Travel
Zaireen Raihana Binti Zaharuddin, International Business
University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia (Fall 2016)
Route: Jakarta to Dieng, Wonosobo
Budget: Rp 500,000 per pax (3D 2N)
Dieng Plateau is a mountainous region in Central Java. It is located in the regency of Wonosobo and Banjarnegara. Dieng sits at 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) above sea level and it located far from major population areas. The average temperature in Dieng is 14°C in the day and can get as low as 10°C at night. Dieng is famous for producing potatoes. The journey from Jakarta took me and my friends 9 hours by shuttle bus. It is best to travel by a small shuttle bus due to the small roads and limited space to park a bus in Dieng. The route taken are mostly uphill and downhill as Dieng is only accessible using a two-lane road. Accommodation in Dieng is not too pricey as we managed to stay in a homestay with three bedrooms for 950K per night.
The first attraction that we visited is Kawah Sikidang. There is a crater in Dieng area which is the Sikidang Crater. There are still volcanic activities in the crater area. The entrance fee for Kawah Sikidang is Rp 15,000 for locals and Rp 30,000 for foreigners. As soon as you step foot out of the car you will be welcomed by the Gamelan, which is the traditional instrumental ensemble of Indonesia. Many locals sell souvenirs, fruits and vegetables. Visitors can clearly see the cloud of smoke emerging from the crater. Besides taking breathtaking photographs of the crater, visitors can take photographs with a group of tame owls near the crater.
Next, a favorite place on top of a cliff nearby the Telaga Warna and Telaga Pengilon is Batu Ratapan Angin. A short 20 minute hike up the hill can provide you with a panoramic view of Dieng and the two beautiful lake down below. The entrance fee up the Batu Ratapan Angin will cost you a small sum of Rp 5,000. Telaga Warna is unique as the color of the lake changes due to the Sulphur content in the lake. When exposed to sunlight the color of the lake will change from red, green, blue, white and violet. The entrance fee to both lakes will cost you Rp 8,500. Telaga Pengilon is next to to Telaga Warna and it has clear water. The lake is surrounded by scenic greenery.
Besides craters and lakes, Dieng is famed for its temple, Candi Arjuna. The temple is presumed to be constructed in the early 9th century AD from the inscriptions found on the temple complex. After a tiring day of hiking and walking in the cool climate, visitors can relax and warm up at the D’Qiano Hot Spring Waterpark. Entrance fee to this waterpark is only Rp 20,000 per person. The natural hot spring that fills the pools in the waterpark are from the Sileri Crater. You will feel like you’re high up in the clouds.
To wrap up the Dieng excursion, it is best to wake up early in the morning to hike up Bukit Sikunir. It is a hill where visitors can enjoy the beautiful sunrise view. It is recommended to hike in the month of July to August as during the dry season there would be no rain and the sky would be crystal clear. Entrance fee to hike up Bukit Sikunir is Rp 10,500. A famous delicacy that can be found in Dieng is the Carica papaya fruit. It has a chewier texture like nata de coco thus it is prepared in a candied form and used as ingredients in mixed drinks.
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