Azimuth Adventure Travel Ltd (Tour operator / Travel Agency in Indonesia)
Tour-Operator based in Indonesia, specialised in volcano and trekking tour
Founding member of the "Adventure Travel Network"
Member of ASITA (Association of Indonesian travel agencies)
Tour-Operator based in Indonesia, specialised in volcano and trekking tour
Founding member of the "Adventure Travel Network"
Member of ASITA (Association of Indonesian travel agencies)
Trip informations
- Volcanoes of East Java
- Island(s) : Java
- Price from : 1 235 €
- Number max of persons : 15
- Number of day(s) : 14 Day(s)
You are free to choose your own departure dates.
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Before departure
Volcanoes of East Java | REFERENCE - AZV202
An earth adventure travel essentially oriented towards Indonesia’s living gods: the volcanoes of East Java. This province is marked by a stately procession of volcanic cones with well-watered valleys, which have been cultivated for years. No other place on Earth has a larger concentration of active volcanoes, and this is the reason why East Java remains a fascinating destination!
From Yogyakarta – the peaceful city of Central Java – we head east to climb the most interesting and beautiful active volcanoes in Indonesia: Mt. Welirang, Mt. Semeru, Mt. Bromo and crater Ijen. Each is source of local legends and beliefs. However, the Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park guards an art and history particularly linked to legends and supernatural elements.
Ancient Javanese Hindus believed one of these volcanoes to be the door to purgatory, while the rest constituted an axis at the center of the world… Active volcanoes, lunar landscapes, unique and exciting local cultures as well as an extraordinary flora and fauna are among the discoveries you are certain to make on this trekking trip.
Afficher Volcans de Java-Est - 15J sur une carte plus grande
Trajet présenté à titre indicatif: le trajet de votre voyage pourra donc différer légèrement de celui-ci.
D/1 - Yogyakarta
Flight to Denpasar or Jakarta. Upon arrival, domestic flight to Yogyakarta. Overnight at hotel.
D/2 - Yogyakarta – Mt. Merapi’s observatory – Borobudur temple – Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta city tour: visit the sultan’s palace built in 1756, the colourful bird market. Visit of Mt. Merapi’s observatory, where is recorded the complete data about its volcanic activity, another way to better understand this volcanic island. We also visit the Borobudur temple, an ancient Buddhist temple built over 11 centuries ago during the Syailendra dynasty. In the afternoon, we head back to Yogyakarta for a walk along Malioboro, the city’s main shopping street. Overnight at hotel.
Transfers = 2 hrs
D/3 - Yogyakarta – surrounding area of Mt. Merapi – Babadan
Morning free to tour this colourful city, the cradle of Javanese culture. Early in the afternoon, we leave for the southwest side of the Merapi volcano to safely observe the 1994 lava flows from the top of a balcony-shaped hill. This viewpoint also allows us enjoy the last light of dusk highlighting the volcano’s active slope. Right at this point, we immediately understand how important legends and myths about Mt. Merapi are for the local people. We later continue our hike and reach Babadan (1350 m), with our base camp located on the volcano’s west side. Camping.
Transfers = 1.5 hrs, Trekking = 4 hrs
D/4 - Babadan – Mt. Merapi – Selo – Tawangmanggu
Before sunrise, we begin our hike to the summit of the Merapi volcano (2911 m). This exclusive ascent is best made in daytime in order to best observe the volcano’s 1998 lava flows. Complete safety equipment is provided. At the summit, we enjoy an amazing view of Java’s other volcanoes, the Indian Ocean and Yogyakarta. Following lunch on the crater’s slope, we descend the volcano’s north slope to Selo. Later, we transfer to Tawangmanggu, on the slopes of Mt. Lawu, overlooking Surakarta. Overnight at local inn (losmen).
Transfers = 3 hrs, Trekking = 8 hrs, A = 1600 m, D = 1200 m
D/5 - Tawangmanggu – Sukuh temple – Tretes
Today, we begin our trek to the Sukuh temple, hiking along the Grojogan Sewu waterfall and through forests home to a sizeable population of monkeys, fairly shy and polite inhabitants. This region on the northwest slopes of Mt. Lawu was the last bastion of Hinduism in Central Java following the expansion of Islam. Situated in the middle of forests and tea plantations, the temple is an example of original Hindu iconography, including phallic symbols and turtle-shaped tables. These elements reveal the historical existence of initiation rites, probably orgiastic. In the afternoon, we get to Tretes, a delightfully cool hill resort and an ideal base for mountain-lovers. Overnight at hotel.
Transfers = 7 hrs, trekking = 3 hrs
D/6 - Tretes – Mt. Welirang
Early in the morning, we head up to Mt. Welirang (3157 m) through a lush rainforest. Because of their close proximity, Mt. Welirang and Mt. Arjuno are commonly called: ‘The Twins.’ Campsite is set up at an altitude of 2400 m, in Pondok Welirang, sulphur collectors’ village. It is said that the village’s surrounding landscapes and numerous huts share elements with a Tibetan mountain village. Camping.
Ascent = 5 hrs, A = 1600 m
D/7 - Welirang volcano’s summit – Batu – Malang
Early in the morning, we climb up Welirang volcano. From its peak, we enjoy marvellous views over the region. Clouds move from the humid lowlands, engulfing the surrounding area, including us, by noon. We stop our hike near the eruptive area and by the crater's sides (one active, the other one extinct), before heading down to Batu. We reach Malang by motor vehicle. Overnight at hotel.
Transfers = 1.5 hrs, Trekking = 6 hrs, A = 700 m, D = 1650 m
D/8 - Malang – Tumpang – Ranupani
Free morning in the city of Malang. This city, on a background dominated by Mt. Semeru, Mt. Kawi and many others, was a popular colonial retirement town, and its refreshing climate makes it a delightful place to relax after our previous ascent. Short transfer to Tumpang, a village close to Malang. On the way, we cross the amazing Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, and go along the Bromo volcano’s caldera. From a desolate ‘sea’ of black volcanic sand, rises a cluster of four smaller peaks, three of which are green and covered with lush vegetation. The last one, Mt. Bromo, is a steaming heap of cinder and ash, one of the planet’s most unusual sights. This is an introduction to the environment we later discover in our trip. Once arrived at Ranupani, surrounded by mountains and extensive farmlands, we go on a warm-up hike around the small lakes close to the village. Lying beside the village, the cold foggy lakes of Ranupani and Ranu Regulon are pleasant places for fishing and swimming. Overnight in dormitory.
Transfers = 3 hrs, trekking = 1 hr
The abode of the gods
Standing near the summit, you can look in all directions and discover such marvels as the Bromo caldera, lava arms reaching to the sea, Bali, the Indian Ocean, a brilliant green and blue horizon… You easily understand at this point why Mt. Semeru is regarded as the abode of the gods.
D/9 - Ranupani – Kalimati (first stretch of hike to arrive close to the Semeru volcano)
Today, we trek across hills and forests to reach a plateau called Kalimati, at the foot of Java's highest volcano, Mt. Semeru (3676 m). East Java’s highest peak stands just 20 km from Java’s south coast, making this one of the steepest ascent from any shoreline in the world. Mt. Semeru is very active. An eruption in the early 1980s poured rivers of lava into the sea, blackening beaches with glittering cinder crystals. We have a pleasant picnic on Kumbolo's lakeside. Camping.
Trekking = 6 hrs, A = 600m
D/10 - Kalimati – Semeru volcano – Kalimati – Ranupani
At night, we adjust our frontal safety lamps to climb Mt. Semeru's steep slopes. We walk across dense forests, 3,000 m above sea level, into a wilderness where vegetation is replaced by volcanic rock. Stunning scenery created by this volcano's eruptions can be observed, particularly at sunrise. A bit further, the crater of the Semeru volcano belches out its ashes and clouds of dust curls. A plume of smoke rises from the volcano every 90 seconds or so, accompanied by an earth-shaking rumble. These entrails of the Earth are extremely striking and will remain a vivid picture of your trip. We walk back down to our base camp. Overnight in dormitory.
Trekking = 9 hrs, A = 1100 m, D = 1700 m
The Tengger region
There is perhaps no other volcanic terrain in the world that can be compared with East Java’s spectacular Tengger region. At the centre of this upland massif lies an ancient caldera measuring 10 km in diameter – sheer and grass-colored cliffs surrounding a black, windswept ‘sea of sand,’ its steady eruption veil the surrounding countryside in nutrient-rich deposits, attracting the farmers to extend their fields up to the steepest slopes. A beautiful alpine flora of evergreen edelweiss also covers most of the mountaintops.
D/11 - Ranupani – Bromo volcano – Cemorolawang
To eventually reach the famous slopes of the Bromo volcano (2329 m), we transfer to Cemorolawang. Mt. Bromo, one of the most active of Indonesia's volcanoes (it last erupted in June 2004), is venerated by the Tengger Hindu community. We climb the volcano in the afternoon and walk around its crater. Looking into its seething cauldron of bubbling water, ash and sulphur, it is easy to understand why the ancient Javanese regarded it as the entrance of purgatory. Overnight at hotel.
Transfers = 1.5 hrs, trekking = 4 hrs, A = D = 350m
D/12 - Cemorolawang – Mt. Pananjakan – Sempol (Kawah Ijen)
4WD takes us down to the sea of sand and on a drive to the summit of Mt. Pananjakan (2775 m). From its top, we admire a striking sunrise over the caldera, the Bromo volcano as well as the near slopes of Mt. Semeru, both mountains belching out volcanic ashes. As from aboard an airplane, the Tengger volcanoes line up before us in a single, sweeping panorama. Mt. Semeru’s presence is so immediate we feel we could almost touch it. Unique scenery! Around mid-day, we transfer to an area closer to the Kawah Ijen. Camping.
Transfers = 6 hrs, A = 350 m
D/13 – Kawah Ijen crater - Jimbaran
After enjoying sunrise over the landscapes surrounding the Kawah Ijen crater, we proceed to the sulphur-processing site. Miners extract sulphur from the largest acid lake in the world. We attend a sulphur weighing. These miners have a difficult job: they carry on their backs 100 kg of sulphur to a factory 15 km away. As for ourselves, we reach the site slowly and carefully, as sulphur is an irritant. Then, we transfer to Denpasar and its surrounding area, in the vicinity of the Jimbaran beaches. Overnight at hotel (5 minutes walk from the beach).
Transfers = 6 hrs, Trekking = 4 hrs, A = D = 450 m
D/14- Jimbaran – Airport – Next destination
Free morning before transfer to airport. Flight to your next destination.
Transfer = 15 minutes
End of our services
Inclusions
- Services of an Azimuth English speaking (or French speaking) local guide.
- Land & sea transfers needed for the circuit
- Accommodation
- Meals as indicated in the description day by day
- Entrance fees for touristic sites and museums
- Mineral water and snacks (fruit, biscuits ...) during the days of walking
* In high season, our tour guides can be already busy. If you want a guarantee of supervision by one of them, we recommend an early booking of this tour.
Exclusions
- International and domestic airfare
- Airport taxes & visa fees
- Drinks, personal expenses and tips
- Travel Insurance & Assistance
- Anything that is not listed in "Inclusions"
What to bring?
- Good walking shoes
- Headlamp
- Flask (for water)
- Hat or cap, light clothing & replacement clothes
- Raincoat (for the rainy season, from October to April)
- Small backpack & camera
- Mosquito repellent (lotion / cream)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses & your good mood!
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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