In an island famous for its waterfalls, there is one waterfall that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Sekumpul waterfall is the king of waterfalls in an island world-renowned for some of the finest. So, what’s all the hype about? Read on for why you need to visit the biggest and (arguably) the best waterfall in Bali: Sekumpul waterfall.
We’ll also give you a bit of a rundown on how to visit another waterfall in spitting distance, Fiji Waterfall, plus handy tips on how to plan your itinerary for visiting this impressive falls.
Most importantly, we’ve included information on the entrance fees but it’s worth noting that this varies depending on a number of factors. The crux is that, since February 2019, you are looking at about 200,000 IDR (14.00 USD / 10.75 GBP) per person rather than the 20,000 IDR (1.40 USD / 1.00 GBP) quoted on most blogs and websites.
This is since you need to cross private land on your walk (regardless of which entrance you take), and each ‘owner’ wants to collect a fee. That said, we paid 200,000 IDR per person for both Sekumpul and Fiji waterfalls and we felt it was entirely worth the expense!
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How to visit Sekumpul Waterfall
So, let’s get started with the basics: how do you get to Sekumpul waterfall Bali? This is a North Bali waterfall based up top which means that, for most, you’ll need to make a full day trip out via motorbike to see it, include it as part of an island tour with a private driver, or stay in nearby Munduk or Lovina.
Driving to Sekumpul Waterfall
By motorbike you’re look at an hour from Lovina (17 miles / 27 km), and 45 minutes from Singaraja (14 miles / 21 km). It’s an hour from Munduk (19 miles / 30 km). From further afield, it’s two and a half hours from Canggu and two hours from Ubud. Note that the area is quite hilly, so is not best for novice riders. If you need to rent a scooter usually these are available from your hotel or homestay for between 50,000 – 70,000 IDR per day to rent (3.50 – 5.00 USD / 2.75 – 4.00 GBP) per day excluding fuel.
Most people include Sekumpul and Fiji waterfall as part of an island tour with a private driver. A private driver generally costs between 500,000 – 700,000 IDR (35 – 50 USD / 27.50 – 40 GBP) for a full day and that includes 10 hours, fuel, insurance and pick up in the key areas in Bali. You can also then add on bonus activities like Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple, Handara Gate, Wanagiri Hidden Hills (the selfie park) and the Twin Lake Viewpoint – we’ve included more recommendations at the bottom of this article.
We’d recommend that you book your driver with Get Your Guide, Having a guide to take you around makes it so much easier!
Hiking down to Sekumpul Waterfall
There are two entrances to Sekumpul; the southern entrance which charges you one fee for visiting both Fiji and Sekumpul Waterfall, and the other (main) entrance which charges you twice.
The southern entrance, near to Warung Fiji, is far better – less walking and steps plus you get the ‘combo ticket’.
If you’re not a fan of steps, then Sekumpul waterfall is not for you. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes to get down on a mix of dirt trails, bamboo bridges and stairs but it’s the ascent that kills you! We did it with numerous breaks but since it was a hot day, it took it out of us and we love to hike!
It’s recommended that you have sturdy shoes although we did see a few people doing it in flip flops – we wouldn’t suggest it though.
In terms of hiking directions, your best bet is to download the offline map for the area on maps.me beforehand. The app has the hiking trails (Google Maps doesn’t) and it’s available without wifi.
If you take the southern entrance, you’ll walk for about 15 minutes before you reach a few warungs (restaurants). It’s worth taking a quick break here later to do the Bali swing, it’s set over the most incredible rice fields and you can not only do the swing, but get a plate of Nasi Goreng and a fresh coconut while taking in the views.
Once you’re past the warungs you’ll find two paths: the one to the left leads to Fiji waterfall and the one to the right to Sekumpul. We highly recommend you do both (and get that combo ticket) since they are the most impressive falls we saw in Bali.
What to expect at the Sekumpul Waterfalls and Fiji Waterfall
As above, you’re able to see two of Indonesia’s most impressive waterfalls in one area: Sekumpul and Fiji waterfalls. Let’s kick off with Sekumpul.
This natural wonder is sometimes known as ‘’Niagara Sekumpul’; and we understand why: it’s one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the world.
Actually Sekumpul is made up of seven different waterfalls (sekumpul means ‘collection’), which makes it particularly special. That said, there are two main streams that you can clearly see.
The waterfall itself is about 80 metres (260 feet) tall, and the water absolutely gushes down from a huge height, surrounded by lush ferns and gorgeous greenery. It’s hard to explain the sheer beauty of the place in words; just trust us that it’s worth the (admittedly steep) entrance fee.
Depending on what time of day you go, you’ll either share your experience with quite a number of other tourists or – like us – it will be particularly quiet. Do try and go early if you can.
Swimming options
The waterfall has a rock pool at it’s base that is full of clean, clear and refreshing water. You can definitely swim here but please know that because the waterfall is quite powerful, there is a lot of water spray to contend with.
Toilets and changing rooms
There is a free-of-charge toilet in the car park at the start of your hike, but none at the base itself. You can use the toilets at the various warungs, either free if you purchase food or drink, or at a cost of 2,000 IDR (0.15 USD / 0.10 GBP). We didn’t find any changing rooms but were told that sometimes your guide will offer you their home to change into your swimming gear.
Food and drink
There are no food stalls at the Sekumpul waterfall base itself but there are a number of stalls, coffee shops and warungs on the walk.
Fiji Waterfall
Now you’ve seen the best, why not see the rest? Fiji waterfall, also known as Lemukih Falls, is a 5-10 minute walk from Sekumpul waterfall and well worth it. It’s three streams falling into the pool below and when we visited it was slightly quieter than Sekumpul.
You can’t swim at Fiji waterfall but the sight is so impressive that you mustn’t miss it from your list!
Other activities in the waterfall area
As we mentioned above, the steps back to the car park are pretty exhausting! It’s definitely worth stopping at a warung or coffee shop on the way back up, and we loved the one overlooking the rice fields. That’s where we did the Bali swing (see pic of Lee below!), drank fresh coconut juice and used the facilities!
When to go to Sekumpul Waterfall
The best time of year to visit Sekumpul and nearby waterfalls is between June to August, when it’s not very hot and also not raining; September being the shoulder season. We visited in October and while it was a bit warm, the temperature was bearable.
The best time of day, like most attractions in Bali, is early in the morning when the crowds are smaller. Sekumpul is not the most accessible of waterfalls but because of it’s beauty, it does attract a lot of visitors. Generally if you go between 7.00am – 8.00am it should be quiet.
Where to stay near Sekumpul
We visited Sekumpul on a trip between Lovina and Munduk, as it’s relatively close to both. Here are some options in both towns:
Lovina
Situated in the north of the island, Lovina is a lovely little seaside town which offers temples, beaches, snorkelling and dolphin spotting! Some good accommodation options are:
Budget: Stunning rooms, great reviews, set in the jungle try the Alamanda Lovina Hotel – what more could you want?
Mid-range: We stayed at the Kayu Manis Hotel, which is set back a little bit from the beach but has the most stunning views and the rooms are really luxurious.
Luxury: Looking for absolute luxury, why not take the villa at the Joglovina Boutique Hotel. It is out of this world….
Munduk
We loved Munduk, a quiet hillside town which also boast heaps of it’s own waterfalls. The best places to stay are:
Luxury: If you can afford to splash out, we recommend Munduk Moding Plantation. The incredible views from the pool, the extravagant suites and the impeccable service make this the property of your dreams.
Mid-range: Lesong Hotel is the best of the mid-range options. It’s not located right in the village, instead located in nearby rice fields but this means it has a serenity you won’t find in the centre (which has quite a lot of barking dogs and morning roosters!)
Budget: We can’t rate Nadya Homestay highly enough, and really enjoyed our stay there. Wonderful, helpful staff, a great on-site restaurant, killer views and a comfy bed.
Sekumpul Waterfall Entry Fee
This is the biggest area of contention for Sekumpul and Fiji Waterfalls. Technically its 20,000 IDR (1.40 USD / 1 GBP) for Sekumpul and 15,000 IDR (1 USD / 0.80 GBP) for Fiji. These are government set prices.
However, from February 2019, it is almost impossible to avoid the 200,000 IDR (14 USD / 10.75 GBP) area charge as there are numerous checkpoints and many land owners charging for you to cross their land. It’s also worth noting that doing it yourself appears to be more expensive than with a local guide – with some reports of people being charged by the locals 500k per person.
Expect to pay 200,000 IDR for a combo ticket for both from the southern entrance and if you’re able to swing it for less, then count yourself lucky! Even for us budget-conscious backpackers, it was worth shelling out the cash.
If you want the latest info (it seems to change weekly), perhaps head over to Tripadvisor to read the latest traveller reviews.
Read next: Iconic places and landmarks in Indonesia.
Bonus: Places to visit near Sekumpul waterfall
Whether you’re on a motorbike or doing a day trip in the area, there are so many attractions near the Sekumpul and Fiji waterfalls that you just shouldn’t miss! If you’re looking for a full Bali itinerary, check out our guide here, else read on for the highlights in the area:
Munduk Waterfalls
Once you’ve seen Sekumpul waterfall you’ve probably seen the most beautiful and impressive waterfall in Bali. That said, we absolutely recommend doing the Munduk Waterfall Hike. Essentially there are four waterfalls within easy walking distance of Munduk town; all of which are pretty untouched and we’d say fall into the hidden gems in Bali category.
These are: Golden Valley Waterfall, Red Coral Waterfall, Labuhan Kebo Waterfall and Melanting Waterfall. We’ve put together an entire guide to the Munduk waterfalls that you should definitely read.
Wanagiri Hidden Hills
Are you a keen instagrammer? You can get ALL the shots you need with one swift trip to Wanagiri Hidden Hills, a selfie park a few kilometres drive from Sekumpul.
Bamboo nests, Bali swings, wooden boats – you name it! It costs about 100,000 IDR (7 USD/5.50 GBP) per person, which includes someone to help you take your photos. We’ve written a full review of Wanagiri Hidden Hills here.
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
It’s a hop, skip and a jump from Wanagiri Hidden Hills, so definitely worth a quick look. This Bali water temple, situated next to the Bali Botanic Garden, juts out over a lake and provides a gorgeous picture or two. We weren’t huge fans of the complex since found it a little underwhelming, but we’ll leave that to you to decide.
Entrance is 10,000 IDR (0.75 USD / 0.50 GBP) per person.
Twin Lakes Viewpoint
Got a bit of time to kill? Definitely stay in Munduk and spend time hiking the two lakes of Tamblingan Lake and Buyan Lake.
Even if you don’t have much time, you can see them in all their glory from the free Twin Lakes Viewpoint!
There are quite a few roadside stalls near the viewpoint which offer comfy platforms and ice-cold drinks, if you want to relax.
We’ve got a full review of the Twin Lakes Viewpoint here if you want to read more, including details on the viewpoint and hiking or trekking options.
Handara Gate
Other than the Bali swing, the Handara Gate is probably the most famous ‘Bali instagram’ shot you can find. It’s literally the entrance to a golf estate that has become famous for it’s ‘reflective’ shot (made using a handy mirror) with the mountain in the background. Expect a line (that could take about an hour), as well as a fee to get your shot (between 10 – 50,000 IDR depending on the day).
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
You can’t come to Bali and not see a rice field or two. If Sekumpul is the best waterfall in Bali, then
Jatiluwih rice terraces are the best rice fields.
It’s over 600 hectares of fields, which makes it a great place to take a short hike or just to travel out to fill up your camera’s memory card! And if you’re wondering how it differs to the more famous Tegalang, it’s much bigger (and better!).
The entrance fee is 40,000 IDR (2.75 USD / 2.25 GBP) per person.
Luwak coffee and tea plantation
Ever thought of drinking ‘cat poop coffee’? Well you should try your hand at it, regardless! There are a few coffee plantations near Sekumpul waterfall that offer coffee that has been digested by civet cats, as a local delicacy – and it’s so tasty! More than this, the plantation offers you a tasting platter of 6 coffees and 6 teas, including flavours like ginseng coffee and lemongrass tea which tickled our fancy! What’s more, the tasting is free – you only pay if you try the Luwak coffee, which costs around 50, 000 IDR (3.50 USD / 2.75 GBP).
Other related waterfalls
You’re probably tired of waterfall hopping at this point, if you’ve done Sekumpul, Fiji and the Munduk Waterfalls. That said, there is a host of waterfalls near Ubud, as well as more famous ones like Aling Aling Waterfall, Gitgit Waterfall and Banyumala Twin Waterfall to see in Bali.
Sekumpul Waterfall FAQ
Do you need a guide for Sekumpul Waterfall?
Yes and no. It’s worth having a driver that doubles up as a guide, since Sekumpul waterfall is quite far from most key locations in Bali. For hiking the waterfalls you don’t necessarily need a guide but often the price is included in your combo ticket, so you might as well have one tag along to take your pictures for you!
Also, if you go in the wet season, it’s worth having a guide from a safety perspective.
What should I pack for Sekumpul Waterfall?
We recommend a few key things:
- Hiking sandals or water shoes. It’s definitely worth having sturdy shoes for this waterfall. You can of course wear sneakers but they might get a little wet…
- Sunscreen: Most of the trail down to Sekumpul and Fiji waterfalls are in full sun, so it’s best that you cover up and slap on some sun protection.
- Waterproof bag or camera cover. The waterfall spray is very powerful so you’ll want to protect your camera and other belongings.
- Water: Make sure you keep hydrated, particularly on the ascent!
What camera equipment and other gear do we use?
We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.
- Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
- Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
- GoPro: Hero 7 Black
- GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
- GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
- Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
- Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
- Powerbank: Anker Powercore
- Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
- Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
- Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
- Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
- Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4
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