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| The first glimpse of Mount Serapi’s ridgeline — rugged peaks rising above the endless jungle canopy. |
It started with a simple suggestion from Michael. He told us about a place, tucked deep inside the green folds of Kuching’s jungle — Libuan Tukom waterfall. The name alone was enough to stir curiosity. Not the kind of place marked on tourist maps, but a trail whispered among adventurers.
Andrew volunteered his off-road car, and soon the three of us — Andrew, Michael, and myself — were bouncing along the rugged dirt tracks toward the trailhead. The journey in itself was an adventure. With Andrew behind the wheel, the car clawed its way through uneven paths, mud patches, and overgrown jungle roads, until we reached the point where the hike would begin.
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| Michael leading the way with Andrew, as we began our hike on the wide trail into the forest. |
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| A small jungle stream marking the start of our adventure — cool, clear, and alive with the sound of rushing water. |
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| Amber waters weaving their way through rocks, a forest symphony in liquid form. |
The trail to Libuan Tukom is only about 2.8 kilometers, yet it feels like stepping into another world. We set off at an easy pace, knowing we had just under an hour of trekking ahead of us. The path started wide, flanked by ferns and young saplings. Every now and then the forest opened up, offering a glimpse of the distant ridgeline where mountains stood like silent sentinels against a moody sky.
Walking side by side, we could hear the crunch of soil under our boots and the faint chorus of cicadas hidden high in the trees. The air was fresh, heavy with the earthy perfume of damp soil and moss.
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| Our first waterfall encounter — roots and rocks interwoven with the cascade, like nature’s own artwork. |
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| A mossy stream flowing gently between boulders, every corner whispering “untouched wilderness.” |
Halfway in, the trail brought us to a series of small streams. Their water, stained amber by the forest floor, danced over stones and fallen logs. We paused to fill our bottles and splash our faces, the coolness a welcome relief from the humid climb. The sound of rushing water accompanied us as we pressed on, weaving deeper into the jungle.
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| The magnificent basin waterfall of Libuan Tukom — carved through time, framed by towering rock layers. |
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| Standing in awe under the cascade, dwarfed by the rock face and humbled by the force of nature. |
After about 50 minutes, the distant rumble of falling water reached our ears. Excitement quickened our steps until the trail suddenly gave way to an open clearing — and there it was. Libuan Tukom waterfall, a stunning basin carved out of time and geology. Layered rock walls formed a natural amphitheater where the water cascaded down, collecting into a dark pool below.
Standing at its base, I felt small. Roots of ancient trees clung to the rock walls, vines dangled down like nature’s curtains, and the water fell in steady streams that echoed through the canyon.
Michael was right — this place was worth every step.
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| Behind the waterfall — a misty hidden world where time slows and every drop feels alive. |
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| Looking down from the top of the falls, the plunge pool glistening like a bronze mirror. |
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| A gentle upper-tier stream, sliding quietly over smooth stone into the jungle below. |
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| The upper waterfall surrounded by moss-covered boulders, each one like a sleeping giant. |
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| A wall of rock and vines, where water trickles down in countless silver threads. |
We didn’t stop at just admiring the falls from below. Curiosity drove us to climb higher. We scrambled up moss-covered boulders and found ourselves behind the curtain of water. From there, the world outside looked blurred, a shifting lens of droplets and mist. It felt like standing inside the heartbeat of the jungle.
Pushing further, we climbed to the upper tier of the falls. Looking down, the pool below appeared like a bronze mirror framed by stone and green. The rocks above were slick but beautiful, with smaller streams and trickles feeding the main cascade.
We explored upstream where the river wound its way through cracks in the rock, forming smaller falls and pools that looked untouched by human presence. Moss grew thick, vines hung low, and the forest whispered around us.
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| From above: the water plunging into a narrow chasm, carving its way into stone for centuries. |
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| A different perspective of the waterfall — seen through dangling roots and jungle curtains. |
Though the hike was short — less than three kilometers — the experience was rich, layered with discovery. The terrain wasn’t punishing, but it rewarded us with a hidden world that felt far away from the noise of daily life.
Libuan Tukom waterfall may not have the fame of other Sarawak giants, but it carries the raw beauty of a place still held close by the jungle. For me, Michael, and Andrew, this little adventure reminded us why we hike: not just to reach a destination, but to uncover the quiet wonders waiting along the way.
