Goes To Semeru

Welcome Back !

I just Arrived from my long vacation. And as usual, i have a lot of stories. I wish it will be useful, moreover guides you. :)


My journey is starting from Jakarta on Pasar Senen Train Station. We booked for 14 tickets. My 12 Friends and i was waiting for our trip by Matarmaja Train on 22nd of August at 15.45 PM.

Pasar Senen Train Station

Pasar Senen Train Station

Pasar Senen Train Station - Waiting For the Train :)

While we're waiting, we met other hikers from around Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bekasi. The hikers look so different by their tall bags on the back. Because we did. This is one ways to know each other between hikers  around Jakarta. This also one ways, to spread the relations. It's very useful when we or they have any events.


Our train is Ready to go. It was taking 20 hours. What a tired, but we had a lot of fun along this Journey.
We Arrived on Kota Baru Station, Malang on 23rd August at 1 PM.

Kota Baru, Malang

Actually there are some suggestions for you whose coming from Jakarta. You can take the bus to Surabaya then goes to Malang. Or, take a Flight Goes to Abudulrahman Saleh Airport on Malang. Then take the next journey to Ranupani.

Ranu Pani 

Ranupani is the basecamp for enrollment of hikers to mt. Semeru (3676 Mdpl). Ranupani is Located on Lumajang area. We took about 2 hours trip from Malang. The Hikers form other area around East Java usually will Come to Pasar Tumpang. There are so many Vehicles to bring you to Ranupani. By rent a pick up its about 800-1000k Rupiahs, the Driver brought us to Ranupani (2100 mdpl). It was so Cool,  about 10-15 C Degree.

There are some documents to be completed :
1. Identity ID (copied)
2. Health certificate (original)
3. List of the attributes (prepared by TNBTS)

Ranu Pani (Pani Lake) - View From Above

Ranupani is the only way to get into Mt. Semeru. All of the hikers must report their climbing here. After all the qualification is completed, its time to climb the mountain ! All of hikers must go at 6.00 AM from Ranupani. My team were going at 9.00 AM.

Welcome to Semeru !

Watu Rejeng, One of Basecamps during our journey to Ranu Kumbolo

Our first destination was Ranu Kumbolo (Kumbolo Lake). From Ranupani, It's about 4-6 hours to catch this place. We'll meet some small shelters before Ranu Kumbolo. There are : Landengan Dowo, Watu Rejeng, then Ranu Kumbolo

Take a rest At Shelter 3

What a tired Journey, We take a rest for a while at base 3. We're very Glad to be there. See your friends, then you'll get more power to continue your Journey.

Here It is, Ranu Kumbolo - View From above

Finally, I Got it ! what a beautiful view. I think, we deserved to see the view, after our long and tired Journey. Then we build a tent at the east side of Ranu Kumbolo. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the sunrise and just a little part of sunset. Despite, we're so luck. Because just a few people want to stay here, means that it's so quite around you. The situation was very different at our opposite. There was very Crowded. So many people had a tent at the west side. That the best part, can see the sunrise.

Our Complete Team

This Place is too beautiful. Take a picture with my team, COMPLETE ! Thanks to my brother, Achmad Kosasih, for brought a tripod. :)

At tomorrow morning we continued the trip. We went at 11.00 to Kalimati. The First place to have a rest is Ranu Kumbolo at the west side (our opposite). We have to climb 'Tanjakan Cinta'. There's a myth : when you're climb, never look back or you'll lost your love. Believe it or not, that just a myth :)

Tanjakan Cinta

Not so far from there, you'll find a large savanna called Oro-oro Ombo (reed field). The Reeds as tall as me,   about 1,5 - 1,6 m. You'll walk between the reeds. How beautiful it was. Unfortunately, it's Dry season here. We can't see the Flower. My friend told me, it will be more beauty in Rainy Season. You can see thousands flower in Oro-oro Ombo. I'll try to get back here :)

Oro-Oro Ombo in the Evening

After an hour and a half walked,  we met the Cemoro Kandang (Pine Forest) area. Take Long rest here, before continue the Trip.

Cemoro kandang is a Hill. We goes to a Pine Forest. As long as you can see, it's Forest. In some spots, we can see the beauty of Oro-oro Ombo.

Cemoro Kandang Shelter

We Arrived in Kalimati after walk for about 2-3 hours from Cemoro Kandang. We decided to build a tent, stay over night here. The Situation was very different. When we were in Ranu Kumbolo, there are so many water. You're easily to take any water as much as you need.

To get water in Kalimati, we need for about 45mins in a round. You'd better sleep erlier,  Prepare energy to get the peak.  My team woke up earlier at 11 PM. 12 PM o'clock, when the sky were so beautiful. We need about 6-8 hours to the peak. Depends on  your stamina. :)

View Of the Peak Form Jambangan

Kalimati Shelter

The track was so 'amazing'. It's Sandy (it's almost all of Semeru's track) and precipitous. My team took a rest every 10 mins. After 1 hour, we arrived on Arcopodo (twin statue)

My team and i decided to get back to our tent. My journey to get Mahameru (Semeru's peak) was over here. I didn't get it. Because, i feel so tired. But didn't regret it. Never insist your self to do when you thought that its enough. From Arcopodo, i need less then 1 hour to get to Kalimati.

When i got my tent, i can see clearly the Torches (from the hikers who's going to the peak) making a line walking slowly on the Track. It's like a hundred fireflies. It was so beautiful. At least, i pray for the other hikers to get the peak safely.

View Of the Peak From Kalimati Shelter

At 3 PM, we were ready to get back to Ranupani. Again, a tired Journey. At 5 PM, we just arrived at Ranu Kumbolo. Cooked some food for energy, then continued our trip.

My Clock showed 3 AM, when i (finally) reached Ranupani. After our long journey. My Friends and i didn't successful to get the peak. But we're really enjoy this time.





Thanks to :  Bang Pray, Bang "Bule" Febry, Bang "ndut" Risky, Dika, Hana, Eni, Shela, Andi, Tri  "Soe Ncek Gie", Ragil "Tompel", Kosasih "ncos", Awe, Sylvi, Yahya. Well Done Friends ! :)


Traveller Tips :
Semeru is the highest mountain in Java island, it takes a long time. Bring food that contain high Carbohydrate. less gas. Prepare your health, do some exercise, to get the best stamina. Wearing tracking shoes is the best way, because its sandy.

The succeed of the Climbing the mountain is not about reach the peak. But you're safe till you get home.