Best Trekking Tour in Indonesia
BEST INDONESIA MOUNTAIN TREKS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO
With 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the place to go for pristine beaches, clear waters, and island hopping adventures. What many people might not know is that it has just as many mountains and volcanoes. Indonesia is a geographical wonder waiting to be explored! An archipelago at the junction of many tectonic plates with a whopping 129 volcanoes encircle the stretch of Indonesia. Home of some of the most active volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire, expect some stunning out of this world landscapes when exploring Indonesia. With some volcanoes being active, dormant or extinct, the rolling valleys they have created make up a landscape that you won’t see anywhere else. To narrow down the search of which mountains to climb and explore, here is our list of the best Indonesia mountain treks that you have to do.
1. Mount Bromo
The most iconic mountain in the country, Mount Bromo is often famed as one of the best mountains in Indonesia due to its stunning views. Making up a part of the massive Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, you’ll see the peak of Mount Bromo spewing off white sulfurous smoke up into the clouds. It is this majestic beauty that has travelers coming from all around the world just to catch a glimpse of its epic sunrise. Being one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and one of the most frequently visited in Indonesia. While the volcano itself is rather small, to see stunning views of the sunrise, climb the nearby Mt. Penanjakan to catch a panoramic shot of this stellar landscape. To see what we mean, check out our Epic Photo Walk of Mount Bromo.
Height: 2,329 meters
Time to Summit: Approximately 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
How to get there: Fly into Juanda international airport at Surabaya. Take a bus or taxi to Mount Bromo national park. Most people tend to stay in Probolinggo, so catch a local bus from here to Cemoro Lawang.
2. Kawah Ijen
If you know anything about Mount Kawah Ijen, it’s probably its mystical blue flames! The Ijen volcano is a complex that consists of a group of stratovolcanoes, with the highest point of it being Gunung Merapi. As it is an active volcano, it is recommended to take a handkerchief with you to cover your nose and mouth from the sulfuric gases. Otherwise, if you go using a tour, gas masks are given out to help you battle the putrid smell. When you reach the crater, you’ll be glad that you did! Neon blue flames from the extreme sulfuric acidity illuminate the crater. As soon as the sun rises, you can feast your eyes on an incredible turquoise crater lake. Along the way, you will see sulfur miners who work during the wee hours of dawn carrying large blocks of sulfur. The legendary blue flames are white in the day so it is definitely worth braving the hike in the dark!
Insider’s Tip: Although this isn’t the toughest trek to do, still watch your footing as there is usually a long line of people all using one pathway to get down. Alongside with this, you also have sulfur miners who are making their way up the mountain. As a sign of courtesy, always give them right of way! They have one of the toughest jobs we have ever seen as they carry a back-breaking load of sulfur up and down the mountain at least 3-4 times a day.
Height:2,799 meters
Time to Summit:Approximately 2-3 hours
Difficulty:Easy-medium
How to get there: If you are traveling from Bali, you can take a ferry to Java. The ferry ride takes about 1.5 hours and they leave every 30 minutes. Many people use the town of Banyuwangi, or Bondowoso as their starting point.
3. Mount Batur
To top our best Indonesia mountain treks list is Mount Batur! Another of the more popular mountains in Bali, this active volcano challenges the best of hikers. Although a short hike, the steepness of the trail is tough and will take down us average folk, even if we start with the best intentions. Although getting here takes some time and the hike itself is challenging, the landscape views are enough of a reward. Here you’ll see a different side to the beach Bali that we know and love, full of lush greenery and Lake Batur. The highlight of this trip however, is trekking to the summit in the early morning to witness the sunrise above the volcano. A truly magnificent sight to see, which will make you appreciate why Mount Batur is considered a sacred mountain. Some tours also offer mountain biking tours down Mount Batur which is pretty epic!
Height: 1,717 meters
Time to Summit: At least 2 hours
Difficulty: Medium-Hard
How to get there: Most tours offer pick up services early in the morning from Ubud, Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, and Legian.
4. Mount Rinjani
The second highest volcano in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani towers over the island of Lombok within the Gunung Rinjani National Park. Apart from being one of the best Indonesia mountains to trek, it is also one of the most challenging! With its steep inclines and sliding sand paths, this difficult trek will test your concentration as well as your physical ability. With two to four days of demanding trekking, when you reach the summit you’ll get that “yes I’ve done it!” feeling, followed by the silent appreciation of the jaw-dropping views. Enjoy the stunning forests and waterfalls, followed by the crater lake and volcanic valleys. This breathtaking scenery is what makes this journey memorable.
Insider’s Tip: Don’t take on this mountain if you want a walk in the park! Also, don’t attempt to try and do it yourself. With so many tourists booking in advance, do your research, get a guide and climb safely. Perhaps even do some pre-hike exercise maybe? You’ll thank me later.
Height: 3,726 meters
Time to Summit: Trekking tours are 2-4 days
Difficulty: Challenging
How to get there: To get to the trailhead, you can either
Take a taxi from the Lombok airport (3 hours)
Take a boat ride and taxi from Gili islands (2 hours)
Take a taxi from Senggigi (2 hours)
Take a taxi from Kuta Lombok (3.5 hours)
Take a boat ride from Bali and a taxi (3-9 hours depending on your route)
5. Mount Agung
Yes, another mountain in Bali! However, unlike the others, the sacred mountain of Mount Agung takes first place for the highest. Holding a spiritual significance to the Balinese as the Mother Temple of Besakih, the legend says that it was created by the Hindu God Pashupati. You can sense this sacred atmosphere as you pass temples on the trekking trail. As well as a spiritual journey, the mountain will also take you on a physical one! This is one of the best Indonesia mountain treks if you want adventure, as it is full of difficult sections and sheer drops. As you reach the top, the whole of Bali’s coastline stretches before you. Again this view is even more awesome at sunrise!
Height: 3,031 meters
Time to Summit: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: Medium
How to get there: There are two different ways to reach the summit of Mt. Agung. You can either climb using the pathway in Puru Pasar Agung in the South passing directly over the Pasar Agung Temple. Alternatively, for those that are up for a challenge, you can hike up the route from Besakih.
6. Mount Semeru
Another popular mountain trek is Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java! Known as ‘Mahameru’ or the ‘Great Mountain’ by the locals, Mount Semeru is the most active volcano in Indonesia. You can even see regular ash explosions every 10 to 20 minutes! This mountain is one that almost all mountaineers aspire to climb, most likely for the demanding trail, jaw-dropping scenery and credit for conquering the biggest! Surrounded by greenery, panoramic views of Java and the turquoise blue of Ranu Kumbolo Lake, it is truly stunning. The last slope up to the summit is the most challenging, so take care when climbing in the dark. You can see Mount Semeru standing tall from the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.
Height: 3,676 meters
Time to Summit: 7 hours (trek tours are 2 days)
Difficulty: Medium
How to get there: The starting point of this trek is the village of Ranupane. You can get there either via Malang and Tumpang.
7. Mount Kelimutu
The Kelimutu Lakes are a popular sight to see in Flores and going there is worth the visit if you’re not too busy hiking and diving around the Komodo Islands. The Kelimutu National Park is home to three lakes, the Lake of the Ancestors’ Souls, Lake of Old People, Lake of Young People’s Souls, Lake of Young Men and Maidens and the third lake is called Lake of Evil Spirits, Bewitched or Enchanted Lake. You have various trekking options to reach these stunning multi-colored lakes. These lakes change in color (last year it was white, turquoise, and red!) and is a natural phenomenon. If you go by organized tour, some will just drop you off near the starting point and the climb to the summit is a relaxed 20-minute hike. However, you can also trek from the National Park Gate which takes around 3 hours.
Height: 1,620 meters
Time to Summit: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
How to get there: The closest villages to reach Kelimutu is Ende and Muni. If you’re coming from Labuan Bajo, traveling to Muni can be quite the journey so some opt to catch a local flight to Ende.
8. Mount Penanjaken
This takes one of our top spots for mountain treks in Indonesia! It’s the trek that brings thousands of visitors to the country every year just to catch a glipse of the beautiful Bromo sunrise. From waking up when it’s still dark and riding in a jeep with your eyes half closed, to forcing one foot after the other to climb to the top, what you see when you get there will make all that effort fall away. Waiting like an excited kid at Christmas, finally, the sun arises on the horizon lighting up the volcanic range in a warm orange glow. As the sun breaks through the clouds, the whole picture is illuminated and the smoking Mount Bromo stands proudly. These views, together with the walk through the ‘Sea of Sand’ to the crater is mind-blowing. Think of this trek as a pilgrimage, to worship a slice of nature’s beauty.
Height: 2,770 meters
Time to Summit: 2 hours (to first vantage point)
Difficulty: Medium
How to get there: Fly into Juanda international airport at Surabaya. Take a bus or taxi to Mount Bromo national park. Most people tend to stay in Probolinggo, so catch a local bus from here to Cemoro Lawang.
9. Mount Merbabu
Loosely translated as the “Mountain of Ash,” Mount Merbabu is said to be the best of the best Indonesia mountain treks out of all the dormant volcanoes. Although dormant, the volcano is still a mountain to be reckoned with! At first, it lulls you into a false sense of security, starting the trail on asphalt roads. Soon this becomes a forest path, which becomes steeper and more overgrown with every step you take. Alternating from vast grassland to forest paths, you’ll think you’ve reached the peak every time the steepness subsides, only to be disappointed when the summit still isn’t in sight. This cruel tango carries on for many hours until you finally reach the summit and breath a sigh of relief! Now you get to relax and enjoy the views.
Height: 3,142 meters
Time to Summit: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Hard
How to get there: Climbing Gunung Merbabu can be done either through Selo which is to the south of the mountain or via Kopeng (northwestern flank) which is easily accessible from Salatiga City.
10. Mount Anak Krakatau
Known as “Krakatau” or “Krakatoa,” this small cluster of small islands in Sumatra is the site of one of the most violent and well-known volcanic eruptions in history. In 1883, Mount Krakatoa erupted (or rather exploded), causing a giant tsunami that killed 35,000 people and dust that stayed in the stratosphere affecting the global climate for several years. The blast was even heard 4,000km away in Australia and India! Now, in the destruction of Krakatoa, stands a new, growing volcano named Amak Krakatau (child of Krakatau). This volcano is still very active, so you can’t always trek to the crater rim. If you’re lucky enough that you can, you’ll see the devil’s cauldron!
Height: 324 meters (but grows every year)
Time to Summit: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
How to get there: Take a boat from Anyer beach or Carita Beach in West Java, or Lampung in Sumatra, to Anak Krakatoa Island. You can then take a bus to Krakatoa.
11. Puncak Jaya (Cartensz Pyramid)
Last but not least the mountain trek that tops everything is Puncak Jaya in Papua which is the highest peak in Indonesia. Apart from being ultra challenging, this is also the only peak in Indonesia which has a glacier top. Located in the Lorentz National Park in Papua, only advanced climbers are encourage to summit this peak which is part of the seven summits of the world. Due to its remoteness, summiting this is also pretty expensive as permits and other various clearances is needed. Only serious expedition climbers take this mountain on as part of their quest to climb the seven summits of the world.
Height: 4,884 m
Time to Summit: 16-18 days
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Surely you’ve had enough of the best mountain treks in Indonesia by this point? If you haven’t, then I can only apologize. With so many volcanic trekking trails to choose from, hopefully, now you can spend less time researching which ones to do and more time actually doing them!
SOURCE : Adventureinyou
