Bali Waterfall Sekumpul from far away

Sekumpul Waterfalls In Bali 2026 With Tips And Costs

Sekumpul Waterfalls are the tallest waterfalls in Bali, right in the north of the island, and they are insanely beautiful. You could easily visit on a day trip from Ubud or add it to your North Bali itinerary.

There are plenty of waterfalls in Bali, especially in the north, but these really stand out. Even the ride from the ticket office to the falls was a special experience.

Fog drifted up from the trees as I held on to my guide on the scooter. It made me feel small in the best way.

I went during the rainy season and ended up being the only tourist there.

In this post, you will find everything you need to know about visiting Sekumpul Waterfalls, along with some practical tips and a bit about my own experience so you know exactly what to expect.

Are you ready? Letโ€™s go!

Why Are The Sekumpul Waterfalls Special?

Sekumpul Waterfalls are Baliโ€™s tallest and most powerful waterfalls, reaching an approximate height of 80 metres.

They are so big that it will take your breath away when you see them! The route to the waterfall is also spectacular, there are mountains, rice fields and clouds – all together. It’s quite a unique view that you wouldn’t see anywhere else in Bali!

If that’s not enough, only a 7-minute walk from Sekumpul Waterfalls you can find the Fiji Waterfalls.

These waterfalls come with three streams! I didn’t know this when I visited and it’s been a beautiful surprise!

Sekumpul Waterfalls Location And How To Get There

Silvia by the Bali Waterfall Sekumpul

The Sekumpul Waterfall is located in the Singaraja area of northern Bali, about 2.5โ€“3 hours by car from popular spots like Ubud or Canggu.

It’s fairly close if you are staying in Munduk or Lovina (1-hour drive). This is how to get there:

How to get to Sekumpul Waterfalls

Rent A Scooter

Renting a scooter gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and stop along the way.

The road is a little rough in places but fine if you ride slowly.

Once you arrive, you will need to hire a local guide from the ticket office to take you down to the waterfalls (more details below).

๐Ÿ‘‰ Book your scooter on Klook here

Rent A Car

A rental car is a good option if you prefer more comfort and space for your belongings. You can visit other spots nearby before or after Sekumpul.

The road conditions are fine for most drivers, just take it slow. When you arrive, you will still need to hire a local guide to reach the falls.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Reserve your car rental on Klook here

Hire A Driver

If you do not want to deal with Baliโ€™s traffic or navigation, you can hire a private driver. They will pick you up, take you to Sekumpul, wait while you visit, and can include other stops if you want.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Find a trusted Bali driver on Klook here

Book A Tour

If you are coming from further away or want everything arranged in advance, a guided tour is the easiest option.

The Private Sekumpul Waterfall Hiking Tour includes a driver, guide, and entry tickets so you do not have to arrange anything yourself.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check tour prices and availability here

How To Visit Sekumpul Waterfalls In Bali

As of early 2025, you cannot visit the waterfalls without a guide. This is for different reasons, including supporting the local village, waterfall area maintenance and tourists’ safety.

This is why you will notice that it’s quite an expensive trip! Is it worth visiting anyway? Absolutely yes!

Let me go through the details and prices for you:

Option #1 Get a driver, entry ticket and guide all included

The easiest way is to book in advance this tour on GetYourGuide.com. You won’t need to worry about dropoff, tickets and getting your guide because it’s all included.

The price for this is around $80. It sounds a lot but if you break down the costs, it’s a decent price!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check Availability On Get Your Guide

Option #2 Book your local guide in advance no driver

Drive to the location yourself or with a driver and your local guide will meet you at the parking lot.

The guided tour can be booked on Viator.com and it’s about $50 for 2 people.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check Availability On Viator

Option #3 Get your local guide when you get there

If you donโ€™t pre-book a guide, you can get one at the authorised ticket booth near the parking lot.

The ticket costs IDR 300,000 ($18) which includes a local guide and the scooter ride (with the guide) that takes you to the path of the waterfall.

This is the cheapest option available. However, if you are visiting during the dry season, you might risk not finding a local guide as it’s the busiest time of the year. Definitely book in advance if you can.

๐Ÿšง Important Tip: If you are driving yourself, ignore unofficial โ€œregistration pointsโ€ along the way. These are scams! Head directly to the authorised ticket booth, which is right at the end of the road. You will see the official ticket office.

Donโ€™t land in Bali unprepared

A free step-by-step checklist that helps you prepare everything from documents and health to accommodation, activities, and food allergies, all in one place.

What to Expect At Sekumpul Waterfalls

Bali Waterfall Sekumpul. stairs down to the waterfall.
Steps down to the Waterfalls

Let me tell you, I’m not a waterfall lover but this experience has been insane! For me it wasn’t just the waterfalls per se but the entire journey too on the scooter, hike and steps!

The views are incredible, there is a mix of forest, beautiful villages and rice fields!

For your trip down to the waterfalls, you will be given 3 options:

#1 You can stop for a quick snack,

#2 Jump to the waterfalls from a high spot

#3 Head directly to the waterfalls without any stop on the way or jumping anywhere.

Obviously, there will be an extra charge if you want to stop on the way or jump to the waterfalls.

I chose to go directly to the waterfalls, I would never jump anywhere and it was raining too, so I didn’t really want to extend my trip any further.

The trek to the waterfalls

If you choose to go directly to the waterfalls (without stopping at cafes), this is what to expect:

STEP 1: Scooter Ride

Start with a 20-minute scooter ride through the most amazing landscapes! Don’t worry, the guide will drive, you just sit on the back and enjoy the view!

Honestly, this was one of my favourite moments of the trip. This scooter ride was special. I could see the fog rising from the forest and the beautiful villages from very far away.

It made me think that at some point, Ubud was probably similar until contractions took over most of the landscape.

Once you get to the destination, you get off the scooter and start going down to reach the waterfalls.

STEP 2: The Hike

The trail involves 350 steps down to the waterfalls. The steps are steep, but they are manageable with regular breaks. I’m a clumsy person and I went down without any issues!

The guide was really funny and I stopped a few times to take pictures.

Going up is a lot harder, but if you stop from time to time you will be fine! I also want to mention there are handrails, which are super helpful.

STEP 3: River Crossing

Once you get to the bottom of the stairs there will be a place where you can leave your bags and sit down for a moment.

From there, you will have to cross a shallow river, after which youโ€™ll reach the waterfall.

There is normally a bridge so you don’t have to cross the river but at the moment the bridge is broken so I had to cross the river! Considering it was pouring rain, the river was not shallow!

We had to hold onto a cord and the current was strong! It’s been an adventure but I felt safe all the time because the guide was very knowledgeable.

Total time to Explore: Allow around 3โ€“4 hours to fully experience Sekumpul and the nearby Fiji Waterfalls.

Facilities And Swimming Information

Sign by the waterfalls
The waterfalls’ map you will see at the bottom of the stairs
  • Changing Room: Available at the ticket booth by the parking lot.

  • Bathrooms: There is one located by the parking area.

  • Swimming: Swimming is possible at Sekumpul, but the strong currents make it unsafe during the rainy season. I visited in January and I didn’t feel like swimming, however, a few adventurers went! Remember to bring your water shoes if you are thinking of swimming, it would help with the rocks! Fiji Waterfalls, located just 7 minutes away, do not allow swimming.

Check Out Fiji Waterfalls Too!

Bali Waterfall Sekumpul. Silvia looking at the waterfall

From Sekempul Waterfalls you can walk 7 minutes and reach Fiji Waterfalls. The walk is quite slippery if you are visiting between November and February, so walk slowly and follow your guide religiously if you are a clumsy girl like me!

As mentioned before, the Fiij Waterfalls have 3 streams and are huge. I would argue they are even more impressive than the Sekumpul Waterfall!

Tips for Visiting Sekumpul and Fiji Waterfalls

  • Bring a Water Bottle: A reusable water bottle is essential for staying hydrated.

  • Plan for Extra Costs: Booking a tour that includes entry fees can help you avoid unexpected charges.

  • Wear Comfortable Shoes: The hike includes steep steps, so a comfortable footwear is a must (although you don’t really need hiking shoes!). Bring water shoes for a comfortable swim in the waterfalls and flat sandals in case you have to cross the rivers (when I visited, it was during the rainy season and we had to cross 2!)

  • Camera equipment: Get a waterproof cover for your phone for rainy days. Also, the waterfalls are very powerful so they might reach your camera lens and blur the pictures!

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sekumpul is during the dry season (April to October), as the trek is easier and swimming conditions are safer.

Early mornings are ideal for avoiding crowds and enjoying cooler temperatures. However, you can also visit during the wet season as there are close to no tourists and you can still enjoy the waterfalls!

Places to Stay Nearby

๐Ÿ‘‰ Munduk Moding Plantation: A boutique eco-lodge with incredible views (read my full review here). It’s located on a coffee plantation and actually offers pick-up and drop-off to various waterfalls in Munduk. No guide included though!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Sanak Retreat Bali: This is a traditional-style accommodation surrounded by rice fields.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Puri Lumbung Cottages: A rustic-style option with beautiful views!

FAQs About Bali Waterfall Sekumpul

How difficult is Sekumpul Waterfall?

The hike involves 350 steep steps and requires moderate fitness level.

How long does it take to walk to Sekumpul Waterfall?

About 35 minutes to descend to the base and about 45 minutes to come up.

What is the most stunning waterfall in Bali?

Sekumpul is considered one of the most impressive due to its size and power.

Final Note On Sekumpul Waterfalls In Bali

I would recommend booking the hike in advance and staying the night around the waterfall and visiting other waterfalls the day after. The hike to this waterfall is quite intense so staying in the area would be ideal! I stayed at the Munduk Moding Plantation which is a 1-hour drive and it was amazing!

If you are getting ready for your trip to Bali, don’t forget to download this FREE checklist. It contains everything you need to do before flying to the Island Of Gods – including the boring documents and insurance!

Ciao for now,

Silvia x

โœ๏ธ Bali Travel Planning Guide ๐ŸŒด

Before you start your unforgettable journey to Bali here are the essential tips every female solo traveller should know:

๐Ÿ“ฑ Do I need an eSIM for Bali?

โœ… Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Get your Indonesia plan now

๐Ÿš‘ Should I buy travel insurance for Bali?

โœ… 100% YES! โ€” My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit (and yes, Bali belly is a thing!). I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!

๐Ÿ’งCan you drink the water in Bali?

๐Ÿšฑ No โ€” Itโ€™s recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in Bali (I even brush my teeth with filtered water).

๐Ÿฉ Whatโ€™s the best way to book my Bali accommodations?

My go-to for Bali hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets โค๏ธ

๐Ÿ’ Whatโ€™s the best way to book my Bali activities?

Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!

๐Ÿ›’ Will I find tampons in Bali?

Yes! However, they are hard to find! Get the guide with the list of sellers and Google Map here!

๐Ÿš• How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?

I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car, Klook is still your best bet. They have cars available to pick up right at the airport! For scooter rental in Bali, go to BikAgo.

๐Ÿ„๐Ÿฝ Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?

Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Use Bookyogaretreats.com for the best yoga retreats in Bali and worldwide.

โœˆ๏ธ What’s the best site to book my flight?

Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark on a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!

๐ŸŽซ Do I need a visa for Bali?

๐Ÿ‘ Yes โ€” US, UK, and EU passport holders can get the Visa On Arrival (Tourist Visa) valid for 30 days in Bali. Read more here)

๐Ÿ’ฐ ๐—–๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜†: The currency here is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select โ€œnoโ€ when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). The best debit card to use when travelling to Bali is Wise!

๐Ÿš• ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป: Getting around Bali is easy peasy! Rent your scooter on BikAgo. The alternative would be getting a scooter taxi using Grab or Gojek which are safe and cheap in major places like Ubud, Canggu and Uluwatu. You can also book your private driver!

The Good Observer Blog contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read myย full disclaimer here for more information.