The 2-weeks study and walking trip crosses Java from West to East. Its goal is to explore and observe some of the world’s most interesting volcanoes: Krakatoa, Gede, Merapi, the Tengger caldera, Bromo, Semeru and Kawah Ijen volcanoes. Besides volcanic activity and volcanic/ geologic features, the focus of the tour is to explore and understand some of Java’s most fascinating landscapes, meet its friendly and colorful people and culture. Last, but not least, Indonesia’s extremely rich and delicious cuisine and beach breaks will round up the trip.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival / meeting in Jakarta and transfer from Jakarta International airport to a beach resort on the W coast of Java, facing the infamous island group of Krakatoa. Alternatively: arrival in Denpassar on Bali or Singapore with connection flight to Jakarta (the connecting flight from and to Singapore can be arranged at around 150 USD extra).
Day 2:
Whole-day boat trip (weather conditions permitting) to the Krakatoa island group and caldera. Lunch on board. The climb of the active young volcano Anak Krakatoa with a volcanologist guide can be undertaken if activity permitting. Lunch and drinks on board.
(B) (L)
Day 3:
After breakfast and perhaps a morning swim, we leave the W cost with a private minibus and reach the small colonial town of Bogor for lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, we can visit the world-class Botanical Gardens opened by the Dutch colonialists in 1817. The gardens contain a unique collection of more than 15,000 species of trees and plants including 4000 palms and more than 3000 orchids. In the afternoon we continue by minibus to a village where we will stay in a charming simple pension (rooms with private bath) on the slopes of the twin volcanoes Gede and Pangrango. A short 30-min. hike to a beautiful waterfall can be undertaken in the late afternoon.
(B) (L)
Day 4:
After breakfast, we go on a half-day walk (4-5 hrs.) through spectacular scenery of the National Park around the Gede-Pangrango twin volcanoes, visit volcanic hot springs and a cold freshwater river nearby. We can take a healthy bath in the sulfurous mud pools and clean off in the fresh river. A late lunch will be taken in a local restaurant on our way to the large town of Bandung, where a late afternoon train brings us directly to Yogyakarta (first-class), Java’s cultural capital. Arrival in Yogya will be late at night (possibly between 1 and 3 at night), but dinner can be taken in the train restaurant. By taxi or rikshaw we will be transferred a short distance to our comfortable hotel (private baths, European bathrooms).
(B) (L)
Day 5:
After the long journey to the middle of Java, the day in Yogya is free. The lively and friendly town of Yogya –with views of Merapi volcano- invites to explore its historic center with the Sultan's Palace, its busy colorful markets, its infinity of culinary and shopping possibilities, esp. local crafts such as batic, silver, wood carvings etc.
(B)
Day 6:
After a relaxed breakfast, we leave Yogyakarta by minibus to the world-famous monumental Buddhist temple of Borobodur, the largest in Asia. It was erected between 750 and 850 AD, partly buried under volcanic mudflows from Merapi volcano around 1000 AD and excavated in 1815. It counts as one of Asia’s major archaeological sites. Including a guided tour we will spend plenty of time in or near the complex. After lunch in a local restaurant, the minibus brings us to the notably cooler and green village of Kaliurang at around 1000 m up on the slopes of Merapi volcano. The night is spent in a charming hostel full of atmosphere, that is run by an expert of Merapi volcano, who also organizes our climb in the nearly morning the day after.
(B) (L)
Day 7:
Today, we leave the beds early in the morning for an exciting excursion. After a small breakfast (hot tea or coffee, pancakes or similar) and a safety briefing about the current activity of Merapi, we walk to a spectacular viewpoint after an easy, ca. 1-2 hrs climb up the southern slope of Merapi before sunrise. From here, we can best observe Merapi’s crater and any possible activity (incandescent lava dome, rockfalls, lava flows, pyroclastic flows from the active lava dome).
After sunrise and about 1-2 hrs of observation we descend back to village, observing along the way the thick successions of pyroclastic flows and lahars from the latest periods of Merapi’s activity. A rich warm breakfast awaits us under a bamboo shelter in the village with view to Merapi. Those who feel tired after the early excursion can rest a few hours at the hostel, for the others, the morning is at free disposal and a visit to the local volcano observatory post nearby can be made. After lunch, the private minibus brings us though spectacular scenery (lush rainforest, deep canyons, waterfalls) to a small village on the north side of Merapi with good views of the mountain. We will spend the night in the only available reasonable guesthouse - a simple, but clean and friendly hostel with clean rooms to rest. Before going early to bed, we prepare our daypacks for the following (facultative because very demanding) night climb of the summit of Merapi.
(B) (L)
Day 8:
In the middle of the night, we get up from our beds again, warm up with a hot tea, a small breakfast and start to climb Merapi. Guided by a local experienced volcanologist, we should reach the top of the volcano in the early morning. The full climb can only be undertaken if Merapi’s activity permitting. The facultative excursion is tough, but very rewarding. It leads up along a steep path about 1200 m up the mountain’s north slope and takes around 4 hours for people with reasonable fitness and hiking experience. From the top, the views over Java are breathtaking. After one or two hours on top of the volcano, we descend back to the village to have some rest and a late breakfast. Afterwards, the minibus brings to Java's south coast to a beautiful small beach village on a bay surrounded by rocky cliffs (lunch on the way). Fine swimming/ snorkeling here is possible if the sea is calm. The night is spent in a good middle-class hotel in rooms with private baths.
(B) (L)
Day 9:
After and a possible morning swim, an impressive limestone cave is visited on the way to our next destination,- the slopes of the huge Tengger volcanic complex including the active volcano of Bromo. Our rarely used access route leads us up a dramatic green valley to a small Hindus village near the NE rim of the caldera, where we spend the night in a simple guesthouse. Lunch on the way.
(B) (L)
Day 10:
Before sunrise, around 4am, after a hot tea or coffee, we leave our guesthouse and drive to one of the world’s most famous viewpoints, located on a high point on the rim of the huge Tengger caldera. The early morning views of the caldera with its young volcanic craters including Bromo and the active volcano Semeru in the background are breathtaking. The play of light and shadow with sunrays reaching the mountains in succession from top to bottom and the usual fog in the bottom of the caldera is unique. After a breakfast near the spot, we leave our luggage in the bus and descend without it along the rim of the caldera to the village Cemoro Lawang located on a lower section of the caldera rim, where the bus with the luggage will await us or join us soon after we arrive. Spectacluar views, observation of the stratigraphic structure (tuffs, lava flows, faults) characterize the easy 2-hrs walk.
After checking-in in a family-run simple, but clean hotel with private baths with hot shower (2000 m altitude!) and excellent views right on or very near the very edge of the caldera, the rest of the day in Cemero Lawang is at free disposal. A visit to the active Bromo crater in the center of the caldera (ca. 2 hrs round trip on foot) before sunset is suggested to round-up the day.
(B)
Day 11:
After breakfast, we cross the impressive caldera on an easy, half-day walk (4-5 hrs) without luggage and reach a small mountain village at the base of the active volcano Semeru. Our luggage follows us on jeeps that join us at the lunch spot. After a lunch in a local restaurant, we drive slowly, in small groups of 3 persons in open jeeps, through the impressive landscape around Semeru volcano and reach an excellent and scenic observation point on its S side. From here, its present strong strombolian activity as well as possible pyroclastic flows (frequently present during the past months) can be best (and safely) observed. We erect a camp here for the night (tents and equipment privided). The night can thus be used for prolonged observation of Indonesia's most active volcano (currently in strong strombolian activity with occasional pyroclastic flow activity). Dinner (local barbeque) will be prepared by local cooks on the spot. If time permitting, a visit of the volcanological observatory on the way is included.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 12:
After breakfast and leaving the camp, we can visit the local market in a nearby village. A minibus brings us to the Ijen Plateau along a scenic route. We spend the night in a comfortable guesthouse or hotel in the middle of coffee plantations. The afternoon is at free disposal, a facultative short hike to a beautiful waterfall can be made.
(B) (L)
Day 13:
Early in the morning, we start on an easy bus ride to the start of the hike to the active, extremely beautiful crater of Kawah Ijen volcano with its famous blue acid lake (the most acid in the world!) and the hot, partly liquid sulfur springs and mines,- the latter infamous for the poor local workers who quarry the rich sulfur deposits of the crater using primitive, health-devastating methods. For the visit to the crater, gas-masks are provided. In the afternoon, we leave the Ijen Plateau, cross the narrow passageway between Java and Bali by ferry and reach one of Bali’s most beautiful white-sand beaches near Lovina, where the days is ended in a beautiful hotel on the beach.
(B) (L)
Day 14:
The tour ends today on Bali, for some with an extension on Bali with its paradise beaches, for some already with transport to the airport of Denpassar and connecting flight back to Jakarta airport (arranged for those who depart the same day from Jakarta). For more volcano program, we can arrange additional 3-4 day trekking adventure tours to climb the volcanoes Rinjani and Semeru.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The actual prices are quoted in EUR and the quote in USD may vary according to the exchange rate.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Indonesia
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Volcano Tours
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