DISCOVER TUMPAK SEWU WATERFALL IN EAST JAVA!
Tumpak Sewu, also known as Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu or Coban Sewu, is arguably the BEST waterfall in Indonesia! If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure when traveling in East Java, then Tumpak Sewu is not to be missed on your itinerary!
I have put together this complete guide to Tumpak Sewu (Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu) including how to get there, how much it costs, the best time to visit and what to expect!
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WHERE IS TUMPAK SEWU (AIR TERJUN TUMPAK SEWU)
Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is located at the base of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from Malang City or a 7-hour drive from Surabaya to reach Tumak Sewu Lumajang.
My friend and I rented a car in Surabaya for 7 days to visit as many locations as possible. We picked up our car from Setia Abadi Mobil Rental and paid 300,000 Rupiah ($22) per day.
You can contact them via their website or via WhatsApp +62 857 331 1117. They also offer a good deal for every 10 days rental you will receive one day free.
In my opinion, I recommend renting a car as opposed to a motorbike when traveling through Java as it is a very large island and the must-see locations are very far between one and another.
PIN LOCATION OF TUMPAK SEWU
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View of Tumpak Sewu from above
ARRIVING AT TUMPAK SEWU (AIR TERJUN TEMPUK SEWU)
There are two different entrances at Tumpak Sewu, one is on the east side of the falls and one is on the west.
Tumpak Sewu West Entrance
When you arrive at the west entrance of Tumpak Sewu you will find a car park on the left-hand side of the road and there is a ticket office here where you will have to pay 10,000 Rupiah to park a car and 20,000 Rupiah for the Tumpak Sewu waterfall entrance fee.
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The trek down to Coban Sewu on the west side is not an easy one. You literally have to climb down bamboo ladders that are built into the cliffside.
I recommend using the east entrance, which is a lot safer if you wish to trek down to the base of Tumpak Sewu.
There is, however, an incredible view of Tumpak Sewu on the west side before you reach the ladders, so this is worth checking out for sure!
Tumpak Sewu East Entrance
When you arrive at the Tumpak Sewu east entrance you will find a car park at the end of the road that costs 10,000 Rupiah to park a car and for a motorbike, it’s 2,000 Rupiah.
The entrance to Tumpak Sewu is next to the car park, you will see a ticket office and the entry fee is 10,000 Rupiah. If you visit the west entrance first before the east, hold on to your ticket so you don’t have to pay twice.
Tumpak Sewu west side entrance
Tumpak Sewu ticket office at the east entrance
WHAT TO EXPECT AT TUMPAK SEWU
The hike down to the base of Tumpak Sewu will take you through lush rainforest and it also a bit of a challenge which makes the adventure all the more fun.
It can be very slippery when wet and some parts of the trail are quite steep so make sure to have 3 points of contact at all times when making the descent.
There are bamboo bridges, metal railings and ropes fixed into the side of the cliffs to aid you along the way down to Tumpak Sewu. In one section you will have to get your feet wet as you walk across a running stream that flows down and across the cliff face.
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The hike down to Tumpak Sewu
Bamboo ladders at Tumpak Sewu
Running stream on the hike down to Tumpak Sewu
THE BASE OF TUMPAK SEWU (AIR TERJUN COBAN SEWU)
Be prepared to be in absolute awe when you reach the bottom of the valley at Tumpak Sewu. The towering cliffs that surround you will make you feel like the size of an ant.
You’ll come across another bamboo hut in the Tumpak Sewu valley where the locals will ask for you to pay for another entrance ticket if you don’t have one, so make sure to hang on to that original entrance ticket.
Follow the river upstream until you reach the base of Tumpak Sewu.
I am lost for words to describe this incredible creation of mother nature. The 120-meter high curtain of falls at Tumpak Sewu thunders down into a shallow rock pool below.
There are a number of epic viewpoints so peruse the area and take in every moment you spend down at the base of Tumpak Sewu for it is a place you’ll never forget.
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Towering cliffs in Tumpak Sewu Lumajang
Drone shot of Air Terjung Tumpak Sewu
An epic viewpoint at Coban Sewu
GOA TETES WATERFALL
In the same valley as Tumpak Sewu, you can find another epic set of falls named Goa Tetes.
A small cave behind this set of falls makes this spot unique and worth a quick visit before making the hike back up the cliffs.
See More ∼ Best Camera Gear For Travel
Goa Tetes cave waterfall – Tumpak Sewu
SECRET ENTRANCE AT THE TOP OF TUMPAK SEWU
After hiking back to the top of the valley, we decided we wanted to try to find a way to get to the very top of Tumpak Sewu where the river flows off the edge of the cliffs.
We perused google maps and found an entrance further upstream at the top of the Tumpak Sewu valley.
We parked the car and followed a dirt track down to the river bed which led us downstream and right to the top of Tumpak Sewu.
Please know your limits if you decide to check out this particular viewpoint Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu.
The secret entrance to Tumpak Sewu
Follow this trail down to Tumpak Sewu Lumajang
The viewpoint from the top of Tumpak Sewu
Sitting on the edge of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEAR COBAN SEWU
If you love hiking and love volcanoes then I recommend checking out Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo on your visit to East Java, either before or after visiting Tumpak Sewu.
Full Blog Post ∼ Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo Tour
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO TUMPAK SEWU
The best time to visit Tumpak Sewu is in the dry season which is the months of May through to November, although be prepared for an unexpected downpour of rain as it is very unpredictable weather in these mountains.
As I mentioned earlier, the hike down to Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu falls is challenging and slippery when wet, so wear suitable footwear and take plenty of drinking water with you.
There are small warungs/cafes in the car park at the top of Tumpak Sewu if you need to stock up on water and snacks.
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ACCOMMODATION NEAR AIR TERJUN TUMPAK SEWU
The only homestay I know of near Tumpak Sewu is Edi Travel Home Stay. The rooms are cheap and basic but it is perfect for a one night stay to explore Coban Sewu Lumajang.
Alternatively, the closest city to Tumpak Sewu that has more homestays and hotels is in Malang. Click Here to search for all accommodations in Malang.
AIRBNB NEAR TUMPAK SEWU
Another option for accommodation near Tumpak Sewu is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals in Java.
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MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES
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LONELY PLANET – BALI
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Bali Travel Guide!
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WHAT TO PACK FOR TUMPAK SEWU
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Tumpak Sewu post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS OF TUMPUK SEWU
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, and if you have any questions about Tumpak Sewu, please drop me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Adventuring!
Seriously I even don’t know if that waterfall have the secret entrance. Maybe if I visit it again, I will try routes through that secret entrance. Thanks for your information and nice to meet you. Hope we can meet again. I’m waiting for your next writing post Jon ?
It was incredible from up top. Thank you nice to meet you too. Take care!
wow, this is amazing. i heard about this waterfall before., but i did’t know that this waterfall is sooo beautiful. already put on my bucket list. thanks for the great photographs.
You are welcome!
I read your blog after visited the waterfalls. Mind-blowing experiences!
Thanks for sharing and will check on you of my next travel!
Cheers 😉
Stephanie
Author
Awesome, glad you found the blog useful! Enjoy 🙂
Thank you for the blog. The photos are great and the information and the experience is inspiring.
Author
You’re welcome Mark! Glad you enjoyed this post!