Mount Merbabu

Merbabu reaches 3,145 metres and is dormant, standing immediately north of Merapi with the village of Selo in the saddle between them, and it is a national park. What distinguishes the climb is the terrain above the tree line: the upper mountain is open savanna grassland rather than forest or scree, rolling ridge after ridge, which makes it one of the more scenic walks in Java and one of the most photographed. From the ridges and the summit, Merapi stands directly opposite, close enough to see its crater venting - a dormant mountain looking straight at an active one, which is the reason many people climb it. Camping on the savanna is standard. The grass burns readily and the park closes for fire risk in dry spells; there is no water on the routes.

What you actually see

• Open savanna ridges - grassland above the tree line, rolling to the summit.
• Merapi directly opposite - the active volcano seen venting from the ridges.
• Camping on the grass - the standard arrangement for sunrise.
• A dormant 3,145-metre peak - the northern half of the Merapi-Merbabu pair.

When to go

May to September; overnight for sunrise. Two days.

Honest expectations

There is no water on the routes - carry everything. The park closes on fire risk in dry spells. It is very cold and exposed on the ridges at night. Registration is compulsory.

Nearby

Merapi is directly south across the Selo saddle; Salatiga is north-east.