Indonesia Wanagiri Pucak Manik Waterfall

Buleleng Regency in the North of Bali is famous as the regency with the most waterfalls in Bali and Pucak Manik waterfall is one of the highlights, anti-mainstream and a personal favourite.

The three waterfalls are located next to each other in a secluded and unspoiled valley. It is a landscape photography paradise!

Chasing the light, it is highly recommended to come here very early in the morning (6 am), after the rain, or when there is a heavy mist in the area. You want to visit this spot more than once!

Tripod, an ultra-wide angle lens, CPL filter and a raincoat! The weather in this area changes very quickly and you don't want to get caught in the rain. Do look and wait for the mist!

Play around with your CPL and watch the difference that it could make to the focus and colour mix of your composition.

Shoot low. Try your best to shoot in 3 layers to include within your composition.

Note:
There is another wonderful spot nearby called Cemara Waterfall, not yet published to be open to tourists as of this writing due to its trekking distance in the forest, but I am informed that you can book a personal guide to trek there from the ticket office at this spot for Rp.300.000,- departing at dawn. It will take an hour of trekking direct to the fall, and I am informed that if you take the 4-hour trek (which starts very early in the morning), it will include visits to up to 9 waterfall tours.

Follow your Google map. There is a parking spot for up to 5 cars near the ticket booth. Pay Rp.20.000 entry fee for locals and Rp 50.000 for foreigners.

Take the wooden walking stick laid at the tree provided next to the ticket booth as you'll need it to navigate the steep, slippery hike down the valley. It's about a 15-20 minutes trek down, and a 30-45 minutes hike up.

Plan to leave and hike back up at the latest 17.30, as in my experience, the guys from the ticket booth will come down to pick you up with an umbrella.

A dog from the neighbourhood (you can find the dog on 1 of my composition here) was acting as a guide and guardian on my (2nd!) visit here, accompanied me down, waited for me for hours while I shoot and during heavy rain at the small bamboo hut near the falls. The rain was not stopping after over an hour and it was 17.30 that I decided to get wet and climb back up the stairs before it gets too dark. The dog walked in front of me at all times on my slow way up and even waited for me at the top of the stairs while I was on one of my many breaks under the rain catching my breath. Say hi to the dog if you see it :)