The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is a must-see attraction in Indonesia, so you can’t miss it on your Java Itinerary.

Wondering how to visit Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu in East Java, Indonesia? Lumajang Regency is the best base for visiting the waterfall, but you can take a day trip from Malang.

Tumpak Sewu translates from the Javanese language to mean “Thousand Waterfalls” and is 120 meters high. We think this is one of the best waterfalls in Indonesia that you shouldn’t miss.

This ultimate guide to the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the hike, and tips for visiting.

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Where is Tumpak Sewu Waterfall?

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, also known as Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu or Coban Sewu, is located in East Java, Indonesia, about 2.5 hours drive from Malang and 4-5 hours from Surabaya.

When is the Best Time to Visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Indonesia?

Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. The best time to visit Java is the dry season, which runs from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring Java’s attractions.

Java Island has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round.

The rainy season in Java runs from November to April. In the rainy season, the Tumpak Sewu is the most beautiful because it is powerful and intense. However, during the wet season, the hiking trail may be closed, so we don’t recommend a visit these months.

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As this is a popular attraction in Indonesia, we recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds.

Read our → Ultimate Java Itinerary

How to Get to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

To get to the waterfall, you first need to get to Java Island in Indonesia. Flying is the most convenient and fastest way to get to Java. From Bali, you can fly to Surabaya from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS).

Java has several airports. The flight takes just 1-1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 30-40 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.

Most people arrive in Tumpak Sewu from Malang.

We have a detailed post on how to get to Java from Bali with all the information you need.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Tour from Malang

The distance between Malang and the waterfall is approximately 70 km, and the journey takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.

The best way to visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is to join a day trip from Malang. Alternatively, you can get there by renting a motorbike or hiring a private driver.

Once you arrive, buy your entrance ticket and visit the waterfall. The parking fee is 10,000 IDR for motorbikes and 15,000 IDR for cars.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Opening Hours

Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu can be visited from 7 AM to 3 PM.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Entrance Fee

The entrance fee to the Tumpak Sewu panoramic viewpoint is 100,000 IDR (6 USD) for tourists and 20,000 IDR (1,30 USD) for Indonesians.

An additional 50,000 IDR (3 USD) for tourists and 20,000 IDR (1,30 USD) for Indonesians to see the waterfall from the bottom.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Tour

The waterfall can be accessed from two sides of the canyon: The west side (from Malang) and the east side (from Lumajang). The most popular side is Lumajang.

If you arrive early in the morning, the weather will probably be foggy and humid. Therefore, we recommend starting your Tumpak Sewu Waterfall hike around 9-10 AM to allow enough time to see the viewpoint and explore the waterfall and cave.

From the parking lot, you can reach the stunning panoramic viewpoint in about 10 minutes and enjoy a fantastic view of the waterfall. If you have a drone, you can see the Mount Semeru Volcano in the background, which provides a beautiful photo opportunity.

After you’ve taken enough photos, start the hike to the waterfall. You can hire a local guide at the entrance, but it is not mandatory. This tour is not recommended for small children, older people, or those who have knee problems!

From the Panorama Viewpoint to the Waterfall

After that, the waterfall tour becomes more dangerous with bamboo steps and slippery sections, crossing rivers and bridges. It is a challenging hike to the waterfall, and depending on your fitness level, the tour takes at least 45 minutes.

It is forbidden to go down when it rains because it is prone to flooding. Don’t hike in flip-flops! You should wear hiking sandals. The trail down is wet and slippery, so take care, go slowly, and always hold on.

The Tumpak Sewu has high humidity, and the water falling from the waterfall will immediately wet your camera lens. Therefore, protect your lens with a polarized filter and use a special lens cleaner to dry the lens.

You can’t swim at the waterfall! But you can take some fantastic photos and continue your hike to the Goa Tetes Waterfall (cave), about 20-30 minutes away.

The entrance fee to Goa Tetes Cave is 10,000 IDR for Indonesians and 20,000 IDR for tourists. As entering and exploring the cave is dangerous, be careful and hike slowly!

Plan your visit to spend at least 4-5 hours at the waterfalls and cave.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

See also → Best Things to Do in Java

Where to Stay near Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Most people take a day trip from Malang, which is the perfect base for visiting the waterfall, Jodipan Colorful Village, and Mount Bromo. These are our accommodation recommendations.

Best hotels in Malang

• Luxury: The Shalimar Boutique Hotel
• Mid-Range: Harris Hotel or Hotel Tugu Malang
• Budget: Ibis Styles Malang

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Alternatively, stay in Lumajang, the nearest town to the waterfall.

What to Pack for Visiting

• Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
• Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
• Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
• Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
• Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
• Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.

Keep reading → Best Filtered Water Bottles

• Swimsuit
• Mosquito repellent
• Water shoes
• Dry bag
• Camera gear
• GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
• Plenty of Water
• Snacks
• Local money

Tips for Visiting

• It is a popular place, so you should avoid weekends.
• Don’t bring unnecessary things with you.
• Use the bathroom before you start the hike.
• A local guide is not mandatory! Because you can visit the waterfall on your own.
• Bring enough local money. Entrance fees or local guides can only be paid in cash.
• Allow enough time to visit the waterfall, as wet and slippery trails can make the hike time take longer.
• Take plenty of water and snacks.
• As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
• Wear hiking sandals and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid.
• Bring water shoes and be careful, as the rocks can be slippery. (You can rent water shoes at the entrance for 20,000 IDR.)
• Use a polarized lens to protect your camera and get better-quality photos.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Map

We hope you found our guide to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

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