TAMAN NASIONAL
BROMO-TENGGER-SEMERU
Geographical location : 112°47-113°10 E ; 7°51-8°11 S
Administrative location : Provinsi Jawa Timur (Kabupaten Malang,
Kabupaten Pasuruan, Kabupaten Probolinggo and Kabupaten Lumajang)
Area : 50,276 hectares
Temperature : 3° - 20° C
Rainfall : 3,000 mm/year (average)
Altitude : 750 – 3,676 masl
Best time to visit : March – December
(Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park) has sub-montana, montana and
sub-alpine ecosystem types, with so many magnificent big and old trees including
jamuju (Podocarpus imbricatus), cemara gunung (Casuarina sp.). Edelweiss
(Anaphalis javanica), various species of orchid, and rare species of grass
(Styphelia pungieus) colouring this park uniquely.
It is home for 137 species of bird, 22 species of mammal, and four
species of reptile. Some of the endangered and protected animal species
inhabiting the park are; marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), deer (Cervus
timorensis russa), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), barking deer
(Muntiacus muntjak muntjak), red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), panther (Panthera
pardus), Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus) and various species of bird
such as the besra sparrow hawk (Accipiter virgatus virgatus), crested serpent
eagle (Spilornis cheela bido), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros silvestris),
black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) and ducks which
live in and around Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo and Ranu Kombolo Lakes.
Amazingly this park own the biggest 'sea of sand' in Indonesia uniquely
feature which covers total area of 5,250 hectares and lays at the altitude 2,100
masl.Deeper beneath the ‘sea of sand’ - seven eruption centres have been found
along two intersecting lines, one from east to west and the other from
northeast to southwest. This northeast-southwest line emerged the stunning Gunung
Bromo - that has diameter of about 600-800 meters.
Tenggerese people who live around the park are indigenous to the area
and adhere to ancient Hindu beliefs that well passed from generations to generations
since the exile of the worldwide well-known Majapahit kingdom.
Despite being aware of the potential dangers of Gunung Bromo, "Upacara
Kasodo" (Kasodo Ceremony) is held every year (December/January) at the
full moon to invoke the blessings of deities to ensure an abundant harvest, to
be spared from calamity and to be cured of various diseases. During the
procession – some people sometimes (to earn such blessings) descend the crater wall
just to catch somebody else offerings which thrown into the crater.
Interesting locations/attractions :
Cemoro Lawang village : one of the park entrance gates that closest to
the ‘sea of sand’, magnificent Gunung Bromo and uniquely scratched Gunung
Batok. This village provides numerous accommodation types and also a starting
point for most activities.
Sea of Sand and Gunung Bromo : horse riding, climbing Gunung Bromo and
witnessing the holly Hindu temple in the middle of the ‘sea of sand’.
Gunung Pananjakan : witnessing magnificent sunrise over the park and
viewing panorama of this famous national park including Gunung Bromo, Gunung
Batok, Gunung Kursi, Gunung Ayek-Ayek, Gunung Kepolo and of course the
magnificent towering Gunung Semeru as the highest mountain on the island.
Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo and Ranu Kumbolo are the three beautiful morning
misty lakes along the challenging trail to Gunung Semeru (3,676 masl).
Ranu Darungan : camping and observing animals and plants with
incredible views.