Discover Indonesia’s 5 Must-Visit Waterfalls for An Exciting Adventure

Indonesia is an archipelagic state, situated in the coast of mainland southeast Asia, in the Indian and Pacific oceans, that is a haven to nature lovers with its various scenery and biodiversity. There are also numerous amazing waterfalls in the country that would just amaze you.

In the green jungles of Sumatra to the volcanic mountain ranges of Java and the serene temples of Bali, each of the islands in Indonesia harbors some kind of hidden world of flowing magic. These falls are not only natural attractions but they are the pulse of the wild beauty in the country. Be it the roaring of the waters of the mountains, or the soothing clouds of the hidden pools of the jungles, these are the places where adventure and calmness collide.

Indonesia possesses the most beautiful waterfalls that give the picture of the natural variety of this land and its untouched beauty. Whether it is the sense of adventure, the urge to relax, or a cooling experience, the five waterfalls are tourist attractions that should not be overlooked and will certainly impress you with their beauty.

These five waterfalls should be on your list of things to see on a trip to a beautiful place –

1. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

The most spectacular sight to view is the majestic vision of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall or Coban Sewu, which is a curtain of silver filaments descending the face of a semicircular cliff in the deepest part of East Java. The Tumpak Sewu name means a thousand waterfalls and a single glance at this natural miracle justifies the name. The water does not flow with a single stream but seems to be leaking out of multitudes of crevices in the green rock wall and it gives the impression of hundreds of streams coming together into one great torrent.

It is situated close to Lumajang and measuring more than 300 feet in height it is surrounded by the thick tropical jungles with Mount Semeru, the highest volcano in Indonesia in the background. Getting to this waterfall in itself is an adventure, a fairly difficult walk that includes bamboo ladders, several skinny walks, and a very exciting journey to the bottom. You can hear the rush of water with each stride till you are in the hazy basin and there are cliffs that are very high.

It is the dream of a photographer, and a soul stirring view, which is believed to be at the very beginning of the morning when the sun rays go through the fog and form rainbows on the falls. Tumpak Sewu is not a mere waterfall rather it is a mystical experience that characterizes the wild core of Java.

2. Sekumpul Waterfall

The Sekumpul Waterfall is buried deep in the Bali jungle, well out in the green rice terraces and the bamboo forests and is generally considered the most beautiful of the Bali waterfalls. Contrary to the common tourist attractions, Sekumpul is still a relatively unexploited area so it has not lost its natural beauty and spiritual serenity.

You have to walk a long way on small jungle trails, over shallow rivers, and into a fertile valley, where running water falls on the trees. On coming near, the mist starts cooling your face then in a flash the jungle opens and one gets a sight which is marvelous as seven individual streams come pouring down the beautiful cliffs and into a cool pool at the bottom.

Sekumpul is commonly known by the locals as the waterfall of tranquility. Most visitors do not only visit here to take photographs but also to meditate or have a refreshing swim in its cool waters. You can nearly have it all to yourself, at dawn in the morning, though, when it is almost deserted you are left only to the water and the distant shouts of the tropical birds. Adventure, spirituality, and the beauty of nature combine to make Sekumpul an indispensable tourist attraction site to those who want to feel the real spirit of Bali.

3. Madakaripura Waterfall

The Madakaripura Waterfall is usually known as the Eternal Waterfall, which is situated hidden deep in a narrow canyon close to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and it is a place of myth and magic. It is said that this was the meditation place of Gajah Mada who was among the greatest military leaders of Indonesia in the Majapahit Empire and people of Indonesia still consider this area as their holy place.

It starts with a rather short walk along a river, with the trail winding through rich woodland and resonant valleys. Cliffs, moss-covered, towering up around you as you come nearer, and sprays of water fine, start dripping in all directions, forming an unceasing haze. Upon the final unveiling of the main waterfall, it is breathtaking much like a 200-meter-high cascade rushing down a rocky circular canyon, and the high cliffs that only allow strips of light to penetrate.

It is almost like being out of this world. The mist will soak you well before you get to the basin, but it is well worth it. Madakaripura is not merely another picturesque place to visit, but a place of worship since it embraces the mystical environment of Java, where nature and myth have lived in unison.

4. Gitgit Waterfall

Gitgit Waterfall is one of the most symbolic natural sites in the island, that sits in fertile highlands of the island of Bali, where nature talks to every single drop. It is convenient and ideal to the traveler who desires to have a combination of beauty and relaxation without the tedious hiking.

The path to the waterfall is brief and picturesque, and passing through the coffee and clove plantations that make the air rich with a sort of earthy fragrance. Others on the road will include small streams and local sellers selling fresh coconuts and crafts.

The falling water is heard as a beat in the woods when you arrive at Gitgit. The waterfall is approximately 115 feet, which falls off into a placid turquoise pool that is framed by well-maintained tropical flora and moss-lined boulders. It is a serene spot to swim or even just sit down and have the cool mist flow on your face.

It is also said in town that those who visit Gitgit together will soon fall deeply in love making it a favorite destination among the honeymooners and love-birds. Whether you go there to have a refreshing bathroom or to have some time to contemplate, Gitgit Waterfall embodies the tranquil soul that characterized the Bali natural atmosphere.

5. Coban Rondo Waterfall

Coban Rondo Waterfall is a serene spot nestled in the cool highlands of Malang and surrounded by green vegetation. Its name means The Widows Waterfall and there is a legend about love and loss in the folklore which gives it a poetic touch to its peaceful beauty.

To access the site, you walk a little picturesque path on forest trails with high pine trees and wild flowers in blossom. As you come nearer you hear more and more the gentle roar of water until you, at last, reach the opening 90 meters off and see a 90 meter cascade falling down a rock face, bordered off by mossy cliffs and cloudy air.

Coban Rondo is a popular picnic and walking place among the locals. It has a few viewing points and picnic spots where one can relax and outdoor activities such as zip-lining and riding a bicycle around the forest park. Its immediate environment falls within a rather conservatory area, which means that the natural peace there has been preserved.

You may visit Coban Rondo to relax, take pictures or merely enjoy the fresh mountain air, but in any case, there is an escape out of the commotion of everyday life.

The Waterfall Wonderland Becomes a Waiting Place

Indonesia is not a mere destination, but a living source of waterfalls that are the embodiment of the brutality of the untamed beauty of the island nation. All of them are stories, the divine silence of Madakaripura, the tempestuous power of Tumpak Sewu and the calm calmness of Gitgit.

These cascades are a dream to those travelers who want to experience adventure and self-reflection. Hiking in jungles, Rio crossing, following the mist, and the sound of the water will help you to reopen your eyes to the spirit of nature. Indonesia is all about invitations to every waterfall to dive in, fascinate, and fall in love with the earth again.