Sambangan Secret Garden: Kroya Waterfall & Epic Aling Aling Waterfall, Bali

One of the most exciting days I had in Bali was when I went on a day trip with a few friends to the north of the island. Our aim was the Sambangan Secret Garden, where the beauitful Aling Aling Waterfall is nestled majestically in the surrounding jungle.

A slow hike through thick rice fields, dense forest, a rocky, winding, uneven path and the sound of rushing water is what awaits you along the trail. Soon enough, we popped out at the base of Aling Aling Waterfall.

It was stunning; by far one of my favourite waterfalls in Bali.

The beauty of the Sambangan Secret Garden is that it’s still off the tourist trail, and Aling Aling isn’t the only waterfall here. Kroya Waterfall is also well worth a visit, among a few others, where activities like cliff jumping and rock sliding are part of the fun.

In this guide, I share my experience visiting the Sambangan Secret Garden, why I think it’s worth a visit and what you can expect so you can plan your Aling Aling Waterfall tour.

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The Aling Aling Waterfall Tour

Are you in a hurry? Here’s a quick glance at what you can expect from Sambangan Secret Garden:

• Discover the local area surrounding the Sambangan village
• Marvel at the Blue Lagoon and Sambangan Secret Garden
• See the revered Aling-Aling Waterfall
• Slide down the waterfall slide at Kroya Waterfall
• Jump from 5, 10, or 15 meters at the Twin and Pucuk waterfalls

A typical sequence you’ll follow when exploring the key spots in Sambangan Secret Garden can vary a little depending on the guide or route, but this is the most commonly described order on trekking tours:

Aling Aling Waterfall → Kroya Waterfall → Kembar Waterfall → Blue Lagoon → Pucuk Waterfall

After Kembar, the trail usually drops you into the Blue Lagoon for a calmer swim and reset, before finishing at Pucuk, which is a bit more tucked away and often feels like the final “reward” stop.

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Why Sambangan Secret Garden is Worth Visiting

As far as waterfall tours go, the day trip to Sambangan Secret Garden was pretty epic.

We went as a group of five, leaving from Canggu on the southwest coast of Bali in the early hours, and drove along mountain paths that wound through the forest.

We passed roadside stalls selling fresh fruit, spotted monkeys in the trees, and countless temples full of colourful offerings, still smouldering with incense.

Arriving at Sambangan Secret Garden two hours later, we bought our tickets onsite and set off along the trekking path towards Aling Aling Waterfall.

There was nobody else on the trail, which I think made the day even more special.

This time of year, it’s likely you’ll see a few others; however, Sambangan Secret Garden remains offbeat. Partly because it’s far from the popular waterfalls nearer Ubud, but also because it takes some hiking to reach the five waterfalls.

Aling Aling Waterfall is the highest and most revered. It’s sacred and totally awe-inspiring. To reach it, you’ll walk through rice fields, clove trees, and fields of marigold flowers for 30 minutes.

But what truly makes this day trip worth it is the opportunity to slide down the rocks of Kroya Waterfall, jump off the top of Kembar and Pucuk Waterfall and float around the Blue Lagoon.

It’s a whole day of hiking, swimming and adventure; enclosed by the sounds of nature, the Sambangan Secret Garden and Aling Aling Waterfall tour are certainly worth a visit.

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What To Expect: Sambangan Secret Garden

Upon arriving at the Sambangan Secret Garden, we were given several options for entry based on the length of the trek and the sites we wanted to visit. Since we didn’t book a day trip, arranging the transport, entry and meals was a little stressful.

In hindsight, it would have been better to go on an all-inclusive day trip; however, we did save a little money going independently. It’s something you’ll need to decide upon when planning a visit.

Eventually, we opted for the short trek, which included activities such as a hike to Aling Aling Waterfall, rock sliding at Kroya Waterfall, and cliff jumping from Kembar and Pucuk.

Sambangan Secret Garden

The “garden” is a lush, natural, unspoiled area full of rice fields, dense forest, unique plantations, and waterfalls.

There are seven waterfalls in the Sambangan Village, five of which can be explored depending on which trek you choose.

The short trek we did included the five waterfalls in the Sambangan Secret Garden: Aling Aling, Kroya, Kembar, Pucuk, and the Blue Lagoon. Plus, it’s where the best Bali waterfall slide is located: Kroya Waterfall.

Aling Aling Waterfall

Aling Aling Waterfall is the most magnificent waterfall in the secret garden; it’s considered sacred by the local community and tumbles down the cliff in twin streams.

It’s forbidden to swim in the pool for two reasons: safety and culture.

The water plunges from around 35 metres, hitting the pool below with serious force. Over the years, there have been accidents and near misses.

Then there’s the cultural layer. In Balinese Hindu belief, certain natural sites are spiritually powerful, and swimming or playing directly beneath the main fall is seen as disrespectful.

When we reached Aling Aling Waterfall, we were allowed to climb over the boulders to get some snaps at the base, which is the closest you can get. Be careful, as the rocks are very slippery.

The hike to Aling Aling Waterfall

At the start of the hike, it’s an easy flat trail.

You will walk past some huts and then along a big, beautiful rice field until you reach the river. The trail along the river isn’t too steep, although it can get slippery, so please watch your step.

The most difficult part is the ten minutes where you’ll have to walk down many steps, which were quite steep at times, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear.

It will take you about 30 minutes to reach Aling Aling from the start of the hike.

Kroya Waterfall Bali

Kroya Waterfall is the next best waterfall at the Sambangan Secret Garden.

It’s not the biggest, but it’s certainly a lot of fun. From Kroya Waterfall, you can jump 5 meters into the natural pool and slide down the waterfall itself.

It was super exhilarating and heart-pumping.

Rock slide at Kroya Waterfall

Well, the title says it all. The question is: who in their right mind thought to do this first? Someone did, and adventure seekers followed.

Crawling up the steps to the top of Kroya Waterfall, I’ll admit I was a tad bit apprehensive, I’ll admit, but I was more excited than not.

I prepared myself on the edge of the waterfall, our guide holding the scruff of the life jacket.

1, 2, 3, and off I went.

I remember screaming and then hitting the water, coming up choking but laughing. It was quick, with a little pang (if you hit the rock or water wrong), but ultimately, the experience was fun, and I ended up going two more times!

Kembar Waterfall

Next along the trail is Kembur Waterfall. It’s another stunning cascade, with a 10-meter drop from the top.

It’s also possible to jump from the top of Kembur Waterfall into the natural pool below; alternatively, you can walk down.

For me, 10 meters is my limit. Looking down was scary, and I was half in mind not to jump.

However, all of us were there, egging each other on to leap. We all went, and it felt high. I hit the water with such force that I lightly touched the bottom. I didn’t jump again!

The jump aside, Kembur Waterfall is stunning. It’s surrounded by steep cliffs with vines dropping from the vegetation above. The plunge pool is large, refreshing and very pretty; it’s a lovely spot to float around.

Blue Lagoon

After the adrenaline rush of Kroya and Kembar, the Blue Lagoon felt like a calm reset.

Tucked between mossy rocks and shaded by dense jungle, the lagoon is a deep emerald (sometimes blue) pool with cool, refreshing water. Here you’ll enjoy swimming, floating, and catching your breath for a while.

We spent some time cooling off, chatting, and soaking it all in. The atmosphere is peaceful compared to the waterfalls before it, and it almost feels like a hidden jungle swimming hole rather than part of an attraction.

It’s a lovely contrast to the more action-packed stops and a nice place to slow things down before continuing further along the trail.

Pucuk Waterfall

A little further along the trail, Pucuk Waterfall cascades down in a slender, graceful ribbon of water before pooling in the basin below.

It’s quieter and more intimate than its neighbours, with smooth rocks and leafy surrounds that make it feel like a secret corner of the forest.

It’s around 15 meters and features a refreshing natural pool at the base. The pool is deep, and jumps are always guide-assessed on the day, depending on water levels and recent rain.

While Sambangan Secret Garden is not as well-known as some of Bali’s more popular attractions, it offers a serene and peaceful escape from the crowds and is definitely worth a visit.

👉 Visiting Bali? Check out these itineraries:

• 5 Days In Bali: The Ultimate Budget Itinerary 
• How To Plan An Epic 3 Weeks In Bali
• A Road Trip In Bali: Your Ultimate 4-Week Itinerary

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Planning an Aling Aling Waterfall Tour

Visitors without a guide, or those caught participating in activities such as jumping from the waterfalls without one, can face a fine of up to 250,000 Idr.

Opening Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM

Entrance Fee: Ticket prices range from 20,000 IDR to 500,000 Idr depending on the route you purchase.

✔️ The 20,000 Idr ticket provides access to the jungle and allows for a hike down to Kroya waterfall, but does not permit activities such as cliff jumping and rock sliding.

✔️ For 150,000 Idr, a ticket grants access to all the waterfalls with a guide, and you can participate in all available activities while being provided with a life jacket.

✔️ Tickets priced at 250,000/500,000 Idr are for optional extras such as jungle trekking and additional viewpoints.

Day Trip Prices: The cost of a day trip depends on the length and activities you choose.

Here are the best options:

Getting to Sambangan Secret Garden: The garden is located in northern Bali, near Singaraja (Google Maps)

✔️ The waterfalls are around a 2 to 2.5-hour drive away from the popular tourist destinations in South Bali, such as Ubud and Canggu.

✔️ The best and easiest way to get there independently is on a rented scooter. Other ways include a guided tour or hiring a private car and driver.

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Is Sambangan Secret Garden Dangerous?

The hike to the waterfalls can get slippery as you go over the rocks. Since we only did the short walk, I can’t comment on the rest of the trail, though I doubt it would be too dangerous, especially since you’ll be with a guide.

✔️The boulders around Aling Aling Waterfall are slippery; it’s important to take caution when climbing over them.

✔️Jumping from Kroya’s platform at 5 meters was a little scary; however, it was perfectly safe. You will land in a deep, refreshing natural pool.

✔️The second platform at 10 meters was high. This one, I just scraped the bottom of my back, so it can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

✔️I decided against the final jump at Pucuk. It’s a 15-metre cliff jump, which was too high for me. If you are jumping, always listen to your guide, as they will assess whether it’s safe to jump that day based on water levels and recent rain.

✔️ For the rockslide, which was the most fun, we were given life jackets. The guides were very careful to ensure our safety and kept a close eye on us.

Overall, I felt safe and well cared for by our guide. He was genuinely caring and thoughtful about the dangers surrounding the waterfalls and activities.

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Resources For Bali

Is it your first time visiting Bali? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Bali Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:

• Read these posts if you’re interested in popular activities in Bali: hiking to the summit of the Batur volcano andvisiting the thermal hot springs in Lovina.
• I’ve travelled around Bali, visiting places like Uluwatu, Nusa Lembongan, and Pemuteran, all of which I recommend.
• That said, my all-time favourite is Amed. It’s a great place to escape the crowds.
• If you’re travelling around Indonesia, a visit to Komodo National Park is beauitful or head to Bukit Lawang in Sumatra for orangutan adventures.
• We also enjoyed the peaceful Lake Toba.

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End Note: Aling Aling Waterfall Tour, Bali

Overall, I think a visit to Aling Aling Waterfall is a must while in Bali.

It’s one of the lesser-visited waterfalls, and, combined with the activities offered at Sambangan Secret Garden, it’s an epic day out for adventure seekers.

It’s stunning, magical and fun.

It’s a good idea to bring along some water and snacks, as there are few restaurants nearby. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of the environment and leave no trace when visiting the waterfall.

Thank you for reading my post. You can find my latest stories and articles on my blog homepage here. Follow me on Instagram (@abigailcarolina.dalton) and Facebook to see what I’m getting up to and where my upcoming trips are.

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FAQs: Sambangan Secret Garden

Do you need a guide to visit Sambangan Secret Garden?
Yes, a local guide is required to explore the Sambangan Secret Garden. Even if you arrive independently, you’ll be assigned a guide at the entrance to lead you safely between waterfalls and assist with river crossings, jumps, and slippery trails.

Can you swim at all the waterfalls in Sambangan Secret Garden?
No. Swimming is not allowed at Aling Aling Waterfall Bali due to safety risks and its cultural significance. However, swimming, cliff jumping, and rock sliding are allowed at nearby waterfalls such as Kroya, Kembar, Pucuk, and the Blue Lagoon, depending on conditions.

How long does the Sambangan Secret Garden trek take?
The short trek typically takes 2–3 hours, depending on group size and how long you spend swimming or jumping at each waterfall. Longer treks covering additional waterfalls can take half a day.

What should you wear to Sambangan Secret Garden?
Wear swimwear underneath lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as you’ll be in and out of the water throughout the trek. Proper footwear with good grip is essential; trail trainers, hiking sandals, or water shoes work best. Avoid flip-flops, as the paths and steps can be steep and slippery. A life jacket is provided on site for jumping and sliding activities.