The name Mount Tambora is infamous for its devastating eruption back in the early 19th century. The explosion was so big and the materials thrown into the atmosphere was so overwhelming it change the worldwide climate. And yet, this volcano is still attracting more and more people to come and visit it.
For mountaineers, Tambora is an attractive challenge with a wonderful prize. The hike to the top is long but not overly harsh. The panorama along the way, though, that’s a great bonus apart from achieving the usual prize of reaching the top of the mountain. Here is what you need to know about Mount Tambora.
Location
Generally speaking, Tambora is located on the northern part of Sumbawa Island. Administratively, this magnificent volcano is located on two regencies; Bima and Dompu. The north and eastern part of the mountain is in Bima while the rest are in Dompu. The whole area of the mountain is under the management of Mount Tambora National Park.
Ascent points
There are five popular ascent points to go to the top of the volcano. The most popular one is at Pancasila Village in Dompu Regency. Another ascent point in Dompu is Doro Ncanga.
Bima Regency has three ascent points; Piong Village, Kawinda To’i, and Doropeti. The ticket to climb Mount Tambora is IDR5000 for domestic tourists and IDR150,000 for foreign tourists.
If you want a relatively quick trip to the top of the mountain, you probably should go to Piong and Doro Ncanga as the management provide jeep and trail service that can take you to post five. It means that you only need about one and a half hour’s climb to reach the top of the mountain, essentially cut 21 kilometers off of your route.
The Caldera
Tambora has a huge caldera with a diameter of seven kilometers with an elevation of 2851 meters above sea level. Each ascent point will get you to the different part of the rim but with a similarly amazing view. From the rim, you can see a small crater lake surrounded by a sea of sand. You cannot go into the crater as it is very dangerous.
Nearby Attractions
You can find many wonderful spots near the ascent points of Tambora. In Kawinda To’i, for example, you can find Oi Marai waterfalls. In Piong, you can try riding on horseback. Doro Ncanga is the most panoramic as it has beautiful savannah and also a sanctuary for deer. If you have lots of time, there are many beautiful spots near Tambora.
Mount Tambora National Park is a protected area, but the management also tries to maximize the revenue from the tourism sector. This volcano has huge tourism potential as it is not only attractive for mountaineers, but also for general tourists and geology lovers.
