The island of Java boasts one single mountain that almost all serious local hikers aspire to climb: Mount Semeru. Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru, meaning “The Great Mountain” rises abruptly to 3676m above coastal plains to the south, is one of the most challenging mountain climbs in Indonesia. It is also a restless volcano that is known for its regular ash eruptions that occur at intervals of 10-30 minutes. The trail is also blessed with finest scenery throughout from savannah grasslands, lavender fields, and beautiful tranquil lakes to fuming crater.
ITINERARY
DAY 01
SINGAPORE – SURABAYA – TUMPUNG – RANU PANI
Fly direct from Singapore Changi Airport to Surabaya Juanda International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be picked up by our friendly guide to Tumpung (approx. 2.5 hrs drive). At Tumpang, you will be transferred to a 4WD jeepneys for an exciting ride to your homestay in Ranu Pani Village (approx. 1.5 hrs. drive). At 2100m high, it is one of the highest villages in Indonesia. Enjoy the crisp mountain air and scenery as the jeep whizzes along mountain ridges that look down to beautiful terraced fields. Explore the tranquil village where church and mosque peacefully coexisted, Ranu Pani Lake and surrounding farms at your own leisure.
Overnight: Homestay
DAY 02
RANU PANI – RANU KUMBOLO – KALIMANTI CAMP
After your homestay breakfast, you will embark on the 4-5 hours trek to Ranu Kumbolo (2400m). Along the way you will pass by vegetable plots of potatoes, onions, leeks, tomato, cabbages etc. Spaced out along the trail are four checkpoints with shelters where entrepreneuring villagers have set up small booths selling watermelons, snacks and isotonic drinks. Your guide will point out interesting features and plants along the trail. Look out for the seemingly insurmountable peak of Semeru and its eruption fumes which puffs out every 20 minutes or so. Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch by the picturesque Ranu Kumbolo located high up on the slope of Mount Semeru. After lunch, you will trek for another 3 hours to Kalimanti Camp (2700m) where you will set up camp for the night.
Overnight: Tents with sleeping bags
DAY 03
KALIMANTI CAMP – SUMMIT – KALIMANTI CAMP – RANU KUMBOLO
You will be given an early morning wake up call at 12am for the summit trek. The terrain of the 5-6 hours trek up the summit is steep with loose volcanic soil – considered to be the most challenging part of the Semeru trek. After the workout, you will be rewarded with amazing sunrise views above the clouds at the summit (3676m). The view from the rooftop of Java is incredible with breathing views of east Java’s major peaks. After sunrise, you will “skid down” (it is difficult to stop yourselves from sliding down the slippery terrain) to Kalimati Camp for breakfast. Thereafter you will break camp and descend to Ranu Kumbolo for one more night of camping in the mountains. The iridescent beauty of the Milky Way awaits you in the night.
Overnight: Tents with sleeping bags
DAY 04
RANU KUMBOLO – RANU PANI – SURABAYA
After breakfast, you will trek back to Ranu Pani Village using a different route via Gunung Ajekajek which has some up slope section but offers an alternative view of the mountain. Upon arrival at Ranu Pani Village, you will be transferred to your hotel in Surabaya (approx. 4 hrs drive). Freshen up with a hot shower and some rest after which your driver will bring you out for dinner and some shopping.
Overnight: Hotel
DAY 05
SURABAYA – SINGAPORE
Free and easy at your own leisure till airport transfer for your flight back to Singapore
Package includes:
- All local land transfers
- First night accommodation in homestay
- Last night accommodation in hotel
- Homestay and hotel breakfast
- All meals and drinks (bottled mineral water, coffee and tea) during the trek
- All camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, toilet tent)
- Local Indonesian trekking guide (English speaking)
- Porters for tents, sleeping bags, food and communal equipment
- Gunung Semeru National Park entrance fee
- Mandatory basic medical check up (weight, height and blood pressure) at local clinic (required by the National Park)
Package excludes:
- Return international air tickets
- Travel insurance
- Indonesia VISA (ASEAN citizens are VISA-free up to 30 days)
- All meals not indicated
- Porters for personal bags
- Tips for guide and porters
- All expenses of a personal nature
HIKING GRADE
FAQ
Need more information on Mount Semeru? Read through our Mount Semeru frequently asked questions and get them answered!
OPTIONAL PROGRAM
Mount Bromo sunrise tour via 4WD can be arranged on the fifth day of the itinerary.
TESTIMONIALS
“Hi Bob, thanks very much for making the arrangements and making this trip a meaningful one for me. The service that you have provided is exception, really unlike any vendors that I have engaged before. The prompt replies and staying connected with the traveller during the trip helps to reassure the traveller. The guides that were engaged were also very professional and ensures the safety of the climber. The guides takes the effort to brief the climber and checks that there are proper safety equipment before the hike so that safety of the climber will not be compromised. It was a smooth trip. The drivers for the transfers were also punctual. It’s really a great trip! Thank you very much!
– Pei Yi (Solo traveller on a 4D3N Semeru trip in Aug 2018)
We were lucky, the weather was good and sunny throughout the trip. Scenery was beautiful and most importantly food was great. A great trek but not a stroll in the park. Summit push was a struggle for some of us. Thanks Ying for making our trip a success.
– Jace Lee (Group of 4 on a 4D3N Semeru trip in June 2018)
This was our third trekking trip with IWT after Rinjani and Ophir. We continued to be impressed with their consistent personalized customer service and responsiveness. The pre-trip briefing package which consisted of a detailed packing list and things to take note of are especially useful for our climb preparation.Thanks Bob for keeping a constant check on us during the trip. We look forward to many more trips with you.
– HL Chua (Group of 5 on a 5D4N Semeru trip in May 2016)
Kudos to IWT for making our Semeru trip a success; everything from driver, guide to accommodation were well planned and organised! The Semeru FAQ and packing list provided by Bob were especially useful in helping us to prepare for this trip. Bob was always very prompt and patient towards our enqueries and requests for itinerary amendment. We look forward to our next trip with IWT!
– Jeremy (Group of 6 on a 5D4N Semeru trip in Aug 2015)
– Susana Chua (Group of 3 on a 5D4N Semeru trip in Sept 2015)
PHOTO GALLERY
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