Sekumpul Waterfall is the waterfall my guests see on Instagram and then ask me about with a worried face. Is it really that far? Is it really that many stairs? And is it worth a whole day of a short holiday?

The short answer is yes, it is far, and yes, there are a lot of stairs. However, it is also the most beautiful waterfall in Bali, and I say that as someone who has driven guests to almost all of them.

So here is the honest version. What Sekumpul Waterfall costs in 2026, how long the drive really takes from where you are staying, what the hike is like, and who I think should go and who should skip it.

Sekumpul Waterfall In Short

Sekumpul is not one waterfall. It is a group of six or seven falls dropping side by side into the same green valley in Buleleng, the quiet north of Bali. From the bottom you stand in the spray with water coming down all around you, which is something no photo really shows.

• Location: Sekumpul village, Sawan district, Buleleng, North Bali.
• Entrance: about IDR 20,000 for the viewpoint only, and about IDR 125,000 to 250,000 for a guided trek to the bottom.
• Drive: around 3 to 3.5 hours each way from Seminyak or Canggu, and 2.5 to 3 hours from Ubud.
• Hike: a few hundred concrete steps down and back up, plus a short river crossing.
• Time needed: a full day from the south of Bali.

Why Sekumpul Waterfall Feels So Far Away

On the map, Sekumpul Waterfall is only about 80 km from Seminyak. The problem is what sits in between. To get to the north coast you have to cross the mountains in the middle of the island, either through Bedugul or through Kintamani.

Besides, those roads are narrow, full of hairpin bends, and shared with trucks, scooters and tour buses. As a result, you rarely average more than 30 to 40 km per hour. I explain this in more detail in how long it really takes to get around Bali, but for Sekumpul the rule is simple: plan in hours, not kilometres.

How Long Is The Drive To Sekumpul Waterfall?

These are the times I plan with when I leave early in the morning. Afternoon traffic in the south can add another 30 to 60 minutes on the way back.

In other words, from the south you are looking at six to seven hours in the car for the round trip. For many people, that is the real cost of Sekumpul Waterfall, more than the money. The good news is that the drive through the highlands is beautiful, and with the right stops it does not feel like a transfer.

What Sekumpul Waterfall Costs In 2026

There are three parts to the cost: the entrance and trek package, your transport, and the small extras on the day. Prices below are what my guests are paying in 2026. They can change without notice, so always bring a little more cash than you need.

Entrance And Trek Packages

You pay at the official entrance in Sekumpul village. The packages include a local guide, and the money goes back into the village, which is one of the poorer areas of Bali.

For most of my guests, therefore, the medium trek is the right choice. You get to the bottom of the main falls, you swim if the water is calm, and you still have energy for the climb back up.

Your Driver For The Day

A trip to Sekumpul Waterfall counts as a long-distance day, so expect to pay around IDR 800,000 to 1,100,000 for a private driver with car, fuel and parking. That is per car, not per person, so it gets cheaper the more people you share it with. I break down what should be included in the Bali private driver cost guide.

Food, Tips And Small Extras

• Lunch: IDR 50,000 to 150,000 per person at a local warung or a restaurant with a view on the way.
• Guide tip: not required, but IDR 50,000 for a good guide is a nice gesture.
• Toilets, showers, drinks: IDR 5,000 to 20,000 here and there, so keep small notes.
• Optional stops: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is about IDR 75,000 per person for foreign visitors.

A Realistic Total For Two People

Even if you add one optional temple stop, you are still under IDR 2,000,000 for two people for the whole day.

Watch Out For Fake Ticket Stops

Unfortunately, this is the part that annoys me the most. On the roads near Sekumpul, some people stand by the road, wave cars down and ask for an “entrance fee” or say that a guide is compulsory from their spot. Some of them start many kilometres before the waterfall.

In fact, you only need to pay at the official entrance to Sekumpul Waterfall, in Sekumpul village. If you have a driver who knows the area, this is easy, because we simply drive past. If you ride a scooter, be polite, say you already have a guide at the main entrance, and keep going.

The Hike: Steps, River Crossings And How Fit You Need To Be

At first, the walk is easy, through clove and durian gardens along the top of the valley. After that, the stairs begin. There are a few hundred concrete steps going down into the valley, most of them with handrails, and some of them steep and wet.

Once at the bottom, you walk along the river and cross it at least once, with water usually around knee height in the dry season. Luckily, the guide shows you where to step. Going down takes about 20 to 30 minutes. However, coming back up is the hard part and takes most people 30 to 45 minutes with a few breaks.

If you can walk up five or six floors of stairs without stopping for too long, you will be fine. However, I would not bring small children, and I would think twice with bad knees, because there is no other way out of the valley.

What You See At The Bottom Of Sekumpul Waterfall

When you come around the last corner of the river, the whole wall of water opens up in front of you. The main Sekumpul falls are around 80 metres high, and on a windy day the spray reaches you long before you reach the pool.

On the medium trek you also visit a smaller hidden fall, and on the long trek you continue to Fiji Waterfall, a wide set of falls that most visitors never see. Swimming depends on the water level, and your guide will tell you when it is safe. After heavy rain the river turns brown and strong, and nobody should be in it.

Best Time To Visit Sekumpul Waterfall

The dry season from April to October is the best time. The steps are drier, the river crossing is easier, and the morning light in the valley is beautiful. In the wet season from November to March, the falls are bigger and more dramatic, but the trail is muddy and the lower part can close after heavy rain.

Time of day also matters. The site is usually open from about 8am to 5pm, and I like to arrive between 9am and 10am, before the tour groups. Also, in the north the rain usually arrives in the afternoon, so an early start is also your best protection against a washed-out visit.

What To Bring

• Shoes that can get wet. Sport sandals with straps or water shoes are best. Flip-flops are a bad idea on the stairs.
• Swimwear and a quick-dry towel. Wear the swimwear under your clothes to save time.
• A change of clothes. You will be wet from the spray even if you do not swim, and it is a long drive home.
• A dry bag or phone pouch. The spray near the falls soaks everything.
• Cash in small notes. For the entrance, drinks and the guide’s tip.
• Water, sunscreen and insect repellent. The climb up is hot and humid.

A Sample Sekumpul Day Trip From Seminyak Or Canggu

Here is the Sekumpul Waterfall day trip plan I use most often. It turns the long drive into part of the day instead of dead time in the car.

• 6:00am Pick up in Seminyak or Canggu.
• 7:30am Short coffee and breakfast stop in the Bedugul highlands.
• 9:30am Arrive at Sekumpul and start the medium trek before the crowds.
• 12:30pm Change clothes and have lunch at a warung near the waterfall.
• 2:30pm Stop at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Bratan on the way back.
• 4:00pm Head south, with a short stop at a fruit market or rice field if you like.
• 6:30 to 7:00pm Back at your hotel.

On the other hand, from Ubud I prefer to go through Kintamani instead, so you can see Mount Batur on the way and have a slightly shorter day.

So, Is Sekumpul Waterfall Worth It?

For the right person, Sekumpul Waterfall is absolutely worth it. It is the waterfall guests still talk about at the end of their holiday. Still, it takes a full day and some energy, so be honest with yourself.

Sekumpul is worth it if:

• You have five days or more in Bali and want one big nature day.
• You are reasonably fit and do not mind a sweaty climb.
• You want a waterfall that still feels wild, without the swings and selfie platforms.
• You want to see the quiet north side of the island, not only the south.

I would skip it if:

• You only have two or three days in Bali.
• You are travelling with small children or someone with knee problems.
• You get car sick easily on mountain roads.
• It is the middle of the wet season and it has been raining for days.

Easier Waterfalls If Sekumpul Is Too Far

If Sekumpul Waterfall does not fit your trip, there are still good waterfalls much closer to the south and to Ubud. Of course they are smaller and busier, but you can add one to an Ubud day without a long drive.

• Tegenungan Waterfall is about 20 minutes from Ubud, with a short set of stairs and room to swim.
• Tibumana Waterfall is a single pretty fall in a quiet jungle setting, with an easy walk.
• Tukad Cepung Waterfall falls inside a cave, and the light beams in the morning are special.
• Kanto Lampo Waterfall is short and fun, with water running over stepped rocks.

You can see how I combine these with rice terraces and temples in my Ubud day trip guide.

Sekumpul Waterfall FAQ

Do I need a guide at Sekumpul Waterfall?

For the treks down to the bottom, yes. A local guide is included in the medium and long trek packages at the official entrance. For the top viewpoint only, you do not need one.

Can I visit Sekumpul and another area on the same day?

Yes, but keep it to places on the way. Bedugul, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, the Handara gate or Munduk work well from the south, and Kintamani works from Ubud. Do not try to add Ubud or Tanah Lot as well.

Is Sekumpul open in the rainy season?

Usually yes, but the lower trail and river crossing can close after heavy rain. If the weather looks bad, I check with the village in the morning before we drive all the way north.

Can I swim at Sekumpul?

Often, yes, in the pools near the falls when the water is calm and clear. Always follow your guide. The current can be strong even when the surface looks calm.

Should I stay in the north instead of doing a day trip?

Yes, if you have the time. One night in Lovina or Munduk makes the trip much easier. You can visit Sekumpul early the next morning with fresh legs and no traffic.

Plan Your Sekumpul Trip With Me

If you want to see Sekumpul Waterfall without spending the day worrying about the road, the fake ticket stops or the time, send me your hotel, your dates and how many people are coming. I will plan a route that suits you and give you an honest price before anything is booked. You can reach me through the contact page, and there is more about the area on the Sekumpul Waterfall destination page.