Singosari Temple

Overview

Not much remains of the once powerful 13th century East Java kingdom of Singosari. An unfinished temple and two giant statues that once stood guard in front of the palace are the only traces left of this great kingdom.

The kingdom of Singosari was founded in 1222 by a commoner by the name of Ken Arok, who managed to marry the beautiful princess Ken Dedes of Janggala after murdering her husband.  Ken Arok later attacked neighbouring Kediri and thus united the two realms that were split by King Airlangga in 1049 as inheritance to his two sons.

Singosari succeeded in developing the rich agricultural hinterland along the Brantas river basin, as well as the lucrative maritime trade along the Java Sea. In 1275 and 1291 king Kartanegara attacked the maritime kingdom of Crivijaya in South Sumatra and gained control over the maritime trade in the Java and Sumatra seas. He was, however, killed by one of his vassals, Jayakatwang in 1293.

In its heyday Singosari was so powerful that the mighty Mongol emperor Kublai Khan deemed it important to send a fleet and a special emissary to the court of Singosari to demand that King Kertanegara personally submit allegiance to the emperor.  In reply, Kertanegara cut off one of the ambassador’s ears as a message to Kublai khan that he will do no such thing.

When the Chinese fleet sent by the irate Kublai Khan arrived on Java, unbeknown to them Kartanegara was already dead. Kertanegara’s son in law, Prince Vijaya, at first managed to persuade them to kill Jayakatwang, but then turned around to oust the Chinese fleet from Java.

Hereafter Vijaya founded the powerful Majapahit empire in 1294 whose palace is located to the north of Singosari at Porong. Majapahit’s influence would encompass present day Indonesia and spread even to Malaysia and Thailand.

Much of what we know today about Singosari comes from the 14th century Old Javanese text called the Pararaton (or the book of Kings).

To Do

What remains of the palace of Singosari can be seen near the present-day town of Singosari, where the unfinished Singosari temple, built in 1304, can be found. In the courtyard are a collection of statues, while further down are two huge guardian statues known as dwarapala.

The beautiful Candi Jawi, with Mt. Penanggungan in the background, was built during the reign of Singosari. It is believed to be the funerary temple of the kingdom’s fifth and last king Kertanegara. Built in the 13th century, it is dedicated to a deity combining features of the Hindu god Siva with the Buddha. Candi Jawi is located 40 km. south of Surabaya at Prigen on the way to Tretes. 

Other temples built during the Singosari era are the Candi Jago built in 1268 located in Tumpang village, 6 km. south of present day town of Singosari. It is dedicated to Singosari’s 4th king Visnusardahana; while Candi Kidal is 11 km along the same road, built in 1260 and decorated with the mythical Garuda bird. Kidal is dedicated to Singosari’s 2nd king, Raja Anusapati. 

An original statue of king Kertanegara still stands in the centre of the city of Surabaya, affectionately known as Joko Dolog, or the Fat Boy.

Get There

Located south of the city of Surabaya, capital of East Java, Singosari can be reached by car or taxi from Surabaya or Tretes. Taxis and cars can be easily obtained in the city. As the second busiest city in Indonesia, Surabaya is served by many domestic and international airlines.

To Stay

Please click Find a Hotel in Surabaya, Tretes or Malang.

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Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Overview

The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres in the centre of East Java. For anyone with an interest in volcanoes, a visit to the park is a must. This is the largest volcanic region in the province. Visit the park and see the plumes of smoke coming from Mt. Semeru, an active volcano which rises 3676 meters above sea level. Experience the remarkable Tengger Caldera, Java's largest, with its 10 km barren desert-like sea of sand. Within the caldera rise the deeply fissured volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the latter is still active with a cavernous crater from which smoke blows skyward. Temperatures at the top of Mount Bromo range about 5 to 18 degrees Celsius. To the south of the park is a rolling upland plateau dissected by valleys and dotted with several small scenic lakes, extending to the foot of Mount Semeru.

The Tengger sandy area has been protected since 1919. This is believed to be the only conservation area in Indonesia, and possibly the world which possesses a unique sand sea at the attitude of about 2000 m above sea level. There are several mountains inside the caldera: Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl). Mt Batok (2,470 m asl), Mt Kursi (2,581 asl), Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl), and Mt Widadaren (2,650 m asl).

With beautiful scenery, easy access and visitor-oriented facilities, it’s no wonder that this one of the most popular reserves in Java.

Get Around

Many visitors to the park choose to walk while they are here. There are clearly marked tracks across the sand sea that leads to the foot of Bromo. Alternatively you can rent a jeep or hire a horse from Cemoro Lawang to get around. 

To Do

Take in the spectacular view of the sun rising over volcanic peaks with an early morning trip to Mt Bromo. From the lookout point at Penanjakan you will get picture perfect shots of a spectacular vista. Cross the desert on a pony, climb the steep stairs right up to Mt. Bromo’s crater rim, then watch the sun spectacularly rise over the horizon.

Climb Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java. This mountain, also known as the Great Mountain, is regarded by Hindus as the most sacred mountain of all. Getting to the peak is a tough three day trek. Mt Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes on Java and regularly explodes. These gases and belching lava make Semeru dangerous, so stay well away from the vent.

Witness local culture at its best when on the fourteenth day of the month Kasada, - usually in the month of November - the native people of the area, the Tenggerese, gather at the rim of Mount Bromo's active crater to present offerings of rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers, live stock and other local produce to the God of the Mountain. The Tenggerese are adherents of a religion which combines elements of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism. In this Kasada ceremony the Tenggerese ask for blessing from the supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. 

Get There

Bromo Tengger Semeru can be reached by private and public vehicle from Surabaya or Malang in East Java. Sriwijaya Air flies twice daily to Malang from Jakarta. 

There are multiple ways to get into the park. Visitors can come from Probolinggo, in the north west arrive through the village of Ngadisari. Or take the north east approach via Pasuruan and the village of Tosari. The third, the more difficult approach is via Ngadas, which is best travelled on the way down.

The Probolinggo approach is the easiest and by far the most popular route, especially if travelling by public bus. Wonokitri is the closest and the easiest approach if you are coming by private vehicle from Surabaya (5 hours journey). To get closer to Mt. Bromo you must rent 4x4 vehicles (there are many 4x4 vehicles available for rent there).

Most tour groups from Surabaya stay overnight at Tretes, where there are a number hotels, as there are in Malang, which has the added advantage of having an airport.

Alternatively, you can contact a travel agency to arrange your trip.

To Stay

There are a number of guesthouses and basic hotels located around Mt Bromo. The Bromo Guest House is located at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can stay at Cemoro Lawang where there are guesthouses situated near the crater.

Alternately stay overnight at Tretes and Prigen, Pasuruan, before climbing Mt. Bromo to reach there before sunrise.  Malang is another pleasant hill town to explore on your way to the Park. 

To Eat

Most of the warungs (local food stalls) in this area close after 7.30 pm so be sure to eat early. If you’re in Wonokitri area, there are some warungs in Tosari market, which are usually open between 7-9 pm.

To Buy

There are many souvenir shops around Mount Bromo selling T-shirts, woollen scarves and other goods. There are also street hawkers selling these things at the caldera area.

Tips

• Necessities for the trip include a torch, warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature which hovers between zero to five degrees Celsius (33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit)
• If you buy or rent something remember to bargain.Sunrise occurs between 5.00 and 6.00 am (if it’s not cloudy), so you should leave from your hotel or guesthouse by 3am.
• The best time to see the sunrise is in the dry season from April to October

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Ijen Crater

Ijen Crater

Overview

Ijen plateau or known as "Kawah Ijen" is highly recommended to mountain buffs and hikers. The Plateau was at one time a huge active crater, 134 sq km in area. Today, Ijen is a quiet but active volcano, and the landscape is dominated by the volcanic cones of Ijen (2,368 asl) and Merapi (2,800 asl) on the northeastern edge of the Plateau, and Raung (3,332 asl) on the southwest corner.

The magnificent turquoise sulfur lake of Kawah Ijen lies at 2148 m above sea level and is surrounded by the volcanos sheer crater walls. The vent is a source of sulfur and collectors work here, making the trek up to the crater and down to the lake every day. Sulfur collectors hike up in the morning and return around 1 pm when the clouds roll in. They carry shoulder basket of pure sulfur from a quarry on the lakes edge under the shadow of the sheer walls of the crater. The mineral at Kawah Ijen is purer and is worth commercial exploitation despite the horrendous labor involved: Javas homegrown sulfur is a natural source of sulfuric acid, in great demand in the oil-refining business and in the production of fertilizers.

To Do

At the rim itself you have a nice view on the lake. You can walk around the rim or approach the lake (about a 40-minute walk).

To Stay

You can choose your places of stay at Bondowoso or Banyuwangi. There are a few types of accommodation with varying prices and facilities.

Get Around

You can take a walk for about 1 to 1.5 hour to the crater rim.

To Eat

Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, be sure that you have already eaten, or you can bring some food and drink from your places.of stay. Otherwise, you can buy some food and non alcoholic drink on the nearest supermarkets for your supply during your activities on mountain.

Get There

The Ijen Plateau can be reached through Bondowoso from either the northern or the southern coast. It is closer to Banyuwangi, but the road is very steep and badly deteriorated. A 4 WD is essential, although difficult to hire in Banyuwangi and outrageously expensive. Most people walk the last 8 km (from about 64 km) along the road to Pos Paltuding (the PHPA Post, the starting point or the trek to the crater) from Bondowoso.

To Buy

The sulphur diggers will approach you for playing a guide and sell some nice sulphur statues for Rp5,000 to Rp10,000.

Tips

• The walk starts at Pal Tuding. Its a basic camp where you can stay overnight. There is a block with showers and toilets
• At night it can be pretty cold up there,(it is suggested that you carry a sleeping bag). Take your own picnic, since the food you can buy at the parking lot isn't up to much.
• The walk up to the crater rim takes 60-90 minutes. It's pretty steep. Halfway is a small post where the sulphurworkers take a break. A cup of tea is available here.
• The path is just one-way so there is no need for any guidance.
• An absolute must is a handkerchief to put in front of your mouth and nose to avoid inhalation of the sulphur gases.
• If you buy some souvenirs like statues, they are very breakable so tape them in with toilet paper and take precious care of it.

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Mount Bromo: Witnessing The Fascinating Sunrise

Overview

Located some 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java, Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres. While it may be small when measured against other volcanoes in Indonesia, the magnificent Mt Bromo will not disappoint with its spectacular views and dramatic landscapes. At 2392 meters tall, Mt Bromo is not among the tallest of Indonesia’s mountains but its stunning beauty lies in its incredible setting.

From a vantage point on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 meters above sea level), 2.5 hours from Malang. visitors from around the world come to see the sunrise over Mt Bromo. From this spot the vista is magnificent. All you will hear is the click of cameras as visitors snap their camera’s hoping to capture the incredible scene of Mt Bromo in the foreground with Mt Semeru smoking in the distance and the sun shining brightly, quickly rising in the sky. 

The eerie landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. The people here appease the Gods once a year during the annual Kasada festival where offerings of vegetables, chickens and money are thrown into the crater of the volcano.

To Do

Watching the sun rise spectacularly over Mt Bromo is the highlight of any trip here.  Visit in the month of Kasada (usually in September-November) and witness the annual Kasada festival where the local Tenggerese come to Bromo to throw offerings of vegetables, chickens and money into the crater of the volcano. 

Get There

To reach Mount Bromo, you can fly to Juanda international airport in Surabaya. There are direct flights to Surabaya from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hongkong, Jakarta and Bali. Sriwijaya Air flies twice daily from Jakarta to Malang.

From there, continue your journey to Mount Bromo by booking with a travel agent, or driving the Surabaya-Pasuruan-Wonokitri-Mount Bromo route. The journey will take 2 to 3 hours. It is best for you to leave Surabaya at 23:00-24:00 in order to arrive in time for sunrise. Or you can stay overnight at one of the hotels at Prigen, Tretes, .to make sure that you are on the crater rim before sunrise.

Ponies can take you across the sand sea to the bottom of the steep stairs that leads to the crater. 

To Stay

There are a number of guesthouses and basic hotels located around Mt Bromo. The Bromo Guest House is located at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can choose other hotels at Cemoro Lawang because it this situated at the crater rim.

Visitors can also stay at Tretes, Pasuruan or in Malang, the nearest towns to Bromo, and cool mountain resorts, where there are a number of good hotels with spectacular views on Mt. Semeru and Mt.Arjuna.   

To Eat

If you forget to bring food, the restaurants near Mount Bromo open from 3 am. They generally provide various types of Indonesian traditional dishes such as Ketoprak, fried rice, Rujak Cingur, Bandrek, etc.

Tips

The temperature at Mt Bromo ranges from 3 to 20 degrees Celsius but the temperature may be several degrees below zero during the dry season.  If you can’t stand cold weather, you should bring a jacket, gloves and a head cover or cap. After the sun rises, the weather becomes hot pretty fast.

Don't forget to bring a camera or handycam so you can capture the natural beauty.

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East Java

Description

East Java might be the least populated area in Java island, but its charm and unique terrain will captivate its visitors. Capital of East Java province, Surabaya, is a cosmopolitan city and you can find any comfortable surroundings and facilities there. However within a short trip you might be tempted to enjoy the natural charms such as climbing Mt. Bromo and enjoying fabulous sunrise there or probably trying to conquer Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java (about 3676 meters above sea level).

Some parks are available for those who prefer natural surroundings. An island on the eastern part of Java called Madura is also famous for its distinct culture and bull races of karapan sapi, usually held in August and September every year.

History

The Majapahit Dynasty, based in and arround East java, began the foundations of an empire that was to dominate the entire Indonesian archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and part of the Philippines for hundreds of years. This was the beginning of profitable trade relations with China, Cambodia, Siam, Burma and Vietnam. As the power in Central Java declined in the 10th century, powerful kingdoms rose in East Java to fill the power vacuum. During the reign of King Erlangga, both East Java and Bali enjoyed lucrative trade with the surrounding islands, and an artistic and intellectual renaissance. Part of the Mahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform to an East Javanese philosophy and view of life, and it was from this area that East Java inherited most of its temple art.

Entry

The province is efficiently connected to the rest of Java by good roads, regular trains, and air  service between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Denpasar on Bali, which only takes about half an hour.

People & Culture

East Javanese are known for their outspoken manner and loud voice. They are the type who would talk to strangers and help them if need be. They tend to be frank and enjoy a good conversation.

Cuisine

East Javanese people love to eat and you can enjoy various dishes while you're around. From sea food variety to beef and chicken, each dish is cooked lovingly and with great care. Make sure to try soto Madura (chicken soup Maduran style) and sate Madura (roasted skewered chicken with tasty peanut sauce) and avoid the sambal or chili if you're not into spicy food.

Tourism Office

Jl. Wisata Menanggal, Surabaya 60241
Phone. (62-31) 853114-6, 8531820-1
Fax. (62-31) 8531822

email: eastjava@indosat.net.id

Website : www.central-java-tourism.com

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Baliem Valley: Home of the Dani's

Baliem Valley: Home of the Dani's

High up in the mountains of central Papua at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, hemmed in by steep green mountain walls, lies the stunningly beautiful Baliem valley, home of the Dani tribe.

Baliem valley is 72 km. long, and 15 km to 31 km wide in places. It is cut by the Baliem river, which has its source in the northern Trikora mountain, cascading into the Grand Valley, to meander down and further rushing south dropping 1,500 meters to become a large muddy river that slowly empties into the Arafura Sea.

The first outsider to discover the valley was American Richard Archbold, who, on 23 June 1938 from his seaplane, suddenly sighted this awesome valley dotted with neat terraced green fields of sweet potatoes, set among craggy mountain peaks. This is Indonesia’s own Shangri-La.

Only recently emerged from the Stone Age, the Dani are known as the “gentle warriors”. With their simple tools of stone and bone, they nonetheless, managed to sculpt green fields that hug the hills, where they grow root crops, and raise pigs. They have also built outposts and lookout towers to defend their valley from hostile tribes.

Because of the fertile soil and their agricultural skills, the Dani together with the sub-tribes of the Yali and the Lani, are, therefore, the most populous in Papua, living scattered in small communities near their gardens among the steep mountain slopes. Today, they also cultivate bananas, taro and yams, ginger, tobacco and cucumbers.

The men's and women's huts (locally called the honai) have thick thatched roofs, which keep the huts cool during the day and warm during the cold nights.

To Do

In this lush Baliem valley is a vast open ground where the Baliem Festival is held each year. More than a thousand people flock to see the mock war held by the Dani and  the surrounding tribes.  

The captivating Baliem Festival is held on August around 10 - 17 August every year. At the Festival, traditional dances, pig races, staged tribal wars and races are held. Today, the Baliem Festival is one of the main reasons tourists visit Papua. It’s a magical fiesta, say most who have experienced it.

Get Around

By trekking, you can witness traditional ceremonies, traditional markets and the way of life of the  Dani. There are a very limited number of restaurants inside the Baliem Valley. Your tour guide can bargain with the Dani people to provide you with simple meals. It’s strongly advised that visitors bring their own meals and snacks during trekking through and around Baliem Valley. Meals and snacks can be bought at grocery stores in Wamena.

To make your trip easier and to get the most value, it is advisable to find a packaged tour offered by several operators. Click on Find Travel Agent

Get There

The only access to the Baliem Valley is by flying to the town of Wamena. There are a number of carriers from Jayapura to Wamena: (For more info, ask the officers at Sentani Airport Information Center). Trigana Air Services provide daily flights into and out of Wamena. Spot the Trigana Air Service Offices at Sentani Airport terminal and Wamena Airport terminal.

Others are MAF, AMA, Yajasi, Manunggal Air; while the Indonesian Army (TNI) has Hercules aircrafts. From Wamena into the interior of the Baliem valley you can rent a car or travel by public bus .

Tips

Foreigners must obtain a travel permit, known as Surat Keterangan Jalan to get  access into the interior of Papua. You can obtain the Surat Keterangan Jalan at major police stations, such as at Jayapura, Merauka, Timika, Biak, Nabire, Monokwari and other major cities.

The permit will depend on your request, lasting from 1 week to 1 month or longer. Prepare copies of your passport, recent photograph and list of places you wish to visit. It is easy to obtain the Surat Keterangan Jalan, because the officers are friendly and helpful.

You can ask your travel agent to arrange the Surat Keterangan Jalan. A Guide is needed to explore the valley Don’t forget to bring a copy of your Surat Keterangan Jalan The best time to visit is between March and August If you travel during the rainy season, prepare yourself with cold weather gear Ask your guide about Do’s and Don’ts in the Baliem Valley

To Stay

For those who are adventurous and are cultural observers at heart, it is possible to stay and mingle among the Baliem Valley people, just make sure your tour operator booked this before your visit. Go show? Affordable. If the first alternative seems too extreme, you can stay at hotels in the town of Wamena: (click on Find Hotel) 

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Teluk Dalam on Nias: Fantastic Surf and Megalithic villages

Teluk Dalam on Nias: Fantastic Surf and Megalithic Villages

Overview

This lovely little city is an amazing blend of beautiful scenery, culture, and history. Teluk Dalam in South Nias, is a prime destination for surfers both local and international, with its challenging sites and fierce rolling blue waves. This city is also the spot where the famous traditional ‘stone, or boulder jumping’ takes place, a heart-stopping sport requiring great acrobatic skills and athletic ability.

Teluk Dalam is the capital city of the South Nias regency in North Sumatra, aside from also being a district of its own. Among the locals of Southern Nias, Teluk Dalam is referred to in the local dialect as Luahaziwara-wara, which translates to “the meeting place.” If you look on the map it is easy to locate Teluk Dalam as it lies directly on the southern tip of Pulau Nias, bordering the Amandraya district and the Lahusa District.

The majority of the population in this quaint little city is Christian and the rest, Muslim. Most of the residents make their livelihoods here as farmers of the many natural resources such as rice, coconut, rubber, cocoa and fruits as the main crops. Others work as fishermen and being so close to the ocean it is a relatively prosperous occupation. The main catches around this bay are fish, shrimp and crab.

If you are interested in the lives of the traditional Nias people, this city is a highly recommended destination. The villages in Teluk Dalam are located relatively near to each other and each is thick with tradition and the unique Nias architecture. One prime example of a traditional village is Bawomataluo, which is about 15 miles from Teluk Dalam. This village is located on a hill about 400 meters above sea level. The houses in this village are all built using the Nias traditional architecture, known asOmo Nifolasara, which is hundreds of years old. These unique houses were built facing each other leaving a large courtyard in between, which to this day is still used as a stage for traditional art performances such as the famous stone or boulder jumping (Hombo Batu) and the War Dance. Several other noteworthy villages to visit are the Hilinawalo Fau, Onohondro and Hilinawalo Mazino Villages.

Near Teluk Dalam you can also see Megalithic relics located in the Orahili Village, in the Gomo District. These large stones are located among the hills near the Gomo River. According to local history these megalithic stones were part a settlement or village dating back to the Early Stone Age (Neolithicum) from around 1000 to 1500 AD.

Teluk Dalam is also known for its beautiful beaches. The waves by these beaches are well known by surfers from all corners of the world, namely at the Lagundriand Sorake Beach. The waves at both of these beaches make for two excellent surfing spots due to their continuity and their perfect height, making it a challenge but also doable for beginner surfers.

To Do

Teluk Dalam is a city known for its natural attractions, art, traditions and history. Listed below are some of the places of interest.

Bawomataluo village, located about 15 miles from Teluk Dalam is a traditional village picturesquely set on a hill. To reach this village visitors have to climb a long flight of stairs totaling 88 steps. This village is one of the most well-known in this area and the most frequented by foreign tourists. The Nias traditional architecture, known as Omo Nifolasara, as seen in the traditional houses here, is very well preserved. These large houses are actually the only original traditional wooden house of their type left standing in Indonesia. Houses are usually built in a row, at approximately the same height and almost the same shape. So the neat rows of traditional houses are an interesting sight. The houses in the village are believed to have stood for hundreds of years and are the ancestral heritage of the village. Every week in this village are performances and competitions such as the “Nias stone or boulder jumping’, and the Fataele Dance which in a traditional war dance unique to Southern Nias. All of the unique factors of Bawomataluo Village have entered this village into the World Heritage Tentative List of UNESCO. This village is also the most easily accessible compared to other traditional villages around theTeluk Dalam bay.

Saroke beach is a paradise for surfers and is located at the mouth of the Lagundri Gulf. At peak seasons, this beach is visited by surfing tourists from all corners of the world who come to ride these high waves and enjoy the long white sandy coast. The high waves and rolls on this beach have been touted the second most perfect waves after Hawaii. This may no doubt be due to their height, reaching up to 15 meters, and the five levels of wave which are hard to find on any other beach. The popularity of these waves and the charming surrounding scenery has led this beach to become a well-known destination world-wide. Several international surfing competitions have been held here. Along the coast are also home-stays ready to accommodate visitors who wish to spend more time on Saroke. .

Lagundri Beach is a white sandy beach which lies about 13 km south of Teluk Dalam. This beach is directly adjacent to Sorake beach. Much like Sorake Beach, Lagundri Beach is also a favorite surfers’ destination although its waves aren’t as high as those at Sorake. Because of the lower waves, Lagundri is more suited for activities such as swimming, sunbathing on the smooth white sand, and snorkeling, although much surfing is still done here too. Some of the attractions particular to this beach are the diving and snorkeling as the waters here are rich in beautiful ornamental fish. A walk on the beach can be a very relaxing and refreshing activity, as you enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, rocks that adorn the coast, and the clear water with waves breaking along the beach. The cool ocean breeze caressing your face as you stroll along the beach is an experience not soon to be forgotten.

As you leave Teluk Bay and head towards Saroke and Lagundri Beaches, you will pass through Genasi Hill and Hilisataro. Genasi Hill has a hilly landscape offering a stunningly beautiful panoramic seaview with the horizon in the distance. If you are driving you will definitely want to stop to enjoy this rare panorama. Take some photos and enjoy a drink from one of the roadside stalls as you soak in the beauty surrounding you.

After enjoying the beauty of Genasi Hill, you can make your way toward Hilisataro.Hilisataro is a gently sloping, sandy beach. As you approach this coastal region, along the way, you will start to see more and more palm trees, bananas and sweet cocoa vendors lining the road. Much like at Lagundri Beach the waves here are not that high or strong, but still present a fun day for beginner surfers. This can be seen as practice grounds before advancing to try out the more challenging waves at Sorake. Swimming activities are also very enjoyable at this spot.

Find Megalithic relics at the Orahili Village, in the District of Gomo. The megalithic relics in the village consist of various forms and show a mixture of old and new megaliths. Old megaliths, such as menhirs, terraces, and flat stones, as well as new elements (which are also classified as megaliths), such as human statues and animals, are found there.

Get There

Nias is accessible by both land and air. If you wish to fly, there are two airlines that fly directly to Nias, those being Merpati and Wings Air. Both depart from Polonia Airport in Medan to Gunungsitoli in Nias. Another available option is to depart from Padang using SMAC airline, however these fly only Mondays to Fridays. From Padang you will transit briefly at Pulau Telo Island then from there straight to Binaka Airport, a small airport in Nias, located about 17 km from Gunung Sitoli.

If you are looking for a more economical mode of transportation, there is also the option of taking a ferry. You can take the ferry from Sibolga (North Sumatra) directly to Teluk Dalam, which usually takes between 11-13 hours, depending on the weather. The ferry leaves from Sibolga at 8:00 am daily , except Sunday. Ticket prices are Rp 69.000 economy, and cabin tickets for  Rp103.000. Tickets can be purchased at Gunung Sitoli or directly at the Sumut Port in Sibolga.

To Stay

There are approximately 60 homestays lined up right along the Lagundri and Sorake Beaches. The fees here are fairly economical with a minimum price of usually around Rp75.000, per night. These are usually equipped with basic daily necessities such as bedding, private bathrooms, clean water, electricity, fans and mosquito nets.

Here are some references of nearby hotels in Teluk Dalam that you can refer to when choosing your accommodations.


Hernelis Hotel
Jl. Imam Bonjol
Dermaga Teluk Dalam
Nias Selatan
Tel: 081396391075

Penginapan Siotu
Jalan Sudirman

Keyhole Surf Camp
Telp: 081374692530; 081396661419

Resort Pantai Sorake
Desa Botohilitano
Telp: 21195 21197

The Heritage Teluk Dalam
Jl. Dermaga Baru
Teluk Dalam
Telp: 7321289

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