Hike to Mount Gede in West Java🌋, Jakarta, Indonesia, home to a variety of local wildlife

Guide to Gunung Gede, West Java, Indonesia. Gede-Pangrango (GP) volcanoes are located south of Jakarta, on the southern outskirts of the satellite city of Bogor. They are two adjacent active volcanoes, so they are generally put together. Pangrango is higher, with an altitude of 3,019 meters, and is one of the highest peaks in West Java, while the top of Gede is slightly lower at 2,958 meters. The two volcanoes are located in the core area of ​​the national park of the same name. It takes about 3 hours to drive from Jakarta Airport to the foot of the mountain.

GP National Park was established in 1980, covering an area of ​​152 square kilometers. It is inhabited by wild animals such as Javan leopards, leopard cats, barking muntjacs, Javan mouse deer, Malayan porcupines, and yellow-throated martens. It was included in the "World Network of Biosphere Reserves" by UNESCO in 1977. The mountain is close to the urban living circle, with beautiful surroundings and fresh air, attracting many Tourists to visit the volcano for sightseeing and leisure vacations. There are many camping sites and natural parks at the foot of the mountain. However, most tourists can only taste it in the park at the foot of the mountain. Only challengers with good physical strength, courage and perseverance have the opportunity to hike up the mountain to camp and enjoy the sunrise on the top of the mountain.

I fell in love with this mountain in November 2018. A local friend invited me to participate in the GP100 cross-country race. I flew to Jakarta a day in advance. The weather suddenly changed and strong winds blew down many trees. The national park was closed and the race was postponed, so the plan was delayed until today. I will finally set off this week.

Full itinerary - 4D3N.

D1: Singapore directly flew to Jakarta. Some team members arrived in the morning and went to the city for a stroll. Some arrived in the afternoon and evening and joined together to go to the vicinity of GP National Park in the southern suburbs. The Journey takes 3-4 hours and check in to the hotel to rest.

D2: After breakfast, take a car to the trailhead at an altitude of about 1,500 meters, register, organize equipment and set off. The whole day's climbing time is about 5-6 hours, with lunch in the middle, and arrive at the camp at an altitude of 2,700 meters at 3-4 pm. The camp is located in a high mountain grassland with beautiful scenery. Rest after dinner. You can see the bright Milky Way at night.

D3: Get up at 4:30 and set off for the summit after a light meal. Go to the top of the mountain at 2958 meters to watch the sunrise. You can see the top of Pangrango not far away. The surrounding villages and fields are in full view, and the smoking crater is also close at hand. After breakfast, continue to move forward and go down the mountain from another road. The whole journey takes 5-6 hours and leaves the mountain at 4 pm. There are volcanic hot springs and waterfalls on the way down the mountain. After leaving the mountain, it takes 1.5 hours to drive to Bogor City. You can have a good meal and spa at night.

D4: It takes 2 hours to drive from Bogor City to Jakarta Airport. If you leave for an early flight, you can stay in a hotel next to the airport the night before.

The two-day hike is 22 kilometers in total, with a climb of about 1,400 meters. The route is clear and the technical difficulty is low, which is suitable for novices to advance. I will share the beautiful scenery along the way after I go down the mountain on the weekend.