The hidden enchanting valley of West Sumatra Highlights.
Harau Valley is elevated on 500m absl and situated about 4.5 hours drive from Padang downtown and 4 hours drive from Minangkabau International Airport – West Sumatra Sumatra. 90 minutes drive from Bukittinggi and 30 minutes drive from Payakumbuh downtown | Lima Puluh Kota. Definitely a lot less touristy than the other wonders of Sumatra, this area has kept a secret beauty all along
Harau valley is the most beautiful natural scenery in West Sumatra even in Indonesia – surrounded by steep colourful granite and limestone cliffs, range of height from 100 to 300 meters and lush green rice fields are overlaid in between huge granite cliffs. Dozens of waterfalls tumble down from 80 to 150 meters height to the bottom.
‘No Wonder’ why so many folks call it as a remarkable natural phenomenon that is rarely found in other hemisphere. Therefore Harau Valley is sometimes known as the Cheerful Yosemite of Indonesia.
Explore TOURIST ATTRACTIONS around Harau Valley – Payakumbuh | 50 Kota ;
- Harau Valley.
- Jungle Trekking.
- Rock Climbing.
- Taram Village.
- Kelok 9 Bridge.
- Rumah Gadang Sungai Baringin.
- Ngalau Cave.
HARAU VALLEY
Harau valley is the highlight of Sumatra enriched with varieties of interesting places to see and do during holidays in Sumatra. As soon as reaching the entrance of the Harau Valley, you will be accompanied by spectacular beautifully steep granite and limestone cliffs as well as waterfalls along the way.
Black Gibbons, Long Tailed Macaques, Pig Tailed Macaques and some other varieties of wildlife are still roaming and roaring freely from one site to the other as this area has been designated as a national park. Orchid and other unique vegetation will be found along the trail in the jungle. This charming valley truly has a specific beautiful landscape, feeling of solace with peaceful serenity that only frequently disrupted by the calls of the macaques, gibbons, tweet of birds, etc.
Relaxing is one of the best time-elapsing activities here while settling down to write the unforgettable chapter of your journey with extraordinary experiences you have had during your wonderful time in Sumatra Indonesia.
Harau Valley JUNGLE TREKKING
Experience the terrific panoramic view of Harau Valley by jungle trekking / hiking surrounding the valley up to the top of the ranged of mountain as it feels a lot more majestic seeing the scenery from up high above.
The natural landscape and fascinating environment overlooked from the top of mountain will bring you into a kind of ancient impression with villages and rice fields overlaid underneath. The granite cliffs seems to be the tough fortress of the village with a unique curvy shape surrounding the valley which certainly pampering your sight. In the end of your trip, you can enjoy bathing in hidden waterfall before heading back to your lovely cottage (ABDI Homestay).
COUNTRY-SIDE WALKING | HIKING
Take some time for a lovely short walk/hike to explore the true life in the surrounding village with pleasant fresh air and authentic life style with different sight-seeings. Take the chance to see more clearly the vastness of the valley, walled in between the expanding rocks. Witness and take a glimpse on how the society live their life, some farmers work in their farms, some in the rice fields ploughing the ground behind their cows or water buffaloes and some hoeing the ground manually with their hands. It certainly will be another unforgettable new experience.
ROCK CLIMBING
A perfect spot for Rock climbing lovers either for beginner or expert. The steep rock walls here are not only a natural invitation to photographers, but they also attract rock climbers who consider climbing these steep walls a significant challenge. There are hundreds of different spots to to climb up suitable for beginner or expert.
Find out more about the climbing spots.
KELOK 9 Bridge
Kelok 9 or Kelok Sembilan is a (9 hairpin) winding road that interconnecting road link between West, Central and the East Coast of Sumatra. Located about 30 km from Payakumbuh, 10 km from Harau Valley. The road has a sharp bend, bordering on a ravine, and flanked by two hills between two nature reserves: the White Water Nature Reserve and the Harau Nature Reserve.
The new overpass / flyover / bridge was built to replace over the old Kelok 9. The total length of the bridge and road built is 2,537 metres, consisting of 6 bridges with a length of 959 meters and a connecting road along 1,537 meters and has a width of 12.5 meters wide road. The first bridge spans have a length of 20 meters, a second span of 230 meters, and a third span 65 meters. The fourth span has a length of 462 meters. The fourth bridge span is a type of concrete arch bridge with a bore pile as deep as 20 meters to hold the bridge weight and the horizontal force of an earthquake. The fifth bridge spans a length of 31 meters and a sixth span of 156 meters.
TARAM Village – KAPALO BANDA
One of the most popular interesting places to do and see around Payakumbuh, West Sumatra is Taram, the magnificent hidden river that formed up like a small lake sits beneath the jungle of Kapalo Banda village. It is located about 30 minutes from Harau Valley Payakumbuh. It will certainly be a fantastic experience in this river to explore the calm river (lake) with canoe made from bamboo, pedalling with a 3 meter bamboo stick while enjoying the lovely view. The farther you go and the more beautiful scenery you will see surrounded by the erected green mountains around you.
NGALAU CAVE
Astonishing stalactite and stalagmite cave located in Payakumbuh town where caves extend deep into the mountainside. Mainly inhabited by thousands of bats and swallows. The coolness and damp air is so refreshing inside the cave. The path through these caves leads out to the top of the mountain with panoramic view of Payakumbuh town.
RUMAH GADANG Sungai Baringin
A lovely traditional Minangkabau big house located at Sungai Baringin village. The house is well kept and managed properly. The building is fully hand carved in and out with Minangkabau carving designs. It will be fascinating to visit this house as It is just located about 20 minutes from Payakumbuh downtown or 45 minutes from Harau Valley.
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