How to visit the Sewu waterfalls

Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls is a multi-tiered waterfall in East Java, some 70 km south of Mt. Bromo. Loosely translated, Tumpak Sewu means “a thousand waterfalls.” Sewu waterfalls aren’t easy to reach from any tourist destination in Java, but if you are already planning to visit Mt Bromo, you can make this trip through East Java even more spectacular.

There is one important factor to consider: which city you will choose as your Mt Bromo basecamp. If you stay in Probolingo or Cemoro Lawang, it’s going to be a very long journey. However, from Malang, it’s only around a 2-hour drive (or a 5-hour drive from Surabaya) to Sewu waterfalls.

From Malang, you can do a day trip and visit it straight after Bromo (and continue to your Ijen base camp). Alternatively, you can do it the more relaxed way — stay one night close to the Sewu waterfall and catch the sunrise at Sewu waterfall.

Pro Tip: Planning to explore most of east Java? If you’re planning to visit Sewu, Bromo and Ijen, we highly recommend booking an organized tour instead of organizing everything yourself.

How to get to Sewu Waterfalls

From Malang, you can travel 65 km east of Lumajang Regency, which is next to Sewu Waterfalls. The entrance to Sewu Waterfalls can be easily spotted from the main road at Sidomulyo.

We couldn’t confirm the taxi rates, but it will likely cost around 500,000 IDR ($32) for the 2-hour journey.

Have you travelled this route recently? Share the latest taxi fares through this form and help fellow travellers!

Public Transportation to Sewu Waterfalls

Although not many tourists take the local bus from Malang to Sewu, it’s certainly possible. There is no set schedule, so it’s best to confirm the details with your hotel in Malang before you set off.

Buses depart from Gadang Bus Terminal in Malang. When you get to the bus station, ask around which bus you can take to Tumpak Sewu. Bus fares shouldn’t cost more than 75,000 IDR ($4.80) for the 3-hour journey. It will be a long and hot ride so better to take an aircon bus if it’s available.

Indonesians are really helpful so don’t be surprised if the passengers (plus the driver) inform you that you are already at your destination. Trust us, you will be noticed as a foreigner.

Organized tour to Sewu Waterfalls

Alternatively, you can book an organised tour via Klook, starting from Malang or Surabaya. A Tumpak Sewu + Goa Tetes Cave Tour from Malang will cost you 500,000 IDR ($32) if you’re in a group of 4.

From Sewu waterfalls to Ijen

If you want to continue your journey from Sewu Waterfalls to Ijen, you have two options:

1. Northern route: Take the train from Malang

Northern route: Travel back to Malang

• Total: 130,000 IDR ($8.30) – 560,000 IDR ($36), 9.5-10.5 hours
• Bus/taxi from Sewu to Malang: 72,000 IDR ($4.60)/500,000 IDR ($32), 2-3 hours
• Train from Malang to Banyuwangi: 61,000 IDR ($3.90), 7.5 hours

2. Southern route: Take the train from Klakah or Jember station

The southern route from Sewu to Banyuwangi is much less travelled. You’ll be lucky to meet one English-speaking local, but you’ll be able to expand your horizons. Indonesians, especially in these rural areas, are the friendliest of the lot.

• Total: 400,000 IDR ($26) – 550,000 IDR ($35), 5.5-6.5 hours
• Taxi to Jember or Klakah Station: 350,000 IDR ($22) – 500,000 IDR ($32), 1.5-2.5 hours
• Train to Banyuwangi: 43,000 IDR ($2.80), 4 hours

Bottomline: The travel time of the southern route is about half the time of the northern route, which is why we recommend the southern route via Jember or Klakah station.

How to plan your trip to Sewu Waterfall after visiting Bromo

Keep in mind that if you visited Bromo, you will likely be back around midday at your accommodation in Malang. By the time you took a fresh shower and had a little rest and lunch, it will likely be 14:00 or later.

This means that if you want to visit the Sewu waterfall on the same day, it will be at the end of the day. The sun will already be setting and there won’t be much light coming in at the waterfall. The best time to visit Sewu is really in the early morning and that’s why it would be better to book a one-night stay around Tumpak Sewu.

Train schedules to Banyuwangi

Unfortunately, none of the train schedules connects perfectly, but if you take the southern route, you can take the 16:49 train from Jember to Banyuwangi.

With this train, you will be able to take all the time you need to visit the Sewu waterfall, have a relaxed lunch and take a taxi around 14:00 from Tumpak Sewu to Tanggul station. When you catch the train at 16:49, you will arrive in Banyuwangi at 19:49.

If you stay in Malang and do a day trip to Sewu waterfalls, you will need a lot more time to travel by train from Malang to Banyuwangi via the northern route.

Train schedule from Malang (ML) to Banyuwangi Kota (BWI)

Train schedule to Banyuwangi Kota (BWI)

The taxi to Klakah Station, located 70 km northeast. The taxi ride takes around 1.5-2 hours and rates start from 360,000 IDR ($23).

We don’t have any indication for the taxi rates from Tumbak Sewu to Jember station, but expect to pay a bit more, probably around 500,000 IDR ($32) for the 2-2.5 hour taxi drive.