Tukad Cepung is one of the most recognised waterfalls in Bali, known for its iconic light rays that attract photographers from all over the world. Tukad Cepung waterfall itself isn’t particularly large, but the cave formation and the lighting make this a must-visit stop on your Bali itinerary.
We’ve put together this guide to everything you need to know about Tukad Cepung waterfall, including the answer to the most common question – what time should you visit in order to see the light rays.
Best time to visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Tukad Cepung waterfall is beautiful at any time of day, but it literally shines from 9:30am – 11:30am. This is when the sun is in the right spot to let the rays through the opening in the cave roof. Keep in mind that if it’s even just a little bit overcast, you probably won’t get rays.
How to get to Tukad Cepung Waterfall
The island of Bali is full of incredible waterfalls, most of which are located around the dense rainforest in the centre of the island. Tukad Cepung waterfall is no exception and is about an hour’s drive northeast of Ubud. The easiest thing to do is rent a scooter and make your own way there, so that you can go at your own pace and explore the sights along the way.
If you’d rather have everything taken care of for you, Tukad Cepung is part of many waterfall tour packages. It’s a good idea to book these online ahead of time to save yourself any hassle or stress. GetYourGuide has a bunch of tours to choose from depending on your budget and preference.
What to bring to Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Tukad Cepung waterfall is a dream for photographers. If you’re interested in photography and/or videography this is the gear we can’t live without: (Click for prices)
Related post: What's in our camera bag
Click here to see our complete camera gear
Entrance Fee
If you decide to do a DIY trip to Tukad Cepung waterfall and not an organised tour, you’ll just need to pay a 15,000 IDR entrance fee. There are a bunch of restaurants and souvenir shops in the parking area so you should also bring some spare cash to spend.
BOOK A TOUR
Click here to book a tour to Bali’s best photo locations
Book an Ubud tour
If you’re interested in having your Ubud tour all planned out for you without any inconvenience or hassle, then the best thing you can do is book online with GetYourGuide. There are a bunch of different tours to choose from, but here are some of the top-rated:
What to expect at Tukad Cepung Waterfall
As you arrive at Tukad Cepung Waterfall, you’ll pull into a parking lot where many vendors will be vying for your attention. We bypassed the shopping and went straight to the entrance booth where we paid our 15,000 IDR fee and received numbered tickets.
The path from the entrance booth to the river is well maintained and concrete the entire way. It only takes around 20 minutes to reach the bottom, passing by a few small warungs (shops) on the way.
As you enter the canyon, it forks off in two directions. To the left is the famous Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and to the right is a smaller less impressive waterfall. We took a couple of photos of the small fall and then headed down to Tukad Cepung.
The rock formations, light rays and gentle flow of Tukad Cepung Waterfall are truly beautiful, unlike any falls we’ve seen before. There’s no space for swimming here so you don’t have to worry about wearing swimwear, but for an outstanding photo, you might want to pack something bright as it’s quite dark amongst the rocks.
Fair warning, you’ll need to pack your patience when you visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall. There are many tourists all with the same intention – to get the shot.
We thought the ticket number we received was meant to be like a line at the deli so that you wait your turn for a photo without people in the background. This was not the case. A lot of people butted in ahead of us, so you’ll need to assert yourself if you want a decent photo.
Another photo opportunity near the waterfall is a huge, moss-covered boulder. If you don’t mind scaling to the top then it makes for a beautiful photo with a dense jungle background.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall might not be the most adventurous of falls in Bali, but it’s a stunning spot to take photos and make memories of your Bali trip!
Related post: 21 Best Things To Do In Nusa Penida
Click here to read our complete guide
Where to stay in Ubud
BOOK: Hotels in Ubud
Click here for the best hotels in Ubud on Booking.com
BOOK: Villas in Ubud
Click here for the best villas in Ubud on Villa Finder
Pin it for later
Best travel insurance for nomads
Make sure you’re covered for your trip with SafetyWing insurance for nomads. Sign up any time, anywhere, pay monthly then cancel once you’re back on home soil. The best part is, it covers Covid-19!
Best Travel Resources
Best Travel Money Card: Transferwise
Best Travel Insurance: Safety Wing
Best Accomodation Prices: Booking.com
Best Flight Prices: Skyscanner
