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A Superb Nature Conservation
Traveling to East Java will bring you to many unspoiled natural charms. Meru Betiri National Park is located in Pesanggaran District, within the Banyuwangi and Jember Region, East Java Province. It is nature conservation with amazing natural wonders, bound in its 580 km square territory.
Geographically located on 8°21’-8°34’ South Latitude, 113°37’-113°58’ East Longitude, the fertile area has already been protected, since the Dutch Government period of 1931, as a conservation area due to its abundant richness. It is known as the natural habitat of the striped local Java tiger. Today, the Park still conserves rare and endangered wildlife species, such as the amazing Rafflesia zollingeriana flower and the Javanese flying squirrels.
It also has an 8.54 km square of marine area, with pristine beaches in mesmerizing nature, hides away beyond the lush green rainforest of the vast park. Sukamade Beach is the tranquil nesting grounds for endangered turtle species such as leatherback, hawksbill, olive ridley, and green turtles.
Witness the amazing natural events of sea turtles laying their eggs here during night time. Or, participate in escorting baby turtles back to the free ocean after spending some time in the local breeding facility which cares for their early wellbeing.
In Rajegwesi Beach you can swim or observe fishermen traditions. There is also Green Bay, a crystal clear marine tourism where you can enjoy the astonishing turquoise waters.
Meru Betiri National Park is opened for public since 1982, comprising some highlands area with an altitude of almost 1,200 m. Some of the mountains in the areas are Mount Meru (343 m) and Mount Betiri (1,233 m) on the west part, which combined as the name chosen for this National Park.
On the south part, there are Mount Sumbudadung (520 m), Mount Sukamande (363 m), Mount Rajegwesi (181 m) and Mount Benteng (222 m). There are even more mountains inside the expansive conservation area, such as Mount Gamping (538 m), Mount Butak (609 m), Mount Sukamade Atas (801 m), Mount Gendong (840 m) and Mount Mandilis (844 m).
Get There
There are a few routes to get to the Park: Ambulu-Curahnongko-Bandealit for three hours (31 km), Jajag-Sarongan-Sukamade for three hours (60 km), Surabaya-Jember-Ambulu for five hours (225 km) and the Surabaya-Banyuwangi-Jajag with six hours travel time (342 km). Some roads leading near to location maybe bumpy and require an experienced guide with a 4 wheels drive vehicles to maneuver the rough path. Jember – Surabaya
can also be travelled by train or public transports. Public transport varies in form of an ojek motorcycle, a minibus bemo, large busses or a daily truck. If you would prefer extra conveniences, book for a private tour from a trusted travel site to escort you to a hassle free holiday.
Get Around
Most of visitor are here to do jungle trekking or beach walk and therefore prefer to explore the site by foot. Some tours might include trips in a 4 wheels drive to cruise the rivers and jungles of the Park.
There are basic guest house facility inside the park. For further information of price, service and availability prior to your arrival, you can contact them by e-mail. You can also collect informations for the necessary procedures and preparation when you plan to set up a camp inside Meru Betiri.
Jl Sriwijaya 53, Jember 68121, East Java
Phone: +62 331 321530
E-mail: meru@telkom.net
There is another accommodation called The Raflesia Homestay. Here, you can join the locals and enjoy their daily activities around Sukamade Beach.
Jl Sukamade No 20, Teluk Hijau, Meru Betiri, 68488 Sarungan
If you need a more established hotels with better amenities, you might need to stay further around city centre of Jember or Banyuwangi are.
Image Source of Header by Noor Aufa Shiddiq
Banyuwangi has long been the surfer's paradise of barrel waves, perfect winds and pristine beaches. Located in the easternmost side of Java Island, here is also the port to catch your ferry between Java and Bali. Renowned for the intriguing Diamond Triangle that consists of the Ijen Crater, Alas Purwo National Park and Meru Betiri National Park, each cradles the most spectacular view that you would not want to miss. Today, ecotourism destinations are blossoming to provide a unique experience of the locals' life.
Coffee and Banyuwangi date back to the 17th century, when the Dutch grew the seeds to be cultivated here and traded in Europe at huge profits. Several areas known to produce high grade coffee are Tamansari, Gombengsari, Kalibendo, Ijen, Raung, Kalibaru, Glenmore and Telemung. Every site produces specific brands of local coffee in an effort to promote each a different kind of fine quality coffee. Telemung is known for Omah Kopi, a local brand that has expanded its production to international markets for itsfamous wild Luwak Coffee.
Photo source : www.wildcattleconservation.org
Where is Telemung?
Starting Mid June, There will be direct flights from Jakarta to Banyuwangi on Garuda Indonesia starting 21 June, and on Nam Air starting 16 June, but you can also fly to Banyuwangi from Surabaya, capital of East Java. Else, you can travel to Banyuwangi from Surabaya by train, or choose a 6 hours' ride on overland bus. From Bali you can also take a ferry from Gilimanuk on the western part of Bali.
Telemung is perched on the slope of the Ijen Mountain and is developed to become an attractive ecotourism resort. Covering an area of 550 hectares, it consists of 5 villages namely Dusun Gedor, Dusun Krajan, Dusun Telemung Sari, Dusun Watugepeng and Dusun Wonosuko. From the airport or terminal in Banyuwangi city, you can easily get a taxi towards Telemung .
Why Telemung?
Telemung's main product is coffee, with 330 hectare of plantations run by local farmers. "With Omah Kopi at center space of Telemung's coffee making, it is a huge hope that the knowledge sharing of coffee processing will also be taught to students as early as elementary school. Since coffee is an important commodity, the children should understand every detail of the process, enjoy each step and hopefully be inspired to become local coffee entrepreneurs who can raise the village economy in the future" mentioned by Banyuwangi's Regent, Abdullah Azwar Anas during his visit at Telemung.
Photo source : www.banyuwangi.merdeka.com
Three types of coffee flourish in this area, they are the Arabica, Robusta and Excelsa coffee. Each produces a unique aroma and flavor. Banyuwangi's atmosphere is influenced by the sulphuric vapours that emanate from the Ijen crater and the salty minerals from the Bali Straits, both adding a unique taste to the coffee berries planted here.
Photo source : www.kinciakincia.com
Telemung's number one favourite product is the Luwak Coffee produced from Wild Civet's excretions. A cat-like mammal also named Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, it feeds only on the best ripe coffee cherries for its daily snacks. They pick, swallow and digest the sweet-fruity outer skin along with the fleshy pulp, leaving a fermented coffee beans in their excretion. The selective and digestive process taken by the beans produces exceptional and flavorful coffee. It should be noted that the best Luwak Coffee are beans that come from the wild civet and not from the farmed ones, because the wild civet is an omnivore that ideally feeds on plentiful food. The diversity of the foods the animal eats is the factor that enhances the taste of the processed excretion.
So why not visit Banyuwangi and sip a cup of some of wonderful, hot Luwak Coffee.
Photo source of header banner : www.jatengpos.co.id
