Driving through Yogyakarta’s countryside is a pleasure due to its various scenic spots of idyllic villages and fertile farmland spread out with the horizon of the mountainous landscape. The vicinity of Yogyakarta is a natural vacation land that offers all possibilities for an enjoyable holiday. There are hill resorts on the mountain slope for relaxation with invigorating weather. Mountain lovers will experience a real adventure of mountaineering. Mount Merapi is situated north of Yogyakarta with a height of 2.920 metres above sea level. From a distance, one can always see the white smoke appear from the top of the volcano, raise to the air and the moving clouds in the deep blue sky.The crater of the volcano is a sandy plateau of about four hectares with several smaller craters, which are still active. The top of the volcano can be observed from the distance that is from Turi village, country area at the western side of slope, about fifteen kilometres from Yogyakarta. For a better view, a visit to Plawangan, the observatory resort, can be reached by walking up a pathway from Kaliurang for about an hour.
In the observatory resort, visitor can use a binocular to observe the top of the volcano. The best time to relish the beauty of Merapi is approximately around the sunrise moment, at six to eight in the morning. When the volcano is not active, visitors my climb up to the top of Mount Merapi that can be reached within seven to eight hours. The shortest by route of to the top is from Selo, a village between Merapi and another mountain, the Merbabu. It takes about three hours to reach the top from by using this shortest by route of. For those who interested climbing Mount Merapi are advised to obtain some valuable information from the Department of Volcanology in Yogyakarta. At the moment Mt. Merapi is safe to climb, but do it with a qualified guide.
There are several features to enjoy if you like going tracking / hiking:
1. Sun Rise: similar to other mountains / volcanos on this region, you may enjoy the glare of Sun Rise. Please take the NORTH route from Selo (via Blabak, Magelang Town) to enjoy this feature.
2. Volcano: Merapi is a living volcano. It has 4 years Eruption Period, means it is erupts every 4 years in average. If it is in a “Calm” condition, you may enjoy the beauty of its lava and steam flowing out the crater, from the summit. If it is on “Wild” condition people may admire the strength of nature from the nearest Resort (Kaliurang – 6 km from the crater) or even from your 5 star hotel windows at Yogyakarta City; some 30 km south direction from the volcano! Seeing glaring Hot Lava flowing down in the night, and Huge Pyroclastic Flows (Wedus Gembel, NUe Ardante) destroying everything in its path
3. Culture: Local Culture could be vaccinating. Every year, Local Sultan held a ceremony to give Merapi’s Guardian god a Gift to ask for mercy from its anger.
Merarpi Trekking
There are at least three good tracks for climbing Merapi. They are:
The Kaliadem/Kinahrejo track on the southern side
The Babadan track on the western side
The Selo track on the northern side.
The Kaliadem/Kinahrejo track on the southern side
The Babadan track on the western side
The Selo track on the northern side.
The Selo track is regarded as the easiest and safest, certainly the most suitable for beginner climbers. Those with experience in climbing will need about four to five hours to reach the summit.
If you want to enjoy sunrise from the peak, it is recommended you start your ascent at about 1 a.m. People using the Selo track for this can spend the night before at Plalangan village or Blumbangsari village, where residents rent rooms and can provide guides.
The Babadan track is the most direct of the three, but is not usually recommended, mainly because most of Merapi's volcanic activity over the last decade has taken place on this side of the mountain. But there are 2 famous routes to reach the summit.
A. South Face
The Base Camp is Kinahrejo Village some 3 km east of Kaliurang Resort. You may stay at the famous Mbah Maridjan’s house. It is less then 1 hour trip from the famous City of Yogyakarta. Please note that this route is not recommended for the beginners (although the 1st time ever I climb mountain was using this route, but I was accompanied by experienced ones). It is one of the most demanding / hardest Tracking Route in the Island of Java. Besides need 8 – 10 hours trip, please do not forget to bring good gloves to prevent your palms and hands cuts by sharp pyroclastic stones. Near the top, there are no vegetations; and the elevations are greater then 70 deg. (some points are 90 deg.).
Last but not less, you have to wear mask to breath while walking near the crater!
B. North Face
It is easier path. The Base Camp is Selo Village. If you are from outside of Yogyakarta / Central Java Region (or even from outside Indonesia Country), please get information how to go to this village from the City of Yogyakarta (the 2nd Tourism Destination in Indonesia after The Island of Bali). You may hire Professional Guides there. They speak English, French, Japanese, and other languages. For more information about Yogyakarta, you may find on the internet.
If you love photography, and would like to take hundreds of breath-taking Sun Rise pictures, this route is highly recommended. The best point to take pictures is at Pasar Bubrah, right in the foot of the summit (approx. 4 – 5 hours hike from Selo Village).
BOOKING
To book your trip or inquiries about the price of the trip, please email: travel@sriramatour.com
To book your trip or inquiries about the price of the trip, please email: travel@sriramatour.com
Package Tours
Tourist guides are provided for tourists who want to visit tourism objects or do climbing mount. The fee are shown below (based on 2006 data).
Climbing mount Merapi
-Professional Guide Rp 150,000.00 (one time climbing)
-Local Guide Rp 100,000.00 (one time climbing)
-Porter Rp 150,000.00 (maximal 15 kg per porter)
Price : US$ 45.00/Pax (minimum 2 pax)
Payment : Cash
Day 01
Picked up at your hotel lobby in Yogya or Adi Sucipto airport, and direct drive to Kaliurang Mountain resort. Stay overnight at Vogel's Home Stay with simple but clean, Accommodation including dinner.
Day 02
The next day at 03.30 AM you will start your trip accompanied with professional guide of Merapi. You will explore the depths of Kaliurang tropical rainforest. A five-hour return walks through the rainforest, through the valley, gorge and river to slope on meeting Merapi. Also see original and real village life, where people carry their loads on their back while at work. Experience a variety of tropical plants and fruits, birds, giant spider, unique vegetables and the beautiful landscape in the cool mountain air. Breakfast will be served in the small bamboo hut., outside the village nest to the riverbank in the open air overlooking the mountain. You wil return again at 09.00 am. After taking a rest for a while, you will transfer to your hotel in Yogya or transfer to the airport for flight home
Inclusion :
Return - transfer Yogyakarta - Kaliurang
1 night accommodation sharing basis at Vogel's Homestay
1 x dinner at Vogel's;
Merapu package including simple breakfast,professional local guide, flas light rent, refreshment (mineral water & snack)
Note : Please bring your sport shoes, warm clothes, and personal medichine
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