Java Lava often starts its trekking season in February with a walk along the south-west coast of West Java. This is a great opportunity to get the legs into shape for more serious climbs. Pelabuhan Ratu is reached by car from Jakarta. The Ocean Queen Resort, by the beach, is a lovely place to stay.
The walk is along beaches, across rivers and estuaries, over headlands and detours around cliffs. It passes some of the most pristine, beautiful and deserted beaches in West Java where you can stop for a swim and lunch. The coast features cliffs, reefs, coral, rock headlands and pinnacles, blowholes, fissures, caves, pounding surf and crystal clear Indian Ocean water.
Program
This trip is by car and takes three days – Friday to Sunday. The Ocean Queen Resort is a family place so, if you have children and other family members who are not hikers, they may spend the weekend at the Resort without joining the hikes – just enjoying the beach at Pelabuhan Ratu.
Day 1 (Friday): car from Jakarta to Ocean Queen Resort, Pelabuhan Ratu.
Day 2 (Saturday): breakfast and early start taking packed lunch. The full-day walk is a point-to-point from Cibareno to Suwarna and takes 8-10 hours, but shortcuts and escapes/returns are possible along the way.
Day 3 (Sunday): morning walk from Cibareno to Gunung Tumpang is about 3 hours also with an early start, allowing a return to Jakarta in the afternoon.
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