Mount Marapi (Gunung Marapi), Sumatra, Indonesia

5ambassador outdoor servis 5:00 PM Jun 4, 2021

Hiking Marapi mountain
Hello friends, "West Sumatran outdoor service ambassadors" if you are interested in traveling to Mount Merapi, Mount Singgalang, Mount Talamau, Mount Kerinci and additional holiday destinations in West Sumatra, you can entrust your vacation with us, we will provide the best facilities and services. . for you. , because we use a guide that has been officially certified. can contact the admin ambassador outdoor service. Fajar Ramadhan (ambassador) wa : +62 813-8091-9650 "You can see in our previous client reviews" and the previous no wa is no longer active. thank you..?? .

5FootyboyMalaysia 5:00 PM Jun 9, 2009

Symbol of Bukit Tinggi
Merapi or rather 'Marapi' of Bukit Tinggi Sumatra is one of the 3 peaks that symbolises Bukit Tinggi and the Minangkabau land. We had to do Mt Marapi after our trip to Kerinci and again we did it as part of a private group on an organised itinery. The 5 of us chose to do the night trek instead of going up at 7am, which will be too hot we are told. Some people said that they got terribly sun burnt trekking during the day. We checked into a Bukit Tinggi hotel upon arrival from Padang airport and after spending the afternoon lazing, some shopping and dinner, we were picked up at about 10.30. From town, the van ride to the start of the trek takes about 1/2 hour. You actually get back on the main trunk road heading back to Padang when just out of town, you turn left and then onto a small semi tarred road uphill. Although it was dark, it was a moonlit night and you can make out the vegetable farms around. Apart from the guide, there was another gentleman helping the guide with the 'supplies' (breakfast, the kettle, etc) Started the trek past 11pm. The first hour of the trek takes you through farmland on a dirt road and then through grass and trees, until you reach a rickety bamboo bridge - well, actually just long bamboo poles laid accross the stream. From here on, the trail inclines steadily and gets steeper as you go along. There are a about 3 trench "tunnels" although nothing like the ones in Mt Kerinci and nowhere as narrow. We can see that there are many flat areas ideal for camping and indeed we found many campers on the way down the next day. We were making good time and because of this, we were asked to take more frequent and longer breaks because the guide advised against getting up and out of the tree cover too early as it would be very cold. Indeed, after 3 hours of walking, we recorded readings of below 10 degrees C. We timed ourselves to reach our designated breakfast stop at Cadas point at 4am. This is the place most people stop we were told. Out came the pans and stove and coffee, cup noodles and breads. A mat was laid out but sitting down on the ground made us even colder. Out too came the extra clothing as after a while of inactivity, the sweat retained in our clothing made us freeze! Don't under estimate the cold - we did not and luckily so as it would have been miserable, standing around without sleep in freezing tempretures with your cold sweat acting as a refrigeration system. The coffee and cup noodles did us good but no one was up to eating the breads and jam, etc. At 5am, we started the trek again - from the tree cover and shrubs and onto pure rocks. It took us another hour to reach the real peak - Merpati Peak. The part of the climb from the breakfast stop to the paek is the most interesting. Firstly, it was up some rather steep incline on loose rocks where you have to zig zag upwards. The edges are steep. This took about just over 1/2 hour and then you reach the volcano's plateu. It is flat at the top. Once you are on this flat top, there is a mini peak on your left and at a distance, you can see the silhoutte of Merpati Peak. The walk accross the volcanic ash filled flat and small rocks was fascinating - moonscape like...and no place to 'hide' when nature calls! If you have to 'go', make sure it is before the tree line ends. We could hear rumblings and gurgling sounds and vapour rising in puffs from the main crater. The peak seemed far away but this was the easy part of the trek. Just before the Merpati peak is another incline on a ridge. The peak was reached at 6 am. The main crater on your left and an unobstructed view of the lowlands and a full view of Lake Singkarak on you right. The top is just a small space that can load no more than 5 or 6 people. From the peak to your left, you can clearly see another 3 small craters- all active. A varied trek with a little of (not so thick) jungle, rocks, slightly challenging incline and a flat top with a final ridge. For those with a fear of heights, there would be some parts where you would slow to a snails pace and perhaps even find standing at the top a little daunting especially with so many people vying for such a small spot - with steep fall-off on all sides. Glorious. The walk down took us about 4 1/2 hours with lots of photo stops and even a make belief game of hockey on the flat. Tips: Must bring at least 3 layers with a wind proof jacket; it would be best if you could bring a dry change of clothes to change before you have breakfast to feel as comfortable as possible - after all, we are all there to enjoy; Good shoes with a stiff platform is best as there are many rocks, many jagged ones; trekking poles (preference) A backpack to stash your thicker clothing on the way down if not anything else as it could get warmer quite fast after the sun rises; Most of us thought 3 plus litres of water was ideal; Disliked: Nothing really as the it was such a clear night and day and the moon was in its full glory. Magnificent views from the top. Although I must add that there is rubbish all along the trail and this was sad to see. Difficulty: Having to be awake and doing strenuous exercise without sleep. However, the trek works up your adrenalin and yet not to the extent that will completely zonk you. Go for it! The best thing you can do in Bukit Tinggi. You have beautiful views of Mt Singgalang and Mt. Tandikek (spelling?) as well. Enjoy.