Ciletuh Geopark: A Hidden Gem in West Java

Ciletuh Geopark is a breathtaking valley located in the southwesternmost tip of West Java, featuring numerous majestic waterfalls and other stunning landscapes.

This area, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark, boasts the most beautiful waterfalls in Indonesia, yet remains unknown to most international tourists.

We spent several days here and are glad we did! Although situated in a remote location, it's definitely worth a visit if you love waterfalls and hidden treasures.

This travel guide will cover how to explore Ciletuh, where to stay, and what attractions to see!

Contents:

• How to Get to Ciletuh Geopark

• Top Things to Do and Attractions in Ciletuh Geopark

• Accommodations in Ciletuh

• Additional Tips for Visiting Ciletuh

• How Long to Stay

• Best Time to Visit

How to Get to Ciletuh Geopark

Ciletuh Geopark is nestled in the southwestern corner of West Java, far from any major cities. Therefore, you'll need to drive for a little while to reach it. It takes 2.5 hours from Sukabumi, 4 hours from Jakarta, and 6 hours from Bandung.

We arrived here from Bandung and then headed to Jakarta afterward. Regardless of your route, most of the roads leading to the geopark are in good condition.

We hired a private driver from Bandung to take us to the geopark in his van, but you can also ride a motorcycle, which is cheaper.

Top Things to Do and Attractions in Ciletuh Geopark

• Curug Puncak Manik Waterfall
  This was the first waterfall we visited in Ciletuh. You're likely to pass by it as you drive into the geopark.

  The one-way hike takes 45 to 60 minutes, and it's steep downhill. However, efforts are being made to improve the path for easier navigation. Once you reach the stream, you must cross it and proceed to the left. When we were there, the water was ankle to knee-deep.

  This is a double waterfall, standing at 100 meters tall. Along the way, we spotted a rare eagle, a giant centipede, and other fascinating creatures. A local guided us and helped us take photos, so we gave him a 50,000 rupiah tip.

  
  

• Curug Awang Waterfall
  This waterfall is located near Puncak Manik. It's not as tall but flows over a wide cliff. It takes 5 minutes to reach the viewing platform or 10 minutes to the top of the hill, with an additional 5 to 10 minutes to the base if you descend.

  When we visited, this waterfall had dried up, which was disappointing. However, I believe it would be very impressive with more water flow.

• Curug Tengah Waterfall
  This waterfall has a unique appearance and can be accessed from the same parking lot as Curug Awang. Even in April, the waterfall was beautiful and impressive.

  It takes 10 minutes to reach the waterfall, but there's no easy path to the base, which may require an additional 30 minutes.

  We decided to stay at the top and take photos with a drone.

• Curug Cikaso Waterfall
  This is a stunning turquoise waterfall, located 1.5 hours away from the main Ciletuh area. It's definitely worth a visit.

  To reach the waterfall, just hike 10 minutes along a cobblestone path through scenic terraced fields. You can also take a boat along the stream, but we didn't find it worthwhile as they wanted to charge us extra for it.

  The best time to take photos is at the beginning of the dry season. If you visit during the mid-rainy season, the water may be too murky and brown for you to see the beautiful turquoise color.

  The lighting is best in the early morning or late afternoon. You can swim here, and we saw some small fish and crabs near the waterfall. So cool!

  
  

• Curug Cigangsa Waterfall
  This is a large waterfall surrounded by terraced fields. It's 1 hour away from the main Ciletuh area, in the same direction as Cikaso Waterfall, so you can visit both places together.

  It takes just 2 minutes to reach the waterfall once you arrive, but if you want to view it up close, you'll need to walk an additional 5 to 10 minutes to the base.

  This waterfall likely dries up starting in May, so it's not as spectacular afterward. When we visited in April, it was almost dry.

  When we visited, Curug Cigangsa had already started to dry up, but it still looked beautiful.

  
  

• Main Beach
  Ciletuh's main beach isn't spectacular but worth a visit. Google Maps lists it as a "white sand beach," but the sand is actually brown or black. The scenery is beautiful, offering views of the sunset.

  As you sit on the beach, you can even see the distant Cimarinjung Waterfall.

  Locals come here to ride dirt bikes and paraglide, which looks fun. Unfortunately, there was a lot of trash on the beach when we visited.

• Curug Cimarinjung Waterfall
  This is a beautiful and unique waterfall located in the heart of Ciletuh, reachable by a less than 5-minute hike along a basically paved trail. Even in late April, the waterfall had strong water flow.

  You can get quite close to it, but the rocks near the waterfall are slippery, so be careful. This is one of my favorite waterfalls in the area.

• Curug Cikanteh Waterfall
  Cikanteh is one of the largest waterfalls in Indonesia. It's truly a huge waterfall and, in my opinion, the most impressive one in Ciletuh.

  Locals will tell you that you need a guide for the hike, but that's not true. The hike takes just 10 to 15 minutes. The path is straightforward, with nothing special except for a bamboo bridge you need to cross.

  However, if you want to climb to the second level of the waterfall, having a guide would be convenient. The second level is short but steep and not well-marked. Most people only view the waterfall from the bottom, but it's worth climbing up for a closer look. The waterfall is incredibly impressive.

  Locals will also ask for donations as an entry fee. We donated 10,000 rupiah and paid 50,000 rupiah to a guide who took many photos and led us to the top.

  The best time to take photos at Cikanteh is in the shade early in the morning or under the afternoon sun. We caught a big rainbow here in the evening!

  
  

• Curug Sodong Waterfall
  This waterfall is located at the Cikanteh parking lot, so you don't need to hike to see it. It's a double waterfall, larger than it appears in photos, although it shrinks a lot during the dry season.

• Puncak Darma Viewpoint
  This is a viewpoint at the top of a cliff in Ciletuh, reachable by a 5 to 10-minute drive from the valley floor.

  It's an excellent spot to watch the sunset! There's a bamboo "boat" where you can pose for photos and enjoy breathtaking views of the Ciletuh valley, cliffs, and the entire bay.

• Curug Dogdog Waterfall
  This is an additional waterfall you can stop to see while driving to Puncak Darma. It's a beautiful three-tiered waterfall, reachable in 5 minutes on foot.

• Tapen Hill
  This is an unusual pinnacle in the mountains of Ciletuh, offering views of the Indian Ocean.

  It's hidden in a remote area of rubber plantations. To reach it, you must navigate some bumpy rocky roads.

  I wanted to climb to the edge of the hill, but since I was wearing sandals and the sides were steep cliffs, I decided not to take the risk.

  The road has slippery gravel, and it looks safe because it's covered with bushes, but falling from here could be fatal. If you decide to climb, be cautious.

  
  

• Curug Panganten Waterfall
  This is another large waterfall located on a hill above the Ciletuh valley. We missed this waterfall during our trip because it's somewhat remote, and we weren't sure about the road conditions.

  Photos I've seen of the waterfall look great, and there's another waterfall nearby called Curug Cibelener.

Ciletuh Attractions Map

Here's a map of the most worth-visiting attractions in the geopark and surrounding areas.