Hiking & Trekking

There are several great hiking trails in Indonesia. Guides are necessary, as trails are not as well marked, as you would find in Nepal. Our pick of great hiking include Leuser, Ujung Kulon, Baliem, Tanah Toraja, and the ever-popular Rinjani.

Gunung Leuser in Sumatera

Bukit Lawang allows for short 4 hour jungle walks that are less strenuous. Otherwise base yourself at Gurah. The Orang Utan sanctuary is delightful. An overnight trek would mean the unforgettable experience of a night in the Sumatran jungle.

Ujung Kulon National Park

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The home of the endangered one horned Javan Rhinoceros, the trails generally follow the coast of this remote corner of West Java.

You will see wild cattle, boar, monkeys, gibbons, deer, crocodile and perhaps the elusive panther.

It is a bird watching haven and also offers snorkeling opportunities

Baliem Valley in Papua

This is the most popular trekking area in Papua. The Dani tribe with their traditional honi homes and penis gourds make trekking here an adventure. Baliem Valley is 60km long and 17 km wide with the main town Wamena in the centre. You are in the highlands so nighttime temperatures can plummet to a chilly 10 deg Celsius.

Popular routes include Assologaima to Meagaima to Bugi to Wolo.
Otherwise trek to the breathtaking canyon at Goundal and Yogolok Cave.
Shorter walks include Manda to Bugi, which take 2 hours.

Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi

The culture of Torajans, gravesites, architecture and vibrant ceremonies invite all trekkers to stay longer than they planned. Rantepao is an excellent base and most treks start a few minutes out of the ‘city’ centre.

Batu tumonga offers a dramatic perch to view Sa'Adan Valley and distant Rantepao.
Londa and Lemo have extensive burial caves and tau tau.

Mount Rinjani in Lombok

This is one of the most popular trekking trips in Indonesia. Climbing a volcanic peak already carries a certain cache. When combined with a caldera containing a 6 km lake, hot springs, and a newly emerging volcano within a volcano, it makes for an unforgettable experience.

It is very cold at the summit and Gunung Baru ( new mountain) erupted as recently as 2004.

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