OVERVIEW

The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676m), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger people who inhabit the area.

Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru ("Great Mountain"), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. What stands out most about this mountain is the fact that it erupts periodically (and very reliably so). Every 20 min or so, the volcano belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Climbing Mount Semeru can be categorized as easy. The trek is gradually incline, with almost no steep slope to hike except for the part to the summit. Summit day can be quite demanding, climbing steep slope of sand and scree. It will slide on each step we walk.

Besides Mount Semeru, we can offer you a visit to Mount Bromo as an addition. Mount Bromo (2,329m) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera (diameter approximately 10 km), surrounded by the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Malang-Ranupane-Ranu Kumbolo
Meeting point at Malang early in the morning. You should arrive Malang a day before. Our guide will pick you up at the place agreed upon, and we will go to Ranupane village by vehicle. We start trekking from Ranupane to Ranu Kumbolo, a lake at the elevation of 2,400m above sea level where we will camp at the lakeside. It will take 4-5 hours trekking. Stay overnight in tents.

DAY 2

Ranu Kumbolo-Kalimati
We will move to Kalimati camp at 2,700m, the last camp before attempting summit. It’s a short 3 hours hike today, so nothing to rush in the morning nor on the trek as we will pass a scenic trail of Oro-Oro Ombo plateau and pine forest on the way to Kalimati. Early dinner today because we will have midnight hike to the summit, but before that you can enjoy a stunning view of the massive dome of Semeru.

DAY 3

Kalimati-Summit-Ranu Kumbolo
Wake up at midnight and prepare for summit attempt. There will be hot drinks and light meals to fill up the energy. Then we start. It’s a 5-6 hours, or sometimes even more depends on your physical condition, grueling hike of sand and scree to the top that will be paid off by the magnificent scenery of the summit. It’s much faster sliding down back to Kalimati. We will have a couple hours rest at the camp, get a late breakfast and then trek back to Ranu Kumbolo where will stay the last night on the mountain.

DAY 4

Ranu Kumbolo-Ranupane-Malang
Another short trekking back to Ranupane today, 3-4 hours. We will have lunch at Ranupane before going back to Malang City. End of the trip.

PREPARATION

Summit day on Mount Semeru can be quite demanding, so you need to train your cardiovascular capability. You can do running two to three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour per session. Running on a route that have elevation gain will be a lot better, or use treadmill if there’s no such terrain in your hometown. You can change one of your running sessions in a week with cycling or swimming and especially you need to do also stair climbing with at least 10kg pack. It will be a good cross training. Besides that, muscle training is advisable. Strengthen your upper and lower body muscle, as well core muscle. You can do it at the gym or do your own set of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, plank, etc. You need to train 3 months prior to the expedition. It will increase the rate of success.

GEAR LIST