Dieng Plateau Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 Days

Best Time: June to August Read More

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"The Stunning Escape Into Nature"

Dieng Plateau Tourism

The volcanic complex in Central Java, known as the Dieng plateau, which comes from Di Hyang that literally translates to “Abode of the Gods”.  This scenic delight and is littered with beautiful Hindu and Javanese temples, including eight small temples that are said to be from the Kalinga Kingdom, which were once part of the 400 temples that were built by the followers of Hinduism. Apart from that, tourists usually venture into the land for activities like trekking and for visiting the various active volcanic craters.

The place is best known to international travelers for its Carica syrup and Mie Ongklok which are locally available in the main town of Dieng, Wonosobo, along with the delicious banana sweets that are most popular amongst the natives of the places.

Historically, apart from the religious significance that the place holds, it is also known for being a part of the guerilla campaign led by General Sudirman during the Indonesian War of Independence. Tourists can also choose to detour into the nearby towns like Purwokerto, Semarang and Yogyakarta.

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Places to Visit

Volcanic Craters- Dieng plateau is known for being home to various volcanic craters, known as kawah in the local language. The most popular one to visit is the Sikidang crater, along with the Candradimuka crater and the Sileri crater. The Sikidang crater is popular for the sulphur smoke that can actively be seen, as they are constantly getting emitted out of the large holes. Private tours in cars can be booked by small groups of people, with local drivers who act as tour guides for visiting these craters, and the Sikidang crater has an entry fee of 30,000 IDR per head.

Arjuna Temple Complex- The Arjuna Temple complex is the most popular attraction out of all the other temples in the locality, as the region is known for being home to many such religious places. The complex is of great historical importance as it includes some of the earliest Hindu temples in Central Java, and the construction of these temples marks the onset of the chain of temples that were built in and around the region later on.

Telaga Warna- Telaga Warna, popularly known as the colour-changing lake, is most frequented because of the scenic beauty it has to offer with its reflections of the colours blue, green and purple. Visitors can relax at the location in the morning and afternoon hours and can take a leisurely stroll along the lake to find a balcony at the edge where they can unwind and enjoy the picturesque lake. Also, it is highly advised not to visit the lake after night falls as there tends to be a heavy fog around the water body along with unpredictable weather.

Things to Do

Sikunir Hill- Apart from casually trekking around the highlands and experiencing the local culture and people first hand, Dieng plateau is also known for the views of a beautiful sunrise that can be caught from Sikunir Hill. The foot of the hill itself can be reached by hiring a car or a bike, from where visitors are required to hike up the hill for about half an hour or so to reach the peak in time for sunrise.

Perahu Hill- Another peak known for its sunrise viewing spots, visitors need to start at around 3:00 a.m. and then hike up the hill for almost two hours, with the trek culminating in some of the best views around.

Documentary of Dieng Plateau at the Dieng Plateau Theatre- Explore and learn about the Dieng Plateau's rich heritage and customs through an hour-and-a-half documentary screened at the Dieng Plateau Theatre. 


Important Information

  • Travellers are advised to carry warm clothing as the weather up in the highlands tends to get very chilly and might get uncomfortable during the nighttime.
  • Guesthouses in Dieng are not extremely well equipped so it would be best to carry a sleeping bag too.
  • Visitors must constantly check the geological reports of the place as it is an active volcanic region.
  • Hotels and lodges are mostly not listed online, so it is best to be prepared for some local scouting of guest houses of one’s preference, although there are some well-known lodgings like Beda Griya, Hotel Nusa Indah, Hotel Dieng, Penginapan Dieng, etc.

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How to Reach Dieng Plateau

How to Reach Overview

Dieng Plateau cannot be reached directly via air, so visitors have to reach the plateau via the nearby towns. From Jakarta, tourists can catch a train to Purwokerto, from where they can hop on the buses that travel to Wonosobo and get dropped off at the junction near Klenteng, from where public minibuses to Dieng frequently operate. Tourists can also choose to take the night buses from Jakarta to Purwokerto, or take the only direct bus that goes to Wonosobo at a cost of 70,000 IDR per person. 

Wonosobo can also be reached from Yogyakarta (Jogja), from where tourists usually take a bus up to Magelang at a cost of 15,000 IDR per head and then switch buses for the one that directly heads to Wonosobo at a cost of 24,000 IDR per head, wherein the latter journey lasts for at least two hours. From Wonosobo, there are public minibuses that operate all the way up to Dieng at a cost of 15,000 IDR per head. The entire journey, if this route is chosen, takes about five hours to finally reach Dieng. Tourists can also hire private cabs from Yogyakarta to Dieng for around 1,413,500 IDR. 

Local transport in Dieng Plateau

Tourists usually prefer travelling around the place on foot as the locality is quite small and the main attractions are not too far off. In case one does not want to walk around for sightseeing, they can choose to go for the local minibuses that stop at junctions located close to most of the tourist attractions. Some of the distances necessarily have to be covered by trekking on the surrounding hills and plantations. Prices for hiring vehicles depend on whether one chooses to stay in Dieng or in Wonosobo, visitors can hire their own bikes for around 50,000 IDR or hire guides along with transportation for the day at an average of 150,000 IDR. Minibuses from Wonosobo to the temples cost around 10,000 IDR per person and taxis cost around 150,000 IDR for the same purpose. 

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Dieng Plateau Photos

Dieng Plateau
Dieng Plateau - Caldera Complex Formed by Eruption of Mount Prau
Telaga Warna - Colour Changing Lake in Dieng Plateau
Arjuna Temple - Hindu Temple Built in the 7th Century

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FAQs on Dieng Plateau

What is the best time to visit Dieng plateau?

The best time to visit Dieng Plateau is from May to October, which is the dry season and the precipitation levels are not as high as the other months. Dieng Plateau has a subtropical highland climate, which means the region does not experience extreme seasons but only undergoes mild summers and winters. 

The rains in the region are known for causing floods and landslides, so it is best to avoid the wet season. Visitors can also come during the high season, which lasts from June through August, as the place does not get too crowded with tourists.
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What is the best way to reach Dieng plateau?

Dieng Plateau cannot be reached directly via air, so visitors have to reach the plateau via the nearby towns. From Jakarta, tourists can catch a train to Purwokerto, from where they can hop on the buses that travel to Wonosobo and get dropped off at the junction near Klenteng, from where public minibuses to Dieng frequently operate. Tourists can also choose to take the night buses from Jakarta to Purwokerto, or take the only direct bus that goes to Wonosobo at a cost of 70,000 IDR per person. 

Wonosobo can also be reached from Yogyakarta (Jogja), from where tourists usually take a bus up to Magelang at a cost of 15,000 IDR per head and then switch buses for the one that directly heads to Wonosobo at a cost of 24,000 IDR per head, wherein the latter journey lasts for at least two hours. From Wonosobo, there are public minibuses that operate all the way up to Dieng at a cost of 15,000 IDR per head. The entire journey, if this route is chosen, takes about five hours to finally reach Dieng. Tourists can also hire private cabs from Yogyakarta to Dieng for around 1,413,500 IDR. 
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What are the places near Dieng plateau?

The top places near to Dieng plateau are Bali which is 1823 km from Dieng plateau, Jakarta which is located 1527 km from Dieng plateau, Lombok which is located 1903 km from Dieng plateau, Bandung which is located 1592 km from Dieng plateau, Surabaya which is located 1640 km from Dieng plateau

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