Mount Kelud: My Climb Up East Java’s Most Active Volcano
Shah makes her way up Mount Kelud, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes that last erupted in February 2014. Adventure junkies, you can’t miss this!
Nurr Shahidna Shahidna is an English teacher by profession and a writer and photographer by passion. She left her job as a Singapore teacher to pursue her dream to travel. She now teaches English to underprivileged Thai kids with Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation. She backpacks around Asia every holiday. Writing is her avenue to share her travels worldwide!
I just love waiting for the first rays of the sun to shine over the mountaintops. There is something surreal about seeing the sun rise over the horizon, ideally with the harmonious chirping of birds, as if singing to welcome the sun again. The view never fail to take my breath away. It is definitely something worth losing sleep over.
I was filled with anticipation for this trip to Surabaya in Indonesia as I would be embarking on my first hike up an active volcano, Mount Kelud.
‘If the volcano is going to blow, tuck and roll. Tuck and roll!’ advised my American colleague as I said my goodbyes.
Mount Kelud is about 3 hours from Surabaya. We took a chartered bus ride from Surabaya to Kediri. It was an early start at 3.30am to make sure we make it in time for the sunrise. From our hotel in Kediri, it takes an hour to reach the foot of Mount Kelud. It is quite chilly at Mount Kelud so I would suggest bringing a jacket along.
Mount Kelud stands at a height of 1,731m. Thankfully, we were able to go up the volcano in a jeep-like vehicle for three-quarters of the way. The ride up had many bends and narrow roads and let me warn you, the passenger seat is not for the weak-hearted.
The vehicle stopped outside a small humble drink stall. I got off and groaned when I saw the rest of the way to the summit. It was to be made on foot, at a steep incline. A cup of hot ginger tea warmed up my body and I was ready to go!
The hike
Firstly, I must admit it has been months since I last exercised and thus the obvious difficulty. The initial hike was all right but then the incline started getting steeper and the air got thinner. I could see the first rays of the sun and was in panic mode. Nothing could be worse than missing the sunrise after all this hiking.
Then, my knight arrived on a shiny black motorbike. I geld out a hitchhiking hand sign and he said he would give me a lift where there is a proper road further up. Thus, I persevered, plodding and cursing at how unfit I was.
True to his words, my knight was waiting for me and I jumped on his bike and waved a cheeky goodbye to all those behind me. Alas, my joy was short-lived because the journey on the bike lasted only about 100 metres and I had to continue on foot.
After thanking the knight, I proceeded to the summit of Mount Kelud. The sun was slowly rising. How exciting!
Twenty minutes later, everyone in the group arrived. I was ashamed to find out that I was the only one who was offered a lift. The oldest man in our group, Mr John who was 62 years old made it to the top on his own.
The view
There was a 360 degree view from the summit of the volcano. The landforms were simply amazing and unlike anything I had ever seen before. There was no greenery at all. We were told that we were the first tour group to hike up the volcano since it erupted on February 14, 2014. Three cheers for the Singapore team!
The view of the sun rising between the two summits was amazing. From that distance, we could still see smoke coming out from Mount Kelud. The walkway to the crater of Mount Kelud had been cordoned off for safety reasons.
Going down was definitely easier and faster.
Exhibition room and Video of Mount Kelud
At the foot of Mount Kelud, we were brought to see the pictures and video of Mount Kelud before the eruption. It was shocking to know just seven months ago, there was a beautiful crater lake with lots of greenery on Mount Kelud. There were also proper staircases, tunnels and viewpoints but everything was destroyed by the eruption.
The video of the villagers crying when they were evacuated really touched my heart. There were four people killed in the eruption.
Nature is a very powerful force.
Many thanks to TripZilla, VITO-Singapore, Tigerair, East Java Tourism Board for making this trip to Surabaya and Mount Kelud possible.