Bandung Snapshots: Mt. Tangkuban Perahu

When I prepared my initial itinerary for my Indonesia trip last year, I did not include Bandung. I was not really keen on going to the place.  I've read that people from Jakarta flock to it on weekends to escape the busy capital and shop to their hearts' content in the outlet stores located throughout the city.  

However, when I remembered that Bandung used to be the capital of West Java, I had a change of heart.  But as much as I wanted to set foot on the historic city, I wouldn't want to be stuck in a crowded shopping mecca.  I hoped that Bandung must have something else to offer.   I did some more research and found out that one can do a day trek to Mt. Tangkunan Perahu or Kawah Putih.  The nature lover slash mountain climber wannabe  in me got thrilled! 

Interesting trees and a vista of mountain ranges taken atop Mt. Tangkuban Perahu

When I told my trusted travel buddies (a.k.a. Kaladkarins) that I was planning a trip to Indonesia, one of them, Janet, expressed interest in tagging along.  So we made plans and decided we were going to shop and climb an active volcano. 

My friend Janet at the Mt. Tangkuban Perahu signage

Since we were doing a budget trip, I convinced Janet to let me contact a couchsurfer who can host us for a night.  Fortunately, she agreed.  Luckily, I was able to find a host.    

Once in Indonesia, our lovely CS friends, Yusni and Nita, made arrangements for the trip to Mt. Tangkuban Perahu. Sadly, only the latter was able to join us in the trek because Yusni had to attend a friend's wedding on the very same day we were supposed to go to the park .  

Entering the park's gate

We just used public transportation. If my memory serves me right, we took an angkot enroute to Ledeng from the city center and then just hired another angkot to take us to the park.  The trip took about 45 minutes.  

Trees line up the park

The entrance fee was Rp 13,000 for locals and Rp 50,000 for foreigners.  But since Nita took charge of buying the tickets, we paid the local price.     

R

Nita taking Janet's photo at the Ratu Crater signage

Nita told us that there are three craters in Mt. Tangkuban Perahu and that we can hike from one crater to another.  However, since we only had very limited time to spare, she suggested that we just explore the largest crater, Ratu.   

Fences of Ratu Crater

Caveat!

Sulfur emitted by the crater

Crater of  Ratu

The park is a famous tourist spot hence the row of parked vehicles

Wonderful vista from the viewdeck

Rows and rows of souvenir shops and eateries

You can trek around the Ratu crater

You can also ride horses

Trees with a tinge of violet.  

Viewdeck

Wood carvings for sale at the peak

After taking tons of photos and doing some souvenir shopping, we headed back to the city and filled our grumbling stomachs with scrumptious local food.

 

Bakso!

 Sending you happy thoughts...