pecalang and Pura Subak.
The tree is also 70 metres in diameter and it’s said that this is where locals hid during the Dutch occupancy and they weren’t found. The tree is believed to have a special spirit that lives in it that will grant your wishes.
Munduk Accommodation
Munduk does have plenty of accommodation but not like areas such as Ubud. Many are small Munduck homestays or simple Munduk hotels. Some are quite luxurious and a number offer pools while most have amazing views of the surrounding landscape.