Hop on a midnight drive to hike up to the Dieng Plateau before dawk breaks. Witness a golden sunrise from the top of Sikunir Hill. Visit sparkling turquoise lakes, craters spewing sulfuric gases and some of the oldest Hindu architecture in Indonesia. Enjoy picturesque views of endless rows of rice fields, sweeping vistas and idyllic villages clinging to terraced hillsides. Travel through the scenic mountain villages of the Dieng Plateau and experience an off-the-beaten-path journey.
Our amazing journey to the dieng plateau started off very smoothly. Our driver, Youss, was extremely punctual and was courteous enough to ask if we needed any rest breaks. His driving was exemplary, we felt very safe with him behind the wheel. In addition, Youss was very friendly and hospitable, conversing with us and getting to know us throughout the day. Our first destination was Sukinir hill, where we hiked approximately 25-30 minutes, Youss provided us with flashlights and recommended warm clothing which was very helpful. The sunrise was absolutely phenomenal, we were in awe of its beauty. Youss then took us to Warna Lake, of which the entry fee was included. The viewpoints here were so stunning, and he was very knowledgeable about the area, having grown up in Dieng. He informed us about the local botany told us about Carica and its intricacies which we thought was very fascinating. Afterwards, we stopped for breakfast at a local restaurant recommended by him. The food was very delicious, and Youss was kind enough to translate our order to the staff, going above and beyond, as to help us get a replacement coffee when he saw the distain on our face after sipping the first coffee we were served. Next, we went to a geothermal crater, the smell of sulphur was incredibly strong but regardless we enjoyed the experience. We learnt from Youss, about how the power from the geothermal plant is transported to Bali. This was very interesting to learn. Our final location was Arjuna temple, a stunning Hindu temple that was constructed in the 8th century. Youss told us a bit about the history of the temple, and we were amazed to learn that it was once under water and discovered by the dutch settlers. He was very knowledgeable about the temple and its creators and did his best to explain its rich history. We never felt rushed at any of the destinations, he was very patient and let us take our time and soak in the view. Despite the long journey, he remained energetic and personable the whole time. He took many nice pictures for us, making sure to get all the right angles. He was very accomodating to us and put his all into making sure we had a good time. We absolutely loved this tour, highly recommend taking the plunge. A big Thank you to Youss for making the day something that will stay in our memory forever.
Youss was our guide and we definitely recommend him! He explained details of the region and shared tips and insights on best photo spots. And he helped us take photos too!
Dedicated guide, brought us around the city and took us to his favorite dining spots!
The sights were pleasant but the drive was long. Strongly recommend to stay a night.