Pemandian Air Panas Suban

Kolam pemandian Suban air panas

For English version click here

Terakhir di-update 21 April 2021

Kawasan obyek wisata Suban memiliki udara sejuk yang dikelilingi oleh pemandangan lembah dan hutan tropis. Suban merupakan lokasi yang baik untuk pemandian air panas alami. Air panas alami (thermal spring) sangat baik untuk mengurangi nyeri dan pegal otot setelah hiking. Air panas alami memancar di beberapa kolam pemandian umum dan juga mata air panas dapat ditemukan di banyak titik yang bercampur dengan aliran air sungai yang sejuk. Di lokasi obyek wisata Suban juga terdapat air terjun 2 tingkat yang para pengunjung bisa nikmati dari jarak dekat. Mata air panas dan air terjun Suban terkenal dengan weekend picnicker.

Wisatawan asing, khususnya white people atau sering juga disebut bule kemungkinan besar akan menjadi pusat perhatian bagi pengunjung/warga lokal di tempat pemandian yang terbuka. Mengapa??? Karena hanya sedikit wisatawan asing yang berkunjung ke Suban dan area sekitarnya, masih banyak warga di sini yang belum pernah melihat orang asing dengan penampilan fisik dan gaya hidup yang berbeda. Bagi Anda yang merasa tidak nyaman dengan tatapan warga setempat saat berada di tempat pemandian terbuka, Anda bisa menggunakan ruang mandi privat yang juga dilengkapi dengan air hangat yang mengalir dari mata air panas dengan hanya membayar  Rp.3.000.

Di lokasi obyek wisata Suban ada beberapa warung yang menyediakan beberapa pilihan makanan dan minuman. Sayangnya Suban masih kekurangan fasilitas-fasilitas penunjang dan belum terbebas dari masalah sampah. Berdasarkan pengalaman saya, waktu yang ideal untuk berkunjung ke Suban pada waktu musim kemarau antara bulan Maret hingga September.

For English version click here

Populer dengan pangunjung akhir pekan

Tiket masuk Rp. 10.000 (US$ 0,69) untuk dewasa dan Rp. 5.000 (US$ 0,34) untuk anak-anak. Biaya parkir kendaraan roda 4 Rp. 5.000 (US$ 0,34). 

Lokasi: Suban terletak di kabupaten Rejang Lebong sekitar 90 km (56 mil) dari ibu kota provinsi Bengkulu, dapat ditempuh sekitar dua setengah jam dengan sepeda motor atau mobil, atau 6 km (3,8 mil) dari Curup. 

  Foto-foto dari Suban 

Salah satu kolam pemandian air panas Suban

Air terjun Suban

Air terjun Suban

Photos by Peter Kimball, Adriansyah Putera & Sirly Utama Adriansyah

Gunung Kaba, Suaka Bagi Hiker Di Provinsi Bengkulu

Pemandangan kawah belerang gunung Kaba

Artikel ini terakhir di-update 26 Juni 2021
For the English version click here!

Gunung Kaba atau yang juga biasa disebut bukit Kaba oleh penduduk setempat, memiliki panorama yang indah dan alami dengan temperatur udara yang moderat, gunung ini menawarkan pengalaman inspiratif bagi mereka yang memiliki hobby trekking atau mendaki gunung untuk menikmati pemandangan hutan tropis plus kawah belerang yang spektakuler dan unik. Gunung Kaba merupakan gunung berapi aktif yang berada di dalam kawasan Konservasi Wisata Alam Bukit Kaba yang memiliki luas area13.490 hektar dan diusulkan untuk pengembangan pariwisata di provinsi Bengkulu. 

Pendakian ke gunung Kaba menawarkan petualangan, semangat hiking, dan tantangan fisik melewati pemandangan hijau yang mempesona. Di bagian puncak gunung, terdapat tiga kawah – bukit Kaba (1.952 m / 6.404 kaki), bukit Itam (1.893 m / 6.211 kaki) and bukit Malintang (1.713 m / 5.620 kaki), dua dari tiga kawah tersebut masih aktif. Saat Anda mendaki punggung gunung Kaba Anda dapat mencium bau belerang, ini bukti bahwa kawah-kawah tersebut masih aktif. Nikmati pemandangan spektakuler di sekeliling Anda. Uap tidak henti-hentinya keluar dari 12 retakan tanah, dan sejumlah mata air panas (tidak layak untuk diminum) dapat ditemukan di sekitar kawasan bukit Kaba. 

Pendakian menuju puncak gunung Kaba

PENJELASAN TRACK 

Pendakian ke bukit Kaba dapat ditempuh dari berbagai arah, tapi dua rute yang paling populer yaitu jalur reguler/jalur jalan aspal yang dimulai dari depan pos POKDARWIS dengan menelusuri jalan aspal hingga ke puncak, dan kemudian jalur hutan yang dimulai dari belakang pos POKDARWIS. Para pengunjung diwajibkan untuk melapor dan mengisi buku tamu di pos POKDARWIS sebelum pendakian dimulai. Biaya masuk Rp. 100.000 (sekitar US$ 6,92) untuk wisatawan asing dan Rp. 11.500 (sekitar US$ 0,80) untuk wisatawan domestik, plus asuransi jiwa Amanah Githa untuk satu kali kunjungan sebesar Rp. 1000 (US$ 0.069). Bagi para pengunjung yang ingin berkemah beberapa hari di sekitar puncak gunung, mereka akan dikenakan biaya tambahan. Ada beberapa tempat parkir sederhana di dan di sekitar pintu masuk pos POKDARWIS untuk akses dan kemudahan bagi pengunjung yang ingin menitipkan sepeda motor atau mobil mereka untuk hanya beberapa jam atau bahkan berhari-hari. Biaya parkir Rp. 5.000 (sekitar US$ 0,35) untuk sepeda motor, dan Rp. 20.000 (sekitar US$ 1,38) untuk mobil. Waktu yang baik untuk mendaki Gunung Kaba yaitu di musim kemarau antara bulan Juni – September.

  

For the English version click here!

Opsi Jalur Reguler

Durasi pendakian: 1 jam 45 menit hingga 3 jam pendakian

Jika pendakian dimulai di pintu masuk pos POKDARWIS, biasanya memerlukan waktu sekitar 2 jam untuk sampai ke puncak melalui jalur reguler jika Anda merasa energik. Ikuti saja jalur jalan aspal, jalur tersebut akan menuntun Anda hingga ke puncak. Durasi hiking tergantung pada kecepatan langkah kaki Anda, kondisi cuaca, dan seberapa sering Anda berhenti untuk beristirahat dan melihat-lihat pemandangan. Durasi yang kami berikan untuk opsi jalur regular adalah perkiraan, karena semua orang berjalan pada kecepatan yang berbeda-beda. Anda sangat disarankan untuk mengambil jalur reguler jika Anda melakukan pendakian di saat/setelah hujan. Saat musim hujan durasi pendakian bisa menjadi lebih lama.

Opsi Jalur Hutan

Anda dapat menempuh rute jalan setapak melalui hutan untuk melihat pemandangan yang lebih indah dan merasakan sensasi trip petualangan. Hiking melalui jalur hutan juga dapat lebih menghemat waktu tempuh dan tenaga Anda dibandikan hiking melalui jalur reguler, tapi jalur hutan ini sangat beresiko jika Anda tidak familiar dengan tracknya dan mencoba melakukan pendakian seorang diri, Anda bisa tersesat di hutan. Para pengunjung yang belum pernah melewati jalur hutan disarankan untuk menyewa pemandu atau ikut mendaki bersama kelompok pendaki lain yang berpengalaman. Anda dapat menyewa seorang pemandu di Pos POKDARWIS dengan tarif Rp. 75.000 (sekitar US$ 5,19). Hati-hati dengan kondisi jalan setapak dan tebing yang licin dan mudah longsor. Jangan ambil jalur hutan di saat/setelah hujan, lebih baik menghindari resiko dari pada Anda menyesal kemudian. 

Butuh tumpangan sepeda motor ke puncak?

Anda harus dalam kondisi bugar untuk mendaki gunung Kaba. Jika Anda tidak yakin bahwa Anda cukup kuat untuk mendaki, Anda bisa naik ojek dari pos POKDARWIS dengan tarif Rp. 60.000 (sekitar US$ 4,15). Untuk menghindari penipuan tarif jasa ojek dari orang-orang yang menawarkan jasa ojek, sebaiknya Anda membuat dan memastikan kesepakatan tarif jasa dengan tukang ojek terlebih dahulu sebelum Anda menaiki sepeda motornya dan bayar hanya jika Anda telah sampai di puncak gunung.

Kawah belerang gunung Kaba

Info Tambahan Gunung Kaba:
Elevasi puncak: 1.952 m (6.404 kaki)
Koordinat: 3.52 S, 102,62 E
Tipe gunung: stratovolcano (gunung berapi kerucut/komposit)
Erupsi terakhir: 26 -27 Agustus 2007

Lokasi: Dusun Sumber Urip, kabupaten Rejang Lebong, provinsi Bengkulu. Untuk menemukan lokasi gunung Kaba di Google Maps klik di sini!

Petunjuk lokasi secara umum: Gunung Kaba berada sekitar 19 km (11,8 mil) dari Curup ibukota kabupaten Rejang Lebong atau sekitar 104 km (64,7 mil) dari kota Bengkulu. Dibutuhkan waktu sekitar satu jam berkendara dari Curup, 20 menit berkendara dari Simpang Pasar / Simpang Bukit Kaba, atau sekitar 3,5 jam perjalanan dari Bengkulu untuk sampai ke pintu masuk pos POKDARWIS.

Wisatawan asing sedang menikmati pemandangan kawah

Ayo Dukung Responsible Tourism!!

Jika Anda akan bermalam di puncak gunung Kaba (secara lokal dikenal juga dengan nama bukit Kaba) jangan lupa membawa kompor sehingga Anda tidak perlu menguras pasokan kayu bakar yang terbatas. Ketergantungan pada kayu bakar untuk keperluan memasak dapat menyebabkan terjadinya deforestasi/penggundulan hutan yang cepat. Jika Anda terpaksa menyalakan api, gunakanlah perapian yang sudah ada. Gunakan hanya cabang atau ranting pohon yang sudah mati. Pastikan bahwa Anda benar-benar memadamkan api setelah digunakan. Jangan meninggalkan sampah-sampah Anda dan pastikan orang lain di kelompok Anda melakukan hal yang sama. Mari kita dukung "Resposible Tourism" (Pariwisata yang Bertanggung Jawab)!!!!

For the English version click here!

Jangan gunakan foto-foto dari blog ini untuk tujuan apapun tanpa izin dari saya. Jika Anda ingin menggunakan foto-foto di blog ini silahkan email ke kurt_reyhans@yahoo.com 

Ekstra foto dari gunung Kaba

Gunung Kaba menawarkan jalur trekking yang menakjubkan 

"Gunung-gunung sedang memanggil, dan saya harus pergi." - John Muir

Gunung Kaba dikelilingi oleh lautan topografi hijau 

Menikmati pesona pemandangan gunung Kaba

Puncak gunung Kaba yang berkabut

Hiking bersama keluarga

Puncak gunung Kaba mengepulkan uap panas

Perhatikan dan puaskan sisi petualangan mu di gunung Kaba!

Pendakian Gunung Kaba - bersama kita bisa

Kontak: kurt_reyhans@yahoo.com

Foto: Adriansyah Putera, Peter Kimball, Jeff Clairmont 

Referensi tambahan: John Seach. “Kaba Volcano”. http://www.volcanolive.com/kaba.html

Tips for Traveling on Rainy Sumatra Days

Mount Kaba hike

You will encounter iffy weather if you visit Bengkulu province or other provinces of Sumatra during the rainy season. In Bengkulu province and its neighboring provinces including South Sumatra & Lampung province, the rains normally start from October to March (peaking in December - February) slightly later than the north parts of Sumatra. The weather is still hot and more humid in the coastal areas, but at higher elevations tend to be cooler.

Traveling in Bengkulu province during the rainy season especially within the wettest months December – February can be very challenging and inconvenient for most travelers. The December to February rains can come in sudden tropical downpours, and or it can also rain nonstop for a whole day. If you want to go backpacking to try a rainy season escape or a very adventurous trip that many travelers miss out on, perhaps in the rural or mountainous areas, it will require not only willpower but also preparation and a lot of patience. Make sure you carefully plan what to wear on a rainy day and bring the right gears. Here are some important tips from real travelers and my own experiences for traveling on rainy Sumatra days:

General rules: planning and preparation are half the battle. 

First identifying which regions you want to visit & stay, what you want to do and how long you want to travel before packing for your trip to Bengkulu province to get a greater understanding of what will be needed.

Suggested items to bring

Going rural

• A light waterproof rain jacket (heavy plastic raincoat might be too warm to wear in the coastal areas).
• Four of five t-shirts should be enough. The weather at higher elevations tend to be cooler, you can layer t-shirts for warmth instead of strictly winter clothes. You can buy extra t-shirts at low prices in many places in Sumatra if you need more, but if you are a big and tall person it will be very difficult to find plus size t-shirts. 
• Two or three pairs of convertible long pants for backpacking, hiking or for any outdoor activity you may partake in. They can keep you warm when the temperature drops and can be turned into a stylish pair of shorts when the temperature bubbles up. 
• An emergency kit. It can help with some unpleasant situations that arise while on the travel trail, especially if you plan on hiking or going rural. It can be adapted to your needs, type and length of travel, and destinations. The basic emergency kit should include at least the following items:

1. First aid kit & enough medication for your entire stay. It is best to keep your medications in their original containers with clear labels, officials at ports of entry may require proper identification of medications.
2. Ready-to-eat canned food and drinking water.
3. Cellular phone.  We suggest you to bring a cellphone or buy a cheap cellphone and a local SIM card in Indonesia for your communication needs.
4. Multipurpose utility tool like a Swiss army knife.
5. A flashlight, the waterproof one is recommended. Power outages are frequent in Sumatra during thunder storms. 

➤ Don’t bury your emergency kit at the bottom of your travel bag. Keep it handy in case of an emergency.

• Sturdy hiking boots for going rural or hiking.
• Waterproof bags and zip lock bags (for use in protecting your camera equipment, electronic devices, travel documents, emergency kit, etc).
• A folding umbrella.
• Extra socks to wear while wearing shoes/hiking boots.
• Sandals/flip flops.
• An extra towel. It almost always comes in useful! 
• Rainy season is also mosquito season, so don’t forget to bring mosquito repellent and anti malaria tablets especially if going rural.  Recommendations for suitable drugs to prevent malaria can be found at www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html
• Locks for your luggage, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

We greatly recommend that you go through a final checklist once you think you have got all items with you.

Packing

Don’t bury things you needs such as emergency kit, extra clothes, or drinking water at the bottom of your backpack or travel bag. If you are going to go backpacking, your backpack has to be balanced or you could fall over. Don’t make your pack too heavy at the top or bottom, it’s best to keep the heaviest items close to your back. Access and balance are the keys to packing well. 

That is all that we can write. Remember that a Sumatra escape or adventurous trip during the rainy season is only suitable for those who enjoy slow travel and don’t mind stopping for one or more days due to weather disruptions.

Tips for driving safely on rainy Sumatra days, click here!

Lake Mas Bestari - Fun Nature Walks

It offers fun hikes with gorgeous mountain views

This article has been updated on June 29th, 2021

Lake Mas Bestari which has complete name lake Mas Harun Bestari is a small lake located in a nice location where visitors can easily get there from Curup and Lubuk Linggau or to some of the nearby sites they want to visit. The lake is surrounded by gorgeous views of Bukit Barisan Mountains. There are simple -mid range hotels near the lakeside for those who want to escape the city for a night or two. 

Mas Bestari lakeside has some good places to relax for visitors. For those who love hiking, the surrounding area of the lake offers a scenic hike (around 3 km/1.8 miles, easy hike) along the lakeside and the rows of hilly vegetable gardens. Early morning or late afternoon when the air is pleasantly cool is the best time for lakeside walks or hikes. It usually takes around an hour or so to hike around the lake. It is possible for visitors to rent a boat for boating the surroundings of the lake. Also, don’t miss another pleasure, capture beautiful sunrise/sunset images from the lakeside or from one of the surrounding hills! You have to go home with nice images and a smile spreads across your face, post-process your images to produce really sweet images, and then upload them. 

Mas Bestari lakeside at sunrise

Location: It is located at the village of Karang Jaya, Kecamatan Selupu Rejang, Rejang Lebong district. Just go through Jalan Raya Curup – Lubuk Linggau around 18 km (11 miles) from the hill town of Curup, or around 2.5 hours drive from Bengkulu. To show the lake location on Google Maps click here!

Parking fee is Rp. 5,000 (US$ 0.34) for car.

More photos from my trip

Fun early morning hike at Mas Bestari lakeside area

Lake Mas Bestari at sunset

Photos by Adriansyah Putera and Sirly Utama

Curup - A Town With a Feast of Flora

This post has been updated on October 10th, 2018   

Foggy Peak of Mount Kaba

Curup is a small cool hill town in Bengkulu province famous for its beautiful mountain scenery and coffee growing areas. Coffees from Curup are famous for their rich, full bodied coffees with "earthy flavors". It is located in Rejang Lebong district, in the foothills of Bukit Barisan, 80 km (49.7 miles) from the city of Bengkulu  or halfway between the city of Bengkulu and Lubuk Linggau. It has a population of 28,173 inhabitants (97% are Moslems) with a population density of 7,132 inhabitants per square kilometer (census population 2010). In many areas both Curup and Rejang Lebong district, broad green valleys separate the mountains. Thick forests cover much of the Curup's land. Curup can be reached by numerous connections to/from Bengkulu and Lubuk Linggau.

Curup is a cool base for visits to the attractions of the surrounding mountains, including volcanic Gunung Kaba, 19km (11.8 miles) east of town, which has two large smoldering craters surrounded by thick rainforest. It has also many fine traditional stilted wooden houses of the Rejang people. The hot springs and waterfalls can be found in the villages around Curup.

It’s difficult to change money in Curup, so bring enough rupiah to see you through. But it is possible to get a cash advance on Visa or MasterCard from the BCA bank (Jl. Merdeka 151). In most parts of Bengkulu province, the rainy season falls between October and April. Rain tends to come in sudden tropical downpours, but it can also rain nonstop for a whole day (peaking from December to January), so come prepared.

Local Transport

The common Indonesian means of transport such as angkot (public city transport), ojek  (motorcycle riders who take passengers), and becak (pedicab) are available in many places in Curup. Most angkots serve a standard route, picking up and dropping off people anywhere along the route, angkot fare is Rp. 4,000 (about US$ 0.26) per person. You can find Ojeks at Curup bus station, traditional markets, and around crossroads. An ojek can take you around the town, or can take you where no other public transport exists. The base rate for an ojek is Rp. 5,000 (about US$ 0.33) per person for a short distance. Becaks (pedicab) serve a short distance only and they can be found at around the back streets, becak fare is Rp. 5,000 – Rp.7,000 (about US$ 0.33 - 0.46). It is wise to ask someone, such as your hotel employee or the locals, about the normal fare before you get on any local transport, otherwise see how much the other passengers pay and offer the exact fare.

Packing Tips For Your Hiking Trip (Oct & Apr) 

Mt. Kaba Trekking 

• Luggage and bags: Locks for your luggage to protect your important item & travel documents from theft. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 
• Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: In most part of Sumatra, the wet season falls from October to April, the wettest months are January and February that can make travel more difficult. The weather is still hot and more humid in the coastal areas, but at higher elevations tend to be cooler. On January to February rains can come in sudden tropical downpours, and or it can also rain nonstop for a whole day. Bring plenty of socks to wear while wearing shoes, folding umbrella, a light waterproof rain jacket (heavy plastic raincoat might be too warm for the humid tropics), long pants and/or jeans, shorts, T-shirts, flip flops. 
• Toiletries and Medical Supplies: First Aid Kit, anti Malarial tablets, analgesic pills, Antihistamine pills for any allergic reactions, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper for the eventual emergency, and anti-bacterial gel for use afterwards.
• Photo Equipment: Bring extra batteries and SD cards, in case you go someplace where you can’t buy replacement stocks. Zip locks bags for use in protecting your camera equipment, travel documents, etc. It’s good to bring a transformer or adapter if your devices don’t play nice with the local electricity.
• Camping/Outdoor Gear: Flashlight, mosquito repellent, pack at least two bottles of water per day.

Curup is also famous for its coffee growing area

 Photos by: Adriansyah Putera, Jeff Clairmont and Peter Kimball

Suban Hot Springs

     

Public bathing pool at Suban hot springs

Last updated April 21st, 2021

Versi bahasa Indonesia klik di sini

Suban has nice cool air with a nice view over the valley and surrounding tropical forests. It is a good place for bathing of the source of natural hot water. The hot springs are good for aching muscles after climbing hills. The hot springs bubble out at some simple public bathing pools and also in many other spots mixed with the cool water which comes from the stream. Within the Suban area there is a two-level waterfall which visitors can get close up to. The hot springs and waterfall at Suban are very popular with weekend picnickers.

Foreign tourists, especially white people that locally known as bule may be surrounded and stared at by locals at very open baths. Why??? Because of curiosity. Only few foreign tourists visit Suban and the surroundings areas, many people here have not seen foreigners with very different physical appearance and lifestyle. Foreigners could become instant celebrities. Alternatively, if you are not comfortable to be stared at by locals at very open bath, you can pay Rp 3,000 (US$ 0.22) extra for a more private bath room which also has warm water runs from the hot springs.  There are small range of food stalls with limited food and drink choices at some spots within the location. Unfortunately Suban still lacks adequate supporting facilities and struggles with a littering problem. From my experience, the ideal time to visit is during the dry season from March to September.

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Popular with weekend picnickers

Admission ticket is Rp. 10,000 (US$ 0.69) for adults and Rp. 5,000 (US$ 0.34) for children. Parking fee is Rp. 5,000 (US$ 0.34). 

Location: Suban is located in Rejang Lebong district around 90 km (56 miles) from the provincial capital of Bengkulu, it just takes around two and half hours drive by motorcycle or car, or 6 km (3.8 miles) from Curup.

More Photos from Suban

Public bathing pool at Suban

Suban Waterfall

Spending time in nature makes people feel more alive

Suban Waterfall

Photos by Peter Kimball, Adriansyah Putera & Sirly Utama Adriansyah

Mount Kaba, Hiker's Haven in Bengkulu Province

A view of the magnificent crater of Mt. Kaba

This article has been updated on June 26th 2021

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Kaba volcano (locally known as Bukit Kaba or Gunung Kaba), a beautiful and natural panorama with moderate temperature, offers some of very inspiring mountain experiences for those who love trekking or mountain climbing to catch the views of tropical jungle plus unique and spectacular sulfuric craters. The volcano is located within the Bukit Kaba Nature Conservation which covers an area of 13,490 hectares, and it is proposed for Bengkulu province tourism development. 

The climb offers adventure, excitement of hiking, and physical challenge through stunning green scenery. At the summit, there are three craters - Bukit Kaba (1,952 m / 6,404 ft), Bukit Itam (1,893 m / 6,211 ft) and Bukit Melintang (1,713 m / 5,620 ft), two of which are still active.  As you walk up the ridge to Bukit Kaba you can smell sulfur odor, evidence that the craters are still active. Enjoy the spectacular view around you. Vapors incessantly come out from 12 fissures in the earth, and hot water springs (they are not suitable for drinking) are found in the surrounding area.

"The mountains are calling, and I must go." - John  Muir

TRACK DESCRIPTION

It’s possible to climb Bukit Kaba from various directions, but the two most popular routes are the regular track which starts from the simple asphalt road across from the POKDARWIS station, and the jungle track which starts from behind the POKDARWIS entrance station. Visitors must fill in a visitor book at the POKDARWIS station before the climb begins. Entrance fee is Rp. 100,000 (about US$ 6.92) for foreign tourist and Rp. 11,500 (about US$ 0.80) for domestic tourist, plus Rp. 1,000 (US$ 0.069) for Amanah Githa single trip life insurance. For those who intend to camp around the summit for multiple days, they will be charged an additional fee. There are simple parking spaces in and around the POKDARWIS entrance station makes it convenient and easy for visitors to leave their motorbikes or cars for just a few hours or even for days. Daily parking fee is Rp. 5,000 (about US$ 0.35) for motorbike, and Rp. 20,000 (about US$ 1.38) for car. The best time to climb Bukit Kaba is in the dry season between June and September. 

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Regular Track Option 

Hiking time: 1 hr 45 min – 3 hr one way

If the climb begins at the POKDARWIS entrance station, it’s normally around 2 hours climb to the top via the regular track if you are feeling energetic. Just follow the asphalt road track, it makes its way up to the top. Your hiking time is relative to your hiking pace, the weather conditions, and how often you stop for rest and sightseeing. Time given for regular track section is approximate, as everyone walks at a different pace. It is greatly recommended to take the regular track if you want to hike in/after the rain. Allow longer time in rainy season conditions.

Jungle Track Option
Hiking time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr one way

You can take the jungle track to get  more beautiful surrounding jungle views and a more adventurous trip. Hiking through the jungle track also can save more your hiking time and energy than hiking through the regular track, but it’s very unwise to attempt the first climb via the jungle track alone, you can get lost in the thick jungle. Visitors are advised to take a guide or join a climber group. You can hire a guide at the POKDARWIS entrance station for Rp. 75,000 (about US$ 5.19). Take care on the slippery trails and the steep descent on loose stony terrain. Don't take the jungle track in/after the rain, better safe than sorry.  

Need a motorbike ride to the top?
You need a reasonable level of fitness to climb the Kaba mountain. If you are not sure that you are strong enough to hike, you can take an ojek (motorbike that takes passengers) take an ojek at the POKDARWIS entrance station for Rp. 60,000 (about US$ 4.15) one way. To avoid being ripped off by the ojeks don't get on the motorbike until the price is settled and don't pay until you've reached the top of mount Kaba. 

Sulfuric crater of Mt. Kaba

Additional Kaba Volcano Info:
Summit elevation: 1,952 m (6,404 ft)
Coordinates: 3.52 S, 102.62 E
Type: stratovolcano
Last eruption: August 26th – 27th, 2007

Location: Desa Sumber Urip, Rejang Lebong district, Bengkulu province. To find the Kaba volcano location on Google Maps click here!

General directions: Gunung Kaba is about 19 km (11.8 miles) from Curup the capital city of Rejang Lebong district or around 104 km (64.7 miles) from the city of Bengkulu. It takes around an hour drive from Curup, 20 minutes drive from Simpang Pasar/Simpang Bukit Kaba, or around 3,5 hours drive from Bengkulu to get to the POKDARWIS entrance station. 

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Catching a view of the spectacular sulfuric crater

Support Responsible Tourism!!

If you are going to spend the night at the summit of Kaba mountain (locally known as Bukit Kaba) take a stove so you don’t need to deplete the limited supply of firewood. Depending on open fires for cooking can cause rapid deforestation. If you must light a fire, use an existing fireplace. Use only minimal, dead, fallen wood. Make sure that you totally extinguish a fire after use. Don't forget to carry all trash out with you and make sure others in your party do the same. Let's support "Responsible Tourism"!!!

Let’s help each other!

Let’s make this post available in various languages! Translating this post can help more readers in your language to understand this post. If you would like to translate this post into your language or if you need help to translate some of your posts into Indonesian, or if you want to use a photo(s) from my blog please send an email to kurt_reyhans@yahoo.com

Related photos from Mt. Kaba:

Fun Mt. Kaba hike with family

The hike to the summit of Mt. Kaba

Steaming peak of  Mt. Kaba

Mt. Kaba offers some awe-inspiring treks

We are very close to the peak

Enjoying the awe-inspiring views of Mount Kaba

Foggy Peak of Mount Kaba

Green topography that dominates every extensive view

Mount Kaba is surrounded by an ocean of green topography

Mt. Kaba hike - together we can

Heed your adventurous side!

Contact: kurt_reyhans@yahoo.com

Photos by: Adriansyah Putera, Peter Kimball and Jeff Clairmont

Additional reference: John Seach. “Kaba Volcano”.  http://www.volcanolive.com/kaba.html