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Sekumpul Waterfall – Full Guide To Bali’s Most Beautiful Waterfall
Located within the lush jungles of northern Bali, Sekumpul Waterfall is a breathtaking attraction that embodies nature’s raw beauty and power.
Described by many visitors as “the island’s most stunning waterfall”, we had to pack our adventure bags and see this place for ourselves.
The name “Sekumpul,” which translates to “a group” in Indonesian, perfectly fits for this wonder of nature.
When we were able to catch our first glimpse of the waterfall, we realised that Sekumpul is not just a single cascade but a series of seven waterfalls, each pouring gracefully from the cliffs into the lush valley below.
Reaching Sekumpul Waterfall is an adventure in itself, involving a scenic trek through terraced rice paddies, local villages, and dense tropical forests.
As we approached the viewing platform, the distant roar of the waterfalls grows louder, skyrocketing the excitement.
The path to the base of the waterfall, leads you down steep steps and across rivers but rewarding you with the sight of the majestic falls.
Sekumpul water fall is an escape far from the hustle and bustle of Bali’s more touristy areas.
Its relatively untouched environment and the distance to the island’s main tourist hubs makes it a hidden gem.
Hence, finding accurate information on how to get there, when to visit and the hike itself has proven to be quite difficult despite its growing popularity.
Luckily, we put together this comprehensive guide for you in order to make the most out of your visit.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in:
Table Of Contents
Where is Sekumpul Waterfall (Air Terjun Sekumpul) located?
Sekumpul Waterfall, in Indonesia also knowns as Air Terjun Sekumpul, is located in the northern part of Bali, Indonesia.
The waterfall is situated in the Sekumpul village within the Sawan District of the Buleleng Regency, close to the more famous city Lovina in the anturan buleleng regency.
The waterfall is approximately 75 kilometers north of Denpasar, Bali’s capital city, and about 65 kilometers north of Ubud, the island’s spiritual tourist destination.
Nestled in the very north of the island, Sekumpul waterfall is best visited as part of a week long trip in the Munduk or Lovina region but can also easily be visited on a day trip from Kuta, Ubud or Denpasar.
Sekumpul Waterfall is accessible via scenic mountain routes that take you through picturesque rice terraces, traditional Balinese villages, and dense jungle.
Sekumpul Waterfall – how to get there
Sekumpul Waterfall is still relatively unexplored, hence, there is only limted info on how to get there and it takes quite some time to source this by yourself.
We will now faciliate this process for you so let’s get right to the point:
Basically, you can choose between two options: rent your own scooter or hire a private driver.
Hiring a private driver is a convenient option, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenic journey.
This can be arranged through hotels or local tour operators for around USD 55$ per day.
It is our recommended option if you have never driven a scooter in your life before and would like to tick off several places in a day without worrying about anything.
Pro-Tip: sometimes it is even worth asking your last Grab driver that you trust if he is willing to make the journey with you for a better price.
Many drivers will give you a better price as they want to avoid the costly commission fees of Grab or Gojek.
For the adventurous, renting a scooter or motorbike provides the most flexibility and an immersive experience.
The road is paved but please ensure you are comfortable with Bali’s traffic and road conditions before opting for this mode of transport.
Scooters can be hired from any of the main tourist hubs on the island. Rates always vary within the specific areas.
Generally speaking, a 125cc brand new Honda can be rented for 450k IDR per week (USD 28.14$) or 90000 IDR per day (USD 5.63$, higher rate for 1 day rental) as of June, 2023.
Please make sure to hire fully functional scooters before setting out on this journey as the roads are steep.
Good brakes and Tires are needed and possibly a bit of horsepower to get away from those stray dogs that will chase you all the way up the mountain.
Text Gusti on Whatsapp +6282340186448 for the newest and cheapest bikes in Ubud.
We are not affiliated with him but got our vario scooter for only 400k IDR per week (USD 25.01$) with a full tank of fuel and phone holder + 2 helmets.
The directions below are based on renting a scooter and riding to Sekumpul Waterfall by yourself.
The roads are scenic and easy to drive on with a scooter (it is also the quickest way possible):
Starting from Denpasar (75km ≈ 2h-2.15h):
- Take the Jalan Sutomo road heading northwest
- Continue on Jalan Raya Denpasar towards the town of Sobangan
- Pass through Sobangan, and continue towards Bedoegoel on Jalan Raya Bedugul
- From Bedogoel, turn right onto Pegayaman Wanagiri road
- At the Ujung Nau Swing N Selfi, turn right and leave the main road
- Follow this rural road for 37mins to Sekumpul Village
- Then follow the signs to Sekumpul Waterfall
Starting from Ubud (65km ≈ 2h):
- Head southwest on Jalan Raya Salan and then onto Jl. Rayan Semana
- Then turn left onto Jalan Baris leading to Sangeh Village
- Follow this road to the middle of the village and then turn right onto Jl. Raya Sangeh
- Head north on this road until you hit Jl. Raya Denpasar
- Stay on this road until you reach the village of Bedugul
- Once you are exiting Bedugul village, turn right onto Pegayaman Wanagiri road
- At the Ujung Nau Swing N Selfi, turn right and leave the main road
- Follow this rural road for 37mins to Sekumpul Village
- Then follow the signs to Sekumpul Waterfall
Starting from Lovina, North Bali (25km ≈ 1h)
- follow the Jl. Serinit – Singaraja Rd. heading east
- In Singaraja, turn off right onto Jl. Raya Keloncing and follow this road all the way to Sekumpul Village
- Then follow the signs to Sekumpul Waterfall
Starting from Canggu, Seminyak or Kuta (85km ≈ 2.30h-3h):
- Head north past Mengwi towards the village of Sangeh
- ollow this road to the middle of the village and then turn right onto Jl. Raya Sangeh
- Head north on this road until you hit Jl. Raya Denpasar
- Stay on this road until you reach the village of Bedugul
- Once you are exiting Bedugul village, turn right onto Pegayaman Wanagiri road
- At the Ujung Nau Swing N Selfi, turn right and leave the main road
- Follow this rural road for 37mins to Sekumpul Village
- Then follow the signs to Sekumpul Waterfall
Sekumpul Waterfall Entrance fee – How much is Sekumpul Waterfall?
The entrance fee for Sekumpul Waterfall varies depending on the type of experience you choose:
There are three entrance fees to choose from – platform view only, medium trekking and long trekking.
Due to the increased amount of tourists and new local regulations, the government decided to bump up the fees quite a bit.
There are new regulations in place where you also have to hire a local guide no matter what (totally worth it).
Usually, we don’t like locals forcing foreigners to use their so called “guides” that literally do nothing (most of the time).
However, the pathway down would be unmanagable to navigate without the help of a local guide + you get to support the locals.
We actually don’t know 100% if the quite high entrance fees go towards the local communities but we do hope so.
When you arrive at the parking lot of Sekumpul Waterfall, you will be approached by several men offering their guiding services.
This is when you get to choose which type of trekking you would like to do:
Platform view only
Not far from the parking lot, the guide will take you to a platform designated for the “view only” experience.
Here you can get a glimpse of the sheer size of this magnificent waterfall.
The fee is IDR 20,000 per person which is quite expensive considering this is usually the complete entrance fee to other waterfalls on the island.
Medium trekking (our recommendation)
This option for Sekumpul waterfall costs IDR 125,000 per person and includes the platform view, Sekumpul Waterfall and Hidden Waterfalls.
The local guide will first take you down the metal stairs and then help you to cross rivers and navigate the uneven terrain.
Both waterfalls are truly stunning and not to miss.
Most of the guides are super happy to take plenty photos of you.
Long trekking (perfect for photo enthusiasts)
This option costs IDR 200,000 per person and includes a guide, donation to the local village, and visiting the viewing platform, Sekumpul, Hidden waterfalls, as well as the triple-falls of Fiji waterfall.
This is the perfect experience if you would like to capture the magical gorges of sekumpul and have plenty of time on your hands.
All the guides were really kind and even helped us to get up the very slippery rock at the base of Sekumpul waterfall.
Sekumpul Waterfall Opening Hours
Sekumpul Waterfall is open to visitors from around 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
However, there are no “official” opening hours as such, therefore arriving before 8AM will guarantee that there will be no other tourists.
With no gates, we arrived around 6:30AM and were suprised to see the local tour guides already waiting at the parking lot.
We opted for the medium trekking and were completely alone for almost 3 hours.
Sekumpul Waterfall Trekking – How long does it take to hike to Sekumpul Waterfall?
The hike down to Sekumpul waterfall starts at the main parking lot.
Your guide will first lead you to the viewing platform where you can fly your drone and take in the view from above.
After spending a few minutes at the top, we continued along a pathway through small remote villages before the hike transitioned into metal stairs with incredible views of the gorge.
These stairs were quite steep and bring you all the way down to the bottom of the valley.
As we made our last steps on the metal stairs we lifted our head and were greeted with an otherwordly scenery.
The hike to Hidden Waterfall takes you through a gorge with lush green palmtrees, overhanging flora and golden light.
After passing Hidden Waterfall, your local tour guide helps you to cross a fast-flowing creek and then you made it!
The stunning views of Sekumpul Waterfall begin to unfold in front of your eyes and it will only take minutes before your shirt will be saturated by the mesmerizing spray from the waterfall.
You can spend as much time as you would like at the base of the waterfall.
Our tour guide positioned us on top of a large rock in front of the waterfall for a quick photo before we continued our journey back up.
The hike back up the mesmerizing gorge is not as pleasant as the way down and begins to feel longer as you start to notice the burning sensation in your legs.
After 30-40 minutes of hiking in the intense Bali humidity and heat you finally made it back up to the parking lot.
Now it is time to grab some food and drinks at one of the local warungs in town.
All around, you should allow yourself for at least 4-5 hours including time spent at the warung afterwards.
What is the best time to visit Sekumpul Waterfall?
When visiting Sekumpul Waterfall, we have to distinguish between two times: time of the year and time of the day.
Time of the day
“The early bird catches the worm” is a saying that definitely applies for Sekumpul Waterfall. We recommend to arrive before 7AM for a number of reasons:
- You will have the waterfall all to yourself which is a serene experience
- The light shines from the west and starts to touch the waterfall around 7:45AM which is the most amazing photography lighting
- By the time you get to finish, you can still explore other waterfalls in the area and even visit a beach
Time of the year
We usually recommend to visit waterfalls in Bali just at the start of the dry season between April and May.
However, for Sekumpul Waterfall we decided to visit in early March, which is technically still wet season in Bali.
The constant rain in the months leading up to March even enhanced our whole experience.
There were multiple waterfalls coming from the top, the rivers were flowing and the gorge was covered in cinematic mist.
A huge plus was also that there are almost no tourists around this time of the year.
Can you swim at Sekumpul Waterfall?
Yes, you can swim at Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali, Indonesia.
After the hot and humid hike down to the gorge, you can enjoy a swim at the base of the falls.
The natural pool is generally cool and refreshing, making it a popular spot for a dip.
However, it’s important to be cautious of the currents and slippery rocks especially in the wet season when the water is flowing faster.
If you are unsure of the conditions please ask your local tour guide. They have been living in the area for decades and know every single rock there.
Sekumpul Waterfall Photos – tips & tricks
- arrive before 8am to have no people in your shots
- take a waterproof bag with you for protection from the spray and mist
- bring a microfiber towel to wipe your lens from the spray (your shirt will be saturated in 2 mins)
- position your subject on the rock at the base of the waterfall, kindly ask your tour guide for help
- fly you drone with caution, there is no GPS and crashing is a very common occurence for the locals that rescue drones on a daily basis
- visit 45mins after sunrise for epic lighting
Things to know before visiting Sekumpul Waterfall
Beware of fake “registration points”
This is usually only a problem if you are visiting Sekumpul Waterfall by yourself with a scooter.
When you first enter the village of Sekumpul, you will see multiple “registration points” and people waving at you to slow down, some will even grab your hand.
It is important here NOT to stop.
These scammers are claiming that you will have to register yourself in order to visit Sekumpul waterfall.
They will charge you a horrendous fee for the “registration”.
Don’t fall for this trick and instead drive all the way to the Sekumpul Parking Lot that is marked on Google.
Bring a dry bag, spare clothes and towel
As already mentioned before, the hike down to the gorge is exhausting and you are very likely to sweat in the tropical climate.
Therefore, bringing spare clothes is a great idea, especially if you are considering to visit other sights in the area.
Once down at the gorge, it will become apparent to you that you and your electronics will not stay dry.
Bringing a dry bag will save your expensive camera gear + clothes from getting wet.
When you finished your hike, it is important to have a towel at hand to dry yourself and even wrap it around you on the scooter.
The wind on the scooter can be cold and being dry saves you from becoming sick.
Fly your drone at the viewing platform
We cannot stress this enough but the daily crashes at this waterfall remind us of the stupidity of some drone owners.
There is NO GPS signal at the base of the waterfall, meaning your drone will not be able to position and hover properly.
Sekumpul waterfall is like an ampheatre with palmtrees, bush and rocks everywhere making it hard to fly even for professional pilots.
Not to mention the spray from the waterfall that will fry all the electrics in your drone.
The best solution is to fly from the viewing platform and capture this magnificent waterfall from above.
Not only will you have the whole waterfall in the frame but also have enough GPS signal to fly down into the gorge.
A win-win situation if you ask us.
If you happen to crash your drone, the locals are always happy to retrieve them for about IDR 400000 (USD 24.60$).
Sekumpul Waterfall height
Sekumpul Waterfall stands as the highest waterfall in Bali with an approximate height of 100 meters.
The waterfall is made up of two main cascades in the dry season.
However, there are various streams coming from above and creating multiple waterfalls in the wet season.
Be prepared for high entry fees
Sekumpul Waterfall is very beautiful and competes with Tumpak Sewu in East Java as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Indonesia.
Hence, the entry fee to this waterfall is higher than any other waterfall in Bali.
By the time you pay your entry fee, grab a drink and have some food you can easily spend IDR 400000 (USD 24.60$) in a couple of hours.
Count in your personal driver or scooter rental and you have a quite “expensive” day for Balinese standards.
Nonetheless, the waterfall is 100% worth visiting.
Read more here:
- A Local’s Guide to Coral Bay, Western Australia
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall – Full Guide To Bali’s Magical Waterfall
- How To Visit Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfall In Lombok
- Sekumpul Waterfall – Full Guide To Bali’s Most Beautiful Waterfall
- How To Visit Nungnung Waterfall In Bali – Full Travel Guide [How To Get There and When To Visit]
