Last Updated on March 2025
This article was written for Exploring Sumatra by James from The Travel Deck.
Harau Valley is perhaps the most stunning destination in Sumatra. Located in West Sumatra and easily accessible from Bukittinggi and Padang City, the landscape in Harau Valley is dramatic, with towering cliffs rising above picturesque rice paddies dotted with slender coconut trees.
Only a small number of foreign tourists come here – some for the incredible views, but many for the epic rock climbing on those stunning cliffs around the valley.
If you’re not into rock climbing, the Harau Valley is definitely worth visiting for its waterfalls, beautiful panoramas and above all, its tranquility.
In this Harau Valley travel guide, we’ll highlight everything you need to know about this incredible destination in Sumatra, including how to get there, the best things to do in Harau Valley and our favourite places to stay.
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The Best Time to Visit the Harau Valley - Travel Guide
Even though the dry season in Indonesia is between May and September, we would suggest visiting Harau Valley no later than June, maybe July. This is because Harau Valley is home to numerous waterfalls which tend to dry up as the dry months progress.
How to Get to the Harau Valley, West Sumatra
Getting from Bukittinggi to the Harau Valley
Most tourists visiting Harau Valley also include Bukit Tinggi into their west Sumatra itinerary. This makes sense because the 2 destinations are just 90 minutes apart. Bukit Tinggi is a gorgeous city with lots of European influence and due to the high elevation it’s also a lot cooler.
You can take a taxi to Harau Valley or if you’re on a budget, there are buses or minivans departing from Aur Kuning Terminal in Bukit Tinggi. The journey takes around 2 hours and costs IDR 50,000.
An alternative is to rent a scooter since the ride isn’t too exhaustive. The scenic ride is along never-ending rice paddies and through charming villages. This is definitely the way to go if you’re the adventurous type of traveler like us. For travelers who enjoy exploring tropical landscapes by scooter, similar to rides around Koh Phangan or Koh Tao in Thailand, Harau Valley offers a unique yet familiar thrill.
Getting from Padang to the Harau Valley
If you’re not already in west Sumatra, then the best option is to first fly to Minangkabau International Airport (PDG) in Padang City. From Padang take a taxi which should cost between IDR 600,000 and IDR 900,000 for the 4 hour journey.
On a budget? No problem. The budget option involves first traveling to Bukit Tinggi by minivan. AWS is the company that offers this service and has departures at 7:00am, 1:00pm and 5:00pm. The journey ends at Aur Kuning Terminal in Bukit Tinggi which is where the minivans to Harau Valley depart from.
How Many Days in the Harau Valley
Doing a day trip to Harau Valley is possible if you are already in Bukit Tinggi because it’s only a 90 minute drive. However, spending 1 or 2 nights is definitely a better option. We spent 2 days and was just right to see everything without rushing along and fully appreciating the peaceful atmosphere.
Best Things to Do in the Harau Valley
I found that Harau Valley strikes the perfect balance for things to do. There are just about enough fun activities to do in either 1 jam packed day or take it nice and easy and spend 2 days.
Visit the Waterfalls
The main attractions in Harau Valley are definitely the waterfalls. There are quite a few cascades concentrated in a single area which is very convenient since they are all within a 5 minute walk of one another.
Sarasah Bunta Waterfall is the most popular. It’s an impressive cascade spilling over a huge cliff into a pool beneath, and the whole area is drenched in water and rocks covered in moss. I definitely see why this cascade is popular.
From here follow the trail to the second waterfall. It’s smaller, but there is a nice shallow pool with inflatables and deck chairs to rent. And following the trail even further is another part where there is a zipline crossing over a pool. It’s short, not even 100 meters, but fun nonetheless.
Rent a Scooter and Explore
Renting a scooter is something I always like to recommend when visiting beautiful destinations because it will allow you to cover a much wider area and explore parts of Harau Valley you would otherwise miss.
Photography
Harau Valley is a playground for photographers, whether you’re a professional or just snapping shots on your phone. The best times are during the golden hour at sunrise or sunset when soft, warm light creates a magical atmosphere. Capture the beauty of the cliffs and charming rice paddies or the daily life of the friendly locals.
Kelok 9
This unusual attraction is about a 30 minute drive from Harau Valley. I only came across this place when I opened google maps and saw a confusing and spaghetti-like road. Kelok 9 or Kelok Sembilan literally translates to 9 sharp turns. It’s a big winding road with loads of overpasses and bright red bridge that contrast with the jungle covered surrounding mountains.
It’s one of the best things to do if you are in Harau Valley and offers loads of unique photography opportunities. Additionally, there are a few small makeshift cafes almost dangling off the side of the road that offer dramatic views of the surroundings.
Food in the Harau Valley
If you’re a foreigner, you’re in for a treat, but for the opposite reasons than you may think. In Harau Valley there are no Western restaurants so you’re going to be forced to enjoy the local cuisine. Let me just say that Indonesian cuisine is highly underrated and it’s well worth experimenting.
Most accommodation and guesthouses in Harau Valley will also offer meals such as Nasi Goreng (fried rice) or possibly even chicken, beef and veg with a side of rice.
Where to Stay in the Harau Valley
The places to stay in Harau Valley are mostly family run guest houses which offer basic rooms or sometimes cute little stand alone cottages/huts. Usually they also have simple meal options and may also include breakfast in the price.
Also, I found that finding a place to stay in Harau Valley requires a different approach. That is because most places are not listed on popular platforms like booking.com or Agoda. So, if you want to book a place, you will need to personally contact the property via message. Below I’ve listed 3 of the best places to stay in Harau Valley.
Abdi Homestay
This is where we decided to spend 2 nights in Harau Valley. It’s one of the more popular guesthouses, and for good reason. The property is a series of small cottage rooms with a towering cliff and small waterfall in the background. There is also a restaurant on the property.
Arsyila Homestay Lembah Harau
Located along the central road leading into the valley, Arsyila homestay is both convenient and cosy with nice wooden rooms. There are a few local eateries within a 2-minute walk.
The Edge Harau Glamping
If you’re looking for a unique experience, then The Edge Harau Glamping may be the answer. Here you’ll get to spend the night in a tent but have a comfortable bed. Similar to camping but with added comfort. You’ll also have a bathroom.
Your Essential Sumatra Travel Toolkit
TRAVEL INSURANCE: An absolute necessity whether you’re travelling for a week, a month or a year. For flexibility and affordability, we highly recommend SafetyWing.
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MONEY MANAGEMENT: Grab a free Wise account to easily store and switch currencies, send money all over the world, and withdraw from ATMs throughout Indonesia. We would be LOST without this amazing tool.
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FLIGHT FINDER: Nothing beats Skyscanner for sourcing the best flights to, from, and around Sumatra. Filter your search according to the cheapest or fastest options. We use this every time we fly.
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BOOKING ACCOMMODATION: We always use Booking.com when we travel throughout Sumatra and beyond. Easily find your ideal guesthouse, hotel or resort.
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