Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep with Kids – Our Experience + Tips for Families
Can you do the Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls hike with young kids?
Yes! With the right preparation (baby carrier, snacks, good shoes), even families with toddlers can enjoy these beautiful jungle waterfalls in North Lombok. The trail is partly adventurous, but manageable — and a real highlight for nature-loving families.
Is it safe to visit these waterfalls with children?
Yes — but it depends on your kids’ ages and your travel style as a family. The walk to Sendang Gile is mostly shaded and involves a lot of stairs. Young kids around 3 can often walk large parts of it themselves, though carrying them at times is totally normal.
Tiu Kelep is more of an adventure: you’ll walk through a short tunnel, cross shallow rivers, and step over wet rocks. If you’re going with toddlers, a sturdy baby carrier is essential. Older kids (6+) usually find it exciting — especially if they enjoy water and nature.
We did the hike with our 2- and 3-year-olds — and yes, it’s doable! At Sendang Gile, we briefly considered skipping the second waterfall, since we didn’t see any other small kids on the trail. But we continued — with care — and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
Quick Summary: Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfalls with Kids
Location
Senaru, North Lombok — near Mount Rinjani.
Walk duration
Sendang Gile: 15–20 min (stairs)
Tiu Kelep: 30–45 min (or up to 90 min with small kids)
Best ages
Kids 5+ can hike with guidance. Bring a carrier for toddlers.
To pack
Good shoes or water shoes, swimwear, towel, snacks, dry clothes.
Activities
Splashing at the waterfalls, jungle walk, mini adventure for the whole family.
Guide
Recommended with toddlers. Optional for older kids.
Our honest experience hiking Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep with a 2- and 3-year-old
Hiking to Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls in North Lombok with a 2- and 3-year-old sounds like a challenge — and it was! But also one of our favorite family adventures in Lombok.
The walk to Sendang Gile waterfall was mostly stairs through shaded jungle. Our 3-year-old walked most of it herself (with some help on the steeper parts), and we carried our toddler in a soft structured carrier. We did spot monkeys on the way, so make sure to keep snacks packed away!
At the start of the trail to Tiu Kelep waterfall, we considered turning back. We hadn’t seen any other families with young children, and it looked a bit more adventurous than expected. But hey — parenting is basically one big adventure, right? So we decided to go for it — and we’re so glad we did.
The second part of the hike included a short tunnel, shallow river crossings, and slippery rocks — definitely a challenge with small children, but also a magical jungle experience. Tiu Kelep is a powerful, photogenic waterfall surrounded by lush canyon walls. The kids splashed in the shallow water, we had a snack break nearby, and just took it all in.
The hike back required a bit of perseverance (and plenty of snacks), but we all made it — muddy, wet, proud, and smiling.
👉 Planning to explore more of Indonesia? Don’t miss our full guide to visiting Lombok with kids — packed with tips for families with babies and toddlers.
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1. Getting to Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep with Kids
🛥️ Best route from the Gili Islands
Take a local boat to Bangsal, then continue by private driver to Senaru. You can also ask your accommodation to arrange a private boat (Rp400,000-Rp500,000) — easier when traveling with kids and luggage. You can also book a guided waterfall tour in advance — which can be extra convenient with kids.
👉 Check out these options: this one and this one.
🚗 Travel times from other areas in Lombok
Whichever part of the island you’re coming from, a private driver is the way to go:
- Senggigi → approx. 2 hours
- Tetebatu → 2.5–3 hours
- Kuta Lombok → 3+ hours (a long drive, but doable if you leave early)
We included the waterfalls in our 👉 3-week Bali & Lombok route, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable stops.
🎟 Entry & where to start the hike
When you arrive in Senaru, you’ll find multiple starting gates — no need to overthink it, they all lead to the same path.
You’ll pay a small entrance fee. Local guides are available — especially helpful when hiking with toddlers.
2. The Hike: What to Expect with Kids
🚶🏻First stop: Sendang Gile Waterfall
The trail to Sendang Gile is short (15–20 minutes) and mostly made up of stairs. It’s shaded and scenic, and kids around age 3 can usually walk most of it themselves — though some carrying is normal. You’ll pass jungle views, bamboo groves, and maybe even spot some monkeys (hide your snacks!).
🏞️ Continue to Tiu Kelep Waterfall
This part is more adventurous:
- You’ll walk through a tunnel,
- Cross a shallow river (twice!),
- And step over slippery rocks.
Expect 30–45 minutes one way — or 60–90 minutes with small children. It’s not stroller-friendly, but totally doable with a sturdy carrier and good shoes. The reward? A powerful waterfall in a lush green canyon where kids can splash, play, and cool off.
💡 Crew Tip: Plan a few short breaks along the way — let your kids splash in a stream or have a snack. It helps break up the hike and keeps little ones motivated (especially around age 3).
3. What to Pack for the Waterfall Hike
Packing smart makes all the difference on this jungle walk — especially when hiking with young children.
- 👟 Good shoes (water shoes or grippy sneakers)
- 👶 Sturdy baby carrier for toddlers
- 🩱 Swimwear + towel (you’ll want to splash!)
- 🍎 Snacks + water (no visible food — monkeys!)
- 👕 Dry clothes for after swimming
- 🎒 Dry bag for phones and valuables
- 🧴 Sunscreen & insect repellent (mostly shaded, but still useful)
4. Tips for Families Visiting the Waterfalls
- 🕗 Go early to avoid heat and crowds — and to take your time on the trail.
- 🧃 Take breaks during the hike — let kids splash, snack, and reset.
- 🐒 Hide your snacks from monkeys, especially near Sendang Gile.
- 🧑🦯 Consider hiring a guide — while the path is clear and often busy, having a local guide was surprisingly helpful with small kids. Ours assisted with slippery parts, carried some of our gear, and was genuinely kind and great with the kids.
- 🍛 Plan a post-hike meal in Senaru — Rinjani Lodge or a local warung has good food and stunning views.
Final Thoughts: A Mini Jungle Adventure for the Whole Family
Visiting Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep was one of the most memorable parts of our Lombok trip. The mix of waterfalls, jungle paths, and just the right amount of challenge made it a perfect family adventure — even with a toddler and preschooler!
Whether you include it in a full Bali–Lombok itinerary or plan a dedicated visit to North Lombok, these waterfalls offer nature, excitement, and splashy fun all in one.
👉 Planning your trip? Don’t miss these helpful guides:
- 3-Week Bali & Lombok Itinerary With Kids
- Top 10 Things To Do in Bali With Kids
- Traveling between Bali and Lombok
- Is Bali a Good Destination With Kids?
- Where to stay in Bali with kids?
- Lovina with Kids
📥 Looking for extras? Download our free 👉 3-week Bali & Lombok itinerary to keep little ones entertained — or check out our 👉 Family Travel Shop for journals and more fun printables.
📌 Save this guide to Pinterest & follow us for weekly family travel ideas.
📸 Say hi on Instagram — we love sharing real tips and behind-the-scenes from our adventures with kids!
Happy exploring! 🌿
— The Little Passport Crew
FAQ: Visiting Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep with Kids
👧🏻 Can toddlers really do this hike?
Yes — with a good baby carrier and a bit of patience. Our 3-year-old walked large parts herself, and we carried our 2-year-old. The first waterfall (Sendang Gile) is much easier than the second (Tiu Kelep).
🏊🏼♂️ Can you swim at the waterfalls?
Yes — especially at Tiu Kelep, where there’s shallow water to splash and cool off. Just be careful: the water can be cold and the current strong near the main falls. Stay close to the edge with little ones.
🚻 Are there toilets or changing facilities?
There are basic toilets at the entrance, but nothing along the trail. Bring your own wipes and changing mat if needed.
🙋♂️ Do you really need a guide?
The trail is clear and easy to follow, especially if you’re just visiting Sendang Gile. But with young kids, we found having a guide was super helpful — both for safety and a helping hand with bags or river crossings.
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