Kerinci Seblat National Park

The heart of Sumatra's World Heritage rainforest, where you can climb Mount Kerinci, Indonesia's highest volcano, stroll the Kayu Aro tea plantations and see the crater lake of Gunung Tujuh.

Kerinci Seblat National Park lies in central-western Sumatra, spanning the four provinces of Jambi, West Sumatra, Bengkulu and South Sumatra. Covering about 13,800 km², it is Sumatra's largest national park and, together with Gunung Leuser and Bukit Barisan Selatan, makes up the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visitors base themselves in the Kerinci highland valley in western Jambi: Kerinci Regency and the city of Sungai Penuh sit in a basin at about 800 m, ringed by the rainforest of the Barisan Mountains. In the north, Kersik Tuo is the starting point for climbing Mount Kerinci (3,805 m), Indonesia's highest volcano, with the Kayu Aro tea plantations, Lake Gunung Tujuh, the Bento wetlands and Telun Berasap waterfall nearby; in the centre, Sungai Penuh has an old wooden mosque and the Semurup hot springs; in the south are Lake Kerinci, the Bukit Khayangan viewpoint, and hidden rainforest gems around Lempur such as Lake Kaco and Lake Lingkat. The park is also home to the Sumatran tiger, Malayan tapir, hornbills and Rafflesia, though wildlife sightings are rare. The climate is cool and rainy; Jun–Sep is the relatively dry season and the best time for climbing and trekking, while in the rainy season mountain trails turn muddy and the volcano may close temporarily due to volcanic activity. Getting there: fly from Jakarta to Depati Parbo Airport near Sungai Penuh (flights are few and schedules often change), or fly to Padang and drive about 7–8 hours, or drive about 9–10 hours from Jambi city. Plan to stay 3–5 days: 1 day for the tea plantations and waterfalls, 2 days for the climb, 1 day for Lake Gunung Tujuh, and 1 day for Lake Kerinci and town. Entry to the national park requires a ticket, and climbing Mount Kerinci requires a licensed guide; at high altitude night temperatures can drop to around 0°C, so bring warm clothing and rain gear.

Top sights

• Mount Kerinci – At 3,805 metres, Indonesia's highest volcano and the highest in Southeast Asia. From the summit you can watch the sunrise over the crater a…
• Lake Gunung Tujuh – A crater lake at about 1,950 metres, surrounded by seven peaks. It is one of the highest crater lakes in Southeast Asia.
• Kayu Aro Tea Plantation – A highland tea plantation established by the Dutch in 1925, said to be one of the largest single tea estates in the world. Mount Kerinci fo…
• Lake Kerinci – One of the higher large lakes in Sumatra, where fishing villages, rice fields and mountains frame the shore, with boat trips available on t…
• Bukit Khayangan – A viewpoint at about 1,500 meters known as the 'Land Above the Clouds,' overlooking Lake Kerinci and the entire Kerinci valley.
• Telun Berasap Waterfall – A roughly 50-meter 'smoking waterfall' whose spray billows like smoke, beside the road to Danau Tujuh.
• Lake Kaco – A small blue lake hidden deep in the rainforest, its water clear as glass with fish visible below. Reaching it takes several hours on foot.
• Rawa Bento – The highest wetland in Sumatra at 1,333 meters, where meadows, waterways and the reflections of Kerinci's mountains come together.
• Semurup Hot Springs – A volcanic hot spring whose spring pool reaches about 85°C, where locals boil eggs and bathing pools sit alongside.
• Pondok Tinggi Great Mosque – A wooden mosque with three tiered roofs completed in 1874, built without a single iron nail, and a cultural landmark of Kerinci.
• Masjid Keramat Koto Tuo (Pulau Tengah) – An old wooden mosque in the village of Pulau Tengah on the shore of Lake Kerinci, with well-preserved tiered roofs and carved pillars.
• Aroma Pecco – A small lake turned leisure park in the Kayu Aro tea estate, with wooden walkways, pavilions and a volcanic backdrop, ideal for photos and…
• Lake Lingkat – A rainforest lake beside Lempur village where you can ride a bamboo raft across the water, and at dusk you may hear siamangs calling.

Where to eat

• Tuah Sepakat Dendeng Batokok – Three-generation dendeng batokok eatery in Sungai Penuh, famous for pounded beef jerky served with red chilli sauce, a…
• Semurup Soto – Soup stall in Semurup Market, run for decades, using crispy beef jerky in place of boiled beef, with a clear golden bro…

Itineraries

• Mount Kerinci Summit & Lake Gunung Tujuh Trek – In and out of Padang, acclimatize at Lake Gunung Tujuh first, then summit Indonesia's highest volcano, followed by tea…