East Java Mountaineering: Mount Semeru Trekking

Mount Semeru, the highest volcano in Java, 3.676 meters above sea level,and one of its most active, lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending north to the Tengger caldera, also called with the famous name Mahameru (Great Mountain). This volcano is located in the regency of Lumajang and Malang ,East Java and lies along a N-S trend cutting through the summit, and cinder cones and lava domes occupy the eastern and NE flanks. Semeru has been in almost continuous eruption since 1967. The continuous activities for the past 41 years, attrack everybody from all over the world to explore the beauty of this friendly volcano. Both in 1913 and 1946, the crater Jonggring Saloko ,reached the highest peak up to 3.744 m, then in early 1973 , due to the lava and hot lahar flew to the south part of the vulcono till the village of Pronojiwo and Candipuro in the regency of Lumajang.2.990 explosions were noted, occurred in November 1997. On the top peak of this Vulano,all visitors are advised not to get the crater of Jonggring Saloko, as well as not to climb from the southern path, due to the poison gas and the sudden stream of hot lava. The average temperature of 4 – 10 degree celcius can be felt on top, meanwhile in the dry season (summer time in Northern part of the world, North America and Europe, round June – Sep , the temperature can be dropped up to 0 (zero) degree celcius, where the visitors can find the light crystal ice. The hard blown wind can happen in Dec – January, in which some storm follows. All characteristic of Semeru will bring the uncomparable memory to everybody ever experience the beauty and the mystery of this Java highest volcano.

SEMERU 4 Days / 3 Nights

Day 1

Upon your arrival in Tumpang, a small village in Malang regency , We will pick you up before riding the open air Toyota 4X4 jeep (or you want to feel another sensation to riding the open air truck with another people who wants to go Semeru Mountain) to reach Ranupani where all the visitors must officially report and register to the local authority,due to the last up to date information needed by all visitors before climbing to the top. Ranupani is also the last village to fill up your logistic,Our friendly staffs will assist you with all this preparation.All your personal belonging will be carried by our porters. In this Ranupani village , you can also find the beautiful lakes of app. 1 HA ( 10.000 m2) the Ranupani lake and Ranu Regulo , up to this point ,you already reach the altitude of 2.200m. After Registration we have to start trekking from Ranu Pane to the Ranu Kumbolo, by passing the wild grasses and all tropical vegetations , your head may hit some broken branches of wild trees. Some 5 km distance need to be anticipated through the lovely hills with edelweiss,up to the WATU REJENG where the magnificent hard rocks found. Another 4,5 kms await to get RANUKUMBOLO (2400 m asl), a crater lake of 140.000m2. Overnight in the prepared tents.

Day 2

After enjoyed the beautifull sunrise between 2 hills in front of your tent and breakfast, explore the sensation of Ranu Kumbolo Lake. Then Proceed to Kalimati by passing, again the hard rocks hills before reaching the ever green trees forest and thousands hectares of Savanas, behind this KEPOLO Mount, the almost regular once in 20 minutes explosion of Semeru can be catched.Overnight can be settled either in Kalimati (2.700) or Arcopodo ( 2.900m).

Day 3
Leave your unnecessary belonging on this spot , then proceed to the peak of Semeru by passing the most difficult and slippery sandy paths of 3 - 4 hours.Best time to start is at about 02.00, then welcome the sun rise at the highest point of Java, on the roof of the Indonesia`s most important island. Enjoy this very rare opportunity before going down to Arcopodo or Kalimati , then back to the Ranu Kumbolo Lake.