Harau Valley

The Harau Valley (or Arau Valley) is in West Sumatra in Indonesia. It is an area of natural beauty located halfway between Pekanbaru and Bukittinggi. Rice fields are dwarfed by cliffs.

Get in
Minibus from Bukittingi Aur Kuning Bus Terminal (grey, written 'Padang Bukittingi P.kumbuh', possibly others) to Simpang Empat Gerbang Harau (North of Sarilamak), Rp20,000 (to bus driver. Bus terminal staff may attempt to ask more), ~ 60-90 min via Payakumbuh. After opelet (moto taxi) to harau village or homestay directly, Rp20,000 (negotiate, may be more if deeper in valley), ~15 min. Usually many are available where the minibus drops you off. Eventually Call a homestay for a pickup and/or a tour around the valley. Larger bus available only between Bukittingi and Payakumbuh.

Harau Valley is located in Desa Lubuk Limpato, Nagari Tarantang - Kecamatan Harau, Kabupaten Limapuluh Kota. West Sumatera Province. It is about 7 km from Sarilamak City the new capital city of Kabupaten Limapuluh Kota (the previous one is Payakumbuh). If you drive a car from Bukittinggi it will take around one hour.

Get around
It is small enough to walk around. Echo Homestay rents out bikes.

See
Local people hold a cultural and art festival, namely Pasa Harau. This festival is usually held in July or August for three consecutive days.


 * Rice fields
 * Panorama Aka Barayun
 * Sarasah Bunta Waterfall
 * Taman Wisata Lembah Harau, a Japanese-Korean Village, a Secret Garden and a European Village

Do
Go for a trek in the mountains and enjoy the view and bathe in hidden waterfalls.

Buy
If you want to buy small souvenirs there are few item you can find at Echo Homestay, which is key holder and t-Shirt with special design. The price is OK.

Eat
There are some smaller shops and restaurants at the entrance to the valley, but as you get deeper on the country roads there is nothing. Try to stock up on food before arriving. The selection is quite limited at the small shops. There is a nice restaurant by a pond about 1 km outside the park entrance.

Sleep


Besides the two places mentioned above there are plenty of other local homestays in the area, quite a few in well kept traditional houses. Consider spreading the money around and giving one of these a try.

Go next

 * Bukittinggi city.