(Tukad Cepung Waterfall in Bali is one of the recommended day trips from Ubud)
During our lengthy stay in Bali, we developed a habit of getting out of Ubud, where we lived, once in a couple of days, and exploring. Afterward, we’d come back and have dinner in a warung not far from the place we were renting. We befriended the warung’s owner and shared our findings with him. So, one evening, we came from the trip to the Tukad Cepung waterfall, a Bali gem, and an absolutely magical place. Excited, we shared details of our journey with the owner…
…only to find out that he had never heard about the place!
Come to think about it, a local living in Ubud for more than 35 years, this was the first time Tukad Cepung waterfall popped on his radar. So, he sat next to us and wrote down the name of the destination, consulted on the best way to reach the waterfall, and asked questions about things to do, length of the trip, and whatnot. Guess what…
…the next day, he took his family to see the waterfall. And by the evening, it was he who shared all the excitement with us at dinner. So…
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…what is so special about the Tukad Cepung Waterfall in Bali?
It won’t come as a surprise when we say that there are hardly any undiscovered places left in Bali. The island has been meticulously mapped out by thousands of travelers. Odd as it sounds, you’d even expect each of the recommended locations to have lots of visitors. In fact, you’d be surprised if it was not crowded.
This is why we were surprised to find Tukad Cepung free from crowds. Crowds may even be too big a word. We arrived at the waterfall around 10 am. There was no one but us.
Each waterfall in Bali is magical, no doubt about that. But to have a place to yourself makes it a very memorable experience. Plus, unlike the rest of the waterfalls, this one is modestly hiding in a cave and remains unseen up until the very last step you make towards it.
If you were to believe in leprechauns and magical creatures, we bet this would be the place where you’d find them. Streams of water are rushing down the vertical wall of the cave straight into a small natural pool. The cave itself is dark, with curvy rocks serving as an entrance to it. Where the water rushes down is a hole in the wall of the cave, with rays of light shining through, right into the heart of the cave, and highlighting the water in the most mesmerizing way.
How to get to the Tukad Cepung waterfall in Bali?
If you are driving from the south of the island, plan at least an hour and a half for a trip. From Ubud, which is a convenient starting point for many awesome day trips, the road will take around 30 minutes.
Tukad Gepung waterfall is located in the Bali village of Penida Kelod. This is the Bangli area. Once in the village, there is no way you get lost because there will be signs pointing to the waterfall.
Whether you are traveling by bike or car, you will leave the vehicle at the upper parking, pay the entrance fee, and start the hike down to the cave.
The hike is a 10 to 15 minutes walk. At first, you will be following the stream, then descending concrete stairs, through the jungle, down the bamboo stairs (around 100 steps down on both concrete and bamboo stairs). Then, you will need to walk several meters upstream, before you reach the cave with the waterfall.
Things to know about the Tukad Cepung waterfall in Bali
- The best time of the day to visit the waterfall is early in the morning. The first reason to do so is to be sure you will have a location for yourself. The second reason is it gets really hot and humid by midday, while in the morning, driving and hiking in Bali is a pleasure.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The area with the bamboo stairs is slippery, especially after rains. Flip-flops may add an unnecessary challenge to the hike.
- You won’t be able to swim in the natural pool near the waterfall as it is too shallow, but you will be able to stand under the streams of water. The waterfall is not too aggressive. So, a swimsuit might come in handy.
- Grab a big towel. There are no changing rooms/tents/anything so you will be changing right there, on the spot, and a towel will be a handy item to hide behind (or underneath).
- As far as we remember there are no temples in the area, so wearing a sarong is not mandatory. However, it’s Bali. Almost each of its water springs and waterfalls is sacred so having a sarong in the backpack (just in case) might be a good idea.
Other waterfalls in the Bangli area, near Tukad Cepung waterfall in Bali
Tukad Cepung is lovely but it is highly unlikely you will spend more than 2 hours there. Luckily, the area is saturated with smaller but no less scenic waterfalls, including:
Tukad Krisik Waterfall
Carefully guarded by the locals but alas, also discovered by the tourists, this is a friendly and photogenic waterfall in the area of Tembuku Kelod. The road to the waterfall is an adventure well within itself as you will need to hike through the rice fields of the residential area.
Air Terjun Tangkup Waterfall
This is truly an intimate rendez-vous with nature. Hidden near Undisan Kelod, it comes with a refreshing hike across the valley. As the area is not still very touristy, the route is also not equipped with proper stairs so you will need comfortable shoes. The natural pool surrounding the waterfall is relatively shallow but still good enough to dip into.
Air Terjun Tukad Barong Waterfall
It is hidden in the Yangapi Village, not far from the market. From the final parking before the location, you will need to leave your vehicle and hike for about 20 minutes. The road will lead you past the unique Root Bridge made of tree roots, and into the cave-like area. Unlike Tukad Cepung, this location is friendlier to picnics and swimming.
Air Terjun Goa Raja Waterfall
This waterfall became available to tourists fairly recently, like many other waterfalls in the Bangli area. You will leave the vehicle at the parking and leave a donation at the ticket booth. Then, you will hike down the stairs, across the bamboo bridge, past the temple, and into the cave. After rainy days, the water may be a bit muddy, so plan accordingly.
Goa Giri Campuhan Waterfall
A smaller version of the scenic Kanto Lampo waterfall, Goa Giri Campuhan waterfall is very easy to hike to, and it also has lots of photogenic spots on the way, including a bamboo forest and a bamboo bridge. While some may say that Kanto Lampo looks much more majestic and powerful, the GGC Waterfall is perfect for meditation and some time one on one with nature as it still gets little attention from tourists.
Written by Inessa Rezanova
I am a Kyiv-based screenwriter with 10+ years of experience in producing scripts. I love my job, and no, I did not quit it to travel the world. I see different countries in my spare time. As a storyteller, I believe that it is the emotional journey that matters the most. This is why together with my sister I started this blog to encourage everyone to travel and to do so with a heart and mind opened to adventures.
Images by Natalie Rezanova
I am a photographer based in Kyiv, Ukraine. I am lucky to be able to do what I love the most for a living. Photography is an endless source of inspiration for me. My mission on this blog is to inspire by sharing some of the favorite captions from my journeys. I also provide professional photography tips to help the readers bring home some beautiful photo memories.
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