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Overview

Hiking in Indonesia’s volcanoes

For volcano lovers and hiking enthusiasts alike, Indonesia is a must-see destination. After all, it is home to 500 volcanoes, 129 of which are still active, making this country the world’s largest volcanic zone. It’s not surprising then that these sacred fire mountains are an integral part of the country’s cultural life. Though some volcanoes like Merapi and Agung have caused mass destruction, they also yield benefits to their surrounding areas, blessing them with the incredibly rich soils that are responsible for superb terraced rice fields, lush tropical forests, and countless plantations of all types. This hiking trip will allow you to climb Indonesia’s most spectacular and interesting volcanoes, traveling across Eastern Java, Bali, and Lombok. No less than 6 volcanoes are waiting for you to conquer them, each more impressive than the next. Of course, Indonesia is much more than just volcanoes, and this trek gives you an opportunity to discover this unique country’s rich and diverse culture. A simple spice or humble aroma can conjure up images filled with mystery and history: nutmeg, vanilla, clove, and even rice can take you to jungles, spice islands, and scenery straight from a dream. And let’s not forget the smiles and generosity of the Indonesian people and the expressive power of the myriad religions, all different from each other, yet all intricately linked. Throughout all your worldly travels, you might never come across a land so rich in contrast. So gear up, put on your hiking boots, and get ready to conquer Indonesia’s mountains of fire on the hiking experience of a lifetime!

Make sure you contact Uniktour’s Southeast Asia specialist for more information on this unique hiking trip.

Itinerary

Day 1| Departure from Canada

Day 2| International flight

Day 3| Arrival in Yogyakarta (Island of Java)
Arrival in Denpasar or Jakarta, followed by internal flight to Yogyakarta. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4| Yogyakarta – Merapi Volcano Observatory - Prambanan Temple – Yogyakarta
This morning you explore Yogyakarta, where life is beautiful. Your visit will focus on the Sultan’s Palace (kraton), built in 1756. Your city stroll then takes you to Taman Sari, known as the Aquatic Palace during Dutch rule, followed by the bird market and some puppet and batik workshops. In the afternoon you visit Mt. Merapi Observatory, where all data pertaining to this immense towering volcano’s seismic and volcanic activity are gathered. Then you head to Prambanan, a Hindu temple built in the 9th century. Late afternoon return to Yogyakarta where we have the option of wandering on Malioboro avenue, Yogya’s main commercial street. Overnight in the same hotel
2h transfer

Day 5| Yogyakarta – Borobudur Temple – Merapi Area - Babadan
This morning you’ll enjoy a pleasant stroll around Borobudur, a Buddhist temple built more than 11 centuries ago during the Syailendra dynasty. Early afternoon transfer to the southwest flanks of Merapi volcano, where we near the 1994 lava flows (in complete safety). This will help visitors realize why the legends and myths surrounding this imposing volcano are so important for the local population – it has dominion over the life and death of the whole region. We will stop on a hilltop that offers extraordinary views of the active lava flows before arriving at Babadan, on the west side of the mountain, at an altitude of 1350 m. Overnight in a tent or dorm.
2½ h transfer– 6 h hike

Day 6| Babadan - Merapi Volcano - Selo - Tawangmanggu
Nocturnal ascent of Merapi volcano (2911m) to reach the summit before noon. Called Fire Mountain by the locals, Merapi towers over the area around Yogyakarta and lies 30km north of its capital. The most active of Java’s volcanoes, its activity is monitored with the help of numerous observation stations scattered along its flanks. The crater is constantly bellowing out white smoke. From this smoking mountain’s peak you get panoramic views of some of Java’s other volcanoes and mountains, including Merbabu, Sumbing, Sundoro, Slamet, and Lawu. You can also see all the way to the Java Sea, the Indian Ocean, and Yogyakarta. This unusual ascent takes place during the day to allow hikers to observe the 1998 lava flows and walk along these in complete safety, and also to feast their eyes on the varied flora scattered on the slopes of this great volcano. After a well-deserved breakfast on the crater’s edge, we start our descent on the northern side towards Selo. We are then transferred to Tawangmanggu, on the flanks of Mt Lawu, which towers over Surakarta. Overnight in a losmen (local inn).
3h transfer - 8h hike - A = 1600m - D = 1200m

Day 7| Tawangmangu - Sukuh Temple - Tawangmangu - Tumpang
From the mountain resort of Tawangmangu, we start today’s hike towards Sukuh Temple. Our first steps in Tawangmangu Park will take us to a superb cascade, Grojogan Sewu, hidden in the heart of a tropical forest, where many monkeys live. After having walked through traditional villages surrounded by plantations of all kinds (carrots, rice, tea, etc.), we arrive at Sukuh Temple, one of the last strongholds of Hinduism in Java at a time when Islam was becoming the main religion. There are many original representations on display, including phallic figures and turtle-shaped tables that reveal the existence of initiation rituals, and possibly orgies. Apart from the temple, this hike also offers beautiful views of the surrounding pine forest and high-altitude plantations. In the afternoon you’ll be taken to Tumpang, close to Malang. Overnight at a villager’s home.
8h transfer – 3h hike

Day 8| Tumpang - Ranupani
Early this morning, jeeps bring us to the area around Tengger, home of world-famous Gunung Bromo (2329 m). Our path takes us through the forests of Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, along the edges of the caldera, before climbing towards Ranupani, the last inhabited area before Semeru volcano. This journey is but a small taste of what lies ahead in the following days. Upon our arrival in Ranupani, we go for a small rejuvenating walk around two small hazy lakes, close to the village: Ranu Pani and Ranu Regulo. Overnight in a dorm.
3h transfer - 1h hike

Day 9| Ranupani - Kalimati (first leg of our ascent of Semeru volcano)
We walk over hills and across forests and end up on the small Kalimati plateau, at the foot of Java’s tallest volcano: Mount Semeru (3676 m). A very active volcano, eruptions frequently cover its flanks with lava flows that then go all the way to the ocean, covering the beaches with black sand and sparkling crystals. Enjoy a pleasant picnic on the shores of Lake Kumbolo. Overnight in a tent.
6h ascent - A = 600m

Day 10| Kalimati - Semeru Volcano - Kalimati - Ranupani
During the night, we put on our headlights to clear a relatively dense forest and climb Semeru’s steep slopes. Once we reach an altitude of about 3000 meters, greenery is replaced by a spartan landscape littered with volcanic rocks, and we begin our final ascent of Semeru. Once we reach the summit, we are treated to a grandiose sight: a beautiful sunrise punctuated by successive eruptions, as Semeru bellows ash and dust clouds into the skies only a few hundred meters away. Every half hour or so, a thin puff of ash is projected into the air, accompanied by the grumbling of the crater. Witnessing first hand such tremors from the bowels of the earth will surely be one of the highlights of our trip. The volcano’s peak also gives us great viewpoints from which to observe other volcanic activity. From this unspoiled vantage point, we benefit from 360 degrees of beautiful scenery that includes Mount Bromo, lava flows that run south all the way to the sea, and even Bali. Together these sights form a stunning mosaic of colors, which is probably what lies behind Semeru’s other name: Seat of the Gods. Our heads filled with these sights, we start our descent and walk back to camp before heading to Ranupani. Overnight in a dorm.
9h hike - A = 1100m - D = 1700m

Day 11| Ranupani – Bromo Volcano - Cemorolawang
In the morning we travel to Cemorolawang, on the edge of world-famous Gunung Bromo (2329). Java’s Hindu community, the Tengger, worship this mountain whose last eruption goes back to June 2004. Afternoon ascent of the volcano. From the top, we can observe the crater, which looks like a smoking cauldron where cinder and sulfur are brewed. It’s easy to see why the Javanese think this site is the entrance to purgatory. Overnight in a hotel.
1½ h transfer – 4h hike - A / D = 350m

Day 12| Cemorolawang - Pananjakan Volcano - Cemorolawang - Kawah Ijen
A jeep will take us to the top of Pananjakan (2775 m) to witness a beautiful spectacle: sunrise on the caldera. This elevated point of view will give us a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area, with Semeru coughing up smoke in the background. Completely unique! Late morning transfer to the Kawah Ijen area. Overnight in an inn.
6h transfer - A = 350m

Day 13| Kawah Ijen – Pemuteran (Bali island)
When the sun rises, your hike to the crater’s edge begins. The colors you’ll see at Kawa Ijen at this time of day are simply extraordinary. Shortly after the first rays of light creep over the horizon, we watch the workers extract the sulfur on the shores of the world’s largest acid lake. Gaze in amazement as these pocket powerhouses carry up to 100 kg of sulfur on their shoulders for approximately 15 km! Though we do go down to get a closer look at this turquoise lake’s shores, we can’t stay long, as the sulfur irritates the respiratory system. We then get to watch as their daily loads are weighed and evaluated. This powerful and striking image will be one of our trip’s most memorable cultural experiences. Late morning transfer to Pemuteran, a small resort town on the northwest shores of Bali, far from the tourist hordes. Overnight in a hotel.
5h transfer - 3h hike - M / D = 350m

Day 14| Pemuteran - Munduk
This morning you are free to enjoy the fine sandy beach as you see fit. You have the option of renting a boat to take a closer look at the underwater treasures surrounding Mejangan island. It sometimes looks like all of Bali’s fauna is gathered here! A true multicolor aquarium is waiting for you in these coral reefs. Early in the afternoon, a short transfer will take you to higher ground and Munduk. Walk around and discover the extraordinary natural landscape that surrounds the village. Overnight in a losmen.
1h transfer – 3h hike

Day 15| Munduk – Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan - Ulun Danau Buddhist Temple - Bedugul - Catur
Today’s hike takes us towards Bedugul, along two volcanic lakes: Tamblingan and Buyan. These two lakes were once part of the same body of water until a landslide separated them in 1818. This magnificent walk is a great excuse to discover the area’s culture and agriculture, all the while enjoying the island’s lush tropical forests first hand. Our day’s hike takes us to the peaceful waters of Lake Bratan, lifeblood of the area’s rivers, rice fields, virgin forests, and streams. In the afternoon, we visit Ulun Danau, a beautiful Hindu-Buddhist temple. An immense banyan tree welcomes you to this enchanting monument built on superb grounds and surrounded by lush gardens. One of the temples is hidden away on a small island, its 11-tiered roof reflecting elegantly in the peaceful waters of the lake. We then take the pulse of the area at picturesque Bedugul market before continuing on towards the village of Catur, halfway between Bratan Lake and Mount Batur’s caldera. Overnight at a villager’s home.
1h transfer - 5h hike - A = 500m - D = 100m

Day 16| Catur - Toyabungkah (Batur Volcano)
This morning, take a lovely morning stroll through the village, passing lovely orange groves and coffee plantations, and return to your host later in the morning. This is a great opportunity to learn more about rural life here, and maybe even to witness a cockfight (considered a sacred local ritual, this is a favorite pastime among the Balinese) and to observe the customs and traditions of the local villagers, who aren’t accustomed to mass tourism. Later in the morning, a short transfer will take you to Toyabungkah, at the foot of Batur volcano (1717 m). Climb through solidified lava flows and reach the top of this volcano. After having walked around 4 craters that were created by successive eruptions, we start our descent. Overnight in a losmen.
1h transfer- 6h hike - A / D = 600 m

Day 17| Toyabungkah - Padangbai - Lembar (Lombok Island) - Senaru
Today you take to the sea and head for the island of Lombok. Take this opportunity to discover the archipelago’s marine landscape. We arrive in Lombok at the port of Lembar and take a bus to Senaru, which serves as a base camp for Rinjani volcano. The coastal road is absolutely superb, with chances to see monkeys in the wild, and even to stop by a beach for a pleasant dip. Overnight in a losmen.
8h transfer

Day 18| Senaru - Segara Anak Lake (at the foot of Rinjani Volcano)
We start our approach of Rinjani to reach our first camp on the shores of lake Segara Anak (2200m), 900m below the summit. The size of this lake gave it its name of Child of the Sea (‘Segara Anak’ in Bahasa Indonesia). It is 3km long, and. some say, 250m deep. The surrounding caldera is huge, at 8km long and 6km wide. The discovery of this lake is a well-deserved reward after today’s difficult hike. The daylight enhances the lake’s superb green tones while Gunung Baru puffs away small clouds of smoke in the center. This newly emerged volcanic cone rose from the lake in 1942 and has since dominated it more than 140m, giving visitors the impression they are on another planet. Spend the night with fishermen who spend the week on the shores of this fish-filled lake before heading back down to the village to sell their catch. Overnight in a tent.
8h ascent- A = 1900m - D = 300m

Day 19| Segara Anak Lake - Plawangan II
Today’s hike will be relatively short as we make our way to Plawangan II, a small plateau 2700 m high, where we spend the night. After setting up camp, we have the afternoon to rest and prepare for the long journey to the top of Rinjani, planned for the next day. Overnight in a tent.
3½ h ascent- M = 500m

Day 20| Plawangan II - Rinjani Peak - Plawangan II - Sembalunlawang - Senaru
We start our final ascent towards Rinjani peak (3726m) in the dark of the night. It’s a long hike on rocky trails. At sunrise, the 360-degree panorama makes our arrival at the top even more grandiose, as we look down and see the progress made. From the top, we can see all of Lombok, Bali and Mount Agung, as well as Sumbawa and famous Mount Tambora. Truly breathtaking! Return to Plawangan II for a well-deserved rest before your afternoon descent to the village of Sembalunlawang on the slopes of Rinjani. We then take a bus to Senaru. Overnight in a losmen.
Rinjani is Indonesia’s second-tallest volcano, after Gunung Kerinci in Sumatra. The Indonesian word for ‘volcano’ comes from the ancient Javanese term for ‘god’. Lombok’s main ethnic group, the Sasak, once thought Rinjani was home to powerful spirits and divinities, including the daughter of their supreme god. Even the Balinese had a yearly ritual during which they crossed the sea to pay tribute to this mountain. Whatever the real motivation behind these cults, it cannot be denied that this is a truly magical site.
2h transfer - 9h hike - M = 1000m - D = 2600 m

Day 21| Senaru –Gili Air Island
Transfer to Bangsal port where we board a ship and head for the island of Gili Air, where a superb white sand beach and giant natural outdoor aquarium – complete with colorful corals – is waiting for us. You can easily access this rare sight by renting a mask and tuba on location. Overnight in a bungalow.
2h transfer

Day 22| Gili Air - Lembar (Lombok) - Padangbai – Jimbaran Beach (Bali)
Return to Lombok just long enough to catch a ferry back to Bali. We arrive late in the afternoon on Jimaran beach, one of Bali’s finest, not too far from Denpasar. Most of Bali’s lands consist in tropical forests and plantations of all sorts that get their water from mountain lakes via complex irrigation systems. Contrary to this trend, Bukit Badung plateau and Jimbaran are non-volcanic zones, with their own ecosystems growing out of calcareous soils. Overnight in a hotel (a 5-minute walk from the beach).
8h transfer.

Day 23| Denpasar – International flight
Transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Lodging

Additional information

Daily schedules are given for information purposes only. A = Ascent – D = Descent

Level - Demanding
Hiking on and off trails. The last part of the ascent of a volcano is often done off-trail. Volcano ascents may span a couple of days, with daily ascents ranging from 600 to 1900 meters.

Load carried
You carry only what you need for the day. Your luggage is transported by vehicle, or by porters for some of the ascents.

Volcanoes
Java: Merapi, Semeru, Bromo, and Kawah Ijen
Bali: Batur
Lombok: Rinjani

Logistics
To make sure you get the most out of your climbing experience in a safe and secure environment, your luggage will be carried by porters so you can camp close to the summit, ascent and descent will follow separate paths, and 4X4s will be used to approach the area when necessary.

Further details
• As certain hikes take place during the night, a proper headlight (with spare batteries and bulbs) is absolutely essential.
• Plastic sandals are useful when swimming in Banyupoh and Gili Air due to the large quantities of coral. A waterproof camera will allow you to take superb shots of the underwater world (disposable cameras are a good option).
• Since you are in charge of paying for your meals in Yogyakarta and Jimbaran, make sure you bring a maximum budget of 12€/15 USD per meal, keeping in mind that it is easy to eat for less than 10€/ 12 USD in Indonesia.
• Yogyakarta, Cemorolawang, Bedugul, Mataram and Jimbaran all have moneychangers.
• Yogyakarta, Ranupani, Senaru and Jimbaran all have laundry services.

Overview

Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and the largest archipelago in the world. With a population estimated at 240 million people, it is the fourth most populous country in the world and the first predominantly Muslim country for the number of believers. Indonesia is a secular democratic republic, of which the capital is Jakarta, a megalopolis of 12 million inhabitants located on the island of Java.

The archipelago has long been synonymous with wealth and abundance; that inexhaustible reserves of natural resources, a fascinating melting pot of mysterious cultures that soon became a favourite destination for Europeans who developed transcontinental trade. Today, gems such as Bali, Java or the countless archaeological sites continue to attract travelers from around the world. With an abundant and varied nature, majestic landscapes, excessive wildlife, ancient culture, refined arts and crafts, Indonesia, whatever one comes to find, keeps its promises of heaven on earth.

Tourism

SEISMIC ACTIVITY

Indonesia is located at the focal point of the Pacific plate, the Eurasian plate and the Australian plate. The result is a very strong volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes. Poorly fixated, the outer arc is the scene of many earthquakes. The city of Ambon, formal capital of spice trade, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1764. The last major earthquake occurred off the coasts of Sumba (1977) and Flores (1992). The inner arc of the country is the largest volcanic zone of the world: 128 active volcanoes, of which 80have emerged over the past twenty-five years. Since 1918, a violent eruption occurs on average every three years. Among the major disasters, the eruption of Krakatoa (1883), located in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java, made 36,000 fatalities after the tsunami it caused, while in Bali, the Gunung Agung (1963) plunged the city of Surabaya (Java) in complete darkness for twenty-four hours. The current eruptions are usually explosive, with pyroclastic and incandescent lava flows. Lahars, devastating mudslides, are cold when rain accompanies the eruption, and hot when the crater lake drains off rapidly. Sumatra has a hundred volcanoes, which makes the largest system in the world; the Toba is a gigantic collapsed dome (100 km long, 300 km broad), cut in half by a ditch partially occupied the lake of the same name. Java has 125 volcanoes, of which 25 are active. The most impressive volcanic forms are the calderas; natural amphitheaters that can exceed 10 km in diameter. Those volcanoes often lay on a clay and marl base, rocks on which they were able to slip, like the Merapi in the 10th century. Its sliding may have caused the ruin of the first Hindu and Buddhist kingdom of Mataram located in Java.

Geography

The archipelago comprises 17,000 islands themselves gathered into sub archipelagos. To the north and from west to east, the Greater Sunda Islands are the largest in the country: Sumatra, Borneo (including the northern part of Malaysia) and the Sulawesi archipelago. In the trail of the long and narrow island of Java located below Borneo, following an arc-shaped line oriented to the south-west, stretch the Lesser Sunda Islands of Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores and Timor. Further to the east lie other islands such as the Moluccas, West Irian, and finally the western part of New Guinea, with its straight border separating the island in half from Papua.

Due to its location on a tectonic midpoint, the archipelago is very mountainous: on Sumatra, Mt. Kerinci rises to 3,800 m in Java and Mt. Semeru to 3,676 m. The peak of Indonesia is located in Irian Jaya (Puncak Jaya 5,030 m). The great eastern plain of Sumatra, the southern plain of Borneo and the northern plains of Java are exceptions. Two arcs almost completely encircle the "floor of the Sound": the internal arcing, from Sumatra to Flores and Banda, and the external arc from Nias and Mentawai to Sumba, Timor, Ceram and finally Buru.

If vast tropical forests cover two thirds of the country, the east coast of Sumatra and parts of the north coast of Java are covered with mangroves and swamps. Indonesia now comprises over 320 national parks. Walking through the rice fields and the forests, climbing volcanoes (trekking), all-terrain vehicle road trips, boating on a traditional prao, snorkelling and diving, water sports and activities such as surfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing, rafting, bungee jumping .. The landscapes of Indonesia offer unlimited possibilities!

Culture

Indonesia is a country with a culture virtually as impressive as the number of its population of over 240 million inhabitants. This diversity is partly explained by the fact that the country is not uniform but comprises several islands, that each have their own history and communities. Today, the dominant religion in the archipelago is Islam, whose presence has been attested in the 13th century by Marco Polo, but Christianity and Buddhism and Hinduism are also vivid, though much less numerous. Even with their minority religions status, they both have been very influential regarding the architecture of temples and palaces, as well as for the sculpture field.

The language is another form of diversity. Although the Indonesian Bahasa (close to the Malay) is considered the only official language, Javanese and Sundanese are also common in their respective regions, as well as hundreds of other dialects, mostly of Austronesian origin. There are nearly 300 Indonesian ethnic groups. The majority of residents are from a crossbreeding between old local tribes and the Chinese, Indians and Arabs.

The Indonesian culture is mostly reflected in the arts. The most popular of the Indonesian arts is wayang theatre, playing with puppets shadows, and of which the only puppeteer is called the Dalang. The performances of wayang are always accompanied by music. In most cases, a widely popular orchestra composed of percussion instruments and called gamelan is used. Dances are also part of theater performances. In Bali and Java, traditional dances can have a religious function, as well as ceremonial. Also, the Balinese pendet or Javanese bedhaya have a spiritual function, while the Balinese legong or Javanese serimpi have a ceremonial role. In Java, four schools of court dances stand out: the Kraton of Surakarta, the Kraton of Yogyakarta, the Puro Mangkunegaran (princely court of Surakarta) and Puro Pakualaman (court of Yogyakarta).

Traditional Indonesian textiles include the ikat (woven fabrics with designs originating from Nusa Tenggara, but common throughout the archipelago), the songket (silk interwoven with gold and silver threads), the Lampung carpet or the famous Javanese batik, made of wax and dye patterns printed on fabric. The Indonesian pottery is raw and naive in Lombok, influenced by Chinese ceramics in the Singkawang region, marked by the West and glazed in Bali. The Toraja people are specialist of pearl jewelry, while the Dayaks and Lombok put together cowries, small shells of great value, in delicate artifacts.

Wood carving is also widespread in Indonesia. The original purpose of these sculptures was to protect homes against evil spirits. In Java, a traditional couple of wooden figures, the loro blonyo, is during weddings set aside from the bride and the groom to draw upon them the evil spirits, or at the door of a house to welcome visitors. In Nias, Sumba, in the Toraja country and in the Ngaju and Dusun villages of Borneo, wooden statues representing ancestors still take a huge part in religious life. In Bali and Java in particular, the ornate furniture is highly developed, especially teak (jati). Finallly, carved wooden masks are frequently used in community rituals or in theater.

Climate

The warm waters that surround Indonesia provide a hot and tropical climate year round. Average temperatures rise at 28 °C along the coastal plains, 26 °C in the inland and 23 °C in the mountains. Because of its position on the equator, temperatures in Indonesia slightly vary throughout the year, as well as the length of days: the difference between the shortest day and the longest does not exceed 48 min, allowing arable land to be cultivated all year.

The major factor in the Indonesian climate is neither the temperature nor the pressure of the air, but the amount of precipitation. The extreme variations in precipitation are related to the monsoon. Generally, there is a dry season (June to September), influenced by the Australian continental air masses, and a rainy season (December-March). In January and February, a high pressure system spreading over the Asian continent reverses the trend. The result is multiplied by the monsoon, breezes of the Indian Ocean, eventually producing significant amounts of rain in many parts of the archipelago.

The west of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo's inland, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya are the most humid regions of Indonesia, with a rainfall amount of over 2,000 millimetres per year. In part, this humidity comes from the high mountains that trap damp air. The city of Bogor, near Jakarta, claims to put up with the highest number of storms and rain a year in the world, 322 days. On the other hand, the closest islands to Australia – including the province of Nusa Tenggara and the eastern end of Java - tend to be dry, with some areas experiencing less than 1,000 millimetres per year. The humidity rate varies from 70-90% from a "season" to another. Cyclones and storms pose fewer problems for mariners and fishermen than violent ocean currents, particularly in the Straits of Lombok and Sape.