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Active stratovolcano in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Mount Merapi (Gunung Merapi, 2,911 m) in Central Java, is Indonesia's most active volcano. It looms over the cities of Yogyakarta and Solo (Surakarta). It is a decade volcano.
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Merapi Volcano Museum
A volcano museum. There is a jeep or motorbike trail (Kinahrejo) from where tourists can see the destructive forces that shaped the landscape from the last major eruption.
Ullen Sentalu is an acronym from Javanese phrase “Ulating blencong sejatine tataraning lumaku”, the sentence means the flame of the blencong lamp which is a human guide in stepping and living life. The museum displays relics, arts, and photos from royal houses (Kraton) of Yogyakarta and Solo.
An observation post of the Volcanological survey named after the hill, has a very good view of the southern slopes of the volcano when the air is clear and no eruptive gases heading south. Another hill just west of Plawangan is Turgo, where a mystical and significant Islamic saint is buried.
A suspension bridge for pedestrians. There is also a gondola that stretches over the river.
8 holes designed by Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett. On the slopes of Mount Merapi, where you can enjoy the scenic view of the mountains while playing. The course was partially damaged during the 2010 eruptions but has been restored.
A cafe on the slopes of Mount Merapi.
Clean rooms. Tea or coffee is provided anytime, by request. There is a Merapi viewpoint area, and the owner can provide a transport service and organise volcano and camping trips for guests. M Sony is the owner and is also the leader of guide at Selo.
Closest homestay to the New Selo sign and the beginning of the Merapi ascent. Rp100,000 and Rp150,000. Clean/basic rooms including breakfast. The manager, Wondo, is extremely friendly and helpful. Speaks good English and will escort you up Merapi for Rp700,000 include welcome drink and snacks at homestay and on the summit of Mt.Merapi or Mt.Merbabu. He also has extra warm clothing and torches if he doesn't think you're well equipped. He has more information about other "soft-trekking" opportunities around the beautiful highlands up there.
Selo
Selo is the last village on the way to Merapi. A taxi from Yogyakarta airport to Selo and back will cost you around Rp 1,000,000.
Kaliurang
Guide books in the 1960s and 1970s had regular references to Kaliurang-based guides.
Other routes
Volcanology Observation posts existed in Dutch colonial times at Babadan (north-west slope) and more recently Plawangan (between Merapi and Kaliurang) - in most cases walking trails from the…
There are a few ojeks (motorcycle taxis) offering informal transport around the area.
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