Borobudur Vacation Tour

Kinahrejo & Kedakan Villages

In the middle of south Central Java lies the magical region of Yogyakarta, the cradle of Javanese culture and tradition. In the north the volatile, Mount Merapi the Fire Mountain with captivating physical beauty stands vigorously guarding the surrounding nature. This
gigantic volcano, sometimes dangerous with its eruption and lava spitted from its crater, but at the same time gives tremendous fertility to the land. That’s the reason why the farmers inhabitants living in its slope do not want to leave their ancestor’s place of birth. They have a mystical relation with Merapi to live in harmony with ‘the rulers’ of the mountain to keep them safe and peaceful.

The palace of Yogyakarta gives regular offering in Ngestiaji, north of Kinahrejo Village, on the southern slope of Merapi. Mbah Marijan, a native of Kinahrejo is assigned by Karaton Yogyakarta as the gatekeeper (Juru kunci) of this mountain. Mbah Maridjan (literary means Grandfather Maridjan; born Mas Penewu Suraksohargo in Kinahrejo dukuh, Umbulharjo village, Cangkringan, Sleman Regency in 1927). This mandate as gatekeeper has been obtained from Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. If Mount Merapi will erupt, the surrounding residents always wait his command to evacuate. “Merapi is kind. Locals treat it well, while visitors often do bad things at Merapi,” said the volcano’s spiritual gatekeeper Mbah Marijan. When it comes to talk of Merapi, 79-year old Marijan, who has been the gatekeeper for over 40 years, can be considered part of the Merapi mythology. Believed to be one who knows much about the volcano, Marijan has, for a long time, been an unofficial leader, not just of villagers from Kinahrejo hamlet, Umbulharjo village, where he lives, but also for residents of Cangkringan subdistrict, Sleman.

This was the place where, last year, the hot lava from the crater was flowing down, setting afire warungs (eating-houses) and plantations, and burying them under the hot sands. People called Kaliadem the highway for the lava, spouting from the 2.900 m high volcano. But activity has become normal again and Kaliadem now is a famous spot, where the hidden and dangerous beauty is revealed. Just in front of us we can, at certain weather conditions, clearly see the dried rivers where the lava entered the slope of the volcano.

Non Indonesians can barely understand the unique relationship that Yogyanese people keep up with Mt. Merapi, which overlooks the cultural capital city of Java . It also held every year offering ceremony and its fertile ashes make thousands of local people earn a living. Origin of scientific curiosity, spiritual feelings, as well as economic life, Mt. Merapi is present in daily life and this program aims at make you understand this famous volcano a little more!

This amazing program starts from the village of Kinahrejo, on Mt. Merapi’s southern slopes, where from here, the summit of Mt. Merapi actually seems very close and all the lava fields are quite impressive. Our walk aims at safely passing round these fields and reaching the Kaliadem. This was the place where, last year, the hot lava from the crater was flowing down, setting afire warungs (eating-houses) and plantations, and burying them under the hot sands. People called Kaliadem the highway for the lava, spouting from the 2.900 m high volcano. But activity has become normal again and Kaliadem now is a famous spot, where the hidden and dangerous beauty is revealed. Just in front of us we can, at certain weather conditions, clearly see the dried rivers where the lava entered the slope of the volcano. Then crossing beautiful tropical forest and plantations, we’ll also have the opportunity to meet with local farmers who’ll explain their special relationship with Mt. Merapi.

Mount Merbabu (Indonesian: Gunung Merbabu) is a dormant stratovolcano in Central Java province on the Indonesian island of Java. Loosely translated, Gunung Merbabu could mean ‘Mountain of Ash’ from the Indonesian word babu. The active volcano Mount Merapi is directly adjacent on its south-east side, while the city of Salatiga is located on its northern foothills. A 1,500m high broad saddle lies between Merbabu and Merapi, the site of the village of Selo and highly fertile farming land and Kedakan Village as well.

Walking along a narrow terrace line will allow you a glimpse of the daily life of the local farmers. Learn how they still cultivate and irrigate the land in the traditional way, planting, tending and harvesting all by hand. Swinging their hoes and ploughing the land with their buffaloes while their children study at their school.

The Package

Day 01 : Yogyakarta - Kinahrejo Village ( L,D )
Upon arrival at Adicucipto Airport of Yogyakarta, meeting service then direct transfer to Kinahrejo Village. Stay at lokal house & Experience the fresh air and tranquility of the mountain. In the evening, feel the real life of village and if you are lucky, you will heard the Mt. Activity.

Day 02 : Village Experience - Kedakan Village ( B,L,D )
Simple breakfast. Experiencing with the daily activity of villagers, mowing herbages for milchcow, traditional sand mining. Cooking in traditional way for lady then enjoy the cuisine together.
Afterward, leaving Kinahrejo Village for Kedakan Village on the slope of Mt. Merbabu for 3 hours driving. Arrive in Kedakan village, rest at local house. Simple dinner is served by the owner of the house. Join with villagers for night activity.

Day 03 : Village Experience - Jogyakarta ( B,L )
Lady ; joining the owner from dawn to dusk and beyond. See how food is prepared and cooked, experience life in the fieldsor around the village.
Man ; Learn about the agricultural system of intercropping used and get direct experience in the fields of planting, preparing the ground for cultivation and picking many kinds of fresh fruits & vegetables.
After lunch, leaving Kedakan Village and transfer to Yogyakarta to join with other program.