Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfalls: Your Complete Lombok Guide
Welcome to the Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfall Travel Guide!
Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfalls are two of Lombok’s best spots, just a 1.5-hour scenic drive from Kuta. Surrounded by nature, getting to these waterfalls is a fun adventure for everyone. The trail takes you through the jungle, where you will be immersed in the island's beauty every step of the way. Whether you are looking for a refreshing swim, a chill hike, or just a peaceful place to relax, this guide will help you make the most of your visit to these beautiful waterfalls.
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling please :)
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Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfalls
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About Benang Stokel & Kelambu
This is Kelambu Waterfall, the last waterfall on the trek and usually the busiest. It is by far the most impressive—my photo does not do it justice as it was raining while I was there.
The two cascades at Benang Stokel Waterfall in Lombok.
Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfalls, located just outside Central Lombok, are two spots you do not want to miss. Benang Stokel is an easy 15-20 minute trek, taking you to two separate cascades flowing side by side. Benang Kelambu is another short 10-15 minute walk through the jungle. Kelambu has several cascades flowing down a lush, green rock face, spilling into smaller pools before continuing their descent. There is truly no other waterfall in Lombok, or its neighboring Bali, quite like Kelambu.
Me in front of Sesere Waterfall wearing a leaf crown my guide made me.
Jacob in front of Kilwun Waterfall.
Along the trek to these waterfalls, you will actually pass two additional ones, Sesere and Kilwun! If you hire a guide for the journey, they will lead you through the jungle, ensuring you do not miss any of the four waterfalls.
Waterfall Location:
The Benang Stokel and Kelambu 4 waterfall trek is located 1.5 hours north of Kuta, in the central Lombok region.
The waterfall’s Google Maps location is here.
Best Time To Visit:
Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (according to Google)
The best time to visit these waterfalls is outside of the rainy season (April 1 to early December). During the rainy season, the trail can become nearly impassable, and the water flow may be much higher, more powerful, and potentially dangerous.
The slightly cooler morning temperatures make the morning the best time to visit and the short trek more manageable than in the midday heat. The earlier you visit, the better chance of having the waterfalls all to your own and seeing wildlife throughout your hike. Although, when I went I only saw a few people at Kelambu waterfall. Many people skip the other waterfalls and just walk the steps up to Kelambu instead.
Pack plenty of water and electrolytes—coconut water is always a great option.
Where To Stay:
Being less than 50 KM (31 miles) from Kuta, you can easily visit these waterfalls on a day trip. If you prefer to stay closer to them, you can stay in Tetebatu, a beautiful rice-terraced area.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler: Kuta
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Backpacker/Hostel Option: Botchan Hostel (Dorm) or Ebucu (Private Room)
Best Low-Budget: Yuli’s or Mengalung Bungalow
Best Mid-Budget: Twiny's or El Tropico Boutique Hotel
Best High-End Budget: Mana Eco Retreat (Yummy restaurant and yoga shala attached) or Rascals Hotel
Best Luxury Budget: Lina Boutique Villas and Spa or Jivana Resort (Great massages)
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler: Tetebatu
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Tetebatu Hostel (Dorm) or Satu Lingkung (Private Room)
Best Low-Budget: Kembang Kuning Cottages
Best Mid-Budget: Novia Guest House Lombok-Tetebatu or Bunga Maliq Bungalow Lombok
Best High-End Budget: Les Rizieres Lombok or MyHome
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World!
How To Get To The Waterfalls:
If you prefer an organized tour that includes transport to the waterfalls, there are a few options like this one.
If you are a confident driver, you can rent a motorbike and drive yourself to the waterfalls. There are motorbike rental places all over the island. Daily motorbike rentals are usually around 75,000/80,000 IDR (per day) for a small motorbike or scoopy. If you plan to have two people and bags on one bike, renting a bigger bike with more CC is best. The bigger the bike, the more expensive it will be, but you will have an easier time climbing hills, especially near Rinjani. You will find better deals for longer-term rentals versus daily. Be sure to negotiate pricing, as some places will throw out a more expensive price to see if you will take it.
Be sure to wear your helmet while riding.
Many roads around Lombok are not paved properly, so watch out for potholes, etc.
Be careful of trucks, especially once you are outside of downtown Kuta—they are reckless drivers.
Be careful of dogs crossing the street while riding!!
The road to the waterfalls is scenic, winding through local villages, rice terraces, and more. However, some sections are unpaved, with large potholes and slippery mud, especially after rain. Be sure to drive slowly and carefully along the way.
Local taxis are available, and you can usually hire one from your accommodation to the waterfalls, but it may be more costly. Grab and Gojek are not as prominent in Lombok yet. You can hire a private driver for the entire day here. Or, many of the locals are happy to arrange a driver for the day for you as well.
Entrance Fees & Tour Options:
Entrance Fee: 125,000 IDR (7-8 USD) for both waterfalls with a guide.
Parking: 5,000 IDR (0.31 USD)
Although a guide is not necessary, I did choose to go with one because I wanted to see all 4 waterfalls and did not want to get lost finding my way through the jungle. If you prefer to go on your own, you could try using an AllTrails map to help you navigate your way.
What To Bring:
Me swimming in Kelambu Waterfall.
Cash for the entrance fee and parking (130,000 IDR).
A swimsuit and towel! – You can swim in the waterfalls, but keep in mind women need to stay covered up so you should not swim in a small bikini.
Water shoes or some old sneakers to protect your feet while walking around the water and cliffs. This is not a necessity, but it is a good addition to protect your feet and prevent slipping.
A waterproof camera or GoPro to capture epic moments near the falls. Bring something to wipe off your phone and camera lens, as the waterfall splashes a lot of water around, even from a distance.
Sunscreen and mosquito spray—there were many mosquitos around.
Reusable water bottles and snacks—there are some food and beverage stands before the trek if needed.
Mistakes can happen, especially when trekking and walking around slippery areas, so I recommend always having some form of travel medical insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Get an eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way. I always use Airalo.
My Experience Trekking To The 4 Waterfalls:
Me trekking through the jungle to the waterfalls.
Jacob standing under one of the cascades at Benang Stokel Waterfall.
I visited the waterfalls around 10 AM and decided to hire a guide. While a guide is not necessary—I have had many friends visit without one—it was one of my first trips to Lombok, and I wanted to ensure I saw all four waterfalls without getting lost in the jungle. Visitors can choose to see just two waterfalls, Kelambu and Stokel, or explore all four.
If you prefer going on your own, it is entirely doable. You can try using an AllTrails map to help you navigate your way.
The trek to the waterfalls was actually a lot of fun, winding through what felt like the heart of the jungle to reach each waterfall. I climbed over vines, crossed water pipes, and more along the way. The walk to each waterfall is relatively short, around 10–15 minutes depending on your pace, and it is manageable for all fitness levels—overall, it is quite easy. I wore flip-flops but eventually went barefoot because much of the area was wet, and it was simply more practical.
I spent about three hours exploring the waterfalls—wandering through the area, snapping photos, and walking through and behind some of the falls. Most of the waterfalls allow you to get up close, but Kilwun was a bit too powerful to walk under. Kelambu, on the other hand, has several smaller pools where you can sit and enjoy the cool, refreshing water. Just be mindful to cover up—women are not allowed to swim in bikinis, so I went in fully clothed.
Overall, the waterfalls are absolutely worth a visit for anyone in Lombok. They are the closest to Kuta and make for an easy and enjoyable day trip!
Other Things To Do Nearby:
You can find a complete list of the best things to do in Lombok here!
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is The Best Time To Visit Lombok?
Rainy Season: November - March | Dry Season: April - October
The best time to visit Lombok is anywhere during the dry season, however, the surf tends to be better during the wet season (less windy). If you want to see Lombok at its greenest, you can visit during the wet season or right after (in late March/April) if you prefer sunny skies and green hills. If you visit towards the end of the dry season Lombok’s terrain will be drier and brown. I have been in Lombok for every season, and it did not rain too much in November / December. It was mostly short showers or one full day of rain. January and February were very rainy, and March was somewhere in the middle.
If you plan to Trek Rinjani or visit the Sendang Gile/Tiu Kelep, keep in mind the trail is closed from January 1 to March 31.
IS LOMBOK WORTH VISITING?
YES! It absolutely is. Many people refer to Lombok as the “old Bali,” referring to when Bali was better—less busy and less developed. The beaches are beautiful, the surf is less crowded, the viewpoints are incredible, and the landscape is picturesque.
IS LOMBOK BETTER THAN BALI?
Everyone will respond to this question differently, but I prefer Lombok. It is less crowded, less Westernized, and has more of an authentic Indonesian feel. However, I think both are worth the visit!
WHICH PART OF LOMBOK IS THE BEST?
My favorite parts of Lombok are Kuta, Sembalun, Tetebatu, and the Gilis. Kuta is my preferred area and is where I spent my year living.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN LOMBOK?
This all depends on what you want to do. If you only want to see Kuta and catch some waves, then 1-3 days is fine. Although, most people end up staying for an entire week. If you want to trek Rinjani, visit the waterfalls, and do all the best things, then yes, 5 days is fine, but 8-10 offers a more relaxed schedule.
You can find the perfect 7-10 day Lombok itinerary here!
IS LOMBOK SAFE?
Lombok has always felt safe to me and I lived there for an entire year. However, I recommend staying up to date with your country’s travel advisories. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling in addition to:
Always triple-check vaccination requirements and recommendations for countries. Some potential illnesses include Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
Pack mosquito spray to protect yourself from Dengue and Malaria. There have been recent cases of Dengue in the region.
Wear your helmet when riding your motorbike. So many people do not wear helmets, which could save your life.
Be careful with the street dogs. Due to previous abuse, some tend to be afraid of humans or feel the need to warn us off to protect themselves.
DO NOT drink the tap water. Keep your mouth closed in the shower and even use bottled water for toothbrushing, especially if you have a sensitive stomach like me!
Mistakes can happen, especially when trekking and walking around slippery areas or surfing, so I recommend always having some form of travel medical insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Get an eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
Emergency Contact Number: Police: 110 | Fire: +62 (0)370 672013| Ambulance: 118
You can find a complete list of Lombok and Gili Island’s Emergency #’s here.
THERE ARE SO MANY STRAY DOGS IN LOMBOK, HOW CAN I HELP?
Lombok’s culture is MUCH different from Bali's, and the island is far less developed–therefore the dogs are treated very differently here.
Without getting into the nitty-gritty of what life is like for stray dogs, just know that you can make a positive impact on their lives in some of the simplest ways. This can be through something as simple as giving a street pup a meal, rice, and plain chicken is best, or something to drink like water or even coconut water! A lot of the dogs are terrified of human interaction here, especially as you get further out of downtown Kuta, so you can always place the food and water nearby to the dog and then give it some space to eat and enjoy. I promise you they will eat it once you walk away!
If you want to be more involved, you can volunteer with The Shelter for Lombok Dogs (my favorite place in the world) by helping with sterilizations, feeding the baby street pups, or helping at their shelter near Mawun Beach. If you want more information on how you can help, head here!
If you are thinking: ‘Feeding and volunteering is not for me,’ you can also donate money to their GoFundMe, donate items they need (usually collars, towels, medications, etc.), or purchase some of their merchandise from Flow or Elamu! Every donation makes a huge difference in the lives of the Lomdogs!
