Day Trips from Jakarta: Escape the City and Explore 5 Must-See Natural Spots!

Historic Jakarta is home to more museums than any other city in Indonesia and more shopping than any other city in Asia, but it also has some of the worst traffic in the world! So after touring the city’s landmarks and exploring the local markets, why not take a day trip to the mountains (or sea) and explore the jungles and islands of Indonesia?

Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. If you listen carefully during your trip, you will hear dozens of dialects in Jakarta and its suburbs. English and Dutch are widely used in business activities, which provides great convenience for international friends who come here. However, you may also want to learn two common Indonesian phrases: "terima kasih" (thank you) and "apa kabar?" (how are you?)

1. Island Hopping in the Paradise of the Thousand Islands (KEPULAUAN SERIBU)



Start from Muara Angke Port or Ancol Marina to go boating in the azure waters, snorkeling in the beautiful coral-filled coast, and sunbathing on the deserted beaches. Jakarta's Thousand Islands are made up of more than 100 islands scattered in the Java Sea. Boats depart from the two main ports every day to take passengers to various islands. 13 of the islands are fully developed and offer overnight family accommodation. The closest island is Bidadari Island, which is about 30 minutes away by boat and is a popular day trip hotspot. Go on a leisurely vacation to explore the nearby neighboring islands such as Ayer Island, Kotok Island, Putri Island, Sepa Island, Pantara Island and Pramuka Island. Pramuka Island is home to a hawksbill turtle nursery and a marine life and mangrove reserve, and is the administrative capital of Kepulauan Seribu. Check In to Pulau Ayer Resort and Cottages, Step Out to Thousand Islands

2. Climb the mountain and enjoy the beautiful countryside of Jakarta at PUNCAK PASS.



Depending on the traffic in Jakarta, it takes about 2 to 3 hours to get to Puncak, but it’s definitely worth the trip. You may be tempted to turn a “day trip” into an indefinitely extended vacation as you travel along the northern ridge of Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango to the Puncak Pass connecting Bogor and Bandung. There are many attractions and activities along the way, such as Bogor Botanical Gardens, Taman Safari Indonesia, Mount Puncak (Gunung Mas Tea Hills), Cibodas Botanical Garden, Telaga Warna Crater Lake, Little Venice Kota Bunga, and Taman Wisata Matahari Water Theme Park. Wow! With so many attractions, a day trip is definitely worth planning! Explore Puncak Pass at Charm Alam Resort & Spa

3. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Situ Gunung Lake in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park



One way to explore Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park is to challenge yourself by hiking through the forests of the two volcanoes, Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango. Silvery gibbons and Javan leopards have been spotted here, and there are more than 250 bird species. For a more relaxing day, head up Mount Pangrango to find Situ Gunung Lake hidden deep in the foothills. Here, you can not only find great viewpoints, but also watch local fishermen gather their nets to catch the day's catch. Go hiking through the mountains and cool off at Sawer Waterfall. This is a popular day trip for locals, mainly because of its refreshing scenery and because it was the filming location for the famous Indonesian movie Naura Dan Genk Juara (Naura and the Champions Gang). Explore Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park at Puka Emens Hotel & Resort

4. Explore the world's largest fruit experience park, MEKARSARI FRUIT AND RECREATION PARK



Located 25 kilometers south of downtown Jakarta, the Mekarsari Fruit and Recreation Park, which covers an area of ​​more than 2.5 square kilometers, is not only a fruit farm, but also protects tropical fruit species across Indonesia. To help improve local agricultural productivity, the conservation facilities here conduct farming technology research and plant breeding research. In addition to field trips at the research center to enrich knowledge, visitors can also participate in recreational activities in the park to spend a fulfilling and wonderful day. There are lakes, deer parks, observation towers, Water Kingdom Mekarsari, and even hotels and villas in the park, which will definitely make you linger and want to stay for a few more days. Stay at the Surikankana 101 Hotel in Bogor to explore Mekarsari Fruit and Recreation Park

5. RELAX AT THE SERENOUS NANGKA WATERFALL



After your Mount Salak hike, cool down at Nangka Waterfall, located about 1.5 hours south of Jakarta. Set amidst a dense pine forest, Curug Nangka, also known as Jackfruit Falls, has been carefully developed as an ecotourism attraction. As you trek along the 50-meter riverbank to this destination, you may stumble across wild monkeys that call the forest home. Have fun splashing around in the shallow pools below the waterfall before checking out two smaller waterfalls in the area, Curug Daun and Curug Kawung. There’s a long-standing legend here: locals believe that Curug Nangka contains a mysterious room where religious leaders meditate, and that bathing in Curug Nangka will make you as fierce as a tiger! This fun-filled day trip from Jakarta is not to be missed! Explore Nangka Waterfall at The Mira Bogor