MOUNT MERBABU

Local people said that Mt. Merbaboe and Mt. Merapi were wife and husband. Merbaboe stand for “Meroe” and “baboe” these words mean woman mountain (merapi wife’s). Mt. Merbabu have many peaks, the highest ones is Kenteng Songo 3.142 masl (meter above sea level).

There are some trails, which can lead to the summit of the mountain. The most popular track is Kopeng Village from the north and Selo Village from the south.

From Semarang we can ride bus to Solo, but we must stop in Salatiga a small town between Semarang and Solo. We can continue with mini bus from Pasar Sapi to Kopeng. 

Kopeng is good place to relax, there are many hotels and inns, camping side and Umbul Songo waterfalls. Songo (nine) is a big number, local people in merbaboe describe the high of the waterfall and give the name of the waterfall Umbul Songo. Umbul means spring, and umbul songo is a spring from the high. Kenteng Songo is the name of the highest peak, and this means there are many stones (kenteng).

We can stay in a small hotel in Kopeng, to get rest before we climb the mountain. It is better to climb in the night, because climbing in the daylight is very hot. Moreover we must save the water to drink and cook. The water must be carried from the last village Thekelan or Cunthel. There is no water spring in the mountain.

The best basecamp to start hiking Mount Merbaboe is Cunthel 2,5 Km from Kopeng. You can ride Ojek (Motor Cycle) or rent a mini truck usually to carry the vegetables to the Cunthel Village.

The best time to climb mount Merbabu is at the night during dry seasons. Most of the trail are sandy grasslands and open area, so in the daylight it is very hot and dusty, more over we need much more drinking water. 

Between 15th Javaness Calendar, in the full Moon light, we can see some very nice views of some mountains surrounding mount merbabu, a long the night.