Madakaripura Waterfall Bromo (Air Terjun Madakaripura) is one of the most amazing and one of the tallest waterfall in Indonesia. The Madakaripura Waterfall located in Sapih village, Lombang district, East Java, Indonesia. It is not far from Mount Bromo area in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
Madakaripura Waterfall is a sacred visiting area comprising lines of waterfalls that reach a height of 200 metres (660 ft). This spectacular waterfall lies hidden at the end of a deep valley in the foothills of the Tengger range.
This waterfall is not typical for Southeast Asia. Usually they are small and are not impressive, mostly they look like natural SPA than miracles of nature. But Madakaripura is really majestic and ruthless. The gorge around highlights the power of falling water. The place looks mysterious.
The primary attraction is its natural environment that is encircled by seven waterfalls and caves. The available facilities are include a parking lot, food stalls, a resting place, and a security post.
Madakaripura Waterfall History
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A legend of this falls is connected with the name of Gadjah Mada, who was a prime minister of the largest Javanese empire Majapahit. In 1355 Vuruk Khayyam an emperor of Majapahit gave lands in the area to the prime minister. Gadjah Mada refused revenues from these lands until he unite all Indonesia lands under Majapahit flag.
According to ancient Javanese 14th century epic poem, Negarakretagama, Madakaripura was a piece of land given to Commander Gajah Mada by the Majapahit King Hayam Wuruk. Gajah Mada himself is the most celebrated military commander in the history of the great Javanese Majapahit Kingdom that thrived between 1293 to 1500AD. Its commander is recognized as the main figure who succeeded in unifying the entire Indonesian Archipelago then under the huge Majapahit empire (that at the time was said to stretch until Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Southern Thailand , the Philippines and East Timor) under his famous oath the “Sumpah Palapa”.
It is said that the source of his overwhelming power and abilities lie within the cave of the Madakaripura Waterfall, where Gajah Mada frequently came to meditate. The great commander eventually chose the place as his last place for mediation before he was believed to have been –what ancient Javanese believed- “Muksha” – or vanished spiritually and physically from the face of the earth, rather than just dying physically. To honor this legacy, many people still visit the Falls to meditate or perform rituals, especially on the eve of 1 Suro, the Javanese New Year. As a place that is historically significant, culturally sacred, and naturally spellbinding, Madakaripura is simply a must, when you visit East Java. It’s believed that swimming in the Madakaripura falls give health, strength and youth.
How to get to Madakaripura Waterfall
There is no public transportation that go to the waterfall. So you can either rent a car. Since the site is located near the Bromo volcano, the travel to Madakaripura Fall usually combine with a trip to the valley of volcanoes in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and journey to the Kawah Ijen Volcano
Usually the traveler who will visit Mt Bromo from Surabaya or Probolinggo will visit Madakaripura Water to complete their holiday in Java Indonesia. From Surabaya to the parking area of the waterfall takes about 3 hours driving and from Probolinggo the drive will take you about an hour.
How to get around Madakaripura Waterfall
To get to the canyon for the waterfall, you have to walk about one kilometer (The trail is paved) along a Mountain river. And then around 500 meters along the river under other four waterfalls. The road goes through rock under cold waterfall.
So prepare raincoats, camera protection and comfortable shoes which are going to be totally wet. It’s better to roll up your pants and jeans because the depth of the river can be up to the knee.
The local people offer everything you may need on parking such as umbrellas, raincoats, slippers and guide service, and there will be local guide at Madakaripura, you can use their service to help you to get to the Waterfall. He will help to cross the river and insure in dangerous areas. The price is about IDR 100,000 – 150,000/group for a guide
Fyi: You will inevitably get wet visiting this waterfall, so bring a raincoat or an umbrella. You can also buy disposable ponchos and plastic bags for your valuables at stalls along the trekking path. You can find warungs on the parking lot and after the bridge where “dry path” ends. A toilet is available only on the parking lot.
When is the best time to visit Madakaripura Waterfall?
You could visit the Madakaripura Waterfall in dry season from Apr to Oct, anytime is a good time but you have to check the local wheater. It’s also better to visit Madakaripura falls in the morning, because in the afternoon rains passed in the mountains can turn the small mountain river into a roaring stream, and trees can fall down from the 200-meters height to the pool of the main waterfall.
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