Leke Leke Waterfall: The turquoise hidden gem
Leke Leke Waterfall is a gorgeous little hidden gem tucked away in central north Bali and is famous for it’s beautiful cascade and turquoise waters at the bottom. Leke Leke Waterfall can be found within the Tabanan Regency in Northern Bali, and is also known as Air Terjun Leke Leke. It’s surrounded by thick, luscious jungle vegetation, and when you turn round the corner and spot it for the first time it’s something else! It’s also a very short walk down to the waterfall, so no long hikes down, but there are plenty of trails for you to follow in the area. Definitely one of the best Bali waterfalls you’ll come across!
This one is further away from Ubud, around a 55 minute drive from Ubud, depending on the traffic but well worth the visit. Here is the complete travel guide to Leke Leke Waterfall with my top tips. Highly recommended!
Consider reading my complete guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
Best tours in Ubud:
| Don’t miss some of the best tours in Ubud, whether you’re after some adventure or a serene escape, there’s something for you. Ubud waterfall tours – for insta famous waterfalls or serene retreats, have a look here! Quad biking in Ubud – if you’re after adrenaline adventure, this is for you! Ubud Hot Air balloons – for scenic, stunning views, have a look at this experience White water rafting – a lot of fun for thrill seekers! Rice Terraces tour – for a serene escape, have a look at this tour. |
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Leke Leke Waterfall Bali
Ubud to Leke Leke Waterfall: 55 minutes drive
Lo and behold! Leke Leke Waterfall left us spellbound. It’s a slender and impressively tall cascade of water tumbling into a petite pool of vivid azure waters. It ranks among the more distinctive waterfalls with its stunning cerulean hues, all enshrouded within a luxuriously tropical, thick dense jungle.
You can often find at various times during the day you might actually have this waterfall all to yourself; particularly when you visit in the early morning or late afternoon. Bali’s hidden treasures make it well worth delving deeper into this lush island.
Guess what? Leke Leke Waterfall became one of the preferred waterfall spots on Bali Island. We felt like we could have lingered there for hours, simply lounging and relaxing in the sunshine.
TIP: If you want to stay in a hotel nearby, have a look at the Best Eco Lodges in Bali.
The waterfall is open to tourists all year. But be wary of the water levels during the rainy monsoon season: it is safer to visit Leke Leke Waterfall during the dry season. The dry season in Indonesia is usually from May to October.
A lot of Balinese waterfalls are sacred sites, for various reasons. Sometimes this is because the water has the divine blessing of a sovereign ruler, or for the tradition of Melukat, which is about the sacred act of cleansing and purifying yourself. You can read more about Melukat below.
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit! Below is a shot of Waterfall Kanto Lampo – famous for having the Balinese guides!
If you’re brave… get in!
Go swimming! Ever heard of a waterfall massage? Head to the edge of the waterfall and gently ease yourself under the cascade for a pressure massage – not unlike the spas you’ll encounter all across Europe. We love it – we’re doing it every day!
Be careful though, the centre of the waterfall can had torrents of water falling down so you don’t want to jump in too quickly! Whilst I’m sure it won’t leave a mark, just be sure to look after yourself.
Leke Leke Waterfall Entrance Fee & Tickets
The cost of admission stands at IDR 50,000 per person (£2.60 or $3 USD).
The admission fee for Leke Leke Waterfall is IDR 50,000, which is generally a tad more expensive than other water falls, likely in thanks to its more developed site; complete with wooden paths & walkways and a bamboo bridge!
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
Leke Leke Waterfall Opening Hours
Leke Leke Waterfall is generally open from 6am-6pm every day. Don’t hike back in the dark after the sun has set as it can get a little treacherous – not at all recommended. For this reason, I have included sunrise and sunset time in the ‘Weather’ section below.
Visiting Leke Leke Waterfall location & map
Make sure you save the location to your google maps so you know where to go!
Leke Leke Waterfall to Ubud: 55 minutes drive
The drive from Ubud is not that far but it does depend on traffic, so bear this in mind. Still, either way, it’s less than an hour’s drive!
Leke Leke Waterfall Map:
How to get to Leke Leke Waterfall Bali
Leke Leke waterfall is located just 55 minutes form Ubud Bali, so it’s less than an hour drive or taxi ride away.
Ubud to Leke Leke Waterfall: 55 minutes drive
You can either rent a scooter, hire a private car or book onto one of the famous waterfall tours on a day trip (have a look below).
Make sure you have insurance for the moped (ensure your rental company covers this), and make sure you have general travel insurance well. Better safe than sorry!
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Leke Leke Waterfall Restaurant
Don’t miss the Leke Leke restaurant! We only stopped here to grab a few drinks and some ice cream and it was so refreshing on those hot summer days!
Best Ubud Eco Lodges and Hotels
Looking for unique and interesting hotels? Have a look at my posts on eco lodges in Bali!
Sacred Cleansing: Melukat
Melukat, in Bahasa Indonesian is known as “melukat” or “melukatan,” is a traditional cleansing ritual that our local tour guide told us about when exploring these stunning Balinese waterfalls. Apparently it helps the local Balinese achieve physical, mental, and spiritual purity. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Bali, is how spiritual the locals are, with their daily blessings and incense sticks, it’s very lovely to see and watch little old ladies on the street prepare blessings for others to buy by folding banana leaves and adding flowers. The word “melukat” is broken down into “lukat” meaning “to cleanse” or “to purify.”
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
The tradition of Melukat:
- Purpose: Melukat is meant to cleanse from physical impurities and also purify the soul. Our guide also told us it gets rid of negative energies / spirits, and restores balance and harmony in life. You would typically do it at any big life events, illnesses, or after attending funerals.
- Process: Usually the melukat is done at a sacred water source, such as a river, a natural spring, a temple pond, or yes, you guessed it, a waterfall. I am told they tend to choose sites which are spiritually charged and are believed to have the power to purify and cleanse.
- Offerings: Offerings are a normal part of the melukat ceremony and used daily in Balinese culture; it’s wonderful to see people leaving offerings at different points throughout their homes, on the roads, outside your hotel rooms. The offerings often include flowers, rice, fruit, and almost always, incense. The offerings are a symbolic way of showing gratitude and they also hope to appease the deities and spirits that oversee the ceremony.
- Prayers and Chanting: It is typical that a priest or a knowledgeable elder prays or chants during the ceremony. Chanting is meant to amplify the prayers, who knew?
- Symbolism: A little bit similar to baptism, immsersing yourself in water is meant to cleanse you of both physical and spiritual impurities; it is thought that water absorbs negative energy.
- Traditional Attire: It is traditional to wear ceremonial clothing, which I got to wear once myself; it is usually white! I was dressed in a sarong, a lace top and a sash to keep it all together.
- Blessings and Protection: After the melukat, participants are blessed by whoever is hosting the ceremony (usually the priest or elder) and this is meant to give the individual protection and positive energy.
- Community involvement: Melukat ceremonies are often very sociable, and you are like to have your family members, friends, and neighbours coming together.
- Continuation of Tradition: Melukat is a deeply rooted Balinese tradition that continues to be practiced alongside other rituals and ceremonies in Balinese Hinduism. The Balinese people have very rich religious lifestyles and welcoming communities.
Have a look at my other Bali and Indonesia guides:
21 Ubud waterfalls you must visit
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Best tours to the epic Leke Leke Waterfall
There are plenty of companies that will take you on an Ubud Waterfall Tour, or a Waterfall Tour in East Bali. A lot of the waterfalls tours will take you to other destinations and activities in the area on a full day tour, such as Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint, Tirta Gangga, and Mount Agung, although often trips can be customised, especially if it’s a personalised tour. You might want to visit local spots such as Ceking Rice Terrace (aka Tegallalang Rice Terrace), Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Nungnung Waterfall, water rafting or even Tibumana Waterfall. Don’t forget to watch (or get on) some of the famous Bali swings for a fun afternoon out in Bali.
Keep an eye out, you’ll likely spot tonnes of rice fields and luscious palm trees. It’s a great ride through the less touristy, and perhaps more authentic, Balinese countryside, an experience you should do at least once when you’re in Bali.
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Read more about Ceking Rice Terrace near Ubud, pictured below.
Have a look at my other Bali and Indonesia guides:
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Have a look at my full guide on the 21 other waterfalls near Ubud you must visit:
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
When to visit Bali?
Weather in Bali
Ubud Weather in January:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 16
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Ubud Weather in February:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Ubud Weather in March:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 13
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Ubud Weather in April:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in May:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 28°C (82.4°F)
- Rainy Days: 7
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in June:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 28°C (82.4°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in July:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 3
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in August:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in September:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 6
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in October:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 11
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in November:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 16
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in December:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 18
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Travel resources for your trip that are actually really handy!
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
That’s it! I hope you found it useful and let me know how you get on! If you want to see more video content, have a look at my post on Instagram.
Have a look at my other Bali and Indonesia guides:
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
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