First light as seen from the top of Gunung Tambora - photo by Daniel Quinn
with about 127 active volcanoes spread across the country, it can be difficult to know where to start if you have not climbed before. Many major Indonesian volcanoes are actually not too far from main stations or provincial airports of Java and southern Sumatra, and can be explored in one weekend. The remotest mountains, especially Maluku, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara are generally better liked than the strengths of a route a week through a remote area. Individually, the following five hikes represent different volcanically active regions of Indonesia. In all cases, it is important to return the same way you ascended unless other options are specified.
Although the behavior of these gunung-gunung api (fire mountains) can be predicted with a reasonable degree, it is essential to check with the Volcanological Survey website Indonesia (http:. //www.vsi esdm.go.id/) for status updates and also take care that local people in the nearest town of volcanoes tell you. When East Java Gunung Kelud erupted in February this year, local people knew it was imminent that local animals started fleeing the forest 48 hours in advance. If you follow the advice and in general, it is more dangerous to cross a road in Jakarta than climbing a volcano.
Gunung Kaba, Sumatra (1,952m)
Known to many locals as "Bukit Kaba" (Kaba Hill), despite being near 2000 meters high, this attraction volcano is one of Sumatra more accessible. As is the case with highs in most parts of the archipelago, the best time to enjoy the view and take photos from the edge of the crater is the first light. From the front door, you can either spend two hours of walking up to the rim or cheat by taking ojek (motorcycle taxi)! The volcano is actually made up of several craters, active and inactive. A circuit of the largest craters takes approximately two and a half hours and is technically difficult. One of Eastern craters is probably something of Star Wars - a deep belching smoke pit with a blue-green lake at the bottom of it. Plant lovers should be sure to ask about local issues Rafflesia blooming in the area because they can be found wild very close to the main road in this growing region.
Getting there: Either fly in Bengkulu and take place in a "Voyage" (car sharing) to Lubuklinggau or make your way up the Night Lubuklinggau Palembang train before boarding a bus (or "Travel") to Curup from. Ask for 'Simpang Bukit Kaba' (junction) or Villa Hijau, which is one of the closest hotels on the main road.
Papandayan Mountain - photo by Daniel Quinn
Gunung Papandayan, Java (2,675m)
Despite the bumpy road leading to the crater Papandayan made for one of the best days in the whole of Java. If you live in Bandung, you can do it as a day trip. There is a car park, a guide post and several warungs (small shops) next to the main active crater and the parking area is a bit oddly known as Camp David locally! The place can be quite busy during the weekend. How you explore the range is entirely up to you. You could take the family there for the one-hour walk around the main crater with many fumaroles and hot bubbling mud, or make a day or weekend of it continuing to Pondok Salada and many mysterious Edelweiss meadows covered above. For the more adventurous hikers can follow the wide paved trail on the saddle between the main beach and the outskirts of Gunung Puntang, before the remains of the Ghober Hut (no more standing on my last visit) right the way on the beach and down the other side towards the vast and remote tea plantations near Cileuleuy.
Getting there: From Jakarta, Bandung and head to continue until the end of the toll road, follow signs to Garut. The best place to stay is Cipanas ( "hot water", not to be confused with the city of the same name in the Puncak area) just outside Garut itself and about 45 minutes from the parking crater above Cisurupan.
Gunung Tambora, West Nusa Tenggara (2,722m)
This world class volcano is a challenging proposition, both in terms of the hike itself and Directions to starting point on the island of Sumbawa. The crater is Indonesia's largest about 7 km in diameter and several hundred meters deep, and was formed in April 1815 to 160 cubic kilometers of material was ejected into the atmosphere. This disrupted global temperatures and caused the failure of the major crops of the Year Without a Summer "of 1816 in the northern hemisphere. The eruption of Tambora was much more devastating both locally and globally as the most famous Krakatau (Krakatoa) eruption that came later the same century in 1883.
Fortunately, Tambora does not currently constitute a serious threat, and interest hike to the rim is increasingly in the period before the bicentennial next year. You need at least one night of camping on the mountain, although most would be more comfortable to spend two nights there. All walkers must register near the trail in the village of Pancasila which guides and local porters can be found. It's a long eight or nine hours to the edge of the crater, which could be better divided in two stages. Camping on the rim is a spectacular experience, but not easy because of the volcanic black sand, which is difficult to keep the stakes attached to. The view from the top is among the best of Indonesia, with the vast "volcanic canyon" below you on one side and a sunset on Lombok Rinjani on the other.
Getting there: Fly to Denpasar via Bima, then spend the better part of a day to get to Pancasila on the peninsula of Tambora. Alternatively, major groups could fly in Sumbawa Besar and rent a boat from the port of Badas to Calabai.
The view of Gunung Lewotolo - photo by Daniel Quinn
Gunung Lewotolo, East Nusa Tenggara (1,449m)
also known as Ile Api 'by locals, this smoking volcano still sitting on its own peninsula on the island of Lembata. It is best to make a strenuous hike Lama day Desa Desa Jontana above, you should try to find a guide like Desa Lama is often deserted. If you visit in October, you can attend the pre-Christian Bean special festival in Desa Lama and the surrounding villages, which honors the local bean that has played an important role as a source of protein in local cuisine while on many centuries.
The climb is a steep climb of about four hours until a vague trail and unsignposted and is undertaken only a handful of times a year. Suddenly, as the rise seems to be too steep for comfort, you are looking over the other side into the shallow crater, which is easily one of the most photogenic places in east Indonesia. From the top of the north, especially on a clear day, you should be able to see Ile Boleng on the island of Adonara, and remote control, smoking Batu Tara volcano island in the ocean. The south peak is more gassy, smoky if it would be very unwise to try to climb to the top.
Getting there: There is a daily direct flight in Lewoleba to Kupang, West Timor. Alternatively, take a boat to Lewoleba Larantuka on the eastern tip of Flores. The foot of the volcano is about an hour from the town of Lewoleba where there are several basic hotels.
Gunung Gamkonora, North Maluku (1,571m)
Gamkonora is the highest peak of the island of Halmahera, and is something of a hidden gem being much less famous - and also less dangerous - than its neighbor to fire Gunung Gamalama on Ternate island. Very few tourists are here. It can be mounted as a long day hike if you are able to start climbing early in the morning, which is especially important to enjoy the view. Ask nearby Desa Baru for a guide or two.
The trail begins near sea level - so you'll need several bottles of drinking water - and led through the coconut plantations, nutmeg and cloves. A small collection of coins in an area of the long cane grass that marks the point where the mountain is sacred to the villagers, so that your guide may wish to briefly stop and say a prayer here. Shortly after this, you will be above the vegetation line, wandering over small rocks and admire the stunning views of the crater U-shaped
Getting there Fly to Ternate Jailolo take a boat bound from Dufa-Dufa ferry terminal. The cars can be rented at the shop next to Camar Hall Jailolo for the two-hour journey on the path, which is on the main road in front of Volcanology station.