Waterfall Hunt in Bali

Bali is a country that is very similar to my country Sri Lanka. It basically offers something for everyone. Being a nature lover myself, one aspect that I loved about Bali is the waterfalls. So, when I planned my trip I made it a point to visit two waterfalls one in the North East of Bali and the other in the Kitamani Area.

1.      Gitgit Waterfall

The visit was planned on the North East Bali tour. Unfortaunatelty I had to visit this all by myself as my friend got so drunk the previous day and was dreaming of waterfalls on the lobby. So, we had to leave him behind and my guide who was about 50 years of age (I guess) could not make it down the steps. Thus, she gave money to one of the people there to take me and show me around the waterfall.

This is in the area called Singaraja (Similar to Sinharaja in Sri Lanka) and takes only a 10km drive south of North Bali’s main town of Singaraja, or an 80km drive north from Kuta.

Upon reaching the base after the few minutes’ walk down into the lush ravine, you can instantly enjoy the spectacle of the 40m cascade that constantly pours into a rocky pool with a small shrine that ‘guards’ the site. You can enjoy a cool plunge in the pool. The falls are also referred to by the locals as the ‘twin falls’ or Air Terjun Kembar Gitgit, due to its flow that is often split into two equal streams. If you’re game, you can further explore another fall nearby, namely Mekalongan, which is a continuation of Gitgit’s watercourse. Gitgit flows all year round, with clearer waters during the dry season.

Here also like in many other locations you can have a small bath if you want and there is a swing which you can ride at an extra cost and take some photographs with the waterfall in the backdrop.

The surrounding was such a beauty rich in tranquility and it was indeed a quench of weariness for me after a long drive earlier on the day. The two cascades are a beautiful creation of Mother Nature and the gloomy environment can really engulf a spectator keeping him mesmerized and spellbound.  

This was such an ideal place to skinny dip and I would have done had not been for the person who accompanied me and some tourists.

2.      Tegenungan Waterfall

On the following day we made to the next waterfall which was called Tegenungan is conveniently located halfway between Ubud and Bali’s provincial capital of Denpasar and is considered the closest natural attraction of its kind that you can reach within only a half-hour transfer southeast from Ubud town. Getting to the falls is a pleasant drive down paved village roads lined with stretches of green rice fields on both sides. Luckily this time my friend was able to join me being sober the previous night but slept all the way through the drive,

Upon reaching the end of the road, you are welcomed into a newly built parking and welcoming area, with ticket booths up front. This area is lined with art and souvenir shops, together with small local ‘warung’ stalls selling snacks and cold drinks. The falls are only several minutes’ walk down the trail beyond the shops, where you’ll enjoy the impressively green valley panorama with cascading water as a centrepiece. Dense foliage frames the falls, and the water volume is impressive at almost any time of year, but normally at its strongest during the wet season (October to April). You can go down to the vast pebbly base and enjoy a dip in the plunge pool, but this is not advised after heavy downpours, due to the risk of flash floods.

My friend is hydrophobic. He can only bath from showers in bathrooms. Thus, I had to give up the idea of having a natural bath from the waterfall. Compared to Gitgit falls this was very crowded with many taking a dip and enjoying the freshness of the water. There were many activities to do including a swing and ample of restaurants to party, have a drink. The location has many spots to take those iconic photographs with the waterfall in the back.

Both of us were sweating heavily on our way up but we had to be satisfied only with the little contact we had with water.

I wish that I had more time to explore some other waterfalls as Bali has many waterfalls which are so beautiful than these two. One thing I noticed was that there was no garbage dumped here and there like the case of Sri Lanka. It was indeed crowded but the travelers were more responsible.  I have heard many people complaining too many people always spoil the place, but I want to emphasize that it is not the quantity that matters but the quality and the attitude of the people.

This unquenched thirst for waterfalls made a comma in my trip to Bali. Therefore, I will be definitely coming back to see the rest of the beauties that Bali has to offer.