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Home | Climbing, hiking Merapi volcano, with guide speaking English



Afficher Mérapi, Slamet et plateau du Dieng sur une carte plus grande

Trajet présenté à titre indicatif: le trajet de votre voyage pourra donc différer légèrement de celui-ci.

 

D/1 – Jakarta – Purwokerto – Baturaden
Arrival in Jakarta, greeting and transfer to the hotel, introduction to Indonesian volcanoes Merapi, Dieng and Slamet. Travel to the town of Purwokerto via Bandung then arrive in Baturaden, a charming and cool weather station located on the slopes of Slamet volcano, the 2nd highest peak on Java at 3428m.
Night in a hotel.
 
D/2 – Slamet volcano – Base camp
We start the ascent of Mt Slamet, a very active volcano composed of multiple ash cones and considered dangerous because of its violent gases, its explosive character, its hot clouds and lahars. The last important eruption was in 1999.  We walk 6 hours through flamboyant forests before setting up our base camp. 
Night in tent.
 
D/3 – Slamet – Baturaden
We begin our ascent very early in the morning to discover the most important and active of the craters, located on the west side of the summit, with a diameter of 450m and 150m deep. Taking time to enjoy the magnificent views, on clear days we can see as far as Mt Merapi to the east.
We hike down to Baturaden and have the end of the afternoon free.
Night in a hotel.
 
D/4 – Baturaden – Dieng
In the morning, we visit hot springs nestled inside fabulous caves where the walls are carpeted with unrealistic colors. We go for a walk in the ricefields before heading towards Dieng Plateau, catching a glimpse of this place of geothermy with its numerous hot springs and cauldrons of boiling mud.
Night in a losmen.
 
D/5 – Dieng – Merapi/Babadan
After viewing the sunrise in the mist of the volcanic fumes, we explore several craters and active zones on the plateau, punctuated by remains of the ancient Hindu civilization of Java with numerous small temples. Dieng plateau is also famous for its potato plantations stretching as far as the eye can see, along with mushroom cultivation. In the afternoon, we travel towards Merapi and visit the highest observation point on its slopes, the Babadan observatory post. 
Night in tent in the forest. Possibility to catch sight of incandescent andesite rocks hurtling down the sides of the volcano.
 
D/6 – Merapi
After sunrise, we climb towards the summit and set up our base camp facing the lava dome at the foot of Garuda peak. We spend the afternoon observing this remarkable volcano and its andesite dome, which reconstitutes itself after each eruption at a rate of tens of thousands of m3 per day. In 2004, nearly a hundred eruptions of hot clouds of gas raced down the slopes almost as far as 10km, forcing the local government to evacuate nearly 30,000 people. In a magical night surrounded by fumes of sulfur at hell’s door, it's possible to observe the glowing dome and the bluish flames of burning sulfur.
Night in tent.
 
D/7 – Merapi – Yogyakarta
After an extraordinary sunrise, we descend through another path towards the village of Selo, facing the Merbabu volcano, then transfer to Yogyakarta. Free afternoon to discover the cultural capital of Java.
Night in a charming hotel.
 
D/8 – Merapi – Airport
Transfer to Yogyakarta airport to catch your return flight.
 
End of Program

 

The price includes
  • All transportation and transfers
  • Hotels rooms and other forms of accommodation including breakfast
  • All meals
  • All camping equipment
  • Mineral water during the tour
  • All entries on the site, national parks and donations
  • The services of an English (or French) speaking guide from Azimuth
 
Price does not include
  • International flights
  • Visa fees and airport taxes International
  • Drinks and beverages
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Anything that is not mentioned in the "price includes"

 

Travel in Indonesia

Detailed information about your trip

Transportation
Land transfers by private buses. Few drivers speak English. Other transfers by ferry.

Your Guide 
Our English-speaking guides are highly trained, competent, thoughtful and pleasant Indonesians who are eager to meet your needs. 

Accommodations
Because of their exceptional location or beauty, simple inns and guesthouses are sometimes preferred over other accommodations. Most nights however, you will rest in standard local inns or guesthouses. You will also stay in better hotels in main cities.

Meals
A wide variety of cuisines are found in Indonesia. Coconut milk and aromatic spices add delicious tastes and delicate flavors to meat, vegetable and fruits. You will enjoy a number of spicy dishes served on steamed or fried rice (“nasi goreng”) and a large variety of fruits (bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, cantaloupes, and watermelons in addition to so exotic fruits you might taste for the first time but will remember forever.) 

Tipping
It is customary to tip local guides and drivers. Allow a maximum of USD 40 per trip.

“The spirit of our trip”
We are rigorous and strict in the description and organisation of our trips, but adventure treks and eco-tourism are full of surprises. Please consider the unexpected as a bonus to your trekking and hiking experience and as a contribution to the total change of scenery you are looking for! Trust your guide! He will deal with these slight inconveniences, turning them into lasting and striking memories. Similarly, trust your guide with respect to possible itinerary changes. Adjustments might indeed be required due to weather conditions, changes in accommodations, or for safety reasons. You will meet populations with a sensibility regarding time and daily life different than your own. Learn to respect these differences and grow wiser from your contact with local religious and cultural values. This is the best way to totally enjoy your trip!

Insurance
The purchase of travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel. Please confirm with your insurer that your policy meets your needs, in particular regarding search and rescue assistance. Your coverage should be no lower than the equivalent of USD 5,100.

Visas and red tape
Ratified by the president of Indonesia on December 17th, 2003, the new visa policy states that tourists who are nationals of the United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Canada, South Korea and Norway are eligible for the visa on-arrival program. However, the validity of tourist visas (for citizens from the above countries and others) has been reduced from 60 to 30 days. Visa fees are around USD 25. Learn more about this new policy by consulting our “News” page. For detailed information, please contact your Indonesian embassy or General Consulate.

Health
Immunization is not required on trips to Java and Bali. For other destinations however, immunization is strongly recommended, in particular for  typhoid, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and polio. Indeed, prevention is the best cure for these diseases. Please remember that tap water undergones very little treatment, if any. However, bottled water is widely available, except off beaten tracks, where iodine tablets provide effective sterilization. Finally, Indonesia lies within a malaria zone, although developed and touristic areas are practically risk-free. However, pregnant women and children need professional advice on the various drugs available as well as they posology.

Safety
Indonesia is a rather safe country and tourists are welcome. However, display of wealth is not recommended, in particular in crowded areas, including markets and city centres.
 
 
Selecting the appropriate level of difficulty

To help you assess the difficulty of our trips, we grade them based on the trekking or walking involved. These grades apply to healthy people,but, more than health itself, trekking is a question of attitude, confidence, stamina and agility.

‘Easy’ 

  • Description: ’Easy’ trips require a certain level of fitness,  with some walking (2 to 4 hours) on generally well-marked tracks. They include some ascent and descent without major difficulties.
  • Individuals who enjoy going for walks on a regular basis will be delighted on these trips and on short sightseeing tours. If you are new to this, you will soon notice their benefit on your body and soul. 
  • Preparation: A weekly two-hour long walk is recommended! An excellent exercise.

‘Moderate’

  • Description: Both long and short trips require a longer personal investment than trips graded ‘easy’. You trek half or full days (between 4 and 6 hours). Ascents and descents  are regular in terms of effort (variation in height ranging from 400 m to 700 m, with the exception of  hikes to reach volcanoe summits). 
  • If you enjoy all-morning or full-day hikes, or if you have enjoyed mountain hiking in the past, you will truly love our short or long moderate trips.
  • Preparation: Whatever your profile, you should take long walks (four hours) once a week starting two months prior to departure, and practice another physical activity on a regular basis (swimming, biking…).

 

‘Demanding’

  • Description: These trips include  practically full-day walks (six hours, with successive ascents and descents and a variation in height ranging from 700 m to 1000 m). Some trekking on wild unmarked tracks, an exclusivity of Azimuth adventure Travel Ltd.
  • If you enjoy trekking over several days in challenging natural surround or if you practice a sport on a regular basis, you already meet the requirements for this type of trips. If you have enjoyed and have had no difficulty on trips rated ‘moderate,’ you will know what to expect.
  • Preparation: Experienced trekkers and novices need to be in good shape. Two months before departure, start to exercise on a weekly basis: long-distance jogging and swimming and/or biking.

‘Strenuous’ 

  • Description: These include challenging full-day treks (averaging a minimum of six hours) on sometimes unmarked tracks. Variation in height may reach 1000 m, and even more on the final ascent of volcanoes.
  • If you find long adventurous hikes in the heart of nature exciting and if you enjoy physically testing environments, you will definitely be enthused by these treks. If in the past you have enjoyed hikes graded ‘strenuous’ and have experienced no difficulty, you have an edge on these treks.
  • Preparation: To benefit the most from your trip, exercise rigorously! Two to three months before leaving, start joggin (10 km per week). We also recommend an additional regular exercise, including long-distance swimming (1 km) and biking (40 km).
‘Extreme’ 

  • Description and preparation: These are challenging treks, within the sphere of high-level mountaineering expeditions. Solid experience and the steady practice of an intensive physical activity over a very long period of time are an absolute a must..
 
 
Trekking & hiking: What do I bring along?

Remember that the right clothes significantly contribute to how much you enjoy hikes. Bring along only essential pieces of clothing or equipment. However, pay particular attention to the boots you choose. Toe injuries are far from pleasant on hikes. Here is a recommended list of what to bring:
 
  • A daypack: Ideally large enough to pack all you need for a day’s walk (rain gear, water bottle, sunglasses, camera, packed food, warm clothes…). You will need at least a 25litres  pack for a full day, but a 30 to 40 -litre pack is preferable. Our experience shows that a larger pack is more comfortable.
  • Trek bag/travel bag, both with padlocks: Our porters and vehicles bring daily your luggage to our overnight accommodations.
  • Headgear: A sun hat and a scarf or bandana will efficiently protect you against dust and an irritant sulphuric atmosphere (they also protect your neck from sunburns).
  • Clothes: Long hiking shorts (for mountain climbing), lightsweat pants, T-shirts, a warm sweater (also in cool weather in mountainous regions), a raincoat.
  • Footwear: Hiking boots  and light shoes to wear indoors (sneakers or sandals).
  • Other useful items include: spare shoe laces, needles and thread, a towel, night clothes, spare clothes, swimming trunk/bathing suit, toilet paper, a lighter, wet wipes and/or antibacterial gel, biodegradable soap/shampoo, lip balm, sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle, a small knife, plastic bags (to pack and protect some of your belongings), sleeping bag and a bedsheet. 
  • First aid kit: throat lozenges, medication, insect and mosquito repellent, anti-diarrhoeal treatment (Imodium, Oralite). Your guide will carry along a sterile medical kit including a range of useful drugs. 
  • In a small envelope or a pouch hanging around your neck or hidden under your clothes, carry a photocopy of your identity papers, your insurance contract, and your credit cards