Lombok Waterfalls Guide | Comparing Benang Stokel and Tiu Kelep

Information as of August 2026. Lombok has two distinct waterfall areas with very different characters: “Sendang Gile” and “Tiu Kelep” on the northern slopes of Mount Rinjani, and “Benang Stokel” and “Benang Kelambu” in Aik Berik village in central Lombok. Both are popular, but travel time, trail difficulty and rainy-season risk are completely different if you’re doing a day trip from the south/southwest (Kuta Lombok or Sekotong). In this article, we at Semelar Beach Village have organized what you need to know about choosing a destination and what to watch out for, based on official databases, news reports and information published by local guide operators. USD conversions in this article use an approximate rate of Rp10,000 ≈ US$0.56 (US$1 ≈ Rp17,800, as of September 2026). Actual exchange rates fluctuate daily, so treat these as rough guides.

Lombok’s waterfalls: location and travel time

Lombok’s waterfalls fall broadly into two areas: “north” and “central.” The north is in Senaru village, Bayan district, North Lombok regency, on the northern foot of Mount Rinjani, home to “Sendang Gile Waterfall” and, further in, “Tiu Kelep Waterfall.” The central area is in Aik Berik village, Batukliang Utara district, Central Lombok regency, where “Benang Stokel Waterfall” and “Benang Kelambu Waterfall” sit next to each other.

The problem is that both areas are far from the main tourist bases. From Sekotong (southwest) or Kuta Lombok (south), where we are based, neither waterfall area is within an hour’s drive. Rough guides based on typical road conditions (which vary with traffic and road conditions) are as follows.

• 🚗 Sekotong → North (Senaru village): about 3–3.5 hours one way by car
• 🚗 Kuta Lombok → North (Senaru village): about 2.5–3 hours one way by car
• 🚗 Senggigi/Mataram → North (Senaru village): about 1.5–2 hours one way by car
• 🚗 Sekotong → Central (Aik Berik village): about 1.5–2 hours one way by car
• 🚗 Kuta Lombok → Central (Aik Berik village): about 1–1.5 hours one way by car
• 🚗 Senggigi/Mataram → Central (Aik Berik village): about 1–1.5 hours one way by car

In short, from the south/southwest the central waterfalls are clearly closer, and you should assume the northern waterfalls will be a “full-day trip.”

Diagram: relative position of main bases and waterfalls, with approximate travel time

*The island shape is a simplified schematic. Mount Rinjani sits to the south of the northern falls (Senaru village). Travel times are rough guides based on typical road conditions (as of August 2026) and vary with traffic and road conditions.

This difference in travel time is exactly what should decide which destination you choose. Here’s the bottom line first.

The four main waterfalls: a quick comparison table

First, let’s compare the four waterfalls at a glance. Entrance fees follow the dual-pricing system common at Indonesian tourist sites (domestic rate / foreigner rate), and all overseas travelers are subject to the foreigner rate. The amounts listed in Jadesta, the tourist-site database run by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, are for domestic visitors, so that figure alone won’t be enough.

← Scroll sideways to see the full table

Waterfall / area	Drive from Sekotong / Kuta Lombok (one way)	Entrance fee (domestic / foreigner)	Total walk from parking (one way)	Difficulty	Best for
Sendang Gile (north, Senaru village)	~3–3.5h from Sekotong / ~2.5–3h from Kuta Lombok	Rp10,000 (about US$0.56) / Rp20,000–30,000 (about US$1.12–1.69) *combined ticket for both waterfalls	~10–15 min (down about 200 steps)	Moderate (down ~200 steps and the same back up / mossy and slippery)	Anyone comfortable with stairs. Hold children’s hands at all times
Tiu Kelep (north, Senaru village)	~3–3.5h from Sekotong / ~2.5–3h from Kuta Lombok	Shares ticket with Sendang Gile, plus a guide fee of Rp100,000–150,000/group (about US$5.62–8.43)	~40–60 min total (a further ~25–45 min beyond Sendang Gile)	Difficult (river crossings, slippery rocks, rockfall risk)	Fit travelers who are fine with a mandatory-feeling guide
Benang Stokel (central, Aik Berik village)	~1.5–2h from Sekotong / ~1–1.5h from Kuta Lombok	Rp3,000–10,000 (about US$0.17–0.56) / Rp10,000–20,000 (about US$0.56–1.12) *shared gate with Benang Kelambu	~15–30 min	Moderate (stairs, uneven ground, slippery when wet in places)	Anyone wanting a waterfall with a shorter drive than the north
Benang Kelambu (central, Aik Berik village)	~1.5–2h from Sekotong / ~1–1.5h from Kuta Lombok	Shares a gate with Benang Stokel (no confirmed report of a separate charge)	~35–55 min total (a further ~15–25 min beyond Stokel)	Moderate to somewhat difficult (steep descent, jungle path)	Anyone who wants to see a curtain-like waterfall and can walk a nature trail

*As of August 2026. Domestic rates are based on Jadesta (the tourist-site database run by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy) and detik (2025); foreigner rates and guide fees are rough guides based on published information from three local guide operators in Senaru village / Aik Berik village. Figures vary between operators, so ranges are shown. Walking times also vary by source, so plan with a margin of extra time. Check the latest posted rates at the local ticket booth.

What’s worth noting in this table is a structure where “the entrance fee is cheap, but everything else costs more time and money.” The entrance fee itself is under a dollar, but at the northern waterfalls the guide fee alone is an order of magnitude higher, and adding a car charter pushes the total for the day up further.

Parking is a separate cost too. Benang Stokel is reported to charge Rp5,000 (about US$0.28) for motorbikes and Rp10,000 (about US$0.56) for cars, and the two Senaru waterfalls list similar parking fees. Cash (rupiah) is the standard way to pay locally, so it’s worth carrying plenty of small bills.

Now let’s go through the northern and central waterfalls one by one.

1. Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile: Senaru village, foot of Mount Rinjani

The two northern waterfalls are both based out of Senaru village, next to Mount Rinjani National Park. A single ticket covers both waterfalls; the domestic rate listed in Jadesta starts at Rp10,000 (about US$0.56). The foreigner rate is quoted at Rp20,000 / Rp25,000 / Rp30,000 (about US$1.12–1.69) across different Senaru guide operators’ published information, so there appears to be some variation by season or ticket window. Inside the site there are public toilets, a prayer room (mushola), photo spots and stalls selling snacks.

The trail starts by heading down a stepped walkway from the parking lot to Sendang Gile Waterfall. This section is about 200 steps, going down on the way there and back up the same number on the way back. Local guide operators note explicitly that “the steps are in a damp spot and slippery with moss,” “don’t let children walk the steps unaccompanied,” and “not recommended for anyone with a respiratory or circulatory condition.” It’s paved, but this is not a casual stroll.

If you continue to Tiu Kelep Waterfall, it’s a further 25–45 minutes beyond Sendang Gile. Jadesta itself describes this as a “riverside route,” and you’ll cross the river a few times along the way. There are also sections where you’ll step over fallen trees, so plan to get your shoes wet. Some people take a route back through an irrigation-canal tunnel (a shortcut through the cliff), but it’s best avoided after heavy rain. On days with high water flow, this section’s difficulty rises sharply.

Wear trekking shoes with good grip or water shoes as a baseline. Quick-dry clothing and a towel, plus a waterproof case for your camera or phone, are reassuring extras. Senaru village is also one of the starting points for climbing Mount Rinjani, and many travelers build these two waterfalls into a trip before or after the trek. However, the trekking routes in Mount Rinjani National Park close completely every year from January 1 to March 31; in 2026 as well, all six routes (Senaru, Sembalun, Torean, Timbanuh, Tetebatu, Aik Berik) were closed and reopened on April 1. Since reopening, trekking insurance (covering mountain trekking and helicopter rescue) has become mandatory. See our Mount Rinjani trekking guide for more.

2. Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu: Aik Berik village, central Lombok

The two central waterfalls are a realistic option for a day trip from the south/southwest. Both are accessed through the same gate, and we found no confirmed report of Benang Kelambu Waterfall being charged separately. Jadesta lists Benang Kelambu’s fee as “0,” but it’s more reasonable to read that as data that simply hasn’t been filled in, not confirmed free entry.

Indonesian news reports (detik, 2025) put Benang Stokel’s entrance fee at Rp3,000 (about US$0.17) domestic / Rp10,000 (about US$0.56) foreigner, with parking at Rp5,000 (about US$0.28) for motorbikes and Rp10,000 (about US$0.56) for cars. Meanwhile, a Central Lombok local operator quotes Rp10,000 domestic / Rp20,000 (about US$1.12) foreigner — so there’s a range. Either way it’s under two dollars, and opening hours run roughly 7:00 am–6:00 pm.

Aik Berik village is run by a local tourism group called “Pokdarwis Benstol,” which maintains facilities at the village level — parking, a meeting hall, toilets, stalls, food stands and a Wi-Fi area. The same group also arranges guides for Rinjani treks (via the Aik Berik-side route) and jungle trekking, and you can find local guides near the waterfalls as well. Guide fees run roughly Rp50,000–75,000/group (about US$2.81–4.21).

There’s no river crossing like in the north, but this isn’t an “easy stroll” either. Stairs and uneven ground continue from the parking lot to the falls, and traveler reviews mention a one-way walk of roughly 30 minutes and about 175 steps. Getting to Benang Kelambu means descending a further steep slope that gets slippery after rain. Some visitors hire a motorbike taxi (ojek) from the parking area down to the valley, quoted at around Rp35,000 (about US$1.97). Easy-to-move-in clothing and shoes with good grip are just as necessary here as in the north.

Difficulty vs. accessibility: a two-axis map for each waterfall

Let’s organize everything so far along two axes: “total one-way walking time from the parking lot” and “trail difficulty.” We’ve also overlaid the range that can be closed off after heavy rain or high water, based on local judgment. This diagram is meant to help you decide in advance where you’d turn back.

Diagram: difficulty vs. total walking time for each waterfall, with the range that can close after high water

*Relative positions based on the same figures as the quick comparison table above (as of August 2026). Walking times vary by source. The red band marks the range that can be closed to visitors or swimming by local judgment after high water or heavy rain — this applies to the river-crossing section on the way to Tiu Kelep.

Tiu Kelep, in the upper right of the diagram, is the waterfall with the longest walk and the highest difficulty. Sendang Gile and Benang Stokel, in the lower left, are relatively quick to reach, but both still involve stairs and uneven ground — neither is a “waterfall you can see without walking.” If travel time is your priority, Benang Stokel is the realistic choice from the south/southwest.

Dry season vs. rainy season: water volume, danger and swimming

Lombok’s rainfall varies significantly between the dry season (roughly April–October) and the rainy season (roughly November–March). In BMKG’s (Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency) 2025/2026 forecast, the rainy season was expected to begin between September and November 2025 in many areas, with the peak — depending on region — expected around January–February 2026 in the south and east. This difference has a direct impact on how much water flows over the falls, and how dangerous they are.

Diagram: Lombok’s dry and rainy seasons (approximate danger level at the falls)

Jan–Mar
Rainy, higher danger / Rinjani trekking routes fully closed

Apr–Oct
Dry, stable water levels (best time)

Nov–Dec
Rainy season starts, prone to high water

*Varies year to year. The rainy-season peak estimate is based on BMKG’s 2025/2026 forecast (as of August 2026). The Rinjani National Park trekking routes are what closes January–March; how waterfall walkways are treated depends on the year and weather. Check with the local ticket booth before you visit.

In the rainy season, water flow increases and the current picks up. The riverside route to Tiu Kelep in particular becomes genuinely dangerous to cross when the water is high, and local staff sometimes ban swimming or approaching the plunge pool. Even in the dry season, the same call can be made right after heavy rain. Don’t push forward just because “you came all this way” — follow local guidance and your guide’s instructions.

You also can’t combine this with a Rinjani climb from January to March. For the 2026 closure, park authorities cited weather risks in the rainy season — heavy rain, sudden gusts, floods and landslides. Assume the areas around the waterfalls are under the same weather conditions during this period.

What to wear, what to bring, and dealing with insects

Shoes with good grip are essential for all four waterfalls. Choose sneakers with solid tread, or trekking sandals that secure your heel. Flip-flops or ordinary sandals carry a real risk of slipping on wet stairs, rocks or river crossings, and we at Semelar Beach Village don’t recommend them. In fact, some reviews mention flip-flops being swept away in the current.

Assume your clothes will get wet. Bring quick-dry clothing, a dry change of clothes, a towel and a waterproof pouch. Insect repellent also makes things more comfortable. Packing your trash back out is basic etiquette.

The downsides worth knowing (honestly)

It’s not all upside. Here’s what we think you should honestly know before you go.

• ⚠ Travel takes a long time: especially to the northern waterfalls, which can be around 3 hours one way from the south/Sekotong — a day trip can end up spending most of the day just traveling.
• ⚠ The rainy season is dangerous: there’s a risk of dangerous river crossings from high water, swimming bans, and road closures from flooding or landslides. There’s basically no good reason to choose a time outside the dry season.
• ⚠ Costs beyond the entrance fee add up: in the north, the guide fee of Rp100,000–150,000/group (about US$5.62–8.43) becomes the biggest cost item, an order of magnitude above the entrance fee. On top of that, there’s parking (Rp5,000 for motorbikes / Rp10,000 for cars) and a car charter.
• ⚠ Can’t combine with a Rinjani climb from January to March: since the trekking routes close completely, a “waterfall + climb” itinerary doesn’t work during this period.

Finally, here’s all the essential information in one table, for you to check when planning your trip.

Location	North = Senaru village, Bayan district, North Lombok regency / Central = Aik Berik village, Batukliang Utara district, Central Lombok regency
Getting there	Basically a rental car or charter car. Public transport is almost nonexistent, and ride-hailing apps can lose signal in the mountains
Entrance fee (foreigner)	Northern two falls = Rp20,000–30,000 (about US$1.12–1.69, combined ticket) / Central two falls = Rp10,000–20,000 (about US$0.56–1.12, shared gate)
Extra costs	Guide = Rp100,000–150,000/group (about US$5.62–8.43) in the north, Rp50,000–75,000/group (about US$2.81–4.21) in the central area. Parking = Rp5,000 (motorbike) / Rp10,000 (car)
Opening hours	Benang Stokel (central) is open roughly 7:00 am–6:00 pm. These gorges lose daylight early, so a morning visit is a safe bet for either area
Best season	Roughly April–October (dry season). The rainy season (roughly November–March) carries the risk of high water and closures, and the Rinjani trekking routes are closed January–March

*As of August 2026. Figures are rough guides based on publicly available information. The posted rates at the local ticket booth are the most current answer.

Which one is right for you?

Finally, a decision tree based on your itinerary. The key question is: “can you spend a full day on the 2.5–3.5 hour one-way trip to the north?”

Diagram: North (Tiu Kelep) or central (Benang Stokel) — which should you choose?

Can you spend a whole day on the round trip north (2.5–3.5 hours one way)?

▼

YES

Go for Tiu Kelep in the north

Base yourself in Senaru village and visit alongside Sendang Gile. The travel is long, but this is the most dramatic waterfall on the island. Staying overnight in Senaru gives you more breathing room. From April to December you can start a Rinjani climb from the same village and combine the two (this doesn’t work January–March, when the trekking routes are closed).

NO

Go for Benang Stokel in the central area

1–2 hours one way from the south/Sekotong. You can also visit Benang Kelambu through the same gate. The walk is shorter than in the north, but there are still stairs and uneven ground, so choose your footwear carefully.

If you’re not sure where to fit the waterfalls into a 3–5 day Lombok itinerary, use the decision tree above as a guide. For the bigger picture of planning a full trip around the island, see our complete Lombok guide as well.

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Lombok’s waterfalls split into two very different experiences: Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile in the north, and Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu in the central area, differing in both travel time and trail difficulty. What they share is that all four involve walking on stairs or uneven ground. Before you go, be sure to know that the drive from the south/Sekotong is long, that the foreigner rate plus guide fee ends up bigger than the entrance fee alone suggests, and that rockfall and high-water risk rise in the rainy season and right after heavy rain. Choosing the dry season, wearing grippy shoes instead of sandals, and deciding early when to turn back are the keys to enjoying these waterfalls safely.

After a day of waterfall-hopping, we’d also recommend unwinding at our base in Sekotong.

Sources

Sources for this article (as of August 2026)

Government agencies and official databases

• Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy tourist-site database (Jadesta), “Air Terjun Sendang Gile dan Air Terjun Tiu Kelep”https://jadesta.kemenpar.go.id/atraksi/air_terjun_sendang_gile_dan_air_terjun_tiu_kelep
• Same, “Air Terjun Benang Stokel”https://jadesta.kemenpar.go.id/atraksi/air_terjun_benang_stokel
• Same, “Air Terjun Benang Kelambu”https://jadesta.kemenpar.go.id/atraksi/air_terjun_benang_kelambu
• Same, “Desa Wisata Aik Berik”https://jadesta.kemenpar.go.id/desa/aik_berik
• Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) official sitehttps://www.rinjaninationalpark.id/
• Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), “Prediksi Musim Hujan 2025/2026 di Indonesia”https://www.bmkg.go.id/iklim/prediksi-musim/prediksi-musim-hujan-2025-2026-di-indonesia

News reports (rockfall accident, entrance fees, trekking route closure)

• Global News, “Rescuers search for tourists trapped by Lombok landslide” (the March 17, 2019 earthquake and rockfall killed 2 and left about 35–40 stranded)https://globalnews.ca/news/5065249/indonesia-lombok-landslide-waterfall/
• ANTARA, “Evakuasi korban meninggal air terjun Tiu Kelep perlu dongkrak batu”https://www.antaranews.com/berita/811353/evakuasi-korban-meninggal-air-terjun-tiu-kelep-perlu-dongkrak-batu
• detik, “Air Terjun Benang Stokel Lombok Tengah: Lokasi, Harga Tiket, dan Daya Tarik” (domestic Rp3,000 / foreigner Rp10,000, parking Rp5,000 motorbike / Rp10,000 car, 7:00 am–6:00 pm)https://www.detik.com/bali/wisata/d-8103602/
• CNA Indonesia / Kompas, “Pendakian Gunung Rinjani ditutup 1 Januari–31 Maret 2026” (all 6 routes closed, reopened April 1)https://www.cna.id/indonesia/gunung-rinjani-tutup-1-januari-42406

Published information from local guide operators and travel agencies (foreigner rates, guide fees, step counts, warnings)

• Lombok Journey (Senaru village), “Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall Senaru Guide” (foreigner Rp25,000, guide Rp100,000–150,000/group, ~200 steps, mossy and slippery, warnings for children and respiratory/circulatory conditions, monkeys)https://www.lombokjourney.com/en/sendang-gile-and-tiu-kelep-waterfalls/
• The Langkah Travel, “Tiu Kelep & Sendang Gile Waterfall: Senaru Lombok Guide” (foreigner Rp20,000, guide Rp100,000/group, parking Rp10,000)https://thelangkahtravel.com/en/tiu-kelep-sendang-gile-waterfall/
• WeSeek Travel, “How to Visit Tiu Kelep Waterfall & Sendang Gile in Lombok” (foreigner Rp30,000, guide Rp250,000/group reported as effectively mandatory, tunnel section, monkeys)https://www.weseektravel.com/sendang-gile-tiu-kelep-waterfall-lombok/
• Arka Trans Lombok, “Panduan Wisata Air Terjun Benang Kelambu & Benang Stokel Lombok 2025” (domestic Rp10,000 / foreigner Rp20,000, guide Rp50,000–75,000, 20–25 min walk between the falls)https://arkatranslombok.com/panduan-wisata-air-terjun-benang-kelambu-benang-stokel-lombok-2025/
• Tripadvisor visitor reviews for the site (reports of a ~30 min walk, ~175 steps, and ojek use at Benang Stokel / Kelambu). Referenced only as evidence of the range in walking timeshttps://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g3177248-d2314079-Reviews-Benang_Stokal_and_Benang_Kelambu_Waterfall-Praya_Lombok_West_Nusa_Tenggara.html