Caving and Tubing on Underground Rivers of Bejiharjo, Jogja

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The Village of Bejiharjo, Karangmojo District, Gunungkidul Regency rose to fame in the beginning of the decade. The success of Goa Pindul as the new favorite tourist destination in Jogja. Soon after, several other caves and rivers in the village were established as tourist attractions, most of them are also successful.

Tubing in Pindul Cave. via Instagram/
Tubing in Pindul Cave. via Instagram/troopscitytour

Dewa Bejo, the portmanteau of Desa Wisata Bejiharjo (Bejiharho Tourims Village) is now an important player in the Jogjakarta’s tourism. Today, the village attracts hundreds of thousand people annually. So, let’s check out what is actually so attractive in this village.

Tubing at Pindul Cave

tourists enjoy the beauty of the pindul cave in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta using buoys from car tires (c) Shutterstock
tourists enjoy the beauty of the pindul cave in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta using buoys from car tires (c) Shutterstock

Pindul Cave is 350 meters long with width up to 5 meters and 4 meters high. The cave has three zones; Light zone, Twilight zone, and dark zone. With a fee of IDR50,000, tourist will get safety gear like tube, life jacket, shoes, and helmet.

The tourist navigate through the cave on an inflated inner tube of a truck tire; thus the name tubing. It’s completely safe even in dark zone as the guides will steer them away from any possible danger. There is a stalactite that has merged with the stalagmite and form a huge pillar.

tourists enjoy the beauty of the pindul cave in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta using buoys from car tires. (c) Shutterstock
tourists enjoy the beauty of the pindul cave in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta using buoys from car tires. (c) Shutterstock

Midway in the tour, the tourist can see a big hole on the roof of the cave. It creates a grand view, especially after going through dark zone and locals call it an upside down well. The tour resumes and finish after tourists gone through a small opening and arrive at a deep pond.

Tubing at Oyo River

River Tubing Sungai Oya,unique scenic rafting gorge in Gunungkidul, natural province near Jogjakarta, Indonesia (c) Shutterstock
River Tubing Sungai Oya,unique scenic rafting gorge in Gunungkidul, natural province near Jogjakarta, Indonesia (c) Shutterstock

After Pindul Cave, the nearby Oyo River offer a relaxing tubing experience. With a slow current, going through the stream is extremely relaxing, you can even get out of the tube and enjoy free swimming in the river. At one point, you can even get up on a cliff and free dive from a height. Otherwise, you can just lay your back on the tube, enjoy the grand scenery, and let the river take you to the final post.

The mystic Goa Gelatik

Gelatik Cave, Jogjakarta. via Instagram/
Gelatik Cave, Jogjakarta. via Instagram/lakubecik

Still in the area near Goa Pindul, there is another cave; Goa Gelatik. Gelatik is akind of Javanese Padda. In the old times, Gelatik Cave was often used as a meditation site for mystical reason. That’s why many locals considered this cave as somewhat scary and haunted. However, the stigma fade away when tourism activity is conducted professionally there. You explore this cave with the help of a guide.

Pindul Offroad Experience

Jeep of Pindul or Merapi Lava Tour adventure - one good recreation for family or group of tour in Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta. Off road with Jeep (c) Shutterstock
Jeep of Pindul or Merapi Lava Tour adventure – one good recreation for family or group of tour in Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta. Off road with Jeep (c) Shutterstock

On the surface, adventure option offered in Pindul is going through extreme trek with an offroad car. You will be taken to several beautiful spots, through muds, fields, puddles, creeks, and bluffs. You will rest a bit in a eucalyptus forest, then continues to brave a river that is half the car’s deep.

Caveboating at Goa Tanding

Tanding Cave, Jogjakarta

When Mbah Harto Tanding dag a hole in his backyard to make a well, little did he knew that he was about to find an underground cave, complete with an underground river or lake. The cave was named after him and now it has become an interesting tourist attraction. To explore the cave system you will need an inflatable raft that can support six people. There are many chambers and lots of interesting stalactites.

Aerial view of Jeep Pindul or Merapi Lava Tour adventure - one good recreation for family or group of tour in Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta. Off road with Jeep (c) Shutterstock
Aerial view of Jeep Pindul or Merapi Lava Tour adventure – one good recreation for family or group of tour in Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta. Off road with Jeep (c) Shutterstock

Al in all Dewa Bejo do offer so much you probably need at least two days to enjoy all of the attractions here. That shouldn’t be a problem since there are homestays in this village. One noticeable upside is that the service people here are very friendly and so eager to help.

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bejiharjo goa gelatik goa pindul goa tanding Jogjakarta sungai oya
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