Most visitors to Indonesia come for the sun, sand, and world-class surf. Besides that, Indonesia offers so much more: volcanoes, jungle, tropical islands with reality-defying views, and deceptively dangerous lakes for hiking tours. Therefore, if you are going to have an Indonesia tour, you may refer to some of the best hikes in Indonesia below.
1. Mt Batur, Bali – Best sunrise hike
Overview: 6.8km (4.2 miles), 4 hours, easy-moderate
Mt Batur is framed by the distant peaks of Mt Rinjani and Mt Agung, the sky burns with color if you summit in time for sunrise. You’ll need to get up early to try this experience. Most travelers leave their hotels at 3:30am. You’ll find yourself sharing the peak with plenty of other like-minded hikers and tourists.
The climb itself generally suits most hikers with a base level of fitness, and there are several spots to rest along the way. Come prepared with water, a headlamp (if you have one), and a good jacket for that cold, crisp morning air on top of the volcano.
2. Mt Ijen, East Java – Best hike for natural phenomena
Overview: 14.5km (9 miles), 3 to 4 hours, easy-moderate
The midnight trek up East Java’s Mt Ijen is one of the most unique hikes in the world and another of Indonesia’s most popular. It is the best completed in the dark so you can see its famous blue-fire phenomenon: electric-blue smoke that billows out of the crater, created by a large amount of sulfur in the air coming into contact with the intense heat from the volcano.
The hike is generally easy and can be completed by hikers of any skill level. However, once you reach the summit, things become a little more complicated, especially if you want to descend into the crater. The footing here is tough, and unsure in the dark. You will also need to wear gas masks to enter the crater. Inside is a beautiful turquoise lake. However, touching the water can be fatal because it has the highest acidic level of any lake in the world.
3. Gunung Rinjani, Lombok- Best multi-day trek
Overview: 41.4km (25.7 miles), 2-3 days, moderate
Lombok trek offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience. On their way to the summit of Gunung Rinjani, the second-highest mountain in the country, hikers camp on the rim of the world’s highest caldera lake. This is where they can witness both sunrise and sunset from the roof of Indonesia.
Climbing to the true summit is hard because of strong winds and loose scree underfoot. There are two tracks to the top, and most tours take you up one side and down the other. Hikers will find themselves starting out in tropical jungle before walking through lush savannah and rolling grasslands the following day. If you’re lucky, a troop of black Javan lutung monkeys may even make an appearance.
4. Tumpak Sewu, East Java- Best waterfall hike
Overview: Unknown length, 2-3 hours, Easy
Tumpak Sewu is without doubt the finest waterfall in Indonesia. Its name literally translates to “a thousand waterfalls”. When you stand looking down at the ribbons of rushing cascades, tumbling onto the rocks and into the pools below, that feels like no exaggeration.
From the viewing platform, hike down to the base of the waterfall using the dirt paths and steel walkways that cut across the canyon. There are a number of rickety, handmade wooden ladders to tackle too. Toward the bottom, the path disappears into a waterfall, and you have to climb down while holding onto a rope attached to the rock. Then all of a sudden, you enter Jurassic world, as the mist from the water fills the air.
Further down the canyon are even more waterfalls, with clear mountain pools where you can cool off and swim. The hike is circular, and you’ll need to make your way back up the way you came.
5. Gunung Api Purba, Central Java – Best hike for beginners and families
Overview: 2.4km (1.5 miles), 2-3 hours, easy
Central Java’s Gunung Api Purba makes up for in breathtaking views. Known locally as Nglanggeran, the hike to the summit of this mystical, ancient volcano floors travelers with its vistas. Towering rocky cliffs, wooden ladders, narrow slot canyons and boulders the size of large houses all need to be traversed in order to reach the peak.
A playful troop of monkeys greet hikers from the beginning, at Nglanggeran village. The route meanders over mossy stairs and past great hulks of rock until all that gives way to massive plummeting cliffs and sweeping views. There are five rest stops on the way with great sceneries, it’s well worth trying.
6. Padar Island, East Nusa Tenggara – Best short hike for epic views
Overview: 1.6km (1 mile), 1 hour, easy-moderate
This hike in East Nusa Tengarra boasts arguably the best views in the country. However, this fab rarely comes easily. Instead, it’s a tough 700-stair climb that takes you from the beach to the Padar Island viewpoint. This is where sweeping panoramas of the surrounding islands await.
Accessible only by boat, a few hours from Labuan Bajo in Flores, this stunning atoll holds the distinction of having three incredible beaches. Each with different colored sand – and all visible in one sweep from the 185m (607ft) summit, as are dozens of others. It is possible to visit and complete a day trip, but most hikers stay and explore the incredible Komodo National Park as well.
7. Mt Merapi, Central Java – Best active volcano hike
Overview: 8km (5 miles), 6-7 hours, moderate-hard
Towering nearly 2900m (some 9500 feet) over the city of Yogyakarta, Mt Merapi is officially the world’s most active volcano. Like a number of other Indonesian hikes, the trek to the top is best tackled at night. The reason is that you can watch the sunrise from the summit and avoid the incredible daytime heat.
Merapi volcano in Central Java, Indonesia
From the peak, you can see five other volcanoes, many of which can be climbed as well. Most hikers are content with conquering the crater rim on Mt Merapi – no mean feat – but more experienced climbers can tackle the true summit. It’s even possible to camp overnight on the volcano’s crater rim.
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