Travelers Guide
BANDUNG (JP): A list of information on southern Bandung's holiday spots may be necessary for first-time visitors to these destinations.
* Public Transportation Services
- From Bandung:
A number of buses and minibuses ply the routes between Bandung- Ciwidey-Situ Patengan. If you start from Bandung, you have to go to the Kebon Kelapa Bus Terminal. Take the Bandung to Ciwidey station bus. The fare is between Rp 1,000 and Rp 2,500. Many mini buses also serve the route, but these small cars are usually parked outside the bus station. Taxis are also available, but you have to be careful as most taxi drivers may refuse to use the meter, especially for passengers en route to holiday sites.
- From Ciwidey:
When you arrive at the Ciwidey bus station, mini buses are ready to take you to the holiday spots. Mini buses only serve the Ciwidey-Situ Patengan route. However they pass a number of holiday sites such as the Kawah Putih crater, Cimanggu hot springs, Ranca Upas Forest Recreation and Camping Ground and Ranca Bali tea plantation. Only a few buses ply these routes because the roads are narrow and pass through mountainous areas. The average fare is Rp 1,000 and Rp 1,500, but sometimes drivers charge their passengers, foreigners in particular, a higher fare up to Rp 5,000 per person.
* Accommodation Services
Travelers wanting to spend the entire weekend at the holiday sites can choose a number of nonrated hotels, motels, and villas:
- Sindang Reret on Jl. Raya Ciwidey, Bandung Phone: (0029)58204-58204 Room rates range from Rp 40,000 ($20) to Rp 100,000 ($50) a night, including breakfast.
- Sukarasa Tunggal Endah on Jl. Barutunggal-Ciwidey Phone: (0229)610601
- Villa Patengan, Villa Pranatirta and Villa Kindang Kencana are all located in the Rancabali tea plantation. The rates for renting the villas are set at Rp 50,000 ($25) to Rp 100,000 ($50) a day. The villas are equipped with water heater, metric system, and kitchen set.
* Travel Agencies
There are also special package tours to southern Bandung's recreational sites available at travel agencies. They usually arrange special group tours to the sites.
They charge $40 per person. A group consists of at least 10 persons.
Listed travel agencies are:
- Revin Erni Putra Tour and Travel -- on Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 203 -- Phone 62-22-3111366 (hunting system)
- Satriavi Tour and Travel -- on Jl. Asia Afrika No. 81 -- Grand Preanger Hotel, Bandung. Phone: 62-22-443657 (two lines)
* For more information you can contact:
- The Bandung Tourism Information Center on Jl. Alun-Alun Timur No.4. Phone: 62-22-446644
- The Bandung Tourism Authority Jl. Adikusuma-Bale Endah -- Bandung. Phone: 62-22-5940853
- The West Java Tourism Authority Jl. Cipaganti, Bandung. Phone: 62-22-81490