Climbing Mt. Tangkuban Perahu
If you want to get up close and personal with volcanic activity, it is recommended to try climbing Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, an active volcano shaped like a flipped boat. The volcano is located north of Bandung, close to Lembang. Although you can reach the volcano and its crater through a hired car, it is more fun and adventurous to go there by foot. Just don’t wear flip-flops!
The mountain is not too steep despite its 2,084 meter elevation, so you can climb it even without a guide. There are signposts starting from the mountain’s entrance leading to the main crater, Kawah Ratu, which is easy to locate. In fact, it will be the first thing you will see on the summit. Near it is Kawah Upas, where you can stand in between two large craters.
A 30-minute walk from Kawah Ratu is Kawah Domas, where you can have a closer glimpse at hissing sulfur vapor, bubbling mud, and boiling water. You can bring an egg and boil it there!
How to get there: Take an angkut from Bandung Indah Plaza to Caheum-Ledeng. The ride costs 3,000 IDR (.31 USD) and the angkut will drop you off at Terminal Ledeng. From the terminal, ride a minivan or an elep going to Subang (12,000 IDR or 1.25 USD). Ask to be dropped off in Tangkuban Perahu. You have to hike for four to five kilometers more from the mountain’s entrance. Alternatively, you can hire motorcycle taxis going to the mountain’s foot, if there are any waiting at the entrance.
