Indonesia

Description

Indonesia, Gunung Leuser National Park

The tropical island nation of Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17000 islands spread out along the equator, scattered roughly between Malaysia and and Australia. Although quite heavily populated in parts, over half of Indonesia is still covered in tropical rainforest. It is renowned for its biodiversity and countless (endangered) endemic animal species, of which the Orang Utan is probably the most famous. Due to its location right on the edge of several tectonic plates, Indonesia has over 150 more or less active volcanoes and earthquakes are common.

Look at a map of Indonesian mountains, and you will see a long string of volcanoes starting in the north of the island of Sumatra, running southeast across its full length, and continuing east along the length of Java, and onwards to include the Lesser Sunda Islands. These volcanic ranges are attractive hiking destinations, some volcanoes standing out in popularity such as Mount Sibayak and Mount Kerenci on Sumatra, Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru on Java, Mount Agung on Bali, and Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok, just to name a few. More volcanoes are found on the extreme northeastern Minahassa Peninsula of the island of Sulawesi, and on the islands of Maluku. All these volcanoes can be climbed in 1- to 3-day hikes, although it is always wise to check on volcanic activity and safety before setting out.

For multi-day countryside and jungle hiking, the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan are popular destinations, also for spotting Orang Utans in the wild. Kalimantan in particular offers some truly adventurous long distance hikes, often combined with river sections by long boat. Trails lead from west to east across the Muller Range, following an ancient route the Iban people took to cross the island. If you prefer countryside and villages, try the Tana Toraja in the south of Sulawesi, or better still the remote interior of Central Sulawesi, for instance in the Lore Lindu National Park or a bit further east in the Morowali Nature Reserve. But Indonesia has even more to offer hikers. Take the islands of Seram and Halmahera for instance. Both are part of the Maluku Islands, with mountains, forests and a variety of tropical bird species.

A hiking destination in it's own right is Papua (Irian Jaya or West Papua), the western half of the island of New Guinea. The interior of Papua is very mountainous, peaks rising up to well over 4000 meters. Highest mountain of Papua, and of Indonesia for that matter, is Puncak Jaya (4884 m) or Carstensz Pyramid, a limestone peak often covered in mist. Other high peaks include Trikora (4750 m) Mandala (4701 m) and Yamin (4595 m). All were covered in eternal snow until several decades ago, but nowadays the snowcaps have mostly disappeared. Trekking expeditions to Carstensz Pyramid are organized on a regular basis yearround.

The Baliem Valley, located in the highlands of Papua at an average altitude of about 1600 m, is a popular region for multi-day treks. The main Baliem Valley town of Wamena can be reached from the Papua capital Jayapura by air only. There are few motorable roads, and local footpaths abound. It is customary to hire a guide, and you officially need a permit to go trekking, staying overnight in villages of the Dani people at local homes. From the Baliem Valley you can hike to other parts of the highlands, for instance to Lake Habema at the foot of Trikora mountain, or meet more remote tribes like the Yali. From the Baliem town of Wamena chartered flights and organized treks are offered to the southern lowlands of Papua, through isolated tidal swamps and river areas among the hunter-gatherer Korowai tribe.

All of Indonesia has a tropical climate with fairly constant warm temperatures yearround, but with rather varying amounts of rainfall. In general, the dry season lasts from June to October, but there are variations, so check the specific islands micro-climates before planning a hike.

Regions

Mountains

Books

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Tobias Madorin - Topos
  • For more than 20 years, photographic artist Tobias Madorin has been working on his series Topos. Metropolises like Barcelona and Sao Paulo, a Swiss mountain resort like Grindelwald, or foreign countries like Uganda, Indonesia and Japan: with his large scale images he explores dwellings and landscapes. Madorin creates tableaux, similar to... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Tobias Madorin - Topos
  • For more than 20 years, photographic artist Tobias Madorin has been working on his series Topos. Metropolises like Barcelona and Sao Paulo, a Swiss mountain resort like Grindelwald, or foreign countries like Uganda, Indonesia and Japan: with his large scale images he explores dwellings and landscapes. Madorin creates tableaux, similar to... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Three Dreams
  • ''Mr. Pilot'' in the story, seeking to escape a dysfunctional upbringing, chooses a path of adventure, risking the uncertainty of not knowing exactly where the wind will take him. A helicopter pilot by trade, his romance with the air takes him to places far and wide, spanning countries as far as Saudi Arabia, America, and Indonesia. His... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Three Dreams
  • ''Mr. Pilot'' in the story, seeking to escape a dysfunctional upbringing, chooses a path of adventure, risking the uncertainty of not knowing exactly where the wind will take him. A helicopter pilot by trade, his romance with the air takes him to places far and wide, spanning countries as far as Saudi Arabia, America, and Indonesia. His... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Dear Emily, You Are Enough. Love, God
  • Ever wondered what you were meant to do with your life? Questioned whether or not there s a path laid out for you, with a greater higher purpose? Meet Emily. A young girl fresh out of college who s determined to find an answer. Beginning her journey in Bali, Indonesia, working as a French teacher for an international language school, she... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Dear Emily, You Are Enough. Love, God
  • Ever wondered what you were meant to do with your life? Questioned whether or not there s a path laid out for you, with a greater higher purpose? Meet Emily. A young girl fresh out of college who s determined to find an answer. Beginning her journey in Bali, Indonesia, working as a French teacher for an international language school, she... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Why Travel Solo ?
  • <b>WHY TRAVEL SOLO?</b></p><em><b>The twelve ways traveling solo changes your personality and transforms your life</b></em></p>Do you want to have new experiences, meet new friends, gain confidence? Do it safely, comfortably, uniquely? Then this is the book for you.</p><h2>UNLOCK YOUR... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Why Travel Solo ?
  • <b>WHY TRAVEL SOLO?</b></p><em><b>The twelve ways traveling solo changes your personality and transforms your life</b></em></p>Do you want to have new experiences, meet new friends, gain confidence? Do it safely, comfortably, uniquely? Then this is the book for you.</p><h2>UNLOCK YOUR... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The 50 Best Dives in Micronesia
  • This book gives you full details and great images of the best places to scuba dive across the vast expanse of the northwestern Pacific Ocean known as Micronesia, covering such famous locations as, Palau, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk), Yap and Guam and less well-known but just as wonderful destinations like Kosrae, Pohnpei , the Northern Mariana Islands... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The 50 Best Dives in Micronesia
  • This book gives you full details and great images of the best places to scuba dive across the vast expanse of the northwestern Pacific Ocean known as Micronesia, covering such famous locations as, Palau, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk), Yap and Guam and less well-known but just as wonderful destinations like Kosrae, Pohnpei , the Northern Mariana Islands... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2016
  • Lonely Planet Indonesia
  • #1 best-selling guide to Indonesia*Lonely Planet Indonesia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Take in a traditional gamelan performance, laze on hidden beaches, or hike volcanic peaks; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Indonesia and... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2016
  • Lonely Planet Indonesia
  • #1 best-selling guide to Indonesia*Lonely Planet Indonesia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Take in a traditional gamelan performance, laze on hidden beaches, or hike volcanic peaks; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Indonesia and... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Even the Smallest Crab Has Teeth
  • From land-locked Afghanistan to the smallest of islands in the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean, stories by peace Corps Volunteers from this region come from (mostly) Hindu India-1,269,210 square miles worth of democracy patched together from princely states-Confucian Korea, Muslim Indonesia and Buddhist Thailand.Imagine delivering a baby-with... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Even the Smallest Crab Has Teeth
  • From land-locked Afghanistan to the smallest of islands in the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean, stories by peace Corps Volunteers from this region come from (mostly) Hindu India-1,269,210 square miles worth of democracy patched together from princely states-Confucian Korea, Muslim Indonesia and Buddhist Thailand.Imagine delivering a baby-with... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • Reisgids Insight Guide Indonesië - Indonesie | Uitgeverij Cambium
  • Indonesië; een schatkamer met een grootse verzameling unieke plaatsen, boeiende volken, betoverende muziek en wonderen van de natuur. Al deze zaken waren voor de auteurs en fotografen een bron van inspiratie en zij laten u op de bekende, onovertroffen en veelvuldig bekroonde Insight Guide-wijze in woord en beeld kennismaken met de grootste... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Our South-East Asia Adventures
  • In this sixth book of the Series, Anne and Martin follow the wake of Captain Bligh through the Great Barrier Reef, one of their toughest passages in their eight years of cruising. In South East Asia, they face the threats of crocodiles, deadly jellyfish and blood thirsty Komodo dragons, piracy and unpredictable fishing boats, electrolysis and... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Our South-East Asia Adventures
  • In this sixth book of the Series, Anne and Martin follow the wake of Captain Bligh through the Great Barrier Reef, one of their toughest passages in their eight years of cruising. In South East Asia, they face the threats of crocodiles, deadly jellyfish and blood thirsty Komodo dragons, piracy and unpredictable fishing boats, electrolysis and... Read more
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Indonesia Periplus Travel Map
  • Indonesia on a double-sided map at 1:4,000,000 from Periplus, with more detailed presentation of Bali and Bali’s southern tourist region, a large street plan of central Jakarta, plus a map of the capital with its outer suburbs.On one side are the islands Western Indonesia: Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Lombok and most of Sumbawa, plus the... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
De Zwerver
Netherlands
More maps…

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