Gunung Banda Api, Maluku Islands, Indonesia

5Kidglove M 5:00 PM May 1, 2015

Invigorating climb and great views of Banda Islands
A climb of Gunung Api will take around 2 hours and should not be taken lightly. You should take as much water as you can. I went on a relatively cool day and took 4 litres and drank around 3 litres. It may seem a burden, but it is wise to bring a good amount. It is also wiser to do it with others, or when you see other people are going, or at the least to tell someone (other tourists/ your guesthouse) where you are going. Firstly you need to get a boat, which will charge around 10000 RP to get there. These are not at the main jetty/ port, but a little bit to the left, beyond the Delfika 2 Hotel. Getting back is another issue, see later in the review. As mentioned I took 2 hours with a few breaks on the way up, which made it a lot more pleasant than pushing to do it faster. Note there are no seats or shelters all the way up, except for a shelter that is not far from the foot of the volcano. Thus you need to sit at the edge of the path or on the grass. Actually quite pleasant, as the trees provide cover. The climb up is steep in places and requires some scrambling over the loose rocks, grabbing at branches to haul yourself up occasionally. The loose rocks do cause you to slip at times as you ascend. There are some great views through the trees down to Banda Neira and across to Banda Besar as you climb up. For the last maybe half an hour or so the trees begin to thin out and the views become wider and for the last part the climb, while not simple, becomes relatively easier as there are not so many loose rocks and stones. At the top you can walk around and get views down to the islands of Neira, Banda Besar as well as Ai and Run over the back. There are some sulphur fumes, some around the central craters and more towards the rear of the volcano facing Ai and Run. It is definitely worth spending some time to relax once you get to the top. I did a midday climb, so I took a packet of lunch with me and spent an hour or so admiring the view, talking with the handful (15 to 20 people) of others up there (all locals) and taking photos. The descent requires more care than the ascent. Feet pointed down most of the way as you go over the loose stones and rocks, which slip as you go. You especially need to take care and grab on to branches, etc as you go down to ease the descent. Some of the younger guys I saw almost running, but I would recommend slowly and carefully. Even then I fell about 3 times, but not badly. At the bottom there were no boats to get back. Luckily some local people I met also climbing called their friend to pick them up and gave me a ride back to Neira. But I did have to wait around half an hour to get away. Another couple of groups walked round to another jetty, maybe 20 minutes away. All in all a great days climb, which provided you are confident in your fitness, you will enjoy hugely.

5Arrakis77 5:00 PM Apr 18, 2017

Steep & hard trek
Dont get tricked by the view from the bandaneira. The trek itself is quite hard, especially if you are first after few days. Cautions & problems 1) Tons of moving rocks below your feet makes you slipping and possible hurting your legs & feets. Find a stick, dont go alone. Way down is way more dangerous than up. 2) Dont go when its gonna be raining!!!! 3) I have cleaned about 30-40 nets with huge spiders on the way to the top, bdcause we were first after one week of no-climb. Take a stick and look above your head. 4) There are hundreds of mosquito, you can not stop if you dont have long trousers & sleeves. We could stop max for 10 seconds with shorts. Hike is 2 long hour upwards. Repellent doesnt work as you are absolutely wet even if in good trekking condition. 5) If its cloudy, you not gonna see anything from top 6) afternoon climb is more in the shade, but best is to go in the morning. Worst time is start at 9-10 PM. Be sure to take minimum of 1.5l water per person. Beware of falling rocks from person climbing in front of you. And enjoy, was great experience and view!!!