East Java Volcanoes

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yogyakarta – Sukuh Temple – Tawangmangu – Tumpang

  Arrival in Yogyakarta. Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. 30 minutes transfer Meals: –

• day 2

  Yogyakarta – Merapi Volcano Central Museum – Prambanan Temple – Yogyakarta

  In the early morning, we visit Yogyakarta and especially the surroundings of the Sultan's palace (Kraton), built in 1756. Our city walk leads us to Taman Sari, known during the Dutch colonial era as the "Water Palace," as well as to puppet and batik workshops. In the afternoon, we go to visit the central observatory of Mt Merapi, where all data on the volcanic and seismic activities of the immense volcano overlooking the city are collected. We continue to the Hindu temple of Prambanan, which dates from the 9th century. Return to Yogyakarta at the end of the afternoon, where we have the opportunity to stroll along Malioboro Avenue, the main shopping street of Yogyakarta. Overnight at the same hotel. 2 hours of transfer Meals: Breakfast

• day 3

  Yogyakarta – Surroundings of Mount Merapi – Babadan

  Free morning. Transfer in the early afternoon to the southwestern slopes of Mount Merapi and safe approach to the 1994 lava flows. It is at this moment that we realize the importance, for the local population, of the legends and myths related to the imposing Mount Merapi, which holds the power of life or death over the entire region… We first reach the top of a hill, a true balcony that offers an extraordinary viewpoint over the active slopes, directly in line with the flows. Then, we continue our walk to reach the western slopes of the volcano and, more specifically, the Babadan post, located at 1350 m altitude. Overnight stay with locals in the village of Babadan. 1 hour 30 minutes transfer – 4 hours walking Meals: Breakfast Merapi and its associated cults Mount Merapi is one of the most active in the world. Six observation posts are scattered along its slopes to measure its activity and quickly warn the surrounding populations of any potential danger. Its occasional lava flows are not the most devastating, but its pyroclastic flows, ash clouds, and mudflows are. As a sign of respect towards this mountain, which brings fertility to the land and threatens the surroundings, an annual procession bringing offerings is held from the Sultan's palace in Yogyakarta, on the anniversary of the sultan's coronation. Another is held on the day of the Javanese New Year (month of March).

• day 4

  Babadan – Mount Merapi – Sukuh

  At the end of the night, ascent of Mount Merapi (2911 m) to reach its summit before noon. This unique ascent is done during the day in order to be able to observe the 1998 lava flows, which we follow safely, but also to enjoy the varied vegetation covering the slopes of this great volcano. From the summit, we enjoy a fantastic view of the volcanoes of Java, the Indian Ocean, Yogyakarta… After lunch (picnic), we begin the descent towards Selo, on the northern slopes. Then transfer to your hotel near the Sukuh temple, on the slopes of Mount Lawu, near Solo. Overnight at the hotel. 3 hours of transfer – 9 hours of walking Elevation gain: 1600 m / Elevation loss: 1200 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 5

  Sukuh Temple – Tawangmangu – Tretes

  Visit to the Sukuh temple, the last bastion of Hinduism in Central Java in the face of the spread of Islam. This temple features original iconography, such as phallic figures and large turtle-shaped tables, which would reveal the existence of initiatory, even orgiastic, rituals. Then, we begin a walk towards the village of Tawangmangu, on the slopes of Mount Lawu. This walk is an opportunity to discover some plant species present in this region, but also to admire superb panoramas of the pine forest and the surrounding high-altitude plantations. We end our walk by crossing the Tawangmangu park. Our first steps in the park lead us to a beautiful waterfall (Grojogan Sewu) in the middle of a tropical forest inhabited by a large community of monkeys. In the afternoon, transfer to Tretes. Overnight at the hotel. 7 hours of transfer – 4 hours of walking Positive elevation gain: 400m / Negative elevation gain: 300m Meals: Breakfast

• day 6

  Tretes – Welirang Volcano

  In the early morning, we begin our second ascent, that of the Welirang volcano (3157 meters), through the lush vegetation of a tropical forest. This volcano is attached to the Arjuno volcano, hence their nickname of "twins". Bivouac at 2400 m in the hut village of Pondok Welirang, which serves as a base camp for workers collecting sulfur, near the eruptive vents of the Welirang volcano. Some have described this village and its surroundings as resembling the high-perched Tibetan villages. Night in tents. 5 hours of walking Positive elevation gain: 1600 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 7

  Summit of Mount Welirang – Batu – Tumpang

  Early in the morning, we climb the slopes up to the summit of the Welirang volcano. We descend from the summit, approaching its two craters, one extinct and the other, a splendid eruptive mouth, then we complete our descent towards Batu (1500 m), through a mixed forest dotted with solfataras (areas where sulfurous vapors are released). Our transport awaits us on the road to Batu to take us to Tumpang, a small town at the foot of the imposing Bromo massif. Night in a homestay. 1 hour 30 minutes transfer – 4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours of walking (depending on the route taken) Elevation gain: 700 m / Elevation loss: 1650 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 8

  Tumpang – Ranupani

  In the morning, visit to the Jago temple, near Tumpang, built between the years 1275 and 1300. This temple, with remarkable architecture, is generally recognized as the burial place of King Wisnuwardhana, the fourth king of the Singosari kingdom. We then explore the traditional market of Tumpang, in search of gastronomic discoveries and authenticity. Return to the homestay for lunch, then we leave by Jeep towards the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. This is where the famous Mount Bromo (2329 m) is located, black, next to three other green mountains. On the way, we make a stop and set out to discover the isolated and little-visited Coban Trisula waterfall. A short walk through the national park to relax and enjoy lush nature. Our journey then crosses the forests of the Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, follows the ridges of the imposing caldera before descending towards Ranupani, the last inhabited outpost on the edge of the Semeru volcano massif. This epic is just a small glimpse of the landscape that awaits us in a few days... Upon our arrival in Ranupani, we take a short recovery walk around the two small misty lakes that border the village: Ranu Pani and Ranu Regulon. Night in dormitories. 3 hours 30 minutes transfer – 1 hour 30 minutes walk Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 9

  Ranupani – Kalimati

  We cross hills and forests to reach a small plateau called Kalimati, located at the foot of the highest volcano in Java: Mount Semeru (3676 m). This immense mountain is only 20 km north of the sea, making the ascent from this part of the southern coast to the summit of the volcano one of the steepest and most arduous climbs in the world. Semeru is also very active, and the last eruption in the 80s covered one of its slopes with lava flows, reaching the sea and covering the beaches with black sand and sparkling crystals. Pleasant picnic by the shore of Lake Kumbolo. Night under a tent. 6 hours of walking Positive elevation gain: 600 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner The domain of the Gods Once at the summit, fantastic volcanic activities can be observed. From this breathtaking viewpoint, you can look in all directions: towards the site of Mount Bromo, towards the lava flows stretching to the South Sea, towards Bali and even the Indian Ocean. The whole forms a dazzling mosaic of colors, justifying the summit of Mount Semeru as the domain of the Gods.

• day 10

  Kalimati – Semeru Volcano – Kalimati – Ranupani

  At night, we adjust our headlamps to climb the steep slopes of Semeru. We first cross a relatively dense forest. Around 3000 meters, the greenery gives way to a spartan landscape of volcanic rocks: we begin the final ascent of Semeru. At the summit, a grand spectacle of sunrise and successive eruptions... About a hundred meters from us, the crater of Semeru releases its plumes of ash and dust. Depending on the intensity of volcanic activity, a plume of ash can be projected into the air, accompanied by a rumble from the crater. This sensation of witnessing the manifestations of the Earth's depths live remains one of the highlights of our journey... With our heads full of images, we then descend back to the camp and resume the path to Ranupani. Night in dormitories. 9 hours of walking Positive elevation gain: 1000m / Negative elevation gain: 1700m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 11

  Ranupani – Mount Bromo – Cemorolawang

  Morning transfer to Cemorolawang, a village located on the edge of the caldera of the famous Bromo volcano (2329 m). The latter, which last erupted in March 2010, is venerated by the last Hindu community of Java: the Tengger. Ascent of the volcano in the afternoon. Once at the summit, we can admire its crater, resembling a smoking cauldron where ashes and sulfur boil. It is easy to understand why the Javanese once considered this place as the entrance to purgatory. Overnight at the hotel. 1 hour 30 minutes transfer – 4 hours walking Elevation gain (positive & negative): 250 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 12

  Cemorolawang – Mount Pananjakan – Cemorolawang – Ijen Crater

  By 4x4, we reach the summit of Mount Seruni (2400 m) very early, then continue on foot to the summit of Mount Pananjakan (2775 m) to witness a fabulous spectacle: the sunrise over the caldera of Mount Bromo. This high point indeed offers us a breathtaking panorama of the entire surrounding region of the Bromo volcano, with Semeru spewing its ashes in the background. Unique! Transfer at the end of the morning to Ketapang, at the far east of Java, and near Kawah Ijen. This is where we will spend the night at the hotel. 7 hours of transfer – 2 hours of walking Elevation gain (positive & negative): 375 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 13

  Kawah Ijen Volcano – Jimbaran/Bali

  At sunrise, trek to the edge of the crater. The colors surrounding the Kawah Ijen at this time of day are simply extraordinary. Shortly after the first rays, we will witness the work of the men who extract sulfur at the edge of the largest acid lake in the world. These true sulfur laborers carry nearly 100 kg of ore on their backs for about 15 km to the processing plant! We then witness the weighing and the various work contracts. A very powerful and striking image of our journey. At the end of the morning, transfer to the surroundings of Denpasar, near Jimbaran beach. Overnight at the hotel. 6 hours of transfer – 4 hours of walking Elevation gain (positive & negative): 350 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 14

  Jimbaran

  Free morning until transfer to the airport. Most of Bali's land consists only of tropical forests and various plantations, irrigated throughout the year by the mountain lakes. The plateaus of Bukit Badung and Jimbaran, on the other hand, are a non-volcanic, limestone area with their own ecosystem. 15 minutes transfer Meal: Breakfast