Are you looking for places to sweep away your exhaustion from the hustle and bustle of life? Visiting natural tourist spots can be one of the options to pamper your eyes.
Indonesia has a lot of natural tourist spots, from beaches to mountains. However, if you enjoy both water activity and hiking, try visiting waterfalls!
In East Java, there are many mesmerizing waterfalls, such as Madakaripura Waterfalls and Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls.
Both waterfalls serve unforgettable experiences, but you might be wondering, Madakaripura Waterfall vs Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, which one should be visited first?
This article will give you detailed information on both waterfalls to help you decide your best destinations. So, let’s get started!
Overview of Madakaripura Waterfall
Before we get into Madakaripura Waterfall vs Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, let’s learn about both falls first.
Madakaripura Waterfall is a waterfall located on the slopes of Mount Bromo, specifically in Probolinggo, East Java.
Madakaripura Waterfall has become the highest waterfall in East Java and one of the highest in Indonesia, with 200 meters in height.
This waterfall serves as a wonderful scenery in which you can view the high cliffs with water seeping from the gap on them. The circle-shaped waterfall adds more amazing sensations, where you can feel the water coming from almost all over the sides. It's like you are surrounded by soft and tiny rains.
Not only does it have remarkable scenery, but Madakaripura Waterfall is also famous for its mystical ambiance. It is believed that the falls are Gajah Mada’s place to meditate for the rest of his life after being discharged as commander-in-chief. This legend is also supported by the existence of the Gajah Mada statue in the falls.
The beautiful trail that winds through steep roads and deep trees makes the hike to the Madakaripura waterfall an exciting trip.
The air gets colder as you get closer to the waterfall, and you are covered in mist from it, giving you an otherworldly feeling. Due to the place's spiritual vibe, a lot of tourists decide to meditate or just take in the serene surroundings.
Overview of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
Also located in East Java, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall must be on your holiday trip list. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is located in Lumajang, East Java.
Despite being not as high as Madakaripura Waterfall, with a height of 120 meters, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall still gives you a memorable adventure where you can find many small falls surrounding you.
In addition, the hiking treks in Tumpak Sewu Waterfall give you a thrilling yet refreshing experience. You will be greeted with breathtaking landscapes of Tumpak Sewu's numerous little waterfalls as they descend the trail. The sight of falling water amidst the sheer cliffs is fascinating.
You have an incredibly vivid experience as you get closer to the waterfall's base, where you can feel the haze and hear the thunderous sound of the water.
How to Get into Tumpak Sewu and Madakaripura Waterfall?
After knowing the information about both waterfalls, let’s delve into how to get into those falls.
To visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, which is located in Semeru Moutain Area, you can choose to go from Surabaya or Malang.
If you opt for Malang, the trip will be approximately 80km away by taking the Malang - Lumajang route. Once you arrive in Tumpak village, you can follow the instructions to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall.
On the other hand, if you go to the falls from Surabaya, you can take the fastest route through the Surabaya-Malang highway. The trip will be about 220km away and once you arrive in Malang, you can continue the trip to Lumajang, following the Malang-Tumpak Sewu route above.
To go to Madakaripura Waterfall, you can go from Surabaya or Mount Bromo. If you choose to go to this falls from Mount Bromo, you will spend 45 minutes on 5km trips.
Yet, if you go from Surabaya, you will spend about 3 3-hour trips on this route: Surabaya – Sidoarjo – Porong – Pasuruan – Probolinggo – Tongas. Then, when you arrive in Tongas, turn right to Lumbang Subdistrict and turn right on Lumbang Market.
After that, you can follow the route to Madakaripura Waterfall. Yet, when you arrive at the entrance, you cannot go in your car. You can go on foot or by motorbike ride.
You can go to both waterfalls by car or public transportation as you desire. But, as you arrive at the site, you probably will hike more on foot or motorbike ride.
What Can You Do in Madakaripura Waterfall and Tumpak Sewu Waterfall?
You perhaps wonder, from Madakaripura Waterfall vs Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, what fun activities can you do in both falls?
Well, in both waterfalls, you can do the activities below:
1. Trekking
In Madakaripura Waterfall, you will trek to the green forest first before getting into the falls. The trip may take a 1-hour trip and is only available for walking.
While walking, you can see the high and green cliffs on your right and left. Also, if it is raining, you can see little falls created from the gap in the cliffs.
Equally fascinating, you can also trek in Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. The route is as challenging as Madakaripura Waterfall. You will pass through a soil track with a steep track and descend a small waterfall.
To get to the Tumpak Sewu waterfall valley, it is recommended to go with a guide because the journey passes through the flanking cliffs and crosses the river, right at the base of the waterfall.
2. Water Activity
In Madakaripura Waterfall, you can swim in the turquoise-colored natural pool right below the falls. You can also find a cave in the falls that is believed to be where Gajah Mada meditated.
In Tumpak Sewu, you can also swim under the falls. Yet, you can also swim in Telaga Biru Lake which is only 50 meters from Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. The lake is only as high as an adult's chest, but still, you have to take care of your child if swimming in this lake for better safety.
3. Enjoying the Scenery
Both Madakaripura and Tumpak Sewu serve captivating scenery that you cannot miss out on. Placed on 1000 meters above the sea level, you can see the cliff surrounding the Madakarupura Waterfall. You can also feel the cold breeze with soft mist.
Tumpak Sewu also wins in terms of scenery. You can take a picture in front of unique half-circle-shaped falls. There is also a Panorama Post with a protector which you can take pictures in safely.
Opening Time and Ticket Price
Now that you know the A to Z of Madakaripura Waterfall vs Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, do not forget to note the important information, such as opening time, ticket price, and trip hacks.
Madakaripura Waterfall opens every day from 8.00 to 16.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). Yet, this fall will close during the rainy season for safety reasons.
For the ticket price, it is IDR 33,000 for domestic tourists and 53,500 for international tourists. You will also pay the parking fee of about IDR 5000.
Meanwhile, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall opens every day from 8.00 to 17.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). You must pay IDR 10,000 for domestic tourists and IDR 50,000 for international tourists.
Now, from Madakaripura Waterfall vs Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, which one should you choose? Well, when you can choose between both, why not? You can book a trip to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, then Madakaripura Waterfall, with Cheap Bromo! Save the date now!