KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

     

Komodo National Park is a conservation area which aims to protect all life in it, especially the existence of Komodo Dragon as an ancient animal and only exist in KN Park area.KN park is located among the islands of Flores and Sumbawa and administratively within the territory of Komodo Districk,West Manggarai Rengency in Province of East Nusa tenggara, with an area of ​​1,733 km2 with coordinates 8°32’36 NL 119°29’22 EL /8,54333°EL 119,48944°EL.
The History of Komodo National Park
     KN Park was established in 1980 to protect a Komodo Dragon which is endemic animals and the diversity of flora and fauna in it. Komodo Dragon itself was first discovered by Dutch East Indies officer named J.K.H.Van Steyn in 1911, then he reported the discovery to Peter Ouwens a curator in Bogor Zoological Museum. Based on this report Peter Antonie Ouwens made a direct research on Komodo Island and and made a paper titled “On a Large Species from the Island of Komodo”in 1912.From the results of this study declare that Komodo Dragon is a Giant Lizard and He named “Varanus Komodoensis”and this news spread all over the world through the research paper of Ouwens in 1912.
Since its establishment,KN Park has won several awards such as:
Ø The Worlds Heritage site of Nature by UNESCO in 1986.
Ø Defined as a National symbol of Fauna by the president of Indonesia in 1992.
Ø Defined as a Human Reserves and Biosphere in 1997 by UNESCO.
Ø Marine a Protected Area in 2000.
Ø Designated as model of National Park in Indonesia in 2006.
Ø Defined as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world by UNESCO in 2013.
Management and Tourism Sector
Komodo National Park is generally managed by the Ministry of Forestry through the Directorate General of Conservation and Natural Resources. So all forms of activity within the area of Komodo National Park should be under the control of Komodo National Park authority.
As time goes by and current development where the tourism sector has grown rapidly.
Through the tourism sector KN Park become one of the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia with visiting numbers reaching 90,000 people (in 2016) with the amount of foreign exchange for the State reached 22 Billion Rupiah. Along with the increasing number of tourists the authority of Komodo National Park has fixing up several aspects such as Tourism Objects, Human Resources, and Infrastructure Facilities.
Here are some Tourism objects in Komodo National Park:
1.Loh Liang (Komodo Island)
     It is the main entrance of Komodo National Park area as well as a guard post of the Forest Police.
Every visitor is required to report to the duty officer and pay the entrance ticket.
Here's the price of Komodo National Park tickets and valid for 1 day:
Domestic:
Entrance Ticket Rp.5.000/person
Government tax Rp.20.000/person
Trekking Rp.5.000/person
Animal watching Rp.10.000/person
Snorkeling Rp.15.000/person
Rangers fee Rp.80.000/5 orang
Overseas:
Entrance Ticket Rp.150.000/person (weekday)
Rp.225.000/person (weekend)
Government tax Rp.50.000/person
Trekking Rp.5.000/person
Animal watching Rp.10.000/person
Snorkeling Rp.15.000/person
Rangers fee Rp.80.000/5 orang
Trekking route in Loh Liang:
Short trekking : Loh Liang – Hutan Asam /1 km
Medium : Loh Liang – Bukit sulphurea /1,5 km
Long Trekking : Loh Liang – Banunggulung /2 km
Adventure : Loh Liang – Gunung Ara /6 km
Loh Liang – Sebita /6 km
     During trekking visitors will be accompanied by rangers as well as a guide that explains about KN Park and beyond. During the trip visitors can see Komodo Dragons,Timor Deer,Water buffalo,Wild Pig and many kind of birds.
KN Park authorities also provide some facilities for visitors such as:Accomodation,Tourist information,Café,Toilet,Souvenir and Port.
Beside a trekking spot in Loh Liang,you can visit Komodo Village as well which is about 30 minutes from Loh Liang by Boat.This village is inhabited by ethnic Bajo, Bima, and Makassar with the majority of the population is Muslim and work as Fisherman.Some people have turned professions into sculptors,and they make a statue of Komodo Dragons then sell it to visitors.
2. Loh Buaya (Pulau Rinca)
     It is the second entrance in Komodo National Park located on Rinca Island. This object is very interested by visitors because it takes only 2 hours from Labuan Bajo by Local Boat. Every visitor who comes will be accompanied by rangers as well as a Guide.
Trekking Route in Loh Buaya:
Short Trekking: Loh Buaya – Sarang Komodo/ 1 km
Medium : Loh Buaya – Bukit Tower/ 1,5 km 
Long Trekking : Loh Buaya – Wae Waso/ 4 km 
Adventure : Loh Buaya – Lengkong Nggurung/ 6 km 
Loh Buaya – Kampung Rinca/6 km 
     Before trekking visitors will be briefed by Ranger about the track and the rules that must be obeyed. Along the way we will see Komodo Dragon,Timor Deer,Wild Pig,Buffalo,Wild Horse,Monkey and many kind of Birds as well as the scenery of the savanna that stretches far and covers the steep hills. 
3. Pulau Padar 
     It is the third largest island after Komodo and Rinca islands. The island is about 3.5 hours from Labuan Bajo by Local Boat and has become one of the main tourism destinations in KN Park. The Visitors could trekking to the top by passing through the dusty and rocky path, but your struggle will be paid with the beauty of nature which is very spectacular. The Blue Ocean and a range of small islands around it will hypnotize every visitor. 
4.Pantai Merah / Pink     Is one of snorkeling/diving spot which is about 30 minutes from the Loh Liang.Named Pink Beach because some of the sand is red. Reputedly, red sand is derived from broken fire coral which has been crushed by the waves for hundreds of years and mixed with white sand so it looks like a pink beach.This location is perfect for snorkeling lovers because it will be treated to views of colorful life coral as well as various types of fish.
Beside snorkeling visitors could trekking to the hill and enjoy the views of the blue ocean as well as small islands around it.In addition to the 4 objects above there are actually other objects that exist in KN Park such as Manta Point,Takat Makasar,Gili Lawa darat/laut,Sebayur Island, Kanawa,Seraya, Sabolo,Gili Motang,and Nusa Kode.
Komodo Dragon
      Komodo Dragon(Varanus Komodoensis) or in the local language is called Ora is an ancient animal that is still alive and only found in the area of KN Park especially Komodo Island,Rinca Island,Gili Motang,Nusa Kode and in the north of Flores (Wae Wul) but the body size is smaller because of limited area and food.
The body size of an adult Komodo dragon ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 meters and weighs up to 90 kg and is a pure carnivore; only consume meat, if ingesting something that is not meat automatically be resumed. This giant lizard is very fond of carrion, with a combination of keen sense of smell and tongue connected with Jacobson organ could detect food as far as 4-9 km make it as a main predator on the food chain.So all the animals that live in KN Park are potential prey of Komodo.
Komodo is one of the cold-blooded animals and only active during the day,and every morning This giant lizard warming up their body in the sun to keep the temperature steady, otherwise all the food in their stomach will come out. According to research Komodo can run up to 20 km for short distance, good swimmer and can dive to a depth of 5 meters. With this ability Komodo can hunt its prey with only 1 bite because the saliva contains 62 types of deadly bacteria and has a medium level of poison that makes its prey die slowly. After that,Dragon can track the existence of its prey uses a keen sense of smell.
How to get to Komodo National Park
1. By Airplane
Denpasar – Labuan Bajo operates 4 Airlines such as Garuda,Sriwijaya,Lion Air,and Nam Air. Every Airlines has one flight a day.
Jakarta – Labuan Bajo. Garuda Airlines operates Boeing aircraft to serve this route with one 1 flight a day.
2. By Land and Sea
PT PELNI serving the voyage from Benoa Harbor (Bali) to Labuan Bajo with a travel time of 2 days 1 night with a schedule of about 3-4 x a month.
PT ASDP also serves direct crossings from Surabaya to Labuan Bajo with travel time 2 days 1 night with a schedule of 2 x a month.
While by landline you can take a night Bus at Ubung Station (Bali) to Sape Port (East Sumbawa) with a travel time of 20 hours. Then you can take a Ferry to the Port of Labuan Bajo about 6 hours.
Once You are in Labuan Bajo,there are 2 options to reach Komodo National Park that is by slow Wooden Boat and fast Ferry. Depending on your budget.

For more information about Komodo National Park and Flores Island Tour Package you may visit our website
www.indonesiamazing.com and www.komodoamazingtour.com


By Gerry M

WELCOME TO MOUNT RINJANI

Mount Rinjani (3,726 m asl) is the second highest volcano in Indonesia after Mount Kerinci (3,805 m asl) in Jambi.Administratively Mount Rinjani is located in 2 districts, namely:

North Lombok Regency in the west and north and East Lombok Regency in the south and east.

Geographically Mount Rinjani is dominated by mountains and hills that cool temperate, so it is suitable for agriculture and agro-tourism.

The History of Mt.Samalas

     Perhaps only a handful of people who knows Mount Samalas.Yes Mount Samalas is an ancient name of Mount Rinjani which is written in Babad Lombok (Lombok chronicle).

According to Babad Lombok,Samalas was erupted in 1258  and destroy all the initial population of Lombok.So,the original society as we know it now as a Sasak tribe derived from Jawi Kuno(ancient jawa) that goes to Lombok at the end of the 12th century.

After the massive eruption in 1258, the name of Samalas does not heard anymore, along with the development of new population on Lombok Island after the eruption;a new legend about Dewi Anjani who reigns on Mount Salamas appears. Gradually Samalas is better known as Rinjani,the reign of Dewi Anjani.

The effects of Samalas eruption left a huge crater with Segara Anak Lake in the middle of it, while in the eastern part of the lake a new volcano appeared known as Gunung Baru Jari.

Since the massive eruption in 1258 Mt.Rinjani asleep for eight centuries until now, although sometimes Gunung barujari coughing but only small scale. Based on the record in the national park office, Rinjani erupted on a small scale in 1846,1884,1901,1906,1909,1915,1944,1994,2009,2014,dan 2016.

Trekking

     In 2012 Mount Rinjani crowned as the best trekking paths and challenging in Asia Pacific.

Here are three major trekking paths on Mount Rinjani:

1. North Gate of Senaru (600m asl)

Senaru is the most busy and crowded track because a short distance, and about 80% of a lush rainforest so it's pretty cool, but the track is quiet uphill. Here are route through the Gate of Senaru:

Ø  Mataram /Senggigi-Senaru 2 hours by car

Ø  Starting Point to the Gate of Rinjani National Park less than 30 minutes by passing through the coffee, cocoa, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla plantations.

Ø  The gates of National Park to the Post 1 about 1.5 hours

Ø  Post 1 to the Post 2 about 2 hours, hiking trails began a steep and slippery, along the temperature began to decline.

Besides being a place to rest Post 2 as well as a place for lunch because the only post which has a spring.

Ø  Post 2 – post 3 about 2 hours, through the highlands forest

Ø  Post 3 – post extra about 1 hour

Ø  Post extra – rim of Senaru about 2 hours, passing through the savanna and trekking paths are dusty and muddy during the rainy season. From the rim climbers can see the view of Segara Anak Lake and Gunung Baru Jari .Camping site for the first night.

Ø  Crater rim to the lake about 2 hours, at the lake, visitors can fishing and soak in hot water spring at the edge of Lake.

Ø  From the Lake towards a rim of Sembalun about 2 hours, dubbed the path to hell because very steep and often takes victims.

Rim of Sembalun as a Camping site for the second night.

Ø  Rim of Sembalun to the summit of approximately 3.5 hours, dubbed the most difficult terrain and the path of hell. Supposedly if there are climbers who fell on this path there were no survivors

2. East Gate of Sembalun (1.150m asl)

Sembalun is an entrance to Rinjani National Park through East section.the expanse of rice fields and strawberry plantations flanked by steep hills, pamper the eyes of every visitor. Here are route through the Gate of Sembalun:

Ø  Mataram to Sembalun approximately 3.5 hours.

Ø  Starting point to post 1 about 2,5 hours,by passing a rice fields and strawberry plantations.

Ø  Post 1 to post 2 about about 2,5 hours, by passing the savanna and the rather hot conditions. Post 2 as a lunch spot because there are springs.

Ø  Post 2 to post 3 about 2 hours, passing through the steppes and savannas dominated by spruce.

Ø  This path is fairly steep and dangerous and a scourge for climbers because it must pass through 4 hills of suffering.

Ø  Post 3 towards a Rim of Sembalun less than 2.5 hours, by passing a steep hills and the line was known as 3 hills of regret. From Pelawangan Sembalun climbers can enjoy the beautiful view of Segara Anak Lake and Mt.Baru jari. Camping site for the first night

Ø  Early morning around 02.00 am we are going to the summit of about 3.5 hours to see the sunrise. If the weather is good from the top Mount Rinjani we could see Sangiang Volcano in the northeastern part of the island of Sumbawa with a distance of nearly 250 miles of Lombok.

3. Torean Gate (600m asl)

     The track is not very attractive to visitors and very steep. This track is used by the local people especially Hindus in Pakelem ritual in Segara Anak Lake,in order to reach this area from Mataram approximately 3 hours then uses Ojek a motorcycle taxi to the last village namely Torean.

4. South Gate of Timbanuh (900m asl)

     Timbanuh is a hiking trail on the South side of Mount Rinjani,and it takes about 3 hours to reach this area from Mataram. This path is the new path opened by Gunung Rinjani National Park Authority,due to this track is new so it does not have adequate facilities and infrastructure, but this track advantages with the availability of water along the hiking trail as well as the diversity of flora and fauna.This path only allows climbers to climb up Cemoro Rompes and South Peak of Mount Rinjani, while the path to the lake is not allowed because it is very dangerous. The climb through the line was about 9 hours.

Thank you

By Gerry M

WELCOME TO TAMBORA

      Tambora is an active volcano that lies between Dompu regency and Bima, West Nusa Tenggara. Now the mountain has become one of the most attractive trekking sites for the nature lovers, especially mount climbers. Good panorama with its two color lakes is one of its main attractions. The number of people interested to enjoy the beauty of the volcano increases day after day. But does everybody know that behind this calmly sleeping volcano there is a mystery that has encouraged some scientists to reveal it

On April 11, 1815 the volcano made a record in history with its devastating eruption. The eruption was said to be three times bigger than that of   Mt. Krakatau in 1888. This catastrophic natural phenomenon is even said to be equal to the historic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy which buried the whole city of Pompei. The ash of the eruption reached as far away as 1.300 km and the voice was heard in a distance of about 2.500 km. Before the eruption the volcano was 4.200 meters but nearly half of the top was blown into the air along with its contents in the form of ash and gravels. Consequently, the whole area of Sumbawa was covered by thick ashes and mud while the air was darkened by belching smoke and ash. Streams of Lava and hot volcanic mud poured down to the sea and places completely covering roads and villages they passed. 

The disaster besides causing thousands of casualties also brought about a great loss of materials. According to a Dutch traveler, H. Zollinger who traveled to Tambora in 1850, the population of the whole Sumbawa was around 170.000 occupying the areas of Bima, Sumbawa, Dompu, Tambora, Sanggar and Pekat. But after the eruption it was only half the number left.  The eruption also wiped out a civilization, including the loss of Austro-Asiatic language.

Among the scientist who made research on Tambora are Sugurdsson, from Rode Island University, USA and Legan S. Sutawidjaya from the Directorate of vulcanology. Their research was about the effect of the hot ash.

Now the mystery of Tambora is gradually uncovered. Through some excavations proofs of the eruption are found. There are some skulls and skeletons of running people along with ceramics and other tools. Satonda Island is another proof. The salty water of the lake inside the island was said to be caused by the high tidal waves of the eruption. A German professor from Hamburg did a research and revealed the mystery of the salt water lake.

   Now days Tambora Mountain become one of the most attractive trekking side for nature lovers.

Tambora can be climbed all-year, however the best time for trekking is during the dry season,June to October. November brings fresh rain to the rainforest and the trail starts to be slippery, with regular heavy afternoon showers. From what we heard December can be already very wet and January to March are the toughest months to visit. In April and May trail conditions gradually improve.

The trek to Tambora starts in the village of Pancasila. Pancasila is 10 km away from a slightly bigger village of Calabai and 110 km away from a town of Dompu.

The most reasonable way to get to Pancasila is to board a morning bus from Dompu. This small regional town is located on the trans-Sumbawan road and all buses plying through Sumbawa stop there. Dompu is 4 hours of bus ride away from Sumbawa Besar and around 2 hours from Bima,and from Dompu to Pancasila village(starting point for trekking)takes about 5 hours.

Trekking
    The standard itinerary on Tambora involves two full days. Most visitors on day one start trekking at 6:00 from Pancasila and arrive in POS3 in early afternoon (13:00-14:00). Then they rest until midnight and start walking up the mountain to see the sunrice,arriving at the crater rim around five hours later. After staying at the rim for an hour or two, they descend to Pancasila the same way.

The only risk on this program is Stay away from nani plant. It can burn skin severely. Long pants and long sleeves will protect you from burns. The plant grows between POS3 and POS5.

 by Gerry M