Tukad Cepung Waterfall Bali – Complete Guide
Planning to visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall Bali?
Tukad Cepung Waterfall is one of Bali’s most interesting waterfalls because it’s hidden in a cave. If you arrive at the right time, you will witness a beautiful display of sun rays coming to the cave. Keep reading for everything you need to know about Tukad Waterfall before visiting.
Where Is Tukad Cepung?
Tukad Cepung is located an hour drive north-east from Ubud on the edge of Sidemen and Bangli in Bali. If you’re staying in Denpasar it should take just over an hour to get here and an hour and a half from Kuta and Uluwatu.
Places To Stay Near Tukad Cepung Waterfall – Ubud
Luxury
Alila is a secluded luxury hotel situated amongst lush nature 15 minutes away from Ubud town. The pool has stunning views over Ayung River valley, and you can see wild monkeys, squirrels and birds in the forest. The rooms are very spacious with big windows over the lush greenery. They’re equipped with all modern comforts with a hint of traditional Balinese style. All room come with outdoor bathroom and outdoor area; some include a private pool.
The hotel offers a free shuttle service to Ubud town and a complimentary afternoon tea for their guests. There is a restaurant serving excellent home-cooked Balinese food and also a spa for even more relaxation.
Unique
Ubud has some many special and unique accommodation, and this place is one of them! The hotel is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Ubud. 7 stylish wooden villas are overlooking the lush greenery of rice paddies and a lagoon-styled swimming pool. Would you like to try the Bali specials like floating breakfast, flower bath or a massage? The hotel will make it happen for you!
Mid-range
This hotel has a great central location, perfect for exploring all the best things Ubud has on offer. It is situated a walking distance from a wide choice of restaurants, bars and Ubud cafes. The sacred monkey forest is also only a 5 minutes’ walk and equal distance to Yoga Barn. The rooms are simply decorated and very well equipped, some come with direct access to the pool.
Budget
Puri Garden Hotel and Hostel Ubud
This hostel has a great location as is situated right in Ubud, close to all Ubud points of interest. It’s a luxury hostel with a nice pool, free yoga classes and different type of entertainment every evening including live music, BBQ and movie nights.
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How To Get To Tukad Cepung Waterfall
By motorbike
Riding a scooter is my preferred way of getting around Bali. It gives you maximum flexibility and is the cheapest mode of transport, besides nothing beats riding a scooter through the beautiful Balinese countryside. Expect to pay between 50k-80k IDR for scooter rental a day.
Petrol is widely available in Bali. Vendors sell it in glass bottles by the side of the road. If you ever wondered why they sell vodka on the side of the road everywhere, that’s petrol. Petrol currently costs 10k IDR per bottle, and a scooter holds about three bottles.
You can simply type the name of the place in Google Maps, and it will show you the way. Put away your phone and use earphone for navigation prompts. Don’t hold your phone and ride, that’s the most common way tourists crash on motorbikes in Bali.
By hired car
Hiring a driver is also a very convenient way to travel around Bali and definitely the most comfortable with the car aircon. If you’re travelling in a bigger group or with children, it makes sense to hire a car. You can hire a car that comes with a driver that will take you around to places. The going rate starts at 500k IDR per 8 hour day.
By Gojek
Gojek is equivalent to UBER in Indonesia. It is super easy to use and very reliable. Download the app and see your location then just say where you want to go, and the app will send your driver. You can either get a car or a motorbike lift. The payment is typically taken by cash unless you top up the app and it’s very affordable. You can even get a Gojek to pick up your groceries. How convenient! I use Gojek for shorter distances, and I have never had any complaints.
With a tour
If you’re on a tight schedule but want to make the most of your time in Bali, I recommend exploring with a tour. The itinerary is usually fixed, and all the logistics arranged for you with a pickup and dropoff to your accommodation.
These are some recommended tours run by Get Your Guide:
Visiting Tukad Cepung – What To Expect?
When you arrive at Tukad Cepung, you’ll see a large parking area one for cars, and if you go passed it, there is also closer to the entrance area for the motorbikes. There are a few places selling drinks and snacks, and there are free toilets on the left. Follow the signs to get to the ticket office.
Hike down
Tukad Cepung Waterfall is relatively easy to get and very family-friendly. It only takes around 15 minutes to reach.
If you’re visiting in the rainy season, watch your steps as the path especially by the ticket office has a very slippery surface. On the way down you’ll go passed quite a few Indonesian warungs where you can eat nasi goreng or have a cold drink on your way up. The prices are very low and staring at 20k IDR for nasi goreng.
Go passed the warungs and follow the staircase down until you reach a stream. The path to the waterfall runs along the stream to the right until another set of steep stairs. There will be a sign with the waterfall picture at the bottom of the stairs pointing to the left and another sign pointing to the right. If you have more time, after the waterfall I recommend exploring that area too, which is very beautiful (photo below).
Go through the cave until you reach the waterfall. You may have to go through water which shouldn’t be too deep about ankle length.
The waterfall
There are two caves, one with a green rock in the middle, and if you go further up, there is one with the actual Tukad Cepung waterfall. The area is small, and if there are more people at the same time, you probably will need to wait to get your opportunity for the photo. It is perhaps a good idea to wear a swimsuit as there is a lot of spray happening in the cave. It is a nice change of scenery, and the cave provides an excellent shelter from scorching Balinese heat.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Tukad Cepung is 15k IDR, and there is no charge for the parking.
Tukad Cepung Opening Times
The waterfall is open between 7 am and 6 pm.
Best time to visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Best time to visit to avoid the crowds will be as early in the morning as you can get. But if you’re into photography and are keen on capturing those beautiful sun rays the best time for that will be between 9 am, and 11 am. So, it will be a trade-off between getting the sunrays and getting to the waterfall before other people not to mention other things you may want to visit.
I visited at around 10:30 am I still was able to capture few sun rays, but quite a few groups were visiting at the same time.
What to bring with you to the waterfall
Day Backpack – for this adventure and many other ones, you’ll need a day pack. My favourite one is the stylish and minimalistic Kanken. It is made of durable materials and it’s super simple and super comfortable.
Mirrorless camera – I love Sony cameras! If you’re looking for an entry-level, compact camera that takes awesome photos, go for Sony Alpha 6400, I’ve used it for years and took some excellent pictures with it. For a more advanced selection, I recommend Sony A7iii, I can’t be more happy with it, and I know lots of professional photographers and creators who use it too.
Power bank – power bank to charge my mobile phone saved my life a few times, no kidding. It is handy if you’re using Google maps which is a drain on the phone’s battery. I recommend choosing a lightweight one
Raincoat – I know you’re probably thinking I’m crazy, but trust me, the raincoat is essential, especially if you’re scootering your way through the island. When it’s rainy, it actually gets cold on the scooter, and during the rainy season, which is between November and April, it rains buckets!
Reusable water bottle – water flask, especially thermal ones, is so practical here in Bali. Many hotels and restaurants let their guests refill the bottles for free in an effort to reduce plastic use on the island.
Sun cream – this is another essential to carry with you and frequently reapply. Choose an eco-friendly and vegan one to do your part for the environment.
Adventure sandals – sports sandals with straps are the best type of footwear for any Bali adventure. They dry quickly and are sturdy enough to keep you safe on your hikes. I use North Face sandals, I’ve had them for years and they never let me down.
For more tips on what to pack, visit “Bali Packing List “
Other waterfalls nearby
Suwat Waterfall
Tukad Cepung Waterfall: Final Thoughts
Tukad Cepung Waterfall is one of the special ones because it’s tucked away in a cave so if you’re looking for a variety this is your waterfall. However, it is also one of the busiest waterfalls that I have visited and the amount of infrastructure around it with warungs and shops validates my experience, so have that in mind.
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