Mount Merapi is the most active volcano in all of Indonesia, its name translates to “Fiery Mountain”! But unlike many volcanoes in other parts of the world, you can climb Mount Merapi. And this trek remains one of the most popular activities in Yogyakarta.
The Trek to Mount Merapi
There exist multiple routes to get to Mount Merapi, but the most favoured route remains the northern access point from Selo. Starting at midnight the trek takes over nine hours long and includes a four-hour long hike uphill. With only the flashlight to guide you, the trek remains best experienced in the silence of the darkness. And all of this can be possible with assistance from a travel guide from Locaguide. As you trudge your way uphill, the knowledge that you are climbing an active volcano will give you the adrenaline rush you need to reach the summit before the first light of the day strikes.
Four hours into the climb you reach Pasar Baru, the base camp. Here, a short snack break prepares you for the final leg of the trek. Let your local guide take you through the next set of obstacles. He will tell you best how to navigate through the volcanic ash. Moreover, how to overcome the final hurdle, a steep rocky climb to the crater of Mount Merapi.
At the volcano summit, the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius but the view is spellbinding. As you watch the sunrise over the horizon, the landscape starts to awaken and everything the sun rays touch change colour. You are on top of a volcano with the world at your feet, the smoke of the volcano behind you and the clouds below you. You know it’s worth every minute of sacrificed sleep and every step during the uphill trek. If adventure is what you crave, definitely include Mount Merapi in your tour of Yogyakarta.
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