Fury Meets Serenity: Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls, Java, Indonesia

Tumpak Sewu or Coban Sewu is situated in the east of the Indonesian island of Java. It is an almost impossibly perfect semi-circle of tiered waterfall, cascading into the mass of dense and lush tropical rainforest surrounding it.

Translated as “a thousand waterfalls” from Japanese, Tumpak Sewu may not contain quite that number. Still, this outrageous 120m spectacle, originating in the Glidih River that flows from the island’s Mount Semeru, is one of the most beautiful and dramatic waterfalls you’ll find anywhere. But that’s not all.

That mountain is Semeru; an active volcano that is almost constantly erupting and it stands proudly and symmetrically behind Tumpak Sewu. This is instantly turning one of the most beautiful waterfalls you’ll ever witness, into one of the most beautiful things you’ll ever lay eyes on.

It’s best to avoid visiting during the wet season, between November and March. Tumpak Sewu is around two-hour drive from the town of Malang. Also, local guides are available for hiking trails. It is very demanding, but when the destination is as incredible as Tumpak Sewu, it’s worth every challenging footstep.