Cunca Rami Waterfall

"Hidden Jungle Gem – A Detailed Guide to Cunca Rami Waterfall (via Desa Pinggong)

If you're planning to visit Cunca Rami Waterfall, this is the scenic and lesser-known route via Desa Pinggong, and it’s honestly one of the most rewarding nature hikes I’ve done in Flores.

🛵 Getting There (from Desa Pinggong):
Start from Desa Pinggong. From the main road, you’ll still need to ride about 45 minutes through hilly terrain and narrow paths. The scenery is gorgeous — expect rice fields, forested sections, and small villages.
The road gets bumpy closer to the trailhead, so a motorbike with good tires is recommended. Drive slowly and with care, especially after rain.

🥾 The Hike (approx. 45 mins):
From the trailhead, you’ll trek around 45 minutes through lush forest with two shallow river crossings — so yes, your feet will get wet!
Bring good sandals or waterproof hiking shoes, or prepare a change of socks if you’re wearing closed shoes.

💰 Entrance Fee:
There’s a local entrance fee — I paid 20,000 IDR as a small token. Some locals say it’s optional since it’s a public waterfall, but as a guest in their country, I chose to pay to show respect and appreciation. It’s not much, and it helps the local community.

🧍‍♀️ Guide Situation:
A friendly woman approached me along the trail offering guide services. She was kind and not pushy at all. I was already halfway in when I met her, so I politely declined.
If you don’t need a guide, you don’t have to pay anyone else. The trail is fairly straightforward, and locals along the way are helpful if you're unsure.

⚠️ Important Navigation Tip:
As you’re nearing the waterfall, you’ll see a sign telling you to turn right — don’t follow it. Instead, go up the stairs just slightly ahead. Within a few more minutes, you’ll reach the falls directly. That small detail saved me from getting lost!

💦 The Waterfall:
Cunca Rami is tall, beautiful, and surrounded by lush jungle. The water is clear and cool — a perfect reward after the hike. You can take a dip or just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. It’s not crowded, especially via this route.

🧳 Things to Bring:

Water

Snacks

Quick-dry towel

Waterproof/dry bag

Proper footwear

Camera or phone

Small cash (for entrance or snacks)

✨ Final Thoughts:
This route to Cunca Rami is for those who enjoy off-the-beaten-path adventures. It's peaceful, scenic, and offers a more authentic experience compared to the standard tourist trails. Just come prepared, wear proper footwear, and enjoy the journey!"

Clovis

"Wow, wow, wow! A bit tricky to get to, but worth the effort.
We too a bike from Labuan Bajo, following the main highway for just over an hour before turning off. The road after the run off up until the water fall (another 45 mins or so) is terrible in places, completely cobblestone or washed away. We took a wrong turn in the village - we recommend putting into maps ‘Desa Pingyong’ which is just south east of the falls on the maps. From here we parked the bike and walked the path down past the fields to the cascades, here you cross and continue left up the river to another crossing.

Prepare to get wet feet!

Continue ahead to the third crossing and you will see the entrance hut. Here you can pay for entry and a drink. The falls are a short walk from there.

We had the falls all to ourselves and it was absolutely epic."

Sasha Brampton

"Loved this place. Beware the road is a bit of challenge, we were convinced we had got lost, and takes nearly 30 minutes after leaving the main mountain road. We used a guide called Lucia to walk the 40 minutes from the village through the forest to the waterfall. She was polite and helpful and we also had coffee with her husband and lots of children from the village. We went in April and the waterfall looked fantastic with a great swim but be aware the track through the forest of not suitable for small children or the disabled.
We were happy to pay the guide and entry price as the money goes into the local economy.
We were the only tourists they had seen in over a week, it really needs the government to invest in the road which would open up access to the larger tourist circle."

nigel owen