Tumpak Sewu on East Java: Indonesia’s Most Stunning Waterfall Hike
On a trip to Bali, with limited time, I was trying to weigh if it was worth the effort to go visit the famous Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls, on the neighboring island of East Java. I’m glad we did!
Tumpak Sewu, sometimes known as the “Niagara of Indonesia,” is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Indonesia. Its name, “Tumpak Sewu,” translates to “a thousand waterfalls,” which gives a hint of its grandeur.
In fact, Tumpak Sewu is more than twice as high as Niagara Falls!
Let’s talk about how to make an unforgettable visit to the waterfalls.
Key Info on Tumpak Sewu
- The flight from Bali (or Lombok) is quick and inexpensive.
- The drive from the airport in Surabaya (East Java) is 3-3.5 hours.
- You can rent a car and drive yourself, but it’s easier to hire a driver and guide.
- You can view it from the platform above, but it’s worth taking the hike down.
- Expect a large crowd to be there with you!
- The dry summer months are best weather-wise, but the crowds will be huge.
Tours to the Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls
You can get to Tumpak Sewu two different ways.
- Rent a car & drive yourself
- Hire a driver
Internationally, I always use Discover Cars to book, since they compare prices for big international rental companies and also more locally/regionally-owned companies.
➡️ Click to Search Rental Cars
For us, it made much more sense to hire a driver, who picked us up right from the Surabaya airport and took us on our way. Our time was limited, and being able to nap for the 3-hour ride was a big benefit. From there, he left us on our own and didn’t pressure us about time or anything.
➡️ Book: Private Tour of Tumpak Sewu
I also wanted to visit Mount Bromo, the famous volcano nearby. We found a driver and guide who did it all for us.
A Typical Day Trip Schedule from Surabaya
I’ll use our visit as an example, to include a flight from Bali or Lombok. It might be easier, if you have the time, to arrive on East Java the day before your visit to Tumpak Sewu.
- 9:00am – Arrive at Surabaya Airport
- Drive to Tumpak Sewu
- 12:30pm – Arrive and check the viewing platform above.
- 1:00pm – Begin your hike down.
- 2:00pm – Spend time at the base of the waterfalls.
- 3:00pm – Follow the trail to the Goa Tetes (caves) nearby.
- 4:00pm – Hike back up to the top & check the viewing platform again (if it was cloudy/foggy earlier)
- 5:00pm – Depart for Surabaya or continue on to your hotel elsewhere for the night (Mt. Bromo?)
Map of Tumpak Sewu & East Java
Tumpak Sewu is located in the Lumajang Regency, East Java, between the Semeru volcano and the southern coast.
As I mentioned, it’s a rural area, about 3 hours south of the city of Surabaya.
Malang is a closer city nearby and is a popular starting point for a tour of the waterfalls which are about 2 hours south.
Bali to East Java
It’s a very easy trip to get to East Java if you’re already in this part of Indonesia.
The flight from Bali’s Denpasar (DPS) Airport to Surabaya is one hour (or less). Multiple nonstop flights make the trip daily, including these airlines:
- Thai Lion
- Citilink
- Lion Air
- Garuda
- Batik
- SuperJet
If you’re coming from Lombok, your direct flight options are more limited, but it’s still doable on all of the same airlines.
Plus, if you’re flying from either Balo or Lombok, there will be a one-hour time zone difference. So, if you take off at 8:00am, you’ll land on East Java at 8:00am.
What You’ll Experience at Tumpak Sewu
Once you’ve made the lengthy drive, here are a few basics about what you’ll find at the waterfalls:
- Height: The waterfall is approximately 120 meters (393 feet) tall (twice as high as Niagara!).
- Shape: Tumpak Sewu is unique because of its semi-circular shape, where the water cascades down in a curtain-like formation, creating a spectacular panoramic view.
- River: The waterfall is fed by the Glidik River.
- Viewing Platforms: There are two main viewpoints. The upper viewpoint provides a stunning bird’s-eye view of the waterfall, while the lower viewpoint requires a trek down to the base, offering an immersive experience close to the falls.
- Hiking: The hike to the lower viewpoint is challenging and involves descending steep paths and crossing small streams, but it is well worth the effort for the close-up view of the falls.
Parking Area
The parking areas are busy and cramped, with a lot of sprinter vans and tourist vehicles lined up in the spots.
You’ll also find a few food and snack options before walking down to the main entrance, along with vendors selling shoes.
Entrance Fee
To view the waterfalls from both the viewing platform, called the panorama, and from the base at the bottom, it’s 100,000 IDR, which is about $6 – $7 USD.
Arrival Time Limits
If you arrive after 2:00pm, you cannot hike down. You can only go to the upper viewpoint, known as the panorama.
Hike the Trail Down
It may go without saying, but wear sturdy, non-slip footwear suitable for hiking and wading through water on your visit to Tumpak Sewu!
We saw many many people with sandals and other footwear that weren’t helpful. You can buy or rent shoes on-site near the parking area.
Hiking Distances at Tumpak Sewu
- Distance from entrance to panorama: 0.4 mile
- Steps from entrance to panorama: 700
- Entire loop: 2 miles / 4500 steps
The Trail to the Base of the Waterfalls
Again, expect a crowd with you. It’ll move slowly at times.
The trail is uneven, but not slippery. There’s a railing along much of it.
You’ll hike over rocks and down metal steps along the way, and on concrete steps, too. Guides say the steps were built after a tourist slipped and died in 2003.
You’ll be walking through water at times, so be prepared to get wet!
Also, be prepared for gridlock on the trail down, which is one-way at times.
Here’s a gallery of photos, showing you more of the hiking trail down to the base of the waterfalls:
The Crowds & Best Views of the Waterfalls
You’ll definitely have some “Instagram vs Reality” moments at Tumpak Sewu. The crowds can be huge, especially during the peak summer season.
While you’ll be able to find rocks to stand on for photos that block the crowd out, you’ll likely have to wait in lines for those positions.
The guides at the entrance say the crowd is 80% Chinese and 20% European. Very few Americans make the trek!
There are no limits to daily visitors at Tumpak Sewu. On an average day in April or May, before the peak summer months, you can expect around 1,000 visitors to the site.
Nearby: The Goa Tetes Caves
The Goa Tetes (translated to “Dripping Caves”) are just downstream from the Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls.
The caves (“goas”) are lesser-known, but only because they’re right next to a mega global attraction.
They’re beautiful on their own, and also include waterfalls cascading around them.
Goa Tetes is a series of caves formed by the continuous flow of water which has eroded limestone over time.
You’ll find stalactites and stalagmites inside, and waterfalls both outside and inside the caves.
This constant flow of water led to the name “Tetes,” which means “dripping” in Indonesian.
The hike to the caves isn’t difficult, but you’ll likely get wet and slip on some of the wet rocks along the way.
The Best Time / Season to Visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls
The short answer to this very important question is: May. And maybe September.
The weather is best (driest) in June, July, and August. But the crowds are huge, and the trails become jam-packed.
In the shoulder-season months of May and September, you might encounter a rain shower, but the crowds should be smaller. I was there in April, and had a great time despite the cloud cover and brief showers.
Flooding Closures
Tumpak Sewu closes if the heavy rains cause flooding. This happens from time to time. Visitors at the bottom of the falls can become trapped until the floodwaters subside.
The Glidik River, which feeds the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, swells during the rainy season, leading to a dramatic increase in the volume of water flowing over Tumpak Sewu.
While this can make the waterfall even more powerful and visually impressive, it might restrict access to the trail down to the base.
They do have a guard (or guards) on duty to help in case tourists fall or need help any time of year.
Photography Tips & Advice for the Waterfalls
A few things to keep in mind if you’re heading to Tumpak Sewu to capture the beautiful images you’ve seen online.
- It’s best to visit early in the morning for lighting. Midday, the overhead sun isn’t as agreeable for photos, since it can cast harsh shadows. The weather (clouds, rain, and fog) may impact your photos.
- Check the overlook from above first, and take advantage of the lack of clouds and fogs (if that’s what you find). If it’s cloudy when you arrive, hike down and recheck the overlook on your way out to see if conditions have changed.
- Consider bringing rain gear for your camera, if you’re concerned about rain or mist impacting it.
- Be prepared to wait in lines for the prime photography spots! You’ll find yourself getting creative with angles to block out the crowds and isolate your subjects and the waterfalls themselves.
Drones at Tumpak Sewu
Drones are allowed at both the panorama overlook area at the top of the waterfalls, and down below at the base of the falls.
Keep these two very important factors in mind when you’re flying:
- From the panorama spot above, don’t let the drone drop below your elevation, since it’ll lose connection and signal. You’ll lose it forever!
- From below, make sure to watch and listen for other people flying their drones, since there will likely be others buzzing around.
Consider Adding on Mt. Bromo
If you’ve made the trek to East Java, I’d suggest adding on a visit to Mt. Bromo, a volcano east of the waterfalls.
Mount Bromo is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, which also includes Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java, and the vast Tengger Sand Sea. The park is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, including volcanic craters, savannahs, and ancient forests.
As for Mount Bromo itself, it’s an active volcano, more than 7,6000 feet above sea level.
You can hike up the side of the volcano, and partly around the crater. It constantly spews a white sulfurous smoke!
FAQs About the East Java Waterfalls
Let’s go over a few more frequently-asked-questions, many of which were covered above.
How much does it cost to visit the Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls?
If you just want to look at the falls from the panorama overlook, it’s $3 USD. To get access to the hike too, it’ll be about $6.50 USD.
A guided tour will likely cost $50 – $200, depending on what other sites you’ll see and how many days it runs.
What are some other names Tumpak Sewu is known by?
Some people refer to the site as Thousand Falls or Thousand Waterfalls. Others call it the Tetes Waterfall, invoking the name of the nearby caves.
How long does it take to hike Tumpak Sewu?
The hike down will depend on the crowd and how slow the people ahead of you are. It’s likely to take about half an hour to hike the steps and trail to the base of hte waterfalls.
Can you fly a drone at Tumpak Sewu?
Yes, you can fly a drone at the base of the falls. Just be careful of the others that might be buzzing around overhead. Also, be careful of the heavy mist and the impact that might have on your drone.
From the viewing platform above, just down the trail from the entrance, you can also fly a drone. However, from the platform, don’t allow your drone to drop down below the overlook since you can lose the signal to it.
How high are the waterfalls?
They’re about 400 feet, which is twice as high as Niagara Falls between New York and Canada.
Wrap: Is Tumpak Sewu Worth It?
For me, definitely. Tumpak Sewu is a combination of a visual spectacle and a fun adventure.
The huge crowds are a downside, but you can’t blame everyone for wanting to hike to this stunning natural wonder.
Not only are the waterfalls here twice as high as Niagara Falls, the costs of the driver or guide are very reasonable. You’ll get wet and muddy, but the experience is well worth it!
