Pengempu Waterfall Bali: Ubud’s stunning waterfall
Pengempu waterfall is around 30 minutes away from Ubud and is well worth a visit to this hidden gem that’s been tucked away into the luscious rainforest. The waterfall itself is not the biggest or grandest, but definitely secluded and perhaps less well known, meaning that you can enjoy Pengempu waterfall in peace. It’s definitely a beautiful cascade, with water falling down over the rocks; you must visit this waterfall if you’re in or near Ubud.
If you’re looking for waterfalls, have a look at my complete guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit or browse my other Bali guides!
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! |
Pengempu Waterfall Bali
Pengempu Waterfall, located around 30 minutes from central Ubud in the Tabanan Regency is a secluded little gem you’re going to want to visit! The waterfall itself falls over some huge rock formations and it looks like the water is falling over a half cavern into a little pool below, making it some of the best nature scenery around. Pengempu waterfall is a stunning little cascade which you might be able to enjoy without too many other tourists.
Things to bear in mind
The mist is everywhere when you get close to the falls, and thanks to the cavern walls, the mist tends to sit in this one area and will make you wet.
You might need to wade through the waters which are ankle deep – so be prepared with your shoes, or go barefoot!
When it comes to Bali waterfall tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Pengempu Waterfall Hike
Navigate a well-maintained trail, and it will guide you to the captivating cascade that is the Pengempu Waterfall. It’s a brisk 5 to 10-minute descent down a set of steps through the green forest to Pengempu waterfall – just exercise caution as it can get a tad slick. And lo and behold, you’ll soon be greeted by the awe-inspiring view of the waterfall.
Pack some snacks as there arent many food stalls or shops in the area near Pengempu waterfall! While there isn’t a formal admission fee, you’ll find a donations box on-site.
TIP: If you want to stay in a hotel nearby, have a look at the Best Eco Lodges in Bali.
Read my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit other than Pengempu waterfall, below is Bayad Waterfall.
This Bali waterfall is open to tourists all year. But be wary of the water levels during the rainy season or monsoon season: it is safer to visit Pengempu 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.
Looking for the best waterfalls Ubud? Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
If you’re brave… get in!n
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.
Pengempu Waterfall Entrance Fee & Tickets
There is no entrance fee to Pengempu waterfall but the visitors’ suggested donation is IDR 15,000 per person (75p or $1.15 USD).
The donation box for Pengempu Waterfall (15 000 IDR suggested donation), which is meant to help maintain the site. A few locals work to maintain the site so the tips help keep the walkways and clear, and ensure the pathways are clean and steady steady. It’s the least we can do to help keep the site clear, clean and safe, making Pengempu waterfall a lovely place to visit!
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit! Popular waterfalls include
Pengempu Waterfall Opening Hours
Pengempu Waterfall is generally open from 7am-6pm every day. Don’t hike back in the dark after the sun has set as it can get a little slippery – not at all recommended. I’d probably not hike after 5pm to be honest! For this reason, I have included sunrise and sunset time in the ‘Weather’ section below.
Visiting Pengempu Waterfall location
Make sure you save the location of Pengempu waterfall to your google maps so you know where to go!
Pengempu Waterfall to Ubud: 34 minutes drive
The drive to Pengempu waterfall 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!
Pengempu Waterfall Map:
How to get to Pengempu Waterfall Ubud
Ubud to Pengempu Waterfall: 34 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 waterfall 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.
Pengempu Waterfall Restaurant & Bar
The nearest restaurant with good ratings is Kemangi Grill Warung, just a few minutes away! Head here before or after and you’ll be guaranteed some good grub to fill you up before/after your hike at Pengempu falls.
Best Ubud hotels & Eco Lodges
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 & Indonesia travel guides:
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Best tours to the epic Pengempu 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. There are a tonne of attractions you could visit and things to see.
Other sites to see in the area…
You might want to visit local villages & parks, or spots such as the beautiful Ceking Rice Terrace (aka Tegallalang Rice Terrace), Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Nungnung Waterfall, water rafting or even Tibumana Waterfall, Kanto Lampo Waterfall. Don’t forget to watch (or get on) some of the famous Bali swings for a fun afternoon out in Bali. There are also tours a little further out, like Nusa Penida if you’re interested, it is highly recommended!
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 & Indonesia travel 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 Ubud?
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 & Indonesia travel guides:
Banjar Mancingan Rice trekking
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
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