ADVERTORIAL : Sleman Regency

ADVERTORIAL : Sleman Regency
PUBLISHING DATE: Saturday, Nov. 16

Adventurous tours in Sleman regency

Sleman, one of the regencies of Yogyakarta Province, is famous
for its scenic beauty, unique traditions and friendly people.

One of its natural attractions is Mount Merapi. One of the
world's most active volcanos and located 2,968 meters above sea
level, Merapi's peak is continuously covered with clouds.
Shrouded in mist, its mystique invites the bold and adventurous
to uncover its hidden secrets.

Exploring Merapi's beauty can be done by individual or group
climbers assisted by local guides available as part of trekking
tour packages. These trekking tours are prepared for tourists to
closely view the volcano's activities at safe spots and times.

Two routes for climbing are available. The first is via
Kinahrejo village, which is located some two kilometers from the
Kaliurang mountain resort. From this village the distance to
Merapi is nine kilometers and takes about 10 hours to reach. The
second route, which is comparatively shorter, is from Selo
village in Boyolali regency, Central Java.

During your climb up the mountain you can enjoy the following:

* The glowing red lava flowing down from the mountain top
* The beautiful countryside, comprising traditional villages
with panoramic paddy fields and lush, exotic, tropical forests
* The unique flora and fauna, including colorful birds, and, if
you are lucky, the giant Javanese eagle.

For your convenience, you can book the following tours offered by
"Amazing Merapi Trekking Tours":

1. Mt. Merapi Daily Lava Tour

Duration : 5 hours return

Starts : daily at 3:00 a.m.

Price : Rp 40,000 (including guide and breakfast)

What to see : Outstanding view of the red glowing lava
flowing from the crater of Mt. Merapi

2. Mt. Merapi Lava & Villages Tour

Duration : 10 hours return

Starts : daily at 3:00 a.m.

Price : Rp 75,000 (including guide, breakfast and
lunch)

What to see : The first five hours afford outstanding view of
the red, glowing lava flowing from the crater of Mt. Merapi. The
next five hours is devoted to the countryside, traditional
villages, superb views of the rice fields and tropical rain
forests.

3. Mt. Merapi Birdwatching tour

Duration : 5 hours return

Starts : daily at 6:00 a.m.

Price : Rp 40,000 (including guide and breakfast)

What to see: Incredibly attractive and colorful birds and
possibly the giant Javanese eagles

4. Fascinating Overnight on Mt. Merapi

Duration : 17 hours return

Starts : daily at 4:00 a.m.

Price : Rp 100,000 (including guide, tent, mattress,
blanket, flashlight, bottled drinking water, breakfast, lunch,
dinner, snacks, coffee and tea)

What to see : This is the most unforgettable tour that you'll
remember forever as one of the highlights of Indonesia. You'll
spend a whole night long watching one of the world's greatest
volcanos with its unbelievable red, glowing lava. You'll feel the
rumbling of the earth. You'll enjoy tremendous views of the
tropical rain forest, wildlife and birds. Indeed, it's a
fantastic off-the-beaten track tour.

Just contact Vogel's Hostel at 0274-895208 or call the Sleman
Regency Tourist Service, Jl. Merapi 13, Beran Tridadi Sleman, at
0274-865559 or 0274-869613, or check with your travel agent to
arrange the tour you want.

Throughout the entire adventure on scenic Mt. Merapi you won't
have to worry about facilities as electricity, transportation or
hotels abound in Sleman regency.