Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep
These are the two waterfalls almost every Lombok itinerary includes, and they sit on one path above the village of Senaru, sharing a single ticket.
Sendang Gile is the first, a few hundred stepped metres down from the gate. It is a broad, two-tier fall that drops about 30 m into a shallow rocky pool, with a viewing platform and food stalls nearby. It is genuinely accessible — the steps are the only obstacle — and it is where the tour groups stop.
Tiu Kelep is another 20–30 minutes on, and it is the better of the two by a wide margin. The path leaves the concrete behind, follows an old irrigation channel and then crosses the river several times before opening into a natural amphitheatre of black rock. The fall comes down in a single column, throwing enough spray that a rainbow hangs in the basin most of the morning. The pool is deep enough to swim, and local custom holds that circling behind the fall makes you a year younger.
The crossings are the thing to plan for. In normal conditions they are ankle to knee deep over slippery stones; after heavy rain the river rises fast, the current gets serious, and the sensible answer is to stop at Sendang Gile. Guides wait at the gate for a small fee and earn it on this stretch.
Travel tips for Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep
- Arrive before 9am. The tour coaches land around 10 and Tiu Kelep's amphitheatre is small.
- Strapped sandals or shoes you can soak — the river crossings are unavoidable and the stones are slick.
- One ticket covers both falls, bought at the Senaru gate; guides are optional, cheap, and worth it on the crossings.
- After heavy rain, stop at Sendang Gile. The river rises quickly and the crossings become genuinely dangerous.
- Dry bag for cameras. The spray at Tiu Kelep soaks everything close to the pool.
- Combine with Senaru traditional village just below the gate, and with Sembalun if you are staying north overnight.
Popular tours here
- Lombok Waterfall Tour: Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep
- Lombok Day Tour: Waterfalls, Sasak Villages & Beaches
- Lombok Private Tour with Local Guide & Driver
Frequently asked questions
Which waterfall is better, Sendang Gile or Tiu Kelep?
Tiu Kelep, comfortably — it is taller, sits in a natural amphitheatre with a rainbow in the spray, and has a swimmable pool, while Sendang Gile is the easy one closest to the gate.
How long is the walk from Sendang Gile to Tiu Kelep?
About 20 to 30 minutes on a path that crosses the river several times, so expect wet feet.
Do you need a guide for Tiu Kelep?
Not strictly, but guides wait at the gate for a small fee and are genuinely useful on the slippery river crossings.
Is there one ticket for both waterfalls?
Yes — a combined ticket bought at the Senaru gate covers both falls.
Can you visit the waterfalls in the rainy season?
Yes, and they are at their most powerful, but after heavy rain the river crossings to Tiu Kelep become dangerous and Sendang Gile is the safer stop.