Mount Gede-Pangrango-The Beautiful National Park in West Java
Mount Gede-Pangrango is a very iconic mountain in Indonesia, especially in West Java.
Although this mountain is often referred to as Mount Gede-Pangrangro, it is actually two different mountains.
Mount Gede has a height of 2958m, while Mount- Pangrango has a height of 3020m.
Both are part of the Gede-Pangrango National Park (TNGGP).
Administratively, this national park is included in the area of three regencies in West Java Province, namely Bogor Regency, Sukabumi Regency, and Cianjur Regency with a total area of 24,270.80 ha.
Discover the charm of Mount Gede Pangrango in West Java
Located in the heart of West Java, Indonesia, Mount Gede-Pangrango is a majestic icon of natural beauty and adventure.
With lush greenery, diverse wildlife, and challenging climbing routes, the mountain offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Location and Accessibility
Mount Gede Pangrango is located in the province of West Java, approximately 100 kilometers south of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
The mountain is part of Gede Pangrango National Park, which covers 15,000 hectares of pristine rainforest and is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna.
Access to Gede Pangrango is relatively easy and there are a number of access points, depending on the route you wish to climb.
The most popular entrances are through the Cibodas and Gunung Putri gates, both of which offer well-maintained trails and basic facilities for visitors.
Natural tourist attraction
One of the main attractions of Mount Gede Pangrango is its stunning natural beauty.
The mountain is characterized by dense tropical rainforest, which is home to a wide variety of plant species, including rare orchids and ferns.
The mountain is also home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, deer, and various bird species.
One of the attractions of visiting Mount Gede Pangrango is the opportunity to explore the many waterfalls.
Some of the most popular waterfalls in the area are Curug Cibeureum, Curug Cigamea, and Curug Sawer.
These waterfalls offer a refreshing retreat from the heat of the jungle and provide a beautiful backdrop for nature lovers.
Trekking and Adventure
For those seeking adventure, Mount Gede Pangrango offers a variety of trekking routes to suit all levels of experience.
The most popular route is the climb to the top of Mount Gede, which stands at 2,958 meters above sea level.
The climb is challenging, but the views from the top are well worth the effort.
For those looking for a less strenuous walking experience, there are several other routes that offer equally stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
These range from leisurely walks through the rainforest to more challenging hikes across rugged terrain.
Cultural significance
As well as its natural beauty, Mount Gede Pangrango is of great cultural significance to the Indonesian people.
As Indonesians who still believe in mythology
This mountain is considered a sacred place and is believed to be the residence of Nyi Roro Kidul (read my article – The Parangtritis Beach), the mythical Queen of the South Seas.
So this mountain is believed to have magical powers.
As a result, Gede Pangrango is a popular destination for pilgrims and spiritual seekers who come to the mountain to pay their respects and seek blessings.
The mountain is also home to several sacred sites, including the Gunung Putri temple, which is dedicated to the mountain spirits.
Interesting facts about Mount Gede-Pangrango
There are several fun facts about this mountain as additional information
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Formed by two different mountains
Mount Gede Pangrango is made up of two different mountains that are very close to each other. Although they look like twins, the two mountains have different heights.
The height of Mount Gede is 2,958 meters above sea level, while Mount Pangrango is 3,020 meters above sea level.
Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango appear to be together because they are connected by a ridge known as the Kandang Badak area.
which is about 2,400 meters above sea level.
Mount Pangrango, which is part of the volcano, has never erupted. This is characterized by the condition of the summit, which is still conical and smooth.
This is different from Mount Gede, which is believed to have erupted, as there are active craters such as Wadon Crater, Ratu Crater, Baru Crater, and Lanang Crater in the surrounding area.
First climber
The next fun fact about Mount Gede Pangrango is that the first person to climb it was not an Indonesian, but a German botanist named C.G.C. Reinwardt.
C.G.C. Reinwardt reached the summit of Mount Gede-Pangrango in 1819. He was also the person who founded the Bogor Botanical Garden.
Flora and Fauna
The areas around Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango have a wealth of rare and unique flora and fauna, so much so that UNESCO declared the mountain a biosphere reserve in 1977.
There are 870 species of flowering plants and 150 species of ferns that are protected in this area.
Some of the most unique and popular flora here are Javanese edelweiss, Uwi, green areca nut, pitcher plant, Puspa tree, Kadsura, Lobelia Angulata, begonia robusta flowers,
hundreds of species of orchids, and many more.
Meanwhile, in terms of fauna, there are 250 species of birds and more than 100 species of mammals.
Mandalawangi Valley
Mount Gede-Pangrango has an attractive panorama. This mountain also has some of the best spots that are favorite with climbers.
Two of them are Surya Kencana Square, which is the best place to enjoy the beauty of Edelweiss, and Mandalawangi Valley.
Mandalawangi Valley is the favorite place of an Indonesian activist of Chinese descent named Soe Hok Gie.
and was even immortalized in a poem he wrote called “Mandalawangi – Pangrango”.
The longest suspension bridge in Southeast Asia
TNGGP has a suspension bridge that has been described as the longest suspension bridge in Southeast Asia.
The bridge, called Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge, is 243 meters long and 107 meters high over the river.
Hiking trails
There are 3 climbing routes that can be used, namely
I. Gunung Putri
The Mount Gede climbing route via Gunung Putri starts from Simaksi Exchange Post and then continues to Baru Post and Tanah Merah Shadow Post.
Then Post 1 Old Information, Post 2 Legok Leunca, Post 3 Buntut Lutung, Post 4 Simpang Maleber, Post 5 East Suryakencana Square, West Suryakencana Square and Puncak.
This climb is the shortest compared to Cibodas and Selabintana.
II. Cibodas
The Mount Gede climbing route via Gunung Putri starts from the registration post and then continues to Tarentong, Telaga Biru, Rawa Panyangcangan, and Rawa Denok 1.
Then Rawa Denok 2, Bartu Kukus 1, Batu Kukus 2, Batu Kukus 3, Pondok Pandan, Hot Springs, Batu Cage, Panca Weuleuh, Rhino Cage and Puncak.
III. Selabintana
The Mount Gede climbing route via Selabintana starts from Selabintana Entrance, then continues to Simpang Air Terjun Shelter and Cigeber Shelter.
Then Cileutik Shelter, Simpang Cumuruh Shelter, West Suryakencana Square and Puncak.
This climb is longer and more extreme than via Gunung Putri and Cibodas.
Mount Gede Entrance Fee
The following is the price of the entrance ticket to Mount Gede via the Cibiodas, Gunung Putri, and Selabintana Entrance or Climbing Route.
- Weekdays
Students
Indonesian citizens Rp. 17,500 per person
Foreigners Rp. 211,500 per person
Non-student
Indonesian nationals Rp. 29 thousand per person
Foreigners Rp. 320 thousand per person
- Holidays (Weekends)
Students
Indonesian Rp. 20.500 per person
Foreigners Rp. 311.500 per person
Non-student
Indonesian citizens Rp. 34 thousand per person
Foreigners Rp. 470 thousand per person
All ticket prices are valid for the two-day and one-night climbing period, also known as tektok ( Indonesian language slank ) Especially for student visitors, the minimum group size is 10 people per group.
How to register to view Mount Gede
Before climbing, each visitor must have a Conservation Area Entry Permit (Simaksi). Here’s how to register for Watch Mount Gede.
– Visit the gedepangrango.org website in your device’s browser.
– Select ‘Booking’ on the home page.
– Read the applicable regulations, obligations, prohibitions, and sanctions, then tick the box ‘I have read, understood, and agree with the above requirements’.
– Select the desired climbing time according to the available quota. If it is green it means that there is still a quota available, if it is red it means that the quota has been used up.
– Fill in the application form for climbing Mount Gede according to the data requested in each column.
– Select ‘Save’ and follow the next steps until you are finished.
How to get to Mount Gede Pangrango
depends on where you start from
but in general, it is very easy to get there
You can take public transport from Bandung, Jakarta or Bogor
Or you can hire a car, even if you are fit and like a challenge. you can rent a motorbike
so guys, are you ready for adventure?
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