1. MOUNTAIN PAPANDAYAN
At only 2,665 meters above sea level, Mount Papapandayan is known among
hikers as “the mountain for beginners”.
Yet there are very few mountains in Indonesia that are like Mt. Papandayan,
cramming as it does into its breathtaking view a beautiful edelweiss meadow, a
dead forest and a steaming sulfur crater.
In reality, the experience of climbing the stratovolcano complex located in Garut,
West Java, frequently surpasses the expectations of almost all hikers — even
those who, at first, might underestimate the still active volcano and take the
ascent there lightly.
Hikers can see and play in the warm water flowing in Mt. Papandayan’s small
sulfur river during their climb to the top.
How to get there: From Jakarta, hikers can take a bus from Kampung Rambutan
bus terminal in East Jakarta or Lebak Bulus bus terminal in South Jakarta,
straight to Garut, West Java, which departs every 30 minutes. The fare is Rp
35,000 (US$3.60).
From Garut bus station, take an angkot (public minivan) en route to Cikajang for
Rp 8,000 — just say
Mt. Papandayan and the angkot drivers will know where to drop you. You’ll arrive
at a three-section road with a mosque nearby. From there to the starting point for
hiking, climb aboard a pick-up that will cost Rp 10,000 per person, depending on
the number of passengers