MERAPI ROUTE (SELO ROUTE)

Merapi is ones of the most interesting volcanoes in the world offering volcanic environment uniqueness phenomenon, From very active craters to lava flow.  

The elevation of the volcano is 2.920 maters above the sea level. From distance, its always seen white smoke emerging from the peak of the volcano amidst the moving cloud in the deep blue sky. The crater on peak zone is sandy plateau about four hectares with several smaller crater which are still active. The safest and shortest route way to reach the peak is via northern slope at village of Selo. This route is recommended because save and comfortable enough to reach the peak and as traditional route for the most mountain climber.

Village of Selo

To reach the village of Selo, you can take the bus or train from your area to Jogja or Solo.
You who live in Jakarta can take a train from the Senen station. There is train called “Progo” rates to 35.000 rupiah to the station Lempuyangan, Jogja. or “Senja Utama” rates to 150.000 rupiah. Or if you choose to use the bus, you can take the Solo destination bus with rates to 75.000-120.000 rupiah. Get off at the  Boyolali bus terminal, then take the mini bus in front of the bus terminal, with rates around 3000 rupiah (in 2009) until CEPOGO market. From CEPOGO market continued with a mini bus to the village of Selo with the same rates. 

If you go to the village of Selo from Yogyakarta, you can take a bus headed to Magelang, down in the  Village of Blabak, and followed up minibuses or another goods vehicles destination Selo. It should be noted, at 17.00 pm the vehicle rarely operate. Selo actually easier to achieve from Solo-Boyolali, because of Boyolali, there is direct transport to the Selo.

Village of Selo(1560 m.dpl) is currently the main gate of ascent. Selo village located at the saddle of the Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu. This village has a beautiful natural scenery because of its strategic location. The villagers are mostly farmed vegetables and tobacco.

settlements around the slopes of Merapi

Vertically the body of Merapi can be divided into 3 zone:
1)Conical Peak Zone: This zone is the steepest one, range around 2600 to the peak. The peak consist of volcanic material, included:
a)Young volcanic rock with sulfur gas smoke blowing through narrow crack of the rock.
b)Lava sedimentation on middle of the peak.This lava created by eruption in 1940.
c) Main crater directing to the west.This crater created by eruption in 1961.

2)Midle Slope: This zone is steeper than foot slope, range around 2000 to 2600 m alt. No cultivated vegetation along this zone. And only adapted vegetation can grow naturally.

3)Foot Slope: This zone dominated by cultivated vegetation, such us: grass, vegetable and lowland forest. The zone range from 1600 to 2000 m alt.

The last post before Puncak Garuda/Garuda Peak is Pasar Bubrah. Garuda Peak is the name of Volcano Merapi's highest peak at elevation 2968 m alt. People believe that this post is a ghost market. Here we can see many rocks/stones which their positions have made them like foodstalls of traditional market in Java island.

Last part - Pasar Bubrah to Peak

Start trekking up at midnight and reaching the peak in early morning, a better weather as well as amazing sunrise are experienced well on Garuda Peak .

Sun rise on the Garuda Peak

Normally,it's took 4 hours trekking to reach the peak in early morning