Northern Moluccas Climbs of Mts Ibu & Dukono
Two active volcanoes in Halmahera spew their ash plumes in a setting of tropical forest and black sand.
Duration
8 days
From
€525/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple, groupe
The spirit of travel
The North Moluccas were, in the 16th and 17th centuries, the first "spice islands", as they were at that time the only source of supply for cloves. The Dutch, the Portuguese, the Spanish and the sultanates of Ternate & Tidore were indeed competing for control of the very lucrative spice trade.
Apart from spices, the North Moluccas are also known for their volcanoes, including Gamalama, Ibu and Dukono, which are still active. This circuit therefore offers you a skillful blend of cultural discovery (many testimonies of the colonial past of these islands are still visible) and an approach to the two main active volcanoes on the island of Halmahera (Mts Ibu & Dukono), which will infuse your journey with a sense of timelessness, even the discovery of another planet!
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Ternate!
Welcome at Ternate airport by your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.
The afternoon is dedicated to a first discovery of the city. You will visit in particular the former Sultan's palace, transformed into a museum. Ternate was indeed the first region of the Moluccas to become Islamicized with the conversion around 1495, under the influence of the Muslim principality of Gresik in Java, of its sovereign, who takes the name of Zain al-'Abidin (1486-1500).
Ibu Volcano Approach
Early morning transfer by speed-boat to Jailolo port on the island of Halmahera, from which you then head towards the foot of the Ibu volcano.
You then begin an approach hike towards the summit. The trail involves several kilometres of fairly flat walking through vast coconut plantations with many wooden shelters, and it is often possible to take motorcycles for about two kilometres up to an altitude of over 200 metres.
The trail then passes through nutmeg and clove plantations before entering the forest at around 600 metres. A pleasant wooden shelter, known as Pos 1 (675m) is generally reached after about 2-3 hours and is an excellent place to rest for a while. This was once used by wild boar hunters to prepare meat before returning to the villages below. The trail then descends into a ravine (655m) filled with black sand and rocks, and you may find a water source if it has rained recently.
Depending on the volcanic activity and wind direction, it is often here that you will hear stone falls and volcanic activity for the first time. This sound is particularly strange and remarkable at night. The trail follows this ravine for a few hundred metres before crossing to the right side and entering the forest proper (673m). A few small grassy areas soon follow, which guides call Pos 2 (780m). The volcanological sensor station is located on the right at about 800 metres. This is where you will bivouac for the night.
Elevation gain + 670 m
Fireworks
Around 3am, you resume your way towards the summit of the volcano. The trail emerges on the west side of the crater rim at approximately 1250m with spectacular views over the entire crater. Black rocks fill almost the entire crater floor. You then follow the trail as it runs along the ridge before reaching an excellent viewpoint (1,315m) in clear weather, overlooking the west coast and the Gamkonora volcano, to the south. An old sign suggests this is Gunung Tabaru, 1325 m, although the name and altitude are debatable. But the views and sounds are absolutely breathtaking. The active main cone, which now dominates the scene, emits huge plumes of smoke with an immense "whoosh" approximately every 15 minutes, with ash deposited on the surrounding forest.
At night, you can see an incredible and unforgettable orange glow each time this happens. The outer rim of the crater has two high points, one to the west (which is apparently the summit) and a second on the east side. Currently, no hikers go beyond the viewpoint at 1,315 m, as there is no trail. What appears to be the summit is clearly visible and, if there were a trail, it might take only an additional 20 minutes of hiking. But creating a trail to reach this point would probably take half a day!
Elevation gain + 550 m
Elevation loss - 1,220 m
Return to camp at late morning, then to the foot of the volcano, where you have the opportunity to refresh yourself by refreshing waterfalls.
Transfer to Tobelo in the afternoon.
Sea rest
A day of relaxation and discovery: visit the Tobelo market and enjoy snorkeling (or canoeing) on the shores of the white sand beaches of Luari, Kupa Kupa or Kumo, which offer calm and crystal-clear waters.
Transfer in the afternoon to Mamuya, where you have the opportunity to swim in hot springs.
Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.
Dukono Volcano Approach
From Tobelo
Morning transfer to the Ruko village, where you board a three-wheeled motorcycle, which takes you, through coconut plantations towards the foot of Dukono volcano.
You then begin an approach march on its flanks, starting from Pos 2 (370 m). This trekking is a steady climb to the initial crater rim (3.5 kilometres) with the exception of eight small streams/ravines to cross, notably at 647 m and 795 m where, after rain or during the rainy season, it is likely that water will be found.
The forest zone is reached at approximately 500 metres and the dense zone of cane grass omnipresent in the mountains of Halmahera, at the interface between the forest and the bare summit of the mountain, at approximately 800 metres. Views of Mt Mamuya (933 m), the smaller one, and of the coast near Tobelo are possible from around 838 m. Finally, the outer rim (940 m) is reached. On a small hill to the left, you will see volcanic detection equipment. This small summit is Mt Dilekene.
Below, a plain of black volcanic sand resembles a miniature version of Bromo's sand sea. This outer rim is known as Tanah Lapang. Crossing it takes only a few minutes and this is where you get your first view of Dukono's active crater, with its ash plumes and rumbling.
Your walk to the active crater rim is approximately one additional kilometre and lasts between 1 hour and 90 minutes, depending on the amount of ash. On the other side of the Tanah Lapang sand plain lies a vast expanse of old lava flows, jagged in places and smooth in others. When covered with very deep ash, the landscape beneath the active crater is completely surreal.
You establish your bivouac at the last Pos, at 946 m altitude, on the crater side of the sand plain, so that you can observe the fireworks in the active crater at night
Elevation gain + 575 m
Impressive ash plumes
Late in the night, you resume your hike towards the summit of the volcano. The higher you climb, the more refined the view of the peaks of Mt Gogodom (1,102 m) and Mt Bale-Bale (923 m) becomes. You should be able to see the small islands off the coast near Tobelo and perhaps even the large island of Morotai in the distance. Finally, you reach the edge of the Dukono crater, at approximately 1,150 m altitude.
The crater is almost circular and funnel-shaped - approximately 400 m in diameter and 200 m deep (estimate!).
It is possible, with caution, to crawl up to the edge of the crater and look inside - impressive, stunning, frightening, frightening - as the vent roars and emits enormous clouds of ash. With extreme caution, looking over the rim, you can see directly into the chimney from which eruptions emerge from the bowels of the earth. Plumes of ash are emitted every minute or so, rising some 500 m above the rim, before being gently swept in the direction of the wind. The sight of ash clouds emitted by the chimney below precedes the sound of the chimney's rumbling itself (sound travels slower than light). Please also note that it is dangerous and inadvisable to reach the highest point of the ridge.
Elevation gain + 200 m
Elevation loss - 780 m
After approximately one hour of observation, you head back to camp and then descend towards the village of Ruko, where your vehicle awaits you to take you back to Tobelo.
Return to Ternate
Transfer day to Tobelo, then Sofifi, and finally Ternate.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Insurance & Assistance
- Visas & possible airport taxes
- Beverages, Personal Expenses & Tips
- Everything not mentioned in "Inclusions"
Included
- English-speaking guide and team of porters
- Private vehicle transfers with air conditioning
- Full board accommodations
- Site entries, trekking permits & donations
- Camping equipment
- Mineral water and energy supplement during trekking days
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns tourists entering Indonesia. Entry requirements may change, and we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities of your country of residence and with the Indonesian embassy or consulate before your departure.
Passport
To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa exemption for tourist stays in Indonesia. Entry requirements vary by nationality and should be verified with the Indonesian embassy or consulate of your country of residence.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Formalities on arrival
Before your arrival, it is recommended to complete the online arrival declaration via the official Indonesian customs and immigration portal (e-CD, Electronic Customs Declaration).
This form allows you to transmit to the authorities certain information necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight details and itinerary
address of first accommodation in Indonesia
declaration of goods and currency carried
A confirmation QR code may be requested when passing through customs and immigration controls.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Indonesia, except in case of transit through a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case an international vaccination certificate may be required.
As a precaution, it is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are commonly recommended for stays in Indonesia. Antimalarial treatment may also be recommended depending on the regions visited (particularly outside Bali and major cities).
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Entry requirements by nationality
Entry conditions vary depending on nationality. Travelers should consult the Indonesian embassy or consulate of their country of residence for specific requirements.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, find out about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the agreement detailing all coverage and the procedures for filing a claim are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for reporting any claim. The participant must therefore keep this agreement with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
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Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A Visa on Arrival (35 USD) is required upon arrival, valid for an initial stay and extendable once. You can also obtain an e-VOA online before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. Before booking, check the conditions applicable to your nationality with the consular authorities of your destination.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailored trip, plan between 140 and 230 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (700-1100 euros return) are additional. The archipelago allows you to combine beaches, volcanoes, jungle and culture at attractive rates.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each circuit to the travelers' profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you get the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Moluccas
Photographe des volcans et sentiers indonésiens, based in Yogyakarta
Before drawing up an itinerary, you have to observe, walk, listen to the locals and understand the place. Only then can an adventure trip remain authentic.
— Dominic
