Moluccas & Sumbawa: Giants of Fire

Arrival at Manado Airport, where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Early morning transfer to Manado Airport for your flight to Halmahera Island.

Upon arrival in Kao, you’ll be transferred to the coastal town of Tobelo, located in the north of the island.

Free afternoon to unwind and explore: visit the local market or enjoy optional snorkeling or canoeing along the pristine white-sand beaches of Luari, Kupa Kupa, or Kumo, all known for their crystal-clear, calm waters.

Morning transfer to the village of Ruko, where you’ll hop aboard a three-wheeled motorbike ride through coconut plantations to reach the base of Mount Dukono.

Your trek begins at Pos 2 (370 m), following a steady ascent toward the outer crater rim (3.5 km). Along the way, you’ll cross several small streams and ravines — especially around 647 m and 795 m — which may carry water during the wet season.

At around 500 m, you enter forest terrain, followed by dense high-altitude grasslands at approximately 800 m, a clear transition toward the barren volcanic summit.

From 838 m onward, sweeping views open over Mount Mamuya (933 m) and the coastline near Tobelo.

You eventually reach the outer crater rim (940 m). To your left stands the volcanic monitoring equipment installed on Mount Dilekene.

Ahead lies a vast black volcanic sand plain, reminiscent of a miniature version of Bromo’s “Sea of Sand.” This area, known as Tanah Lapang, offers your first dramatic view of Dukono’s active crater, with ash plumes rising and deep rumbling echoing from within.

You continue for another kilometer (approx. 1–1.5 hours depending on ash conditions) to reach the active crater rim itself.

The surrounding landscape is surreal, ancient lava flows alternate between jagged and smooth formations, often buried under deep ash layers.

You set up your bivouac at the अंतिम Pos (946 m), perched above the الرمال plain, a prime location to witness, after dark, the spectacular bursts of lava and glowing ejecta داخل the crater.

Trek: 2–3 hours

Elevation gain: +575 m

Before dawn, you resume your ascent toward the summit.

As you climb, views expand over Mount Gogodom (1,102 m) and Mount Bale-Bale (923 m), along with offshore islands near Tobelo, and, on clear days, the distant silhouette of Morotai Island.

You reach the rim of Dukono’s crater at approximately 1,150 m.

Nearly circular and funnel-shaped, the crater spans about 400 m in diameter and 200 m in depth (approximate). With extreme caution, you may approach the edge to peer inside: the vent roars violently, ejecting massive ash clouds in a raw and powerful display.

Every minute or so, towering ash plumes rise up to 500 m above the rim before drifting away with the wind. The visual spectacle is followed seconds later by the deep आवाज of the vent.

Reaching the highest ridge point is strongly discouraged due to safety risks.

After about one hour of observation, you descend back to camp, then continue down to Ruko village, where your vehicle awaits for the return to Tobelo.

Trek: 5–6 hours

Elevation gain: +200 m

Elevation loss: -780 m

Morning transfer to Tobelo harbor, followed by a boat journey to Kumo Island, an ideal snorkeling spot.

Continue cruising toward Kakara and Pawole islands, untouched tropical gems with powdery white beaches.

Enjoy a spectacular sunset before returning to Tobelo in the evening.

Morning transfer to the small village of Duono, where you settle in for the night in preparation for the next day’s ascent of Mount Ibu.

Early departure for your trek toward the summit of Mount Ibu.

The trail begins with a relatively flat section through coconut plantations, dotted with simple wooden shelters. The first two kilometers can often be covered by motorbike, up to around 200 m elevation.

You then pass through nutmeg and clove plantations before entering forest terrain at approximately 600 m.

After 2–3 hours of trekking, you reach a rustic wooden shelter known as Pos 1 (675 m), once used by wild boar hunters, a perfect rest stop.

The trail then descends into a ravine (655 m) filled with black sand and rocks, where water may be found after rainfall.

Depending on volcanic activity and wind direction, this is often where you first hear the rockfalls and deep rumbling from the summit, an intense and unforgettable experience, especially at night.

The path follows the ravine briefly before crossing into denser forest (673 m), then opens onto small grassy clearings known as Pos 2 (780 m). The volcanic monitoring station lies nearby at around 800 m.

You establish your bivouac here, preparing for the summit push the following day.

Trek: 4 hours

Elevation gain: +670 m

Around 3:00 a.m., you set off once again, ascending toward the summit of Mount Ibu.

The trail emerges along the western edge of the crater at approximately 1,250 meters, revealing breathtaking views over the entire विशाल crater, whose floor is almost entirely blanketed in black volcanic الصخور.

You then follow the ridgeline to reach a spectacular viewpoint (1,315 m), offering, in clear conditions, sweeping panoramas over the west coast and the distant Gamkonora volcano to the south. An old sign reads “Gunung Tabaru, 1,325 m”, although both the name and exact elevation remain debated.

The show is nothing short of mesmerizing: the dominant active cone regularly releases massive plumes of smoke roughly every 15 minutes, each accompanied by a powerful “whoosh” echoing through the crater.

Ash deposits blanket the surrounding forest, and in the darkness, each eruption lights up the sky with an intense orange glow, an unforgettable spectacle.

The outer crater rim features two high points, one to the west (likely the true summit), and another to the east. No established trail leads to the summit, and trekkers typically stop at this viewpoint. If access were possible, the final ascent would take no more than 20 minutes, though opening a route would require significant effort.

Late morning, return to camp before descending to the base of the volcano. Along the way, there is an opportunity to cool off beside refreshing waterfalls before continuing your journey to Jailolo in the afternoon.

Note: an additional night at the crater rim may be arranged in case of unfavorable weather conditions.

Trek: 6–7 hours

Elevation gain: +550 m

Elevation loss: -1,220 m

If you spend only one night at the crater of Mount Ibu, you will head toward the port of Jailolo and board a traditional boat bound for Babua Island.

Here, you can unwind in a true tropical haven or enjoy snorkeling in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.

Return to your hotel after sunset.

Transfer to Jailolo harbor and board a speedboat to Ternate.

In the afternoon, enjoy a first exploration of the city, including a visit to the former Sultan’s palace, now converted into a museum.

Ternate holds a key place in history as one of the first regions in the Moluccas to embrace Islam, with the conversion of its ruler around 1495 under the influence of the Muslim principality of Gresik (Java), who then took the name Zain al-'Abidin (1486–1500).

Early morning transfer to Ternate Airport for your flight to Sumbawa via Makassar.

Upon arrival in Bima, capital of eastern Sumbawa, transfer to the village of Sangiang to await your boat to Sangeang Api Island.

Boarding is an adventure in itself , wading knee-deep through the sea before climbing aboard. Your luggage is carefully handled by porters and protected from splashes depending on sea conditions.

After approximately two hours at sea, you land on the black-sand shores of Sangeang Api.

Dinner is served while your support team sets up camp for the night.

At first light, you begin the ascent of Sangeang Api, accompanied by your porters who carry essential supplies, especially drinking water, as the island has no natural sources.

Depending on your pace, you reach the saddle between the two peaks by mid or late afternoon, just in time to witness a dramatic volcanic sunset.

Nighttime observation of volcanic activity may be possible, offering an even more intense and immersive experience.

Trek: 8–10 hours

The day is dedicated to observing the activity of Sangeang Api and exploring the saddle area.

Weather permitting, you may attempt the ascent of an inactive cone, offering outstanding views over the active summit.

Lower sections of recent lava flows are often visible in the early hours before the mist clears, particularly by moving eastward along the ridge and looking down toward the coast.

Approaching the active crater can be dangerous, strict adherence to your guide’s safety instructions is essential at all times.

In the evening, if conditions allow, enjoy nighttime observation of glowing lava projections, a truly mesmerizing natural spectacle.

In the morning, break camp and descend back to the الساحل, where a boat awaits to return you to Sumbawa.

If sea conditions permit, you will circumnavigate the entire island of Sangeang Api, a unique opportunity to observe the impressive pyroclastic deposits left behind by the 2014 eruption.

Morning visit to the Bima History Museum, followed by a flight to Bali.

Upon arrival in Denpasar, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.

Transfers: approx. 1h30