Visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall: What You Should Know!

Last Updated: February 8 2024

Visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Sumatra! Located in the North of the island, this waterfall is undeniably beautiful and is much less touristy compared to similar sites in the likes of Bali (another destination in Indonesia).

We love chasing waterfalls no matter where we visit, but there’s something special about Sipiso-Piso (also known as Air Terjun Sipiso Piso). As such, it’s not a place that you want to leave off your itinerary.

This travel guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting one of Indonesia’s most beautiful waterfalls. That includes how to get there, what to expect, and where to stay nearby.

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Where Is Sipiso-Piso Waterfall?

Sipiso-Piso is found in the Batak highlands of North Sumatra, within the Tanah Karo regency. You’ll find this stunning waterfall at the Northernmost tip of the Lake Toba Caldera. As such, you can easily visit both locations on the same day. Just make sure you don’t rush your time in either destination!

Its nearest settlement is the fishing village of Tongging, while the town of Kabanjahe is the closest municipality, found around 25 km (16 miles) away. For reference, the town of Berastagi is located around 38 km (23 miles) away.

What to Expect at Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

Sipiso-Piso is one of the best waterfalls in Indonesia making it a must-visit. When you arrive, you’ll likely hear the waterfall before you see it. However, once you get a glimpse of Sipiso-Piso, it’s impossible not to be in awe of its beauty, especially as it stands at 120 metres (393 feet) high.

There are several viewpoints found here, where you can admire the views. Some of these are located just a short walk from the car park, perfect for those who can’t wander too far.

However, we’d highly recommend hiking down to the bottom of the falls. The walk down is beautiful, with some areas offering stunning views of Lake Toba. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll feel the sheer force of Sipiso-Piso. Just prepare to get wet, and watch out as the path can be very slippery!

The hike back up is steep so take your time, especially if it’s hot.

Nearby Amenities

Of course, the waterfall is the main highlight. However, after hiking down to the falls, you’ll surely require a drink or some food. Well, you’re in luck!

Near the car park, you’ll find several small restaurants. Here, you can try some of the local cuisine and grab a coffee to recharge. There are also a few small shops where you can shop for souvenirs. Toilets are also available here, so there’s all the amenities you could need.

Visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, Sumatra

How to get to Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

There are a couple of options when it comes to reaching this gorgeous spot. We visited on a day trip from Berastagi, but the information will apply wherever you’re visiting from.

First of all, hiring a scooter is a popular option. Prices range from 50,000 IDR (£2.50) to over 100,000 IDR (£5) per day depending on what you choose. The owner of your guesthouse may be able to help you with renting a scooter, or they’ll tell you the best places for rentals.

You can also reach Sipiso-Piso Waterfall by public transport. From Berastagi, we took two public minibuses and a tuk-tuk to get here. In total, the journey took us just over an hour. The route is as follows:

• Berastagi – Kabanjahe (public minibus)
• Kabanjahe – Merek (public minibus)
• Merek – Sipiso-Piso (tuk-tuk)

Your other alternative is to hire a private driver. Although more expensive, this option is convenient (and inexpensive) for groups and families.

What to know when using public transport

If you do choose to catch public transport from Berastagi, we have a few things to tell you. Firstly, you will have to change two or three times (that’s just inevitable).

In our experience, you’re best off catching your first minibus from the monument in town. We found the locals to be very helpful, and they told us which buses to get. Just be aware that some locals will not speak English, so it’s always best to have the route (or destination) written down on a piece of paper.

On our visit, the minibus dropped us off in Merek. From here you can walk to the waterfall which takes around 45 minutes, or you can catch a tuk-tuk. The latter takes around 5 minutes and is what we did.

Just be aware that when you’re leaving the waterfall, there will be no tuk-tuks in that area (from our experience). As such, you may want to ask the driver to wait for you!

The best time to visit Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

Sipiso-Piso is open all year round. Although the water flow is smaller during the dry season, it’s still very impressive, so it doesn’t matter when you visit.

Unlike Bali (Indonesia’s most popular island), Sumatra is pretty quiet so you won’t see many tourists. No matter when you visit, you won’t experience the crowds that the likes of Ubud can attract.

That being said, we’d still recommend you visit on a weekday (weekends are busier). This way, you might even have the waterfall all to yourself. Better yet, the majority of people will primarily just visit the viewpoint. As such, the Sipiso-Piso waterfall hike tends to be very quiet.

Although there’s no ‘best time’ to visit, we also suggest heading here in the morning or late afternoon. The hike back up to the viewpoint is challenging due to the amount of steps and is difficult in the glaring sun.

Tips for visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

For the best experience, here are some of our top tips:

• When hiking to the bottom of the falls, wear sensible footwear. Due to the spray of the waterfall, the floor can be very slippery down here, especially if it’s been raining previously.

• We’d also suggest bringing along a waterproof bag. This means that all your belongings such as your camera and phone will be kept dry during the hike to the waterfall.

• Unfortunately, many people choose to just throw their rubbish along the waterfall trail. This is one of our biggest pet peeves, so don’t be one of these people! It’s extremely disrespectful.

• You’ll find some small stores near the waterfall viewpoint where you can grab a snack or two. Just make sure you’ve got small denominations of change as you’ll literally be in the middle of nowhere.

• Try to time your visit on a clear day if possible. Although this waterfall is stunning no matter when you visit, you can also get fantastic views of Lake Toba from here!

Where to stay near Sipiso Piso Waterfall

We visited this beautiful waterfall on a day trip from Berastagi. However, if you’ve hired a scooter and want to stay nearby, then be aware that there’s next to no accommodation in this area. Below is one of the properties that we’ve found but of course, do your own research too.

Mid-range: Taman Simalem Resort

This popular resort is probably the closest accommodation option to Sipiso-Piso. It’s located right in front of Lake Toba, so you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views.

Boasting spacious rooms, four on-site dining options, free WiFi, and free parking, this resort has a lot to offer. You can even enjoy fun activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and jungle trekking.

Alternatively, you can visit from Berastagi as we did. If that’s the case, we’ll include some of our recommendations below:

Budget: Kaesa Homestay

This is where we stayed while in Berastagi. Kaesa Homestay is just a 5-minute walk from town and the property is very affordable. You’ll also have breakfast included in your stay.

The highlight of staying here is the owner, who is always happy to help with anything you need. He was the one who told us how to reach Sipiso-Piso from Berastagi and he even wrote down the directions for us!

Mid-Range: Alloyna Country Cottage Berastagi

Although a bit more expensive, Alloyna Country Cottage Berastagi is another popular option in town. Here, you can choose from a variety of accommodations, so this place is suitable for both families and couples.

If you stay here, you’ll benefit from an on-site shared lounge, garden area, free WiFi, and free private parking. Breakfast is also available and you’ll be staying in a quiet location.

Frequently asked questions about Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

How long do I need at Sipiso-Piso?

You need to allow 2-3 hours at Sipiso-Piso Waterfall. This will give you enough time to hike to the bottom of the falls, spend time at the viewpoint, and grab some snacks from the local store if you wish!

Hiking to the bottom of the falls takes between 20-30 minutes and obviously, you’ll want to allow longer on the way back up as the stairs are steep. Also, allow for additional time if you want to grab some food.

How tall is Sipiso-Piso Waterfall?

At 120 metres (393 feet) high, Sipiso-Piso is one of the tallest waterfalls in Indonesia. It’s formed by a small underground river and is incredibly impressive, as you’ll see the water roaring over the cliff edge.

Sigura-gura Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Indonesia, with a height of 250 metres (820 feet). It’s also found on the island and is located on the upper plateau of Lake Toba.

What is the meaning of Sipiso-Piso?

The name Sipiso-Piso translates to ‘like a knife’, as the word Piso means blade. Once you see this impressive waterfall, it’s not hard to see how it got this name!

Due to the heavy flow of water that falls over the cliff edge, this waterfall does, in fact, resemble a sharp blade. If you ask us, that’s a pretty cool meaning behind a name.

How much is the entrance fee for Sipiso-Piso?

From our experience, the entrance fee for this waterfall is 5,000 IDR (£0.25) per person. However, this price may differ for locals. Parking is also 5,000 IDR for those who are driving there themselves.

Through our research, we found that many people are still stating that the entrance fee is the same. Of course, prices may have increased since we last visited so just be aware of that.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

As well as visiting Gunung Leuser National Park, seeing this amazing waterfall was one of our top experiences in Sumatra, Indonesia. You can either visit on a day trip like us, or many travellers choose to stop off on their way to Lake Toba or Berastagi (depending on which way you’re coming from).

For the best experience, we’d recommend hiking to the bottom of the falls as well as spending time at the viewpoint. Whatever you do, just make sure you don’t rush your time here.

If you have any questions about visiting Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, please contact us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:

• Planning A Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek
• Hiking Gunung Sibayak In Berastagi
• The Ultimate Sumatra Travel Guide

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