Tumpak Sewu Waterfall: Thousand Falls In East Java Indonesia

by David & Intan

Tumpak Sewu waterfall is becoming famous as one of the most amazing waterfalls in East Java, and it may even be the coolest waterfall in all of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

This thing is called a waterfall, but itโ€™s more like a thousand waterfalls put together, which is why the name loosely translated from the local Java language means โ€˜many waterfalls.โ€™

These falls thunder down into a horseshoe shaped jungle ravine that looks like something right out of Jurassic Park. The end result is an unmissable natural wonder!

Tumpak Sewu is easy to visit if youโ€™re on the way to Mount Bromo. This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!

Tumpak Sewu: The Thousand Waterfalls

Your first stop at Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is a panorama point which serves as the main overlook, where you can see the falls from above. This is an awesome viewpoint, especially if you have a drone to send up even higher.

No hiking is required to see Tumpak Sewu from the overlook, which is just a short little walk from the parking area. The waterfall is super photogenic and itโ€™s easy to see how it became known as the โ€˜thousand waterfallsโ€™ of East Java.

With a drone, you can even see the Mount Semeru volcano in the background, or if you use a drone to look straight down at the waterfall in the ravine it looks like a tree of life shape.

From the viewpoint, there are two different paths to hike down to the waterfall, but the path on the Lumajang (east) side seems to be easier and safer.

Drone pic of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu from above tree of life shape
 

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Hike

Donโ€™t stay at the overlook too long, because you still have to see the waterfall from below! The best lighting for this is early in the morning before the sun gets high, otherwise taking the right photos can be more of a challenge.

Head down the path for about 20 minutes to reach the bottom of the ravine. The path is mostly bamboo steps with bamboo railings, and itโ€™s a little sketchy in spots, but nothing too terrible. Just proceed carefully.

If you have kids and older folks in your party, they can probably do this section of the hike too, although youโ€™ll want to go slowly and give them a hand.

Once you reach the bottom of the ravine, youโ€™re only a 5-10 minute walk away from the main event. The towering walls on either side of the ravine let you know how tiny you are, and how epic things are about to get.

Hike to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in East Java Indonesia

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall from below

Thereโ€™s one shallow stream to cross, with a small bridge covering part of it. Cross the bridge, round the corner, and prepare to have your mind blown by the epic sight! This is when the scale hits you for the first time and you canโ€™t help but feel ant-like.

There are a lot of good photo spots next to the waterfall, but be aware that the rocks are very slippery and any electronics you bring within 100 meters of the falls WILL get soaked.

Iโ€™d recommend bringing a dry bag to keep your camera, drone, or other electronics safe between photo sessions here.

Enjoy and be safe! Overall, the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is one of our favorite sights in Indonesia. These truly are the โ€˜thousand waterfallsโ€™ of East Java!

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in East Java Indonesia

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in East Java Indonesia
 
 

Goa Tetes Waterfall

On the way back from Tumpak Sewu, thereโ€™s a second waterfall in the same ravine called Goa Tetes, that you can visit on a loop hike that takes you back to the parking area.

Walk down the ravine for about 5 to 10 minutes and youโ€™ll see a nice waterfall with an orange rock wall. Keep going and youโ€™ll hike past a series of caves and falls flowing down the rocks.

If you have time to explore, some of these caves make for really neat photo ops.

Air Terjun Goa Tetes

Goa Tetes Waterfall

Air Terjun Goa Tetes

Another view at Goa Tetes

Be careful, because the rocks here are VERY wet and slippery. Donโ€™t try to keep your feet dry, itโ€™s impossible.

Just keep three points of contact and again, put your electronics in a dry bag in case you fall on your butt and get soaked.

At the end of the falls, thereโ€™s another bamboo foot path leading up and out of the ravine. When you reach the top of the ravine, hang a left and walk back to the Tumpak Sewu parking area.

Voilร , youโ€™ve completed the loop! Two awesome waterfalls in one hike!

Air Terjun Goa Tetes
 
 

Entrance Fees

There are two entrance fees at Tumpak Sewu, and a third fee if you visit Goa Tetes waterfall.

  • Tumpak Sewu Above: 20k IDR (~$1 USD)
  • Tumpak Sewu Below: 50k IDR
  • Goa Tetes: 20k IDR

These are the current entrance fees, but they may go up as the waterfalls get more popular and people start to flock here.
 

How To Get To Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu waterfall is located in the Lumajang regency, which is in East Java, Indonesia.

The nearest airport is in the city of Malang (MLG), which has direct flights from Bali (DPS), or you can reach Malang easily by train from Yogyakarta, which is what we did. Another option is to visit Tumpak Sewu on a long day trip from Surabaya (SUB), which has an international airport. You can shop for flights to Malang or Surabaya at Skyscanner.

Driving time to the waterfall from Malang is about 2 hours, or from Surabaya itโ€™s closer to 4 hours. I wouldnโ€™t recommend using a scooter for this trip unless youโ€™re experienced, especially since it involves long distances and driving in the dark.

The best way to visit the waterfalls is with a car and driver on a day trip from Malang, and this gives you time to visit 3 amazing waterfalls in one day โ€” Tumpak Sewu, Kabut Pelangi, and Kapas Biru. See below for more details.

The local Javanese names for this waterfall are Coban Sewu or Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu. You can use either of these names if you get lost and need directions. The locals will be happy to help!


 

Is Tumpak Sewu Open?

Yes, Tumpak Sewu is currently open for tourists as of 2024!

The waterfall was briefly closed because of heavy rain and flooding in July 2023, but both observation decks are open above the waterfall now, so you can see it from either the west side (Malang) or the east side (Lumajang).

Iโ€™ll continue to update this travel guide as I get more information. You can also check for more updates in Bahasa Indonesia on their official Instagram page.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in East Java Indonesia
 
 

Best Tumpak Sewu Tour

Klook has a high-rated Tumpak Sewu private tour starting from Malang that includes the Goa Tetes waterfall.

They also have a Tumpak Sewu private tour that starts from Surabaya and includes a visit to the rainbow village in Malang.

Weโ€™ve used Klook for lots of tours and activities around the world, and theyโ€™re great. Highly recommended!
 

Where We Stayed

The best place to base yourself for these waterfalls is Malang. There are lots of good restaurants and hotels to choose from, and the city is easily accessible from Bali or Yogyakarta.

We stayed at the OYO 353 hotel in Malang and it was only 210k Rupiah ($15 USD) for a clean double room with cold A/C, hot shower, and 30 Mbps WiFi.

The value was insane! We will definitely come back. Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.

We stayed here at the OYO 353 hotel and it was only $15 USD for a clean double room with cold A/C, hot shower, and 30 Mbps WiFi. Incredible value!

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in East Java Indonesia
 

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2 comments

MataLidah September 26, 2022 - 5:40 am

Tumpak Sewu waterfall is the most wonderful waterfall in Indonesia I have ever seen.

Reply
David & Intan September 26, 2022 - 1:48 pm

It’s a good one!

Reply

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