Mount Kaba (Bukit Kaba)

1,952 m (6,404 ft)

There are 3 ways to get to the crater rim of Mount Kaba:

You can hike up a gravel track which takes about 2-3 hours one way, and about 4-5 hours in total. 

You can ride a scooter to the top along the gravel track, which takes about 30 minutes.

Lastly, you can take the jungle route which takes about 1.5-3 hours to the top, and about 4 hours in total.

The climb up Mount Kaba is considered one of the easiest climbs in Indonesia, especially if you are walking up the gravel path. 

The gravel path is easy to follow, eventually coming to an old parking lot of sorts. From here you’ll need to climb 200 stone steps to reach the top. The steps take about 5 minutes. 

Mount Kaba is an active volcano so you will see steaming fumaroles spewing out gasses from yellow and grey stone and smell the scent of sulphur near the top and at the crater rim. There is also a short crumbly stone wall along the edge of the crater rim.

The jungle route is shorter but steeper and narrower. It starts off in a plantation forest, eventually taking you through dense natural jungle. This trail can be slippery and dangerous when wet, so take care, especially on the way down. Look out for loose stones underfoot. 

You also have the option of doing a crater rim trek once you get to the top which takes about 2 hours.  

At the crater rim, you are rewarded with the beautiful scenery of the surrounding craters, cliffs and hills. Many choose to hike or drive up to view the magnificent sunrise.

In this region, it is hot for most of the year. Temperatures generally range between 23°C and 31°C (73°F and 88°F). The year-round average temperature is about 27°C (81°F).

The best time to hike Mount Kaba is between June and September, the dry season. The weather in this period tends to be cooler, with lower humidity and of course, less rain. 

The monsoon season is between October and February. Do not attempt the jungle route in this period as it will be slippery and dangerous.

You won’t need any technical equipment for this hike. Some useful items to take are comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat. 

You may also want to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt to protect from scratches, as the paths are quite narrow.

There are no special facilities up this trail, but since it is only a few hours to the top when hiking and 30 minutes when riding a scooter, there shouldn’t be a need for any. 

If you intend to hike along the crater rim, make sure to take enough water. 

Hikers can camp near the summit if desired.

The gravel path is well-worn. You will not need a guide for this route. For the jungle route, a guide may be wise for those who are not experienced as one could get lost in the jungle. However, a guide is not required. 

Guides can be hired from the entrance station at the starting point of the trek.

Mount Kaba is located in Indonesia near the southwestern coast of Sumatra. It takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour to drive the 19 km/12 mi from Curup City, the nearest town, to Mount Kaba, and about 3 hours from Bengkulu, the province’s capital. 

To get there one can get a flight first via Jakarta and then on to Bengkulu. From Bengkulu, you’ll need to either hire a vehicle or catch a bus to get to the starting point. Busses only take you along the main road, so to get to the entrance station you’ll need to catch an ojek (motorcycle taxi) or walk the remaining 6 km (4 mi) to the entrance station.

There is little risk of injury here. Take care not to hike after rain or during monsoon season. It is better to go in a group when taking the jungle route as a precaution.