Merapi tour

Tour around Merapi

(A tour diary by my co-rider Max)

Having decided to do the motorbike trip from Yogya to Denpasar, we thought we could use a little warm-up and we wanted to find out what it feels like to drive for 5-6 hours. We took an early start right after breakfast at 12 o’clock in the afternoon and headed east towards the town of Klaten. There we managed to take only one wrong turn, which is quite good considering that there is a maze of about 25 crossroads spread out over 3 kilometers. The trip up to Klaten was not so good, because of the heavy traffic on the road.

After safely making our way through Klaten we turned off the main road in a northerly direction on a smaller road towards Boyolali. This part of the drive lead over the foothills of Mt Merapi and was quite nice because there was little traffic and you had quite a good view. In Boyolali we drank a coke at a tiny, not so clean roadside warung after having unsuccessfully searched the town for a better place for 15 minutes.

In Boyolali we turned into the main road from Solo via Boyolali to Salatiga for about ten kilometers, to Musuk. There we turned off the main road onto a narrow and winding side road that lead through the pass in between the two mountains, Merapi and Merbabu and on to Blabak and Muntilan. This section was absolutely beautiful because of the stunning scenery and deserted roads. There were also great corners to lean the bike into.

We stopped to have a good look at the two Volkanoes just after passing through Selo, which is located right in the middle of the pass. Merapi in particular was spectacular, as you could see the paths carved by the descending lava. After a while we moved on because a cloud was blocking the view of the volcanoes. The remainder of the drive to Muntilan was very nice as well, leading through tiny villages and providing great views of the surrounding countryside.

From Muntilan to Yogya was similar to the first part of our trip, crowded and polluted, but overall it had been a great trip and we felt that we were absolutely ready for the trip to Bali.

Tour highlights:

Prambanan temple

On the road to Klaten you pass through Prambanan. You should not bother this time, except for a quick peek through the fence, and keep going. Visit this fantastic temple and the surrounding area during a separate day-trip.

Klaten to Boyolali

If you do the trip on a clear day, you'll see the volcanos on your left during the whole ride. A spectacular landscape with rice paddies, which are later replaced by open pine forests.

Selo, Mt. Merapi and Mt. Merbabu

The road to Selo goes straight up towards the mountain pass for a couple of km. This gives you some time to relax, before the nice and twisty part starts. And then, one serpentine after another, driving through vegetable growing areas up to an altitude of almost 2000m. The mountains look more impressive after every turn.

Selo is also a starting point to climb Mt. Merapi. This small village has a couple of losmen to stay overnight.

Mt. Merapi is one of the most active volcanos in the world. An eruption in AD. 1006 partially buried Borobudur in ashes.

Towards Muntilan

If you have timed it all right, you'll drive down south into a spectaclular view of green and yellow colours, as the rice paddies are glowing in the afternoon sun.

Borobudur temple

From Muntilan, it is only a short 10km trip to Borobudur. This may also be one of the best times to visit this world famous temple, as the daily rush hour may already have worn out the hawkers, who normally jump on any tourist visiting this site. Walk up to the temple, enjoy the sunset, and give your butts a rest. Then drive back to Yogya for a nice dinner. If this sounds like a decent trip, I can only encourage you.

Tours in Indonesia

Tour around Merapi

Tour highlights: