INDONESIA TRAVEL, LOMBOK 8 AUGUST 2016
TIU KELEP & SENDANG GILE WATERFALLS
Having a blog is a good way to recall and reflect about travel experiences, but some experiences are difficult to put in words. Anyhow, I’ll try in this post to describe the waterfalls that we encountered in Lombok.
After diving in Gili Islands, we took a ferry to Lombok to discover a new Indonesian island and explore its beaches, waterfalls and mountains.
We arrived to Bangsal around 5pm, where we took a taxi south to Kota Mataram. After checking some hotels, we ended up in Victor 3 Hotel. I wouldn’t say it was classy but it was fine enough to sleep and relax after a long day diving and travelling.
The next morning, we started a new day with energy to discover Lombok’s waterfalls and rice terraces. We knew that even if this island is less known than Bali, we could find beautiful spots such as the ones we visited some days ago.
We just needed a car, so we rented one and we started the adventure. Although we used Google maps for directions, we ended up lost in the wild. To be honest, we were in the middle of nowhere: it was the jungle! I wanted to get outside the car, but I saw a huge spider in the rear window and I thought it was safer to stay in. My boyfriend and the others went to discover whether it was the right path to the waterfalls. Half an hour later, my boyfriend appeared with a bunch of bananas that he took from a tree. He must have had suffered to get those bananas (which were inedible by the way) because he had scratches all over his body. Some minutes later, the rest of the group came back and told us it wasn’t the right way. Bad news, we had to continue searching for those waterfalls.
After some hours driving, we saw an information panel that showed all the waterfalls in that area. That helped us to find the right road. Our first stop was a short hike to Sendang Gile, a beautiful cascade surrounded by tumble rocks and trees whose leaves seemed to perpetually weep for the beauty they were witnessing. It was a relatively easy 10 minute descent from the park entrance to Sendang Gile, and for your information you are going to have to ascend the same way when you are done because there are no other routes.
Once there, we continue to explore the rest of the cascades. We had to climb more than 300 steps through the monkey forest before reaching the second isolated waterfall, Tiu Kelep. I was happy because I enjoyed hiking through nature. The final 30-40 minute hike requires you to remove your shoes. The water is never deeper than your knees, but with slippery rocks to contend with, it’s definitely a good idea to keep your valuables in a waterproof bag or high above your head. I was worried about my camera because the bag wasn’t waterproof. Luckily, everything was okey at the end. We crossed rivers and streams until we were rewarded with a miraculous view. I had seen many waterfalls in Bali but the Tiu Kelep became one my favorites.
We hadn’t had yet the opportunity to swim in a waterfall in Lombok, so we took the chance to have (be careful with the strength of the water splashing) a dip into Tiu Kelep’s fresh cold water. My friends swam but I couldn’t. The current was strong and the water freezing. While they were swimming I took some pictures.
The place was worth visiting. I’m glad that we traveled to Lombok. It is home to the most impressive waterfalls.
To conclude, let me give you two practical advices : 1) you should be fit because it is a demanding, and 2) you should go early in the morning because it’s a long excursion.
Stay tuned to see Jatiluwih rice terraces in my next post.
Xoxo!!
I’ve heard that Lombok is a must-visit because a lot of travelers claim it’s what Bali “used to be” – did it seem like that to you? I hope to visit both (and much more of Indonesia!) next year – it’s such an overwhelmingly huge country to plan time in!
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It’s a wonderful Island less tourists so you are more Calm. And very great spots to visit
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These waterfalls look stunning! I need to nurse my bum knee back to health and add these to my list.
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After I nurse my bum knee back to health, I’m adding this to my travel list!
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Oow I hope you get well. It’s definitely a must see in Indonesia
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Thank you for sharing such a beautiful trip!!
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Thank you for checking out my post
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Wow. Your photos really paint the entire trip. You seem to have found the perfect places to take pictures at. Love how you captured the everything and the waterfall shot, super cool.
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Thank you 🙏🏼😘
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Your photography skill is absolutely amazing. Lovely post and very detailed! Fantastic
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I love your photos! That waterfall looks amazing! I love visiting waterfalls. I have always wanted to visit Indonesia and Lombok, have heard so much great about it 🙂 Thank you for sharing this 🙂
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The falls look so beautiful. The road leading to is is also so scenic. I am sure the walk to the waterfall was a wonderful experience. The thrill of arriving at a waterfall is always an unbeatable experience.
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Those waterfalls are stunning!
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Wow! Looks like a dream location to me with waterfalls all around. Excellent pics which arouse travel lust.
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Indonesia seems to be full of amazing islands. And they look so green, marked with stunning waterfalls. I am definitely going to follow your footsteps when I go here
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Such a beautiful trip!!!
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Such beautiful pictures !! definitely a desirable place to visit, it looks just amazing!
thanks for sharing!
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This place looks enchanting! Sounds like you had a wonderful adventure!!! Beautiful photos!
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Wow what a beautiful place!!! I love exploring waterfalls and this is just stunning! love you pics!
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Like always, I love all your photos. And the waterfalls are incredible!
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I am fascinated with waterfalls. I really love chasing waterfalls. Great adventure. Loving the photos.
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what an amazing force of nature! and pretty lovely pictures! 🙂
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Such a beautiful island and pics are amazing.
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These photos are beautiful. Waterfalls are something everyone should experience in their lifetime
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You’re making me jeaulous haha ! Nice pictures ! the nature is so beautiful in indonesia , I hope I get to visit it sometime . It looks intresting from your pictures !
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The photos are amazing thank you for sharing!
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Wow!! I’ll definitely visit that place once.
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That place is just incredible! You went into the wild indeed! And I love your beautiful pictures, they look very professional.
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These waterfalls look amazing, I wish I could have seen more when I was in Indonesia!!
-@FlunkingMonkey
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Absolutely Gorgeous! I want to visit this place but need to be fit before heading to Tiu Kelep. All the pictures posted here are very beautiful. Loved it!
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Beautiful photos.
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The waterfalls look like out of a fairytale and I have just added them to my must-see sites on Lambok! Thank you for sharing your lovely adventure with us.
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Your photos are really emphasize the beauty of the adventure. Glad you made it to the waterfalls!
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What an amazing place! I cannot wait to become a digital nomad so I can continue my traveling!
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Wow! Looks like a dream location ..greens and waterfall all around is something to escape to ..Love the pictures and your adventure story …
Keep travelling !!
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Love visiting waterfalls have been to just 3 though.
Always love your pictures dear 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
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thank you darling
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This is beautiful place and amazing experience.
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I always love reading your lovely posts & seeing your amazing photos. Fantastic.
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thank you honey :*
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These are really nice photos. I have always wanted to go on a hike but I’ve been very busy with work. Your photos are like a reminder of what I am missing in life. Time to disconnect and connect to nature!
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Thank you, I hope you get a chance asap to go and live some wonderful moments in the nature
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waterfalls are definitely my favourite place to visit! They are so beautiful ! Love your photos!
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thank you 🙂
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Like always, I love all your photos. And the waterfalls are incredible! 😀
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thank you so much
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I’ve heard so much about Lombok recently but hadn’t seen any photos. Yours are absolutely stunning – those waterfalls look absolutely beautiful. Ad I love the sound of the monkey forest – so cool!
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I love it! Your outfit is perfect for the trek but a little more inviting to the mosquitoes than I’d want.
Waterfalls make great pictures and that’s why I love them. The place looks very similar to the one we visited last year in Lonavala, Mumbai.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.
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Amazing post. Waterfall looks breathtaking. Pics are so amazing. Thanks for sharing.
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What a beautiful place! Since my first time in Thailand I love jungles. Your photos are amazing, this waterfall looks really impressive and to see monkeys like this there is truly a great experience. I can imagine to get lost with the car somewhere in the jungle might not be that funny, but finally you made it 🙂
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Oh this sounds just delightful! I love how you point it out that being fit is a bonus on excursions like this. So many people never think about that aspect of travel. And I have noticed, that many times the harder to reach places do indeed require a bit of athleticism!
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Excellent article ma’am, thank you for taking the time to post it for the rest of us to get to see.
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Wonderful post! I love, love all the pictures…beautiful!!
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thank you
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Gorgeous photos! You brought a lovely place to life for me.
Thanks for the follow.
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Thank you. I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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