Conquering Lokon; a nighttime hike to the summit of the Lokon volcano.
This weekend we went hiking around Lokon in the Minahasa Highlands near Tomohon. Usually we hike to the active crater of the Lokon and Empung twin volcano system, which is a relatively easy hike of less than an hour from the head of the trail to the crater's edge. But this time we decided to hike to the summit of Lokon (thank you Jade and Alfi for taking us).
Starting at 01:30h in the morning we hiked to the top at 1.580m above sea level in three and a half hours, overcoming 625m in height difference and a distance of 3,4km. Although we walked in the dark, the first part of the hike was on familiar terrain; passing the farm lands at the start of the trail, through the dry riverbed and over the rocky slopes towards the active crater in the saddle between Lokon and Empung. From there we continued our hiked along the edge of the crater, ever higher up the slope of Lokon itself towards the top. For the first hour, the track of the main ascent led us through a terrain strewn with gravel and small rocks. This was tiring due to the steep incline, but it was still fairly easy going. The second part was much more difficult. Here the track cuts through the dense elephant grass that covers the highest parts of Lokon. It is muddy and very steep and some sections we were only able to pass with great difficulty by pulling ourselves up using the stems of the sharp grass.
Exhausted but with a great sense of achievement we finally reached the top. Just in time to see a beautiful sunrise together with several local youths, many of whom incredibly managed to reach the peak on their slippers and flipflops! Although it was cloudy, we had some magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes, making the challenging and exhausting hike well worth our while.
Hiking to the top of Lokon is certainly not suitable for everyone. I would give it a three and a half, or perhaps four out of five star difficulty level. But i
Camping in the great outdoors far from the hustle and bustle of cities and towns, hiking through pristine forests and climbing the slopes of Anak Soputan, or little Soputan, is an amazing adventure. 🏕️🥾🌋
Hiking up the volcano is great during nice weather, but the cold weather, clouds and wind we experienced this time did not detract from our adventure but made it more epic, added to the mystery and made the achievement of climbing all the way to the top that much greater.
If you like to join Insulinde Tours Manado on a hiking and camping trip to the Soputan volcano don't hesitate to send us a message. It is a great way to experience the natural wonders of North Sulawesi and we're sure you'll love it!
Join us and visit Tangkoko. The Tangkoko Nature Reserve will introduce you to the unique nature of North Sulawesi. Come face to face with the always playful but critically endangered black crested macaques. Discover the hand-sized tarsiers, one of the world's smallest primates. Look for the marsupials, the cuscuses, that live high in the trees. And spot the colorful kingfishers, the great hornbills and many other special birds during a walk through the tropical forest. A walk through Tangkoko is perfect for anyone interested in the truly unique nature and enormous biodiversity of Sulawesi and is suitable for basically everyone. For more information about how to discover the awesome nature of Tangkoko, leave a message or comment here or contact Insulinde Tours Manado.
Volcano Adventure: Hike to Soputan Viewpoint
🥾 Hiking to Soputan Viewpoint is a unique activity. Soputan is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes and a popular destination for adventure travelers.
We took our guest on a hike to the Soputan viewpoint. After picking up our guest, we started the walk from Pinawetgan around ten o'clock. After an hour of walking we reached the registration post. You register your name so that in the event of an emergency, it is known that you are on the mountain.
We then moved further into the terrain, towards the camping site. This is an open space in a pine forest, without facilities, where you can pitch your tent. This time we chose to continue to the viewpoint, where we were rewarded with spectacular views of Anak Soputan and the imposing Soputan itself.
Anak Soputan, the "little Soputan", can also be climbed, but there was no time for that. The hike to the top takes another two hours.
Around three in the afternoon we started the return journey, which brought us back to the car three hours later.
This hike is an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves adventure and wants to admire the beauty of nature.
Extra information:
- The hike to the Soputan viewpoint takes about 8 hours in total (round trip).
- It is important to wear good shoes and bring enough water.
- The climb to Anak Soputan and back can be done in a day, but is only recommended for experienced hikers. In general, it is better to camp overnight if you want to climb Anak Soputan. On the first day you climb to the camping site and possibly the viewpoint. The next morning you will start the trek to Anak Soputan before sunrise and return to the camping site at the end of the morning. You will be back down the mountain at the end of the afternoon.
Tips:
- Bring a raincoat as the weather in the mountains can change quickly.
- Make sure you have enough food and drinks with you.
- Be informed about the safety regulations for climbing volcanoes. We do not
Impression of Cap Go Meh in Manado. With the Cap Go Meh parade the festivities surrounding the celebrations of the Chinese New Year that started two weeks before, come to a close. As a sign of tolerance, representatives of the other religions and kabasaran dancers who embody the local culture opened the parade. Of course there were barongsai and dragon dance groups, and richly decorated pageant wagons. The parade closed with the different houses of the Gods that were carried in procession accompanied by priests that were deep in trance.
Cap Go Meh 2024 was a big success with a parade that seems to get longer every year and thousands of people along the route. If you're ever in Manado around Chinese New Year it's highly recommended to watch the parade.
We're waiting for the start of the Cap Go Meh parade in the Chinese quarter in Manado. If you're near, come have a look. It's a real experience.
A gorgeous view over the Tondano lake, which lies at the bottom of a supervolcano at sunset. The hills and mountains on the horizon form the crater's edge. There are a lot of fun, interesting and remarkable things to see around the lake and there are many eateries. Touring around the lake is well worth your while. For bookings and additional information please contact Insulinde Tours Manado WhatsApp +62 82196658636.
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Nasi kuning, yellow rice cooked with santen, kunjit, lemon grass and other ingredients and folded in a leaf with noodles, tuna floss, sambal, a boiled egg and something crunchy is one of the favorite breakfast dishes here. Usually we buy it at our local market. There the ladies wrap it in paper, but traditionally it's wrapped in woka leaf, the leaf of a type of palm. It's delicious and filling, so you're good to go for the whole day. Try it when you're here. It's highly recommended!
