The Beauty Of Kawah Ratu That Is Able To Hypnotize Its Visitors

JAKARTA - December may be the month that almost everyone has been waiting for. Because in this month, there are red dates for long holidays, both Christmas and New Year holidays.

If you don't have plans to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays, Mount Salak can be a reference for a nature-themed holiday. There are lots of stunning exotic places, one of which is Kawah Ratu.

According to history, Kawah Ratu was formed by a volcano eruption from Mount Salak several centuries ago. With this event finally formed a crater that presents a panoramic view and exotic natural scenery. This crater is located at an altitude of 1,437 masl. Pretty low for those of you who are doing the climb for the first time.

Mount Salak has easy routes and access from Jakarta, which is about 67 km away. Located in Bogor Regency, West Java, the main access from Jakarta can be via toll or public roads by passing Leuwiliang.

The gate for doing this climb is in the area of Mount Salak Endah. There are two official climbing routes that can be traversed, namely via Cidahu, Sukabumi or Pasir Leungit, Mount Bunder which is still part of the Mount Halimun-Salak National Park area.

We will guide you to the Mount Bunder path. If you depart from Jakarta, this route can pass through the Jagorawi toll road and exit at the South Sentul toll road. Then take the line that connects Banten and West Java. After that, it will pass Dramaga IPB. Then you will meet the Cibatok T-junction. Take the left lane and continue driving for about 18 km.

The vehicle you are carrying can be left at the shop before the registration post to enter Kawah Ratu.

This tourism location has its own uniqueness. Ratu Crater Crater is located at the foot or slope of Mount Salak. Of course, to reach the location, you need to do a third hike or approximately 4 km to enjoy the beauty offered here.

The hiking trail will be decorated with rocks, and through tropical forests with an atmosphere that is still very natural and natural. Although there are several inclines, of course they are not too steep and can be traversed easily. Even for those of you who are climbing the mountain for the first time.

However, to prevent your feet from getting hurt while climbing it is highly recommended to use special shoes for tracking. But if you don't have one, you can also wear runing shoes or mountain sandals.

Besides that, you also have to bring enough drinking water supplies, to prevent dehydration. Don't forget to also bring a raincoat just in case, considering December is the rainy season.

The charm of Kawah Ratu has its own allure. Even though it's wrapped in mystical stories, in fact the scenery there is able to hypnotize its visitors and momentarily forget about the mystery stories in the area.

In the crater area of the queen, visitors are not allowed to set up tents. Because, this crater still often emits toxic fumes and will have a bad effect if inhaled for too long. Therefore, before climbing, the guide will remind you not to linger over the crater. In addition, it is also highly recommended to bring a mask.

Kawah Ratu entrance fee and its facilities

One of the guides, who declined to be named, explained that the distance from the registration post to the summit is 2 hours 30 minutes. So the total time needed to go and return is 5 hours.

"Register first. Bring your KTP, right? The entry fee is Rp. 15 thousand for one person. Later when you get to the top, don't be too long. Later it will be late," he said.

Si Aa, you name it, gave an explanation of the terrain that the tourists would take to get to the top. According to him, in one group at least four people.

"How many people do you want? If it's just the two of you, just wait together. It's because you can't go up, it's dangerous. But if you have, you know the way you can go together. Because Eneng is new, so just wait a minute," he said.

While waiting for other visitors, you can enjoy the existing facilities. A fairly clean toilet, prayer room, hut, or a long chair attached to a pine tree. There are also food stalls here.

After waiting for a long time, the Aa called us to get ready because there were two new visitors as well. After the registration was done, we were allowed to start our journey down Kawah Ratu.

Lots of Instagramble Photo Spots

Because it is still very natural, along the way from the registration post to the top of Kawah Ratu you will find many places that can be used to take pictures.

Starting from the tunnel formed from the trees that grow there, fast flowing springs, irregular large stones, to the dead forest as a marker of arriving at the top of Kawah Ratu.

You don't need to use any filters or effects from your camera, because the panorama that is presented in front of your eyes is so beautiful. During the trip to the top, if you are lucky you will also meet some wild monkeys.

Arriving at the top, there will be more Instagramable photo spots. Stand on a peak against the smoke of a crater, or sit on a rock against the branches of a dead tree.