Explore Mount Kerinci and Danau Gunung Tujuh

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights; Participant: 2, 3-5, 6-8; Type of accommodation: Hotel, guest house, tent; Type of transportation: Minibus; Start/end: Padang; Grade of difficulty: Moderate to challenge

Day 1: Padang – Kersik Tuo   Morning departure to Kersik Tuo and drive along Trans Sumatera road, long and winding but scenic. We will drive along with the rain forest on the left and right side of the road, passing through farm land, villages with traditional house called “Rumah Gadang”, and two lakes called Lake Diatas and Lake Dibawah. En-route stop will be made for rest and taking photographs. This ends at Kersik Tuo village, a small village on the foot of Mount Kerinci (1.425 m above sea level). In the afternoon if time allows enjoy the fresh air and nice landscape with vast tea plantation. We can take a short walk along the road at this plantation. Night at a simple family guest house. (BLD)

Day 2: Kersik Tuo – Higher Camp   Breakfast at the guest house and then transfer to the entrance gate of Kerinci Seblat National Park. From here our trek will be begun. We will hike slowly up along the paths beneath the rainforest canopy. Sometime a number of Sumatran birds pop up on your sight. Colorful Sumatran Trogon (Apalharpactes mackloti) is one of the birds. Our lunch box will be prepared accordingly. Total length of walk is 4-6 hours depending on the speed and frequency of stop. We will set up tent at the elevation about 3,005 m abouve sea level Be prepare for the cold weather. (BLD)

Day 3 : Higher Camp – Summit – Lower Camp   Wake up early morning get some tea or coffee then prepare for trek to summit. Hike slowly up along the trek for last 800 m. After about 3 hours we will get the top of Mt. Kerinci, 3805 m above sea level, the highest summit in Sumatra. Spend for a while at the summit to enjoy magnificent scenery, including Indian ocean, Mount Singgalang, Mount Marapi near Bukittinggi also the lakes around Kerinci valley. We hike back to the higher camp for lunch and preparing to go down to the lower camp. Night in tent at lower camp at 1,800 m above sea level ( B,L,D )

Day 4: Lower Camp – Danau Gunung Tujuh   After having breakfast at our camp and enjoying morning time and surrounding of lower camp, we prepare to go down to the exit gate of Gunung Kerinci Seblat National Park and from there a car will drop us to the entrance gate for hiking up to the camp at Danau Gunung Tujuh. The trek from the entrance gate to Danau Gunung Tujuh camp takes about 3-4 hours. This Danau, local name for a lake, is situated at 1,995 m above sea level. This lake is surrounded by primary forest and habitat for Sumatran Tiger and a number of Sumatran birds. Some people believe if “small man” also live in this area. The rest of the day is to explore the biodiversity of Danau Gunung Tujuh. Night at tent. (BLD)

Day 5: Danau Gunung Tujuh – Bukittinggi   Enjoy the morning tea or cafe with together with other menus on our breakfast and then take a walk along the path near by the campsite. After a short exploration, prepare to walk down to the main road where car is waiting to drive you to Bukittinggi. Bukittinggi is a call for “high hill” as this town is situated at 930 m above sea level which gives chill and fresh climate to town with average temperature ranges from 16-24 degree Celcius. Night at hotel in Bukittinggi. (BLD)

Day 6: Bukittinggi – Batusangkar – Lembah Anai – Padang   A visit to the landmark of Bukittinggi called Jam Gadang (Big Clock). This clock was a gift from the Dutch Queen to the city’s controleur (secretary) named Rook Maker. The structure of this 26 meter tall clock was built in 1926, with rooster statue on its roof in that time. Today its roof has traditional Minangkabau house to reflect the local culture. Leave Bukittinggi for Batusangkar to visit Baso Palace or well known as Pagaruyung Palace. There is no king or royal family resides in this palace. This is more like a symbol of an old kingdom called Pagaruyung which was disbanded in 1833. However the palace still receives high esteem from the people in western Sumatera. In a riot in 1804 the palace was demolished by fire and again in 1966 and 2007 fire flattened the palace. It has been rebuilt and functions as cultural and historical museum of western Sumatera. We leave Batusangkar with its Pagaruyung palace to Padang with en-route stop at Lembah Anai waterfall located on the road side. We will take opportunity to enjoy the nice view to the waterfall and also the area nearby that is surrounded by the thick forest. Satisfying to enjoy the nature of Lembah Anai we end our journey today in the city of Padang. Night at nice hotel in Padang. (BLD)

Day 7: Padang – Next Destinations   Today is the last day. We will go to the airport and fly to the next destinations. Exploration ends. (B)

Notes:

• During the trip participants must respect and obey rules, laws and customs valid in the area/location they are visiting.
• This itinerary is subject to change with or without prior notice due to weather condition, flight and ferry schedule change or other causes beyond organizer control (force majeure)