Dieng is a popular tourist attraction in Central Java. It is inarguably the perfect choice for those who love mountainous ambience. In order to enjoy the beauty of Dieng maximally, time is one of the secrets. Let’s see the best time to visit Dieng ..!
1. Dry Season
The dry season, which usually runs from May to October, is the best time to visit Dieng. You can take a walk to enjoy the beauty of Dieng from morning to night without worrying about disturbance from the sky. Thus you are easier to arrange an itinerary to spend your vacation.
During the dry season you can witness a unique phenomenon in Dieng. Because in the morning the air is so cold, even up to zero degrees Celsius, you can see the ice crystals-shaped dew that sticks to the leaves. In addition, during the dry season you can see Lake Warna in its best appearance.
2. Rainy Season
If you love the scenery of the land above the clouds, come to Dieng in the rainy season. Usually the rainy season lasts from November to April. In these months you get the best chance to watch the land above the clouds.
Your chances will be even greater if it rains in the night. Most likely the next morning you will find an amazing blanket of clouds that make you think maybe you are setting foot in the seventh heaven. Fog also often appears in the rainy season that brings romantic feelings.
3. Dawn
Dieng has Sikunir Hill which is famous as one of the best spots in Java to witness the beauty of golden sunrise. To prove the point, you must be willing to wake up before the rooster crows. Climbing to Sikunir Hill usually starts at 2 am.
Sikunir Hill has a height of 2,505 meters above sea level. The climbing route to the top of the hill is not difficult, you just need to follow the path that already exists. Climbing to the top of Sikunir Hill takes 45 minutes – 1 hour.
4. Off Season
Although Dieng is a popular tourist attraction, there are only a few nice inns here. The rest are homestays or houses that are rented out to tourists. Hotels are more available in downtown Wonosobo which is about 1 hour drive from Dieng.
During peak season the prices in Dieng, from accommodation to goods, tend to be overpriced. Peak season normally occurs during school holidays, Eid Al-Fitr holidays, Christmas holidays and New Year holidays. Therefore if you want to spend your spare time in Dieng without digging deep into your pocket, come when off season.
5. August
Dieng Culture Festival is a nationwide annual event held in August. The festival is held as a folk feast to enliven the cutting hair of Dieng children who have dreadlocks. These children get their dreadlocks naturally, when they are toddlers. Surprisingly, after being cut their hair will return to normal.
Various activities are held as part of Dieng Culture Festival. Among them are jazz music performances, lantern party, firework shows, art performances and puppet shows. Since it has been famous as one of the best cultural tourism in Indonesia, Dieng Culture Festival is always packed with local and foreign visitors.
After knowing the best time to visit Dieng, find out the best things to do in Dieng. Some are as follows.
1. Visiting Lake Warna
Lake Warna is the icon of Dieng. The lake, which is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, has changing color. The color sometimes is green, another time is yellowish white and occasionally is blue sea.
The most recommended time to visit Lake Warna is in the morning until noon. The admission to Lake Warna is Rp 10,000. Opening hour is 8 am – 5 pm.
2. Visiting Arjuna Temple
Arjuna Temple is one of the buildings in Dieng temple compound. Allegedly Arjuna Temple was built around the 8th century AD during the Sanjaya dynasty.
Arjuna Temple is a place of worship for the God of Shiva, the supreme god in the belief of Hindus who are famous for the Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma). The temple compound is usually used for Galungan ceremony and Dieng Cultural Festival. The admission to Arjuna Temple is Rp 5,000. Opening hour is 8 am – 5 pm. Arjuna Temple is a perfect example of wonderful temples in Indonesia for tourist attraction.
3. Visiting Sikidang Crater
It is said that Sikidang Crater is able to move around. On average, once in 4 years the crater pool will move or as if jumping in one area like a deer (or kidang in Javanese).
In addition, visitors can see hot mud burst and thick white gas billowing in the air. Sikidang crater has high levels of sulfur, therefore the smell of gas is very stinging and poisonous. The admission to Sikidang Crater is Rp 6,000. Opening hour is 8 am – 5 pm. Sikidang Crater is just one of magnificent craters in Indonesia.
4. Visiting Sikunir Hill
Sikunir Hill is one of the famous attractions in Dieng plateau. Lots of visitors come to see the beauty of the golden sunrise from the top of the hill. Sikunir Hill is easy to climb. All you need to do is follow the path.
However, because there is no lighting, visitors must bring their own flashlight. The climbing post opens at 2 am. Climbing to the top of Sikunir Hill takes 45 minutes – 1 hour. The admission to Sikunir Hill is Rp 6,000. Hunting sunrise is also one of great things to do in Mount Merapi.
5. Visiting Dieng Plateau Theater
Dieng Plateau Theater was inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on March 6, 2006. The theater plays an educational movie about Dieng Plateau Area.
The 23-minute film tells the story of the origins of the Dieng Plateau, the social life of the Dieng community, the eruption of Sinila Crater in 1979 that killed hundreds of people, the history of dreadlocks of Dieng children, and the phenomenon of ice dew in the dry season. The admission to Dieng Plateau Theater is Rp 4,000. Opening hour is 7 am – 6 pm.
All right, now you know the best time to visit Dieng and what to do to enjoy its beauty. So what holds your back? Let’s plan your holiday..!