The Indonesian archipelago located between the plates of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean has more than 500 volcanoes of which a hundred still active. Their ascent will give you a unique experience and spectacular scenery. So here are some of them …
1. Mount Agung or Bali Olympus
Long before the introduction of Hinduism the volcano Agung already had a sanctuary dedicated to this mountain considered sacred and later was the mother temple Besakih was built.
Legend has it that the volcano Agung is the throne of the gods who look from the top of Bali and come down to participate in ceremonies at Besakih temple. Mount Agung is in fact the replica of Mount Meru which is the central axis of the universe. Mount Agung thus became “the Navel of the World” which explains why each Balinese temple has an altar dedicated to it, besides the temples themselves are positioned in the direction of Mount Agung.
The Balinese do not orient themselves according to the 4 cardinal points but more by a kaja – kelod axis. Kaja indicates the direction of the Agung volcano where the gods dwell and the water that irrigates the rice fields comes from the. Kelod is the direction of the sea, where the demons hide. As a result to sleep the Balinese if they can sleep their head turned to kaja (towards Mount Agung).
Regarded as the throne of the Gods for the Hindu Balinese, the Agung volcano is located in North-East of Bali which it constitutes the culminating point with a crater of 800 meters of diameters culminating with 2995,3031 or 3142 meters of altitude. It has steep and regular slopes that give it a symmetrical shape typical of Stratovolcanoes.
Practical information before the climb:
- Have a good local guide
- Respect the prayer breaks of your guide on the sacred mountain.
- It is better to reach the summit before 8am, the clouds that often steal the Agung in view can also harm the show from the top.
- Provide an electric torch, preferably front, spare batteries, in case, water (at least 2L per person), waterproof clothing, warm sweater.
- The descent is particularly demanding, risky and requires walking shoes.
- Read on the internet various experiences of people who have made this climb before you decide to be sure that physically you will be able to.
Going on the ascent of Mount Agung without a guide would be a madness because in some places the trails are invisible so it can become dangerous. Going on the ascent of Mount Agung without a guide would be a madness because in some places the trails are invisible so it can become dangerous.
2. Mount Batur in Bali
Located in the East Center of Bali, Mount Batur rises to 1711 meters above sea level. This volcano is located in the center of an immense volcanic caldera, the lake of the same name completes this spectacular landscape. It has a system of cracks along which 3 main visible craters have been formed. Beautiful lava flows still visible at the foot of the volcano, characterize the recent activities. The last eruption dates from the year 2000. This volcano is much more accessible than Mount Agung.
Practical information before the climb:
- Ascension of 2 hours maximum.
- Count 4 hours to 5 hours to walk along the ridges and enjoy the summit.
- From the top you can see the whole Batur caldera, as well as the Agung volcanoes in Bali & Rinjani on the island of Lombok.
3. Mount Batukaru in Bali
Located in the center west of Bali in the heart of the forest, Mount Batukaru is the second highest point of the island at 2276 meters. This sacred mountain for the Balinese is uncrowded and offers a view of spectacular landscapes. His ascent is not obvious especially when the weather is wet.
Practical information before the climb:
- Ascension of average difficulty.
- Good physical conditions.
- 5h climb through the forest.
- Avoid climbing in wet weather.
4. The Kawa Ijen in Java
The green crater in Javanese or Kawa Ijen is located in East Java and rises to more than 2200 meters above sea level. This volcano is active and in its center we find the largest acid lake on the planet (36 million m3). A solfatara on the southeastern internal flank of the crater produces large quantities of sulfur ore exploited daily. In 2 centuries, between 1795 and 2002, it was possible to count ten phreatic eruptions and lahars. You will enjoy an exceptional view of the Kawa Ijen and its surrounding volcanoes without disturbing the hard work of the sulfur carriers.
Practical information before the climb:
- Ascension of 1h30 across a wide path.
- Tip: do not go down to the crater! Opt for the ridge on the right side when arriving at the summit.
- A guide would be a plus.
5. Mount Bromo in Java
According to legend, one of the daughters of the last king of the Hindu empire, Majapahit, Roro Anteng, fleeing the advance of Islam came to settle with her husband, Joko Seger in East Java (the region has been since these ancient times the name of Tengger, derived from one syllable of their two names Anteng and Seger). But the young couple was sorry for not having children. They prayed every day in a cave where sacred water gushes, until the day when the founding god, Sang Hyang Widi, appeared to them. He promised them an offspring of 25 children on the sole condition of sacrificing the firstborn. Their wish was fulfilled, and the royal family and the whole court prospered.
But the parents had forgotten their promise and Sang Hyang Widi was getting impatient. Outbreaks and catastrophes of all kinds affected the village. The king then remembered his commitment to the great Supreme God, but could not bring himself to sacrifice his eldest son Raden Kusuma. He told his children the promise they had made, he and his wife, hoping to find a solution. But the young prince Raden Kusuma accepted the market and went to the cave where the vow had been pronounced. Just arrived, a volcano appeared in the middle of a sea of sand, it was caught by a tongue of fire, but before disappearing at the bottom of the crater, he made his people promise to celebrate his memory each year by throwing offerings in the crater so that the whole region, so dear to its parents, remains prosperous.
Since then, every year, on the day of the full moon of the month of Kesodo which is the 14th in the Hindo-Javanese calendar, the descendants of the Majapahit Kingdom will pay homage to Prince Kusuma and honor Sang Hyang Widi. A long procession is organized and descends into the caldera, where Hindu priests wait for the pilgrims to bless them and bless their offerings. These are then transported by a large staircase to the edge of the crater of Bromo. After some family prayers, the Tenggeri throw chickens, cakes and flowers into the crater that will be immediately recovered by the poor, all Muslims, that this ceremony does not concern. The gods will have taken their share anyway and the last Javanese Hindus will have done their duty.
Mount Bromo is one of the most famous volcanoes and the most visited by tourists. He is worshiped by Hindus living nearby. Located in the caldera of Tengger, the volcano rises to 2329 meters. The Tengger caldera with a diameter of 14km also houses other volcanic cones such as Batok, Kursi, Widodaren.Always active, the Bromo has been releasing mainly water vapor since November 2010. Its crater currently contains a small lake of sulfuric acid.
Practical information for the ascent:
- Easy climb of 20 minutes from the caldera.
- Various points of view accessible by foot or by jeep offering a grand panama on all volcanoes at sunrise.
- For the more athletic, you can also climb the Batok, allowing you a 360 ° view of the Tengger caldera.
6. Mount Semeru in Java
The highest peak in Java at 3676 meters, Mount Seremu is located to the south of the magnificent caldera. This impressive volcano has been active since 1967 and can be seen every 30 minutes.
Practical information for the ascent:
- Ascension of 2 days.
- Good physical conditions required.
- Ascension only in the dry season (April to November).
- A guide and porters are required.
7. Mount Merapi in Java
Although subject to the laws of the Indonesian government, Yogyakarta still has a sultan, considered by all Javanese as a spiritual guide. He is the representative of the gods on earth and has the power to intercede with them. Thus, each year, in order to maintain the balance of the world, a ceremony, the Labuhan is organized in Kraton, the palace of the Sultan. During the first three days of the Labuhan, all sorts of offerings, flowers, fruits and cakes are prepared to honor the spirits. The Sultan, like 90% of Indonesians is Muslim but Islam has not overcome the old animist beliefs; the center of the universe is an immense volcano of which Orang Ajeh is its master, an irascible god, whose worship must never be forgotten.
Regarded as the most dangerous volcano in Indonesia, Merapi is located north of Yogyakarta city with more than 1 million inhabitants. It currently rises to 2900 meters and is the most watched volcano in the world. Monitored by an active dome slowly growing at the bottom of the crater, one day or another to explode! The last eruption was in 2010 and ravaged some villages at the foot of the volcano.
Practical information before the climb:
- Ascension from 4 to 5 hours.
- Good physical conditions.
- The arrival at the summit for the sunrise gives rise to an unforgettable spectacle: view of the active dome and the surrounding volcanic monsters such as the Merbabu, Sumbing and Sundoro volcanoes.
- The climb of this volcano is made safely from the village of Selo, on the northern slope of Merapi.
8. Mount Rinjani in Lombok
Legend has it that Hanuman, the general of the monkey army in the Hindu epic of Ramayana, wanted to return to Bali from Lombok. But not being able to swim across the sea, a kingdom of demons, Hanuman decided to fly over it. Like a kite, he crossed the strait connected by a rope to his mother Anjana, who had turned into a mountain, so that his son would not be swept away by the winds. The Rinjani is born and bears the deformed name of Hanuman’s mother.
This volcano is the second peak of Indonesia and culminates at 3726 meters. It is a decapitated stratovolcano with an impressive caldera extending over 8 km long and 6 km wide. Located in Lombok (the neighboring island of Bali) it is composed of a volcanic lake (Segara Anak) and a small cone in activity (Beru Jari). For many, Rinjani is the most beautiful and most impressive volcano in Indonesia.
Practical information for the ascent:
- Ascension from 2 to 3 days.
- Good physical condition due to fairly stiff parts.
- Ascension only in the dry season (April to November).
- A guide and porters are required.
