Nyarai Waterfall also known as The Green Canyon
The fresh clear water of the waterfall flows among the river stones from Bukit Barisan and falls 7-8 meters down trapped into an approximately 10m wide pool (Lubuk Nyarai) that was naturally formed among giant rocks on each sides. The color could turn really green sometimes as the jungle reflection mixed with the sun light through its clear water.
The slowest time to reach the waterfall from the nearest main road is 3 hours trekking, for now its the only way to reach Nyarai Waterfall (Air Terjun Nyarai in Bahasa Indonesia). The area was Discovered by Ritno Kurniawan and his team during their private expedition in 2013. Ritno is the team leader of Lubuk Alung Adventure Tourism Community in Padang Pariaman District, who run the area with his other team member since April 2013. The team has divided to 5 divisions now in colaboratting with Padang Pariaman Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as the local peoples who responsible to Safety and Security, Sanitation, Tourist Attractions, Shelter, Media and Public Relation. It was unofficially announced to public on June 2013 at one of the biggest event Tour de Singkarak held by the Union Cycliste Internationale in West Sumatra as a start. Since then Ritno and his team fought his own way to promote the area as till now it has become one of the most wanted destination in West Sumatra.
JUNGLE TREKKING
Walking 3.5 km / 20 miles through an exotic rice fields view which can be so refreshing will accompany us at the beginning of theJungle Trekking, we might find some villagers work on their rice fields, this could be interesting to see as some of them are still stick to a traditional way to cultivate their land.
During this trek we will cross through some jungle rivers and natural stone ponds, some of those ponds which have several kind of fishes such as "Ikan Panjang" also known asGiant mottled eelandLong finned eel(Anguilla Marmorata) in the family of (Anguillidae) and "Ikan Gariang" also called as Semah/Kanceragenus Tor (Neolissochilus) in the family of (Cyprinidae).
This genus was once claimed as the only species which can be found in Lake Toba - Parapat while this type is often found in a variety of natural habitat in the other part of Indonesia not only in North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, but West Java, Central Java, Aceh and Borneo as well. This fish can be caught with a handmade traditional gun or a fishing spear.
It takes a special skill to catch fish with a spear gun, because you had to dive to chase fish. Fish taste amazing as it fresh from the natural ponds in this area.
Gamaran Forest area also known with its flora and fauna, such asMonyet Merahknown asMaroon leaf monkey(Presbytis rubicunda) and Jamur Tudung Pengantinalso known as Stinkhorn Mushrooms (Phallaceae) this mushroom can be found here when you do trekking in the rainy season.
Before we actually get toNyarai Waterfallsome trails can be hard for some beginners as we have at least two extreme inclines we need to climb and cross a knee-deep rocky Nyarai River(Batang Nyarai) but the whole trip is quite safe for almost all ages if it's not raining. Don't worry it required at least twice or more refreshment stops, one in the forest and the other one in the crossing, besides all local guides provided in the area were really well trained to have the standard ability to survive, rescue, and even to train tourists to live in theJungle. One more thing at, once we arrive, everything will be wortled as the energy and the beauty of this spectacular area was so unexpectedly overwhelming.
CAMPING
Camping is possible as long as you bring your own gears, for some urgent situations "we provided some tents for rent" Ritno said, as well as a guide for group it will all depends on how the group looks like, more guide will be provided when the group contains more women and childrens. When you get to Nyarai Waterfall you'll need to provide your legal Identification Card or Passport as there are 3 Age categories that will determined the entrance fee, which are :
Age between 5 - 10 yo will be charged : Rp. 10.000,-
Age between 11- 17 yo will be charged : Rp. 15.000,-
Above 18 yo - will be charged : Rp. 20.000,-
For Camping - will be charged : Rp. 40.000,-
Rp. 40.000,- camping charged is for your 1st night, if you spend more than 1 night, the next charge will only cost you Rp. 20.000.- /Night. All costs are inclusive of parking, a tour guide, and administration.
Some standard rules will be applied :
No scratches on natural stones inside the area
No alcohol
Dont take anything but a picture
Dont leave anything but a foot prints
Dont carry anything but memories
HOW TO GET THERE
From Bukittinggi take a minivan to Lubuk Alung 39KM, stop at the Intersection (Simpang) Udikat PLN or Simpang Kasiak Putiah, there you can only take a motorbike (OJEK) cost a maximum Rp. 25.000,- /person. Improve your bargaining skills before you meet them. it will take around 30minutes or 18KM to get to Nyarai Jorong Gamaran Post. There you'll find Nyarai office and Information center. From Padang to Lubuk Alung 30KM we can also take a minivan, stop at Simpang BLKM from there to Nyarai Jorong Gamaran Post is around 7KM.
Special Thanks to Ritno Kurniawan, Heri Ale, Djoe Na, And Yanda Ju, who inspired in this article