East Java Tourism News

RAFTING ON THE SLOPE OF MOUNT SEMERU

November 2nd, 2006

The rubber boat navigator should be very careful so that they are not heavily thrown to the rocky cliff of the river. Of course it is very risky if the boat crew do not wear special outfit.

Adventurous tourists who come to see Mount Semeru will not only admire and enjoy the grandeur of Mount Semeru, the highest one in Java, but can also test their skill in rafting.

On the slope of Mount Semeru it has been pioneered to pave a path for rafting along Ireng-Ireng river, whose spring is on the slope of the mountain. Its water is clear, its location is challenging, and its surroundings are still untouched by human, which makes it excellent for adventure.

To prepare the river for white water sports especially rafting, the big boulders that bar rafting have been moved aside. The people living near the river help to clear away the stones so that the rubber boats can sail the swift current of the river freely.

It is estimated that this new tourist attraction can attract tourists to come to East Java. It is included in one tourist travel package with other tourist attractions in Malang, Surabaya, Bromo, Ranupani, and Senduro. These tourist attractions are marketed through travel bureau agencies, hotels, and other tourism network in East Java.

Punan Adventure from Malang conducted a survey on the location. His team concluded that the condition of Ireng-Ireng river is an ideal place for rafting. He is of the opinion that it is not less excellent than one in Bali.

The length of the river which is suitable for rafting is about fifteen kilometres from Pagowan to Sentul village. After the tourists land on the finish point, they are taken to Selokambang swimming pool. It takes them from one and a half to two hours to cover the distance from Pagowan to Sentul by rafting. The tourists can enjoy the young coconut milk there, and agung banana chips or just bananas.

The location of Ireng-Ireng river rafting place which is about fifteen kilometres long has much variety. Two kilometres from Pagowan to the west there is a very steep gradient. Five kilometres from Pagowan there is a sharp curve and a deep whirlpool. The rubber boat navigator should be very careful so that they are not heavily thrown to the rocky cliff of the river. Of course it is very risky if the boat crew do not wear special outfit.

There are some eerie spots on the way, especially when the rafters have to pass the “virgin” spots where there are many bamboos that might hurt them, especially during the rainy season when the current is very swift.

Rafting down the river needs exact and skillful maneuvers. In some spots it is good for jumping. There is no very wavy current but in some sports they have to pass through very narrow fissures.

The echo of thundering waves of the river is very amusing. Along the Ireng-Ireng river there are many boulders from Mount Semeru that make the tourist rafters extra careful. If they are careless, their boat may be flung onto the boulders eventhough many boulders have been put aside.

The tourists who want to participate in rafting, have to bring along their outfit and other facilities, such as rubber boat, and some first aids medicine.

There are many facilities available to the tourists who visit the area. If they want to stay in Senduro district, they may stay in Sri Rejeki hotel. It is a hotel which is situated close to Pure Mandharagiri Semeru Agung, the largest pure (the Balinese House of Worship) in Asia.

If the tourists want to spend the night at Lumajang town, there are even more hotels for their choice. In Ranupani, some homestays and even the homes of the villagers are available for the tourists to stay in. If the tourists who want to go to the Ireng-Ireng river rafting place are from Surabaya, they may use their own vehicles or take a bus. When they arrive at Minak Koncar bus station of Lumajang, they may continue riding the bus to the middle of the town. From there they take a cab to Senduro, which is fifteen kilometres from Lumajang town. When they come to Sari Kemuning village they have to ride on rented motorcycles to the start point of rafting.

If the tourists are from Malang, they have to pass Tumpang district to Ranupani and then to Gubuk Klakah. From there they have to take an old Landrover to Senduro. On the way they can take another package tour to Ranupani, Ranu Regulo, and Ranu Kumbolo at the foot of Mount Semeru.

Lumajang regency administration provide tourists with various tourist attractions such as Selokambang Swimming pool, Tetes Cave (Pronojiwo), Piket No, i.e. to see the South sea and Mount Semeru crater from the top of Mount Bintang, which is now developing its agrobusiness tourism such as Gucialit tea plantation, and sugar cane plantation which is owned by PG Jatiroto.

source : www.petra.ac.d

Entry Filed under: East Java News