Kelimutu (1.639 M or 5.377 ft)

 Kelimutu is a volcano mount, close to the small town of Moni about 50 kilometers to the east of Ende, in the central Flores Island Indonesia.

Mount Kelimutu is an active volcano, inside the huge crater complex are three lakes filled with water in different colors.

First is Lake of Old People (Tiwu Ata Mbupu) at the western point of volcano typically blue. This lake is lying apart from the other two craters. The two other lakes share a crater wall. The Lake of Young Men and Maidens (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai) is characteristically green. The third, The Enchanted Lake (Tiwu Ata Polo)  can often be blood red.

Over the years, the three crater lakes have often change color. At present, one of the lakes is black-brown. One is green and one is currently changing from green to a reddish color.

A phenomenon of changed color cause by the geological and chemical processed in the bottom and walls of the lakes. It could also have resulted from changes in the bacteria and micro organism population due to changes in temperature.

The eruption of 1928 caused many victims and much damage. In 1938 there was another eruption coming from the lakes. The biggest in 1968, in which the water in the lakes was shot 10 meters high into the sky. 

Mount Kelimutu with tri colored crater lakes is probably the most amazing natural phenomenon in Flores. Beyond that, the steaming mountain is also most famous as mythical haunted place. Kelimutu itself means ‘Boiling Lake’ and often visitors can see wreathes of steam rise from the surface of the lakes.

Kelimutu is a beautiful place at any time of the day. However, the best time to enjoy this magical place is in the early morning when the clouds haven’t yet covered the view. Many people prefer to see the sunrise.

The visitors are never quite sure what color the lake will be when they reach to the top. The colors you see maybe blue, green and black or change to white, red or blue.

Mount Kelimutu is situated in an eponymous National Park on The Island of Flores. Although the island is 350 kilometers in length the park itself is small, however the small farming village of Moli which is lies near of the volcano is often used as a base camp to trek to the crest of Kelimutu.

There are daily flights from Denpasar Bali and Kupang Nusa Tenggara Timur to Maumere in Flores Island. Buses to Ende from Maumere will pass Moni a closest small town lying at the foot of Mount Kelimutu. They call the buses Bis Kayu or Oto Kol (the wooden pick up truck). From there, we must walk 30 minutes along to the mountain side or take an ojek (motorbike taxi), car or public transportation to take us to a parking lot before Kelimutu’s peak.

The Mountain is located at the back of Mount Kelibara in Wolowaru district. Koanara in Wolowaru sub district is closest village to Kelimutu. And Moni is the closest small town lying at the foot of Mount Kelimutu.

Moni features simplicity that sometimes only backpackers can accept. If you wish to have a better sleep, there are some hotels and guesthouses prepared comfort bed in Maumere or Ende.

Merapi (2.930 M or 9.610 ft)

Mount Merapi (Mountain of Fire in Indonesian/ Javanese) is an active volcano located on the border between Central Java  and Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

It is the most active of 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia and has erupted regularly at least 80 times since 1548. One of its largest eruptions occurred in 1006 and spread ash throughout central Java.  The very large is claimed to have led to the collapse of the Kingdom of Mataram.

Other major eruptions were those of 1786, 1822, 1872, 1930, 1976, 1994, 2006 and 2010. Smoke can be seen emerging from the mountaintop at least 300 days a year and several eruptions have caused fatalities.  Hot gas clouds and mud flow of pyroclastic materials and water are important hazard on the mountain.

In 2004 an area of 6,410 hectare around Merapi was established as National Park. It is located approximately 28 kilometers (17 miles) north of the large Yogyakarta city, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1,700 meters (5,600 ft) above sea level.

Anyone thinking of climbing the mountain must first check if it is safe to do so. While climbing the mountain with a qualified guide is recommended.

Rinjani (3.726 M or 12.224 ft) ranked 39th

Mount Rinjani is an active volcano in Indonesia on the Island of Lombok. This is the second highest mountain in Indonesia after Carstenz Pyramide at Jaya Wijaya Mountain in Papua (4,884 meters)

A massive eruption of Rinjani in 1258 may have triggered The Little Ice Age. Rinjani is belonging to volcano of The Sunda Arc. The Trench System forming part of Pasific Ring of Fire. The Sunda Arc is home to some of the most dangerous and explosive volcanoes in the world.    

On the top of volcano a 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) by 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) we can find a caldera which is filled partially by the Crater Lake as Segara Anak (Child of the Sea).

This lake approximately 2,000 meters (16,600 ft) above sea level and estimated to be about 200 meters (660 ft) deep, the caldera also contain hot spring water.

The volcano and caldera are protected by the Gunung Rinjani National Park. The Park is popular for mountain climb and trekking. The volcano is also representing an important nature reservation and water catchment area.

Mount Rinjani has obtained the World Legacy Award from Conservation International and Traveler (2004) and was a finalist for Tourism for Tomorrow Awards (2005 and 2008) from World Tourism Council.

Over villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up to the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east.

Senaru trek is the famous route. The tourist often used as a route to the Lake Segara Anak. It takes 7-9 hours hike to the Lake Segara Anak. Segara Anak is a stunning Crater Lake. We can take a rest in this forest area and seeing beautiful scenery of Mount Ibu Jari in the middle of the lake. If we want to continue the journey to the summit of Mount Rinjani we need to go to Palawangan Sembalun which takes 4 hours.    

The other route to Rinjani is Sembalun Lawang. Sembalun lies in the district of Aikmel about 92 kilometers from Mataram. Sembalun name comes from Sembah Wulun means “Worship to the King”.

The beautiful valley of Sembalun also known for hill walks, recently restored traditional village, active cultural performers and local weavers some home stay accommodation is available. The Sembalun Lawang village walk is a scenic experience, we also to see the wild flower walk at Propon in Gunung Rinjani National Park. 

This point is very dramatic and impressive tourist trail. We go through a savanna and beauty desert scenery and vast forest along the valley. Your eyes will be spoiled by the beauty of strait Alas and Sumbawa Island in the distance.

Semeru (3.676 M or 12.060 ft) ranked 44th

Mount Semeru is a volcano located in East Java Indonesia. It is the highest mountain on the Island of Java. The name is also known as Mahameru meaning “the Greatest Mountain”.

Semeru lies at the south end of The Tengger Volcanic Complex. Since 1818, at least 55 eruptions have been recorded. Semeru has been in a state of near constant eruption from 1967 to the present. At times, small eruption happen every 20 minutes end so.

Mount Semeru is a beautiful place to go hiking and tracking. This mount often visited by climber and adventurer. We can enjoy the beautiful of Semeru scenery’s and a special experience of climb. It has two beautiful lakes we can enjoy on the way to Mahameru. We can enjoy it by hiking 3-5 days in good weather.

From the base camp in Ranu Pane village we may hike 4 hours to the Ranu Kumbolo Lake. In this beautiful lake we can camp, fish or swim in cold fresh natural water.

If we want to reach the summit, we may have a hike for 4 hours and camp at Kalimati area. Early in the morning at 2 AM, we have to start for the summit to reach at around 5 or 6 AM for seeing and enjoying the most marvelous sunrise on earth.   

Mount Semeru is an active volcano. Be careful on summit, maybe poisonous gas will occur after an eruption. We have to be aware of the wind direction.

Bromo (2,392 M or 7.641 ft)

Bromo is a small pyroclastic cone which rises 133 meters above the surrounding floor of the massive Tengger Caldera.

This caldera also referred to as the sand sea caldera, is the result of collapse of top half of Tengger Caldera over 250,000 years ago.

The Tengger was built up by a pyroclastic volcano about 4,500 meters. This would be made it the highest mountain in Java at the present day.

In a further slightly a smaller volcano, named Ngadisari collapsed a massive eruption around 150,000 years ago.   

At a later time, eruption from vent in the Ngadisari caldera resulted of significant and also some lava flows. The product of this eruption built up the Tengger 

Caldera, also refered as Cemoro Lawang (The gate of Spruce)

The Tengger Caldera it self formed over 4,500 years ago and emplacement of 6 calderas vent.

1.      Segara Wedi Kidul (2661 m)

2.     Segara Wedi Lor I (2,561 m

3.     Segara Wedi Lor II

4.     Mount Kursi (2,581 m)

5.     Mount Bromo (2,392 m)

6.    Mount Batok (2,470 m)

Bromo maybe more knew then others vents, because only Bromo is presently active.

Located 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital city of East Java Indonesia, Mount Bromo is a part of The Bromo Tengger National Park. That covers a massive area of 800 square kilometers.

While Mount Bromo may be small when measured against with other volcanoes in Indonesia, but the Mount Bromo will not disappoint with its spectacular views and dramatic landscape.    

From vantage point of Mount Pananjakan 2,5 hours from Malang, visitors from around the world come to see the sunrise over Mount Bromo. From this spot we can take picture of the magnificent sunrise.

After countless photo opportunity in Pananjakan we could back down to car park near the base of Bromo. From the car park we can walk or ride by horse across the sea sand to the base of Bromo where you can start to climb up the 253 steps to the top of Bromo.

There is a small Hindu Temple located around this National Park. One of this traditional customs of the Tenggeresse people is Yadnya Kasada ceremony. The annual ceremony (usually in September – November) offering of foods are thrown into the Crater of Bromo Volcano.

To reach Mount Bromo you can fly to Juanda International Airport in Surabaya.  The distance from Surabaya to Bromo is about 3 hours drive. From the airport in Surabaya we can get a lot mode transportation to get to Mount Bromo.

We can take the bus from Purabaya bus terminal (or know as Bungur Asih Terminal) to Probolinggo about 1.5 hours drive. From Probolinggo we take a minibus to Sukapura about 45 minutes. From Sukapura take a minibus to Ngadisari.

The easiest way to get to Mount Bromo is using one mode transportation. Take a vehicle like inova or similar from the airport to Cemoro Lawang directly.  

There are numbers of guest house (losmen) or basic hotels around Mount Bromo located in Ngadisari or Cemoro Lawang. We can also stay at Tretes Pasuruan or Malang the nearest town to Bromo. There are a number of cool mountain resorts with a good hot water.