Take a day trip up a rocky riverbed to a bubbling hot springs at the foot of the active Mt. Kunyit volcano. Along the way, make a detour to two beautiful hidden waterfalls – one close to the riverbed trail, and another about forty-five minutes deeper into the jungle. Enjoy lunch by the hot springs, and time relaxing in the natural hot tub formed where the spring’s boiling waters meet a cold mountain stream.

Drive roughly fourty-five minutes from Lempur village through farmland on the side of Mt. Kunyit volcano until you reach the riverbed trail head. Trek carefully across the rocky terrain for roughly an hour until you reach a small gully with a stream running through it and a waterfall pouring down. Climb up the sides of the gully and continue until you reach a much larger waterfall about thirty minutes away. Enjoy the views before continuing on your journey back to the rocky riverbed. Eventually arrive at the Grao Sikai hot springs where you’ll have lunch. Relax in the warm waters and natural river hot tub. 

When you’re sufficiently relaxed and refreshed, make your way back down the river and to the waiting vehicle for your return drive to Lempur village. 

The first of two waterfalls on the Grao Sikai Hot Spring trek
Interested in a longer multi-day jungle trek, that also visits Mt. Kunyit volcano? Be sure to check out our Mt. Kunyit itinerary!

Summary

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate. The trail up the riverbed is flat, although it can be easy to fall on the rocky terrain. Visiting the second waterfall is also a steeper climb, although this waterfall is optional.

Activities: Hiking, Soaking in a Natural Hot Tub, Bird Watching, Wildlife

Elevation: 1300m-1500m

Terrain: Hot Springs, Waterfalls, Jungle, Rocky Riverbed

Nearest Village: Lempur, Gunung Raya subdistrict, Kerinci regency, Jambi province, Indonesia

  • A quality pair of hiking shoes – preferably waterproof – are essential.
  • Comfortable trekking socks are recommended.
  • Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Preferably made from quick-dry material.
  • Your own water bottle, to cut down on single-use plastics.
  • A waterproof jacket in case it rains, and to keep you warm in the chilly evenings and mornings.
  • Sunscreen! Much of the trek is in the unshaded river bed, with rainforest canopy on either side but not directly above. So you’ll be pretty exposed to direct sunlight.

The trail is rocky and it could be easy to twist an ankle. So tread carefully. There are also a few spots with steep drop offs on the sides. And of course, the waters initially coming out of the hot springs are boiling hot, with the strong smell of sulfur – so don’t touch! Enjoy a dip in a natural pool a bit downriver where a cool mountain stream mixes with the hot spring water to create the perfect temperature.

Like all of our trips, you travel at your own risk. Keep in mind that you are visiting a wild and extremely remote area of rural Sumatra, far from quality medical care. It’s your responsibility to make sure you are covered with valid travel and medical insurance.

The best place to base yourself before and after the trek is in the small village of Lempur, in the southern region of Kerinci, staying with your guide’s family. It’s also possible to stay in a small hotel in the main town of Sungai Penuh, about an hour north of Lempur.

Many travelers come overland via the city of Padang in West Sumatra to the town of Sungai Penuh. Expect the drive to Sungai Penuh to take around nine hours, although it can vary by an hour or two depending on the road conditions and the driver, and if you are taking public or private transport. Padang has direct flights to/from the hubs of Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Medan, and Batam. If you are in Bukittinggi, it’s possible to drive directly to Sungai Penuh, roughly a ten hour drive. From Sungai Penuh, you’ll be met and driven on to Lempur.

The city of Jambi is also a possible launching point, taking roughly nine hours to reach Lempur, without having to go to Sungai Penuh first. The road from Jambi is less winding than the road from Padang, so a bit more comfortable.

You can read more about transport to/from Kerinci, and what travel looks like within the valley here.

When booking with us, we’ll be happy to assist you with all accommodation and transport arrangements.

We’re proud that 100% of our proceeds goes directly to Pencagura, a local grassroots conservation and development organization that works to preserve the surrounding rainforest and improve the lives of forest-edge communities .

As always, we use only local guides and porters from nearby communities, who are paid a fair, ethical wage above the standard local price.

Come discover Kerinci for yourself! Learn about the region, visit our itineraries page, or view additional points of interest around Kerinci to create your own custom trip. Be sure to check out our travel tips when you’re ready to start planning.

INTERESTED? WE’D LOVE TO SET UP SOMETHING THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU.