I always wonder how a waterfall could produce rainbows. The connection seemed mysterious, almost magical. After trekking for over an hour through dense rainforest to reach the Lembing Rainbow Waterfall, I finally understood.
Before us stood one of Malaysia's most spectacular waterfalls, its 450-foot cascade thundering down just as the sun hit at the perfect angle, creating brilliant rainbows that danced at its base.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect. What made Lembing Rainbow Waterfall truly unique was the pool at its base. Stand in that perfect spot, and suddenly, I was enveloped in a full circle of rainbow - a shimmering 360-degree halo just ten feet around me, with the thunderous waterfall as its dramatic backdrop.
Join me as I recount our half-day adventure to the magnificent Lembing Rainbow Waterfall, sharing every incredible detail of what we saw and experienced in this natural wonder.
Getting There
It took me 3.5 hours to reach Sungai Lembing, a charming old mining town from Kuala Lumpur. If you're coming from Kuantan, Pahang's capital, the journey is much shorter—just 50 to 60 minutes by four-wheel drive. It is the nearest town to the Lembinng Rainbow Waterfall.
To make the most of our trip, we decided to stay overnight in Sungai Lembing. This arrangement allowed us to start our expedition early the next morning, saving time on the travel from Kuantan.
Waking Up Early for the Sunrise
We stayed at a unique resort called Time Capsule Retreat, which is just a minute's drive from the town market. After rising at 5:30 AM, we headed straight to the food court at the market for a quick breakfast before continuing our journey.
On the way to the waterfall, we made a stop at Sunrise Hill to witness the breathtaking sunrise and the famous "sea of clouds." I like to think of this sunrise as the perfect appetizer for the day's main event—the magnificent Rainbow Waterfall. (For more details about Sunrise Hill, I'll cover it in a separate article.)
Taking a Four-Wheel Drive Truck Through the Jungle
After leaving Sunrise Hill, the road becomes rough and muddy, and it is only passable with a four-wheel drive. We rode in a modified Toyota Hilux fitted with bench seating and cushions, but the bumpy ride still required us to grip the metal bars tightly to avoid being thrown off.
During the hour-long trip to the waterfall trailhead, the Hilux navigated narrow trails and crossed several small streams. At one point, we reached a locked gate marking the entrance to the waterfall area. Our driver-guide, Tony, unlocked the gate, drove through, and then secured it again behind us. The entire trip cost RM80 per person, including the entrance fee.
(Entrance of the Rainbow Waterfall trail)
The ride itself was an adventure. We followed old logging tracks that wound through dense rainforest and alongside the river. The scenery was spectacular: towering trees, rushing water, and the thrill of fording streams in our rugged vehicle. I imagine the journey would be much more challenging during monsoon season.
Trekking Through the Dense Rainforest
At the trailhead, the Hilux could go no further. Basic toilets were available here, fed by a piped water supply from the upstream river.
Our first challenge was crossing the river. Fortunately, a rope was strung across, and the water only reached knee depth. We switched to "Adidas Kampung," a local slip-on rubber shoes that provide grip on wet rocks. The rocky riverbed required careful footing as we shuffled along the rope.
After crossing the river, our real hike began. As we trekked deeper into the rainforest, Tony, our tour guide, kept showing me interesting flora along the trail:
- Thorned rattan to fend off snakes by the locals.
- Misai Kuching, a traditional Malay herb for treating hypertension and diabetes
- Poisonous fungi (avoid touching)
- Broad leaves used for roofing ("atap")
- Wild pandan leaves with less flavor than culinary varieties
- Medicinal mushrooms to treat women's health issues.
The trail grew progressively steeper and slicker as it neared the waterfall. Tony advised using the inner ropes (not those near cliff edges) for safety.
The final approach was the trickiest: navigating slippery boulders and sometimes wading through water. His golden rule is: "Step only on white or yellow surfaces; avoid anything green (it's slippery). Walking in the riverbed is often safer than on the moss-covered rocks.
The Magnificent Lembinng Rainbow Waterfall
Finally, we reached the base of the famous rainbow waterfall, and the timing couldn't have been better. The sun's angle created a brilliant rainbow arcing across the falls, with a second, fainter rainbow visible above it. Tony told us we were lucky. The weather conditions had been cloudy earlier, and he had worried that we might miss the phenomenon. But the skies cleared during our trek, rewarding us with this spectacular view.
Tony then revealed another hidden wonder: standing at just the right spot in the pool surrounded by cascading water, we could see a circular rainbow forming around us. It felt so close we could almost reach out and touch it.
Our friendly driver-guide wanted to prepare instant noodles and hot drinks at the waterfall, but since it was getting late, we decided to abandon the plan. After taking countless photos and videos, we retraced our steps, spending about an hour to return to Sungai Lembing town.
Is It Worth Visiting?
This experience is absolutely worth it, but only if you love outdoor adventures and exhilarating challenges. Those with physical limitations should consider taking on the final stretch, which requires scrambling over slippery rocks, wading through flowing water, and using your hands for balance.
There may be other places with waterfalls that are more spectacular, but by any measure, this was a unique experience, especially witnessing the double rainbow with my own eyes. Now, I fully understand why this waterfall is so legendary. I have documented our entire expedition on video and can't wait to share every thrilling moment with you.
If you enjoy waterfalls, we highly recommend visiting the Sungai Kooi waterfall in Royal Belum Forest. It is a stunning waterfall that requires a certain level of physical fitness to reach, similar to the Lembing Rainbow Waterfall.
🎞️ Watch our video at Sungai Lembing Rainbow Waterfall
Please watch the video we shot at Rainbow Waterfall.
