Mount Papandayan has always been my favorite mountain so far. Located in Garut, West Java, Mount Papandayan is very easily accessible nevertheless offering a nice view for those who want to have a relaxing camping time and enjoying the scenery.
Since it is not too high (2665 meters above sea level), you don’t have to worry if you’re still a beginner because the trek is not too extreme. Still and all, you have to be fit and wrapped yourself with jacket and shoes for your safety.
In this article I will share information about the hiking route for Mount Papandayan, how to get to Mount Papandayan from Jakarta, and how much the entrance ticket costs.
How to get to Mount Papandayan from Jakarta
The trip can start from Jakarta or Bandung with the following route:
- Bus Jakarta/Bandung – Garut. From Jakarta you can take the Primajasa Bus to Garut . Buses depart from Cililitan Terminal, Pasar Rebo, or Kampung Rambutan. Travel time is around 5 hours with a bus ticket price of IDR 52,000. Primajasa buses depart every 45 minutes with a schedule between 3.30 am and 10 pm. From Bandung, it’s even closer, you can take a minibus from Leuwipanjang Terminal to Garut but you can ask to be stopped at the Cisurupan Market T-junction. Travel time is around 2 hours with a ticket price of IDR 20,000.
- Garut Minibus – Cisurupan Market T-junction . After arriving at Guntur Terminal, Garut, you have to take another minibus to the Cisurupan Market T-junction. The journey by minibus takes approximately 1 hour with a ticket price of IDR 13,000. The last schedule for this minibus is until 6 pm.
- Motorcycle taxi/pickup at Cisurupan Market T-junction – Camp David . So, from the T-junction you have to take another motorbike taxi or pick-up truck. Approximately 30 minutes. Motorbike taxi fares are around IDR 15,000 – 25,000. Meanwhile, one pick-up car costs Rp. 200,000 and can accommodate 10-15 people.
Other option, you can book a one day trekking tour here starting from Bandung.
Entrance fee to Mount Papandayan
- The admission fee for Mount Papandayan is Rp 20,000 (weekdays) dan Rp 30,000 (weekends) for domestic hikers, and Rp 200,000 (weekdays) dan Rp 300,000 (weekends) for foreigners
- Guide cost you around Rp 250,000/day. The path is very clear actually but if you think getting guide is better and safer, why not.
Hiking Mount Papandayan
The hiking route for Mount Papandayan would be as follow:
Camp David – Crater (20 minutes)
After leaving the base camp, a short walk will take you directly to the crater.
It’s quiet unique where most of the crater can be seen once we climb to the peak, means the base camp normally was built on the opposite side of the crater but in Papandayan, the position of the base camp is right under the crater.
Lots of steam vent on this site, producing such an incredible view with the combination of volcanic rocks and the bubbling sulfur hole.
Passing through the crater around 20-30 minutes, the path leads you to the ridge. A small greenish lake can be seen on the right side, made by the eruption in 2002.
Crater – Pondok Salada (1 – 2 hours)
Next, follow a small path on the right side downward until you find a small stream. Be ready, it’s time to push your energy climbing up the steep path.
There’s a branch, the left one is slope but a little bit further, right one is the shortcut but it’s more tiring.
About 1-2 hours, finally a camping ground named Pondok Salada welcomes you. You may set your tent overnight, or continue to Tegal Alun.
Pondok Salada – Dead Forest – Tegal Alun (1 hour)
There are three ways pointing to Tegal Alun. Choose the right way if you want faster route cutting through the middle of the jungle on the other ridge.
It’s very steep but around 30-45 minutes you’ll arrive at Tegal Alun. Otherwise, the left one is easier, passing through the astonishing dead forest.
Last time I did the right one, then go back through the left route. It’s just the same. And here we are, the magnificent Tegal Alun filled with edelweiss allover the place.
If you wish to proceed to the summit, I suggest you don’t have to do that. You still have to walk for another one hour to see nothing at the top. The highest point is just a spot surrounded by the trees like in the middle of jungle.
From what I could remember, after Tegal Alun, there’s a place like a valley with another stream flowing and another hill in the front. That’s one of the memorable place.
I guess you understand why I love this place. It’s very near from Jakarta/Bandung, weekend trip is possible. The view is varies with the crater, edelweiss, dead forest, very relaxing.
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