REVIEW · UBUD
Sambangan Trekking, Sliding, Jumping in Scenic Waterfalls
Book on Viator →Operated by Rindu Adventures · Bookable on Viator
Five waterfalls, one muddy grin on a canyoning trek. This is a full Ubud-area Sambangan Secret Garden outing with pickup, breakfast, and a guided route through Blue Lagoon and four more waterfalls. If you want action with nature, this kind of day hits the sweet spot.
What I like most is the human touch from the guides—names that show up again and again include Made and Win, and the overall vibe is patient and encouraging (even for an 8-year-old). I also really like that safety is treated like part of the activity, not an afterthought, with life jackets, a towel, and guides who tailor the experience for beginners.
One thing to consider: it’s active and wet, and the waterfalls include bigger jumps/abseils options. Plan for early timing, damp hiking conditions, and a day that depends on good weather.
In This Review
- Key highlights
- A 6:00am canyoning start from Rindu Adventures (Ubud area)
- Breakfast, guides, and the Sambangan Secret Garden trek (about 3–4 hours)
- Blue Lagoon: the easy win for swimming and photos
- Aling-aling (35m): where the thrills feel real
- Kroya (12m) and Kembar (10m): steady, scenic, and varied
- Pucuk (15m): a final hit of action before lunch
- Gear, showers, and staying comfortable after you get soaked
- Lunch, young coconut, and the value of the $75 price
- Who should book this and who should pause
- Should you book Sambangan Trekking, Sliding, Jumping in Scenic Waterfalls?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the full experience?
- How long is the trekking portion?
- Which waterfalls are included?
- What safety and gear items are provided?
- Is the tour dependent on weather?
- One last decision tip
Key highlights

- Five waterfall stops in one route: Blue Lagoon, Aling-aling, Kroya, Kembar, and Pucuk
- Aling-aling’s 35m drop is the headline (with rope help options mentioned for jumps)
- Jumps and sliding are optional choices, depending on your comfort level
- Small group size (max 10) keeps attention and pacing under control
- Free photo & video so you don’t have to fuss with your phone all day
A 6:00am canyoning start from Rindu Adventures (Ubud area)

This tour runs early—start time is 6:00am, and you’ll be picked up from your accommodation by an air-conditioned vehicle. The vibe is practical from the first hour: you get moving before the day gets hot and before the waterfall areas get crowded. For many people, that early departure is a plus because it makes the trek feel more like a guided nature walk that turns into a water-play day, not a sweaty endurance test.
The meeting point is Rindu Adventures | Bali Canyoning Adventure, at Jl. Raya Desa Sambangan, Sambangan (Sukasada area). You also get a mobile ticket, which is handy when you’re juggling morning logistics.
The total day is about 10 hours, but that includes breaks for breakfast, a full stretch of trekking, lunch, and the return drop-off to your accommodation. You’ll be out long enough that it feels like a real outing, not a quick half-day hop.
One more practical point: the experience is listed as near public transportation and “most travelers can participate.” That wording usually means you should expect some scrambling and standing/wading in water, plus stairs or uneven ground on the route. If you’re generally active and okay with being in wet gear for hours, you’re in the right zone.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Breakfast, guides, and the Sambangan Secret Garden trek (about 3–4 hours)

Before the trekking starts, breakfast is prepared, and you meet your guide for the day. This is important because canyoning doesn’t just start when you hit the first waterfall—it starts with how you move, how you carry yourself, and how you follow instructions around slick rocks.
The route runs through the Sambangan Secret Garden, with a trekking chunk that takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete the full path. That time matters: it’s long enough to enjoy the scenery and small water features, but short enough that you won’t lose the whole day before the action.
You’ll be looking at waterfalls while also moving across Bali’s greenery and hillside paths. Even if you’re mainly here for jumps, the trek is where you get the context—how the water funnels through the canyon areas and why each waterfall stop feels different. It also helps you get used to being wet and wearing gear before you commit to sliding or jumping.
From the guide names that came up—Made, Win, and Panca—the pattern is consistent: clear encouragement and hands-on support. One review specifically noted that guides took good care of an 8-year-old and were attentive to safety, and another highlighted experienced, organized teamwork on the Aling-aling river. Translation: you’re not just tossed into the water and hoped for the best.
If you’re a beginner, treat this trek like a warm-up. You can watch what others do, ask questions early, and figure out how confident you feel about heights and slippery footing before the biggest drops.
Blue Lagoon: the easy win for swimming and photos

Blue Lagoon is the first named waterfall you’ll hit on this route, and it’s the one described as a magical swimming pool. That phrasing tells you what you should expect: you’re not just splashing around for a few seconds. It’s a place where you can actually enjoy the water, stop moving for a bit, and reset your body.
This stop is often the one that makes people relax. You go from walking and getting gear on to actual water-time, and the setting is meant to feel rewarding, not punishing. If you want a mix of nature and fun rather than nonstop thrills, Blue Lagoon is where that balance shows up.
It’s also a strong point for photos and video. The tour includes free photo & video, and having a calmer, brighter water stop early in the day helps your pictures not look like frantic chaos.
One consideration: water conditions can change. Even on good days, there can be slick rocks and cold-ish water (depending on the weather). You’ll still want life-jacket use and good footing the whole time. Safety gear is included for a reason.
Aling-aling (35m): where the thrills feel real
Aling-aling is the headline stop on this canyoning route, listed as a 35m waterfall. This is the moment you’ll see people light up—or freeze for half a second—before they decide what they want to do.
The big attraction here is the combination of vertical drops and the option to jump or abseil depending on your comfort. One review mentioned a highest jump around 9m, described as doable with a rope pull, and also mentioned the highest abseil around 15m. That doesn’t mean every guest hits the same numbers, but it does tell you the guides use rope support and structured choices rather than leaving you to guess.
Here’s the practical takeaway for you: even if you’re not chasing the biggest drop, you can still enjoy Aling-aling because the waterfall itself is dramatic, and the activity around it is guided. The guide team is there to keep you safe while still making it fun.
Also, this is a spot where you should listen closely to instructions. When water is rushing and footing is uneven, the difference between a smooth moment and a scary one is often timing and body positioning. From the way guides were described—patient, organized, and experienced—the day’s tone is: you’re allowed to be nervous, but you’re not left alone with the risk.
If you’re traveling with kids or a partner who’s new to these activities, this is where choosing an operator that takes attention seriously pays off. Reviews that mentioned “very safe” experiences and guides adjusting for beginners point to Aling-aling as a key confidence builder when the team is competent.
Kroya (12m) and Kembar (10m): steady, scenic, and varied

After the big emotional peak at Aling-aling, the Kroya (12m) and Kembar (10m) waterfalls bring variety. They’re smaller in height than the 35m star, but they still keep the day moving and keep you in the water-and-rock rhythm.
Kroya at 12m is a nice middle step. It helps you build confidence if you’ve decided to try jumps or abseils at Aling-aling (or even if you watched first and took it slow). You’re not starting over from zero—you’ve already learned how the day works: short briefing, gear check, movement, water time.
Then Kembar comes in as the twin falls at 10m. Twin falls have a way of keeping your eyes busy. Instead of focusing on just one big drop, you get the “two-part” feel and that makes the area feel more like a mini adventure zone than a single obstacle.
The useful part for you: these stops can be where you settle into the experience. If you’re the type who needs to get comfortable before going bigger, Kroya and Kembar are where that comfort can grow.
And because the day is guided and includes gear like life jackets and towels, you don’t need to be an expert athlete. You just need to be willing to follow directions and keep your balance on slick surfaces.
Pucuk (15m): a final hit of action before lunch
The last major waterfall on the list is Pucuk, listed at 15m. This is big enough to count as a “real” drop, but it’s not as overwhelming as the 35m moment. That makes it a good final action stop for many people: you’re still excited, you still feel the power of the waterfall, but you’re not starting from scratch emotionally.
By the time you reach Pucuk, you’ve already spent hours in the route and likely learned what works for you. You’ll know how your body feels in the gear, how you handle wet footing, and how well you can listen for cues while water noise is around you.
It’s also a strong spot for the tour’s included photo and video capture. Even if you don’t care about social media, those are often the shots that help you remember the day. The difference here is that the tour includes this service, so you can relax and not play photographer while you’re trying to stay safe.
After the waterfall sequence, the day shifts into recovery mode.
Gear, showers, and staying comfortable after you get soaked
The tour provides life jacket, towel, and bottled water, plus snacks and coffee and/or tea during the day. That matters more than it sounds. When you spend hours in moving water, the body pays attention to small comforts. A towel and a warm drink right after can be the difference between feeling fine and feeling miserable.
One review also mentioned that showers and facilities were nice and clean. That’s exactly what you want to hear for a long wet day: you’ll actually be able to rinse off and feel decent again before heading home.
The included “free photo & video” is another comfort win. It’s one less thing you have to manage while your hands are wet and your phone is risk-prone. It also means you’re more likely to get footage of the key moments, especially the ones you’ll remember but might not capture well yourself.
One more practical note: the tour includes lunch with chicken/fish/vegetarian options. That’s good planning for different diets, and it keeps the day from turning into a scramble to find food after you’re tired.
Lunch, young coconut, and the value of the $75 price
Price is $75 per person, and for a full day that includes pickup, breakfast, snacks, coffee or tea, a guided multi-waterfall canyon route, life jacket and towel, lunch, and even free photo & video, it’s not a bad deal.
Here’s how I think about value on tours like this: you’re paying for equipment, trained guiding, and time. You’re also paying for safety planning. If you want the day to feel fun instead of stressful, those pieces have real worth.
The food plan also looks solid: lunch comes after the waterfall portion, and you can enjoy a fresh young coconut afterward. That coconut detail matters because it’s a refreshing endcap after hours of trekking and water activity. It’s not just “we gave you a snack.” You get a real finish.
If you’re the kind of traveler who hates being nickel-and-dimed, check that this tour has the core essentials covered. The only listed non-included item is personal expenses, which keeps expectations clear.
For families and couples, value often comes down to whether the guides keep everyone comfortable. Reviews praised guide patience—again, names like Win, Made, and Panca show up—so it’s likely the team is focused on making different comfort levels work in the same group.
Who should book this and who should pause
This tour fits best if you want a real hands-on day in nature with physical movement and water thrills. It’s especially good for nature lovers who also like to jump and slide, because the route mixes scenic trekking with waterfalls that actually invite action.
It also sounds like a solid option if you have a beginner in your group. Reviews highlighted that a beginner partner felt comfortable and safe, with guides taking everyone into consideration. Another review described how guides were patient and encouraging with a child and that safety care was strong.
You might want to pause if you:
- don’t like heights or don’t feel comfortable with vertical drops and rope-assisted options
- struggle with uneven, slippery terrain while wearing wet gear
- hate early starts (6:00am pickup)
Remember, “most travelers can participate” usually means it’s possible, not that it’s effortless. This is an active canyoning style day.
Should you book Sambangan Trekking, Sliding, Jumping in Scenic Waterfalls?
If you want a Ubud-area activity that mixes five named waterfalls with guided trekking, real swimming moments, and optional slides/jumps, this is a strong pick. The included basics—life jacket, towel, meals, and even photo/video—make it feel complete without extra hassle.
I’d book it if you’re traveling with people who want shared excitement, or if you’re a first-timer who benefits from clear instructions and safety-focused guiding. I’d reconsider if you’re very height-sensitive or you want a pure “look at waterfalls from the shore” kind of day.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 6:00am.
How long is the full experience?
The duration is about 10 hours.
How long is the trekking portion?
The Sambangan Secret Garden trekking route takes about 3 to 4 hours.
Which waterfalls are included?
The tour includes Blue Lagoon, Aling-aling, Kroya, Kembar (twin falls), and Pucuk.
What safety and gear items are provided?
You get a life jacket and a towel, plus bottled water. Snacks and coffee or tea are included as well.
Is the tour dependent on weather?
Yes. It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
One last decision tip
If you’re choosing between a “sit and watch” waterfall day and an active canyoning day, pick this one when you want motion, photos, and guided confidence. If you want dry comfort and zero risk around jumps, choose a lighter waterfall tour instead.





















