Harau Canyon : Earth Wall Within Outstanding Scenery

Harau Canyon consisted of steep boulder granites that separated a hilly area with prosperous plain underneath, added up with a waterfall about 150 meters down. This beautiful panorama is included into a nature park about 270 hectares width and became home for some wild creature such as tapirus indicus, gibbons, wild boards and sumatran tiger. Granite cliffs of Harau Valley measured 80 to 300 meters, standing tall nearly 90 degrees in elevation that created a deep canyon complimented by fresh air.

One  theory has it that the Harau Valley came into being as a result of a tectonic fracture on an ancient land, with parallel rivers running through it. As one part of the land sank, while the other rose, the waterways broke, and waterfalls eventually ensued from the spillways above the rocky hills. Local scientists believe that this theory may prove to be true. On the other hand, German geologists who had conducted a study here found that the huge granite rocks found in the area are in fact identical to those found on the ocean bed. Thus, there is now another theory that the valley may have once laid at the bottom of the ocean.

This wonderful landscape situated 15 kilometers from Payakumbuh, West Sumatra and can be reached by mass transportation. Depart from Aur Kuning bus terminus, Bukit Tinggi towards Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota about 45 km away. Take a bus to the direction of Payakumbuh, about 15 kilometers from Harau Canyon, then change into direction Sari Lama. Approximately journey from Payakumbuh takes half an hour.

Sightseeing :

• See the scenic canyons and rock formations of Harau Valley. 
• Go for a trek in the mountains or rent a bike and enjoy the view and bathe in hidden waterfalls.  
•  See some waterfalls on the cliffs. There are two famous waterfalls, Aka Bearayun and Sarasah Bunta. Sarasah Bunta is more beatiful and natural than Aka Berayun.
• For curious travelers, take time for a short walk around the village and watch how people live. Some of the women here work in the rice fields while men plough the fields behind water buffalos, providing the perfect shot for you to take.

Eat and Sleep :

• 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.  
• Abdi Homestay, ☎ +62 852 637 81842 (ikbal_harau@yahoo.com). A former employee of Echo Homestay (see below), Ikbal has started his own place but is keeping it small. He has three newly built bungalows with a rice paddy on one side and a 50 meter waterfall from the mountain on the other. He is also on Face Book under Ikbal Harau Valley where one can see some great photos. He can also arrange treks around the valley and up the mountains (Rp. 250,000 per person). Great value, and the friendly Ikbal will do everything he can to make your stay as good as it can possibly get. Rp. 60,000
• Echo Homestay, ☎ +6281266191501 (finaldo_moechtar@yahoo.com). Has a bunch of mid-range alternatives, and also conference arrangements. Echo Homestay has 9 cottages with total 21 rooms you can choose to stay. The most expensive room price is Rp. 540.000.- per-night. Find further information at www.echohomestay.blogspot.com and www.lembahecho.blogspot.com You are suggested to make reservation one or two month before visiting day because of room availability. Echo Homestay always fully booked in peak season
• Ik's cabins (was going to be named after his son), Harau Valley (Ask for Ik (owner)). If you are going to this amazing place of Harau Valley you should no doubt stay in this fantastic place! Ik is the guy who owns it and he is the friendliest person you can imagine. He has built three basic (but clean and with bathroom/toilet) cabins situated just on the edge of a rice field and beside a beautiful waterfall and his wife and he will cook great local food for you and bring it by the cabin 3 times a day. Often he will stay and talk while you eat and share his life and ideas with you which is a treat! Also he will take you on hikes (if you wish) in the breathtaking landscape and he is the perfect guide. We went on two trips with him and both were fantastic. While walking he would find us local fruits to taste, show us all his favourite places and introduce us to people he new. If all of this has not convinced you, it should be noted that he has started up this place in the hope of generating enough money to send his small son to university when time comes. Go there and support his dream! I can only hope he will succeed. When you arrive to the valley, you should just ask people around for Ik and they will show you where to go. I can't remember the exact price but it was extremely fair and we stayed there for about five days