Volcanoes  

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Indonesia is one of the most volcanic countries in the world.  On this page you'll find a collection of information and photographs of some its most impressive volcanoes.

General and specific information on volcanoes

 
Java 

Java has a vast collection of volcanoes - here are a couple of links to information on them

Smithsonian information on Java

North Dakota University information and pictures

 

Gunung Bromo

The massive Tengger caldera contains Bromo, Batok and Kursi.  To catch the sunrise, you'll be up at around 3am for the journey into the caldera, across it and then up the other side - the sight of Bromo and the other volcanoes beneath you in the cloud is simply unbelievable in the truest sense of the word

 

Gunung Bromo isn't the most impressive volcano in the world but its setting is amazing and it helpfully smokes away making it look exactly what a volcano should look like.  The journey to its base offers tremendous primeval views and you then get the honour of climbing to its rim and suffering the appalling stench of the sulphur smoke coming from within its open grey stomach.  

 

Looking over Bromo to Semeru. (One picture was taken 15 minutes after the other.)

 

 

Bali

Bali's two most famous volcanoes are Agung and Batur - here are a couple of links to specific information:  

Smithsonian information on Bali    North Dakota University information and pictures

Gunung Batur

One of the most popular destinations is the caldera containing the Gunung Batur stratovolcano and its crescent shaped crater lake.  An incredible site as the bus reaches the edge of the caldera and you look down at the lake, villages and fields carefully wrapped around the imposing slopes of the volcano.

You'll have to get a lift down into the caldera but there will be plenty of jeeps waiting to take you to a mate's guesthouse.  Once you're there they will very quickly attempt to sell you outrageously expensive treks up the volcano (we're talking $50 for four hours work - the cost should be closer to $5).  If you don't accept there is a risk that they could turn unpleasant and if you attempt the climb on your own you could very easily meet an aggressive collection of locals.  Check where you intend to stay beforehand, ask around, and by all means try the climb (it's pretty easy and you can't get lost) but be very careful if you get into an argument with anyone - they have no rights but they do have knives.  The top is fantastic and you can carefully descend into the crater and pull some lava off its steaming walls.

 

 

Lombok

The island is completely dominated by the massive Rinjani volcano; here's a couple of links:

Smithsonian information on Lombok    North Dakota University information and pictures

Gunung Rinjani 

This massive volcano (nearly 4000m) dominates the northern part of the island and was considered dormant until 1994 when it proved otherwise.  Trekking at least part of the way up Rinjani is the reason many tourists come to Lombok and most base themselves in the nearby villages of Senaru and Batu Koq or in the foothills at tiny Tetebatu.

You have several choices and a couple of starting points.  The most popular is from Senaru where a steep day climb will take you to an incredible stop overlooking the massive caldera containing a crater lake and perfect volcanic cone.  

A longer three to four day trek will take you into the caldera and to the hot springs; it will also involve the incredibly tough climb to the highest point on the rim - a scramble up volcanic scree with a five thousand feet (1500m) drop on one side and not much else on the other.  It is a relentless journey but a fantastic achievement.

And when you've successfully achieved your goal you can relax under one of the several waterfalls around the slopes of Rinjani or chill out in one of the many villages that benefit from its fertile slopes.

 

 

 

 

www.indonesia-adventure.co.uk