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.