Benang Stokel is located in the village of Aik Berik in Central Lombok, about 27 km east of Mataram and less than one hour’s drive from the capital. The village is easily reached by car or motorbike and is set amongst pretty scenery, with green rice fields and verdant fruit orchards. Benang Stokel is easily accessed by a short walk from the paved parking area at the start of this national reserve. There is a small admission charge, which helps maintain the park area and the limited camping facilities nearby. There are also small stalls selling snacks and drinks, and friendly young boys who work as unofficial guides and will carry your bags or picnic baskets for a small fee.
Benang Stokel features two waterfalls falling more than 30 metres down a steep cliff face covered with ferns and jungle vegetation. Benang means “thread”, and describes the thin streams of water that gush down the cliff, like silver threads. The waterfall to the left is the higher of the two and is more powerful. The fall on the right side splashes into a small rocky pool at the bottom.
After relaxing on one of the berugaq (resting pavilions) and having a splash in the cool water, it is relatively easy to make the trek to the second set of waterfalls, around 30 to 45 minutes away. A small track leads up the incline through the jungle, twisting through the verdant rainforest of the surrounding hills. Although parts of the trek can be a bit slippery and arduous, the track is safe and can be navigated by most people. The view of Benang Kelambu at the end is worth every minute of the effort!
At the end of the track, a series of rock and cement steps leads down to the base of these magnificent waterfalls. As soon as you reach the steps, the view of the falls spraying mist across the green hillside is breathtaking. This sort of scenery is reminiscent of Amazon rainforests… totally natural and simply stunning!
Kelambu means “netting” and refers to the waterfalls, which spread out across the greenery like finely draped nets. There are five different waterfalls, each falling like veils through the lush ferns and jungle vines that cover the 40 metre high hillside.
Large boulders embedded at different levels on the slope break the falls, splashing spray into the air and providing perfect lounging places to rest and let the fresh mists cool your body.At the base of the falls, the water splashes onto rocks and runs in pretty streams down the hill to the river below. It is an idyllic place to relax, climbing the rocks and sitting under the falls to cool off, letting the water splash gently over you and wash away the stress, or sitting on the rocks at the base, gazing up at the sweeping sprays making rainbows above.
