After exploring the temples of Borobudur, Mendut and Candi Pawon, it was time for the next adventure: A Jeep tour of the [active] volcano Merapi.
I arranged this tour through my hotel, the Hyatt Regency Yogykarta.
Review: Jeep Wisata Merapi Tour (Yogykarta, Indonesia)
Editor’s Note: This post is part of my ongoing Asia Travel Series, click here for more posts on all things Indonesia, and click here for all things Singapore.Â
About Volcano Merapi
Merapi, loosely translated as, “mountain of fire” or “mountain of the gods”, is the most active volcano in all of Indonesia.
It’s erupted regularly since 1548 A.D., and most recently in 2006, 2010, and 2018.
Merapi from 10,000 feet
About The Jeep Wisata Merapi Tour
Here is the official information from the company’s advertisement on TripAdvisor:
Merapi Trip
Feel the sensation of walking along an eruption trail using Jeep with family or friends, visiting several spots such as: My Time Remaining Museum, Alien Stone, Kali Adem Bunker, and ending in the yellow river while wet with Jeep, don’t forget prepare a change of clothes ^ _ ^.
Image: jeepwistatalavatour.com
The Vehicle: Jeep
After checking-in with the tour company and making payment at the base of Merapi, we were loaded into one of the company’s signature orange Jeeps.
The Jeep was a stripped-down older model, with only the most basic of interiors (including the “bare-bones” seats).
It also appeared heavily used and likely on its very last legs. Thankfully, it did have a heavy-duty roll-bar/handlebar.
Just the basics
The Drive-Up
What stared off as a leisurely drive down a payed road quickly turned into a violently bumpy ride where we were struggling to hold on.
FHOP Tip: If you have back problems or get car sickness, you may want to opt for a different tour.Â
This was no fault of the driver or the vehicle, rather the roads were so washed-out and poorly maintained that it was clear only high-clearance SUVS could make the trek on the dirt roads.
Remember, this is a road through an active volcano zone in a tropical rainforest.
Kali Adem Bunker
The first stop was a grim memorial/location where four workers perished as they sought shelter in this bunker when the volcano exploded.
Alien Stone
The next stop was a small tourist-trap area known as “alien stone”, so named for a volcanic rock that supposedly bears the appearance of an alien’s head.
If you look closely and squint, you can possibly make out the “alien head”
The Viewpoint
Alien Stone does have a worthwhile viewpoint, but only if you are lucky enough to see the volcano through a break in the cloud cover.
The Dengan Owl
There is also, strangely, an [unmanned] booth with several chained owls, where (if you really wanted to) you can take a picture with an owl on the “honor system”.
“Hold me, I dare you”
My Time Remaining Museum
The final stop was a bizarre little museum known as the “My Remaining Time Museum”.
The museum had some very interesting photos of Merapi and the people who were there on the days of the eruptions, as well as dark artifacts and bones of things lost in the smoke and fire.
This was another stark reminder of the damage Merapi unleashed, and the speed at which it did it.
Jeep Off-Roading On The Yellow River
We changed vehicles (to another Jeep) for the final stop, which was likely the best part of the tour – the drive [and splash-down] on the Yellow River driving course.
The vehicle drove at high speeds over rocks, hills, jumps and through the river.
Needless to say, by the time we were done, we were soaked (and covered in river water, dirt and ash). Hence the aforementioned “prepare a change of clothes” instruction.
Image: jeepwistatalavatour.com
The Bottom-Line Review: Jeep Wisata Merapi Tour (Yogykarta, Indonesia)
Overall, this tour was just “OK”.
It was rough, dirty, and relied a little too heavily on sites that I’m not sure were quite “tourist-worthy,” like the alien stone.
With that said, it is an active volcano, so the local tourism industry is making due with what it has (before the next volcanic eruption) and the Merapi volcano itself is an amazing site to see (on a clear day).
Final Review – Neutral. If you like rough jungle rides and being splashed in black river water, this is for you. If you expect to see more of the volcano and national park, I’d suggest a different tour (perhaps one of the hiking options).
Cheers!
