Situ gunung suspension Bridge
sukabumi
Written in March 2021
Why to visit:
1. Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge (Bridges, Sawer Waterfall, D'Balcony restaurant, Teatre, Glamping)
2. Lembah Purba Expedition
3. Situ Gunung Lake
4. Where to stay
5. Add on trip: Gunung Padang Megalithic Site
Why to visit:
1. Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge (Bridges, Sawer Waterfall, D'Balcony restaurant, Teatre, Glamping)
2. Lembah Purba Expedition
3. Situ Gunung Lake
4. Where to stay
5. Add on trip: Gunung Padang Megalithic Site
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1. SITU GUNUNG suspension bridge
Constructed in 2017, this is the longest suspension bridge in South-East Asia. 243m length and 1.8m width. Enjoy the extraordinary experience of crossing the bridge swinging above the deep green jungle at the height of 121m. It is breathtaking.
Further along the way you may want to see or cross two other suspension bridges.
Further along the way you may want to see or cross two other suspension bridges.
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Sawer waterfall - so beautiful, rich and refreshing, with height of 35 meters. Cross the Suspension Bridge and walk about 1km further through the Situgunung forest. It easy an way downhill and along the way you can watch black macacs jumping in the trees above you!
As an additional activity you can do tubing on the river here.
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Glamping - spend a night in the middle of the forest not far from the main bridge. Everything is ready for you and the kids will love it. Wake up and watch the monkeys playing around while sipping on your tea or coffee. The restaurant here is nice a simple, it is an outside large open area. Bathrooms western style.
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Teatre - Enjoy the inetresting performance with gamelan orchestra music happening throughout the whole day. You will be served ginger tea and traditional casava.
D'Balcony - cousy wooden estaurant with fantastic views. Freshly brewed expresso is just what you need when entering the park or when coming back. Food and other drinks on the menu. It is a must stop.
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Buy a sugar cane drink and freshly picked avocadoes. We bought 3kg pack for 75.000rp and every single piece was great even after 2 days.
2. lembah purba Expedition
A hidden gem of Sukabumi. If you like to hike, you like the jungle and you enjoy high bridges, then this trip is a must for you! I have never seen such a beautiful and well-maintained jungle.
You don’t find much information about this trip, maybe because it is quite new and by Indonesian standards, it consists of too much walking. But by European standards, it is an easy hike. It is relatively flat, 8 km in total and it took us 4 hours including all stops for taking pictures and eating (probably 2 hours clean walking time).
Start and finish for Lembah Purba Expedition is at the same place as for the visitors of the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge. We would describe it as a 6km extension of Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge VIP trip (the longest trek on the picture of the yellow map below).
We bought the entrance tickets in the VIP office (see 1st picture below). We got a guide, pak Ule. It might be a good idea to book the tour in advance.
We got a tea, took pictures, and enjoyed the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge, the longest in South East Asia. We passed the Glamping and continued to another big bridge that is only for the visitors of Lembah Purba Expedition. While the area around the first bridge is very touristic, after the second bridge you enter a paradise. The jungle is amazing, the path is well maintained, no trash, western-style clean toilets. In total, we passed about 10 different bridges (some of them almost as long as the first one) and we saw the stunning double waterfall, Lembah Purba. It is so huge, that we needed raincoats to protect us from water raining from the waterfall. Lembah Purba is about 3x higher than the Sawer waterfall.
We got back to the second bridge and continued the same route as Situ Gunung VIP visitors, via Red Bridge to a restaurant with stunning view. Delicious Indonesian lunch was served.
Lembah Purba Expedition:
Start: Same cashier as for the VIP visitors of the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge
Duration: 4 hours
Open: 7am – 4pm, but you have to start this trek before 1 pm
Price: Rp 18 000 (locals and KITAS) or Rp 200 000 (foreigners) per pax for entrance to the National Park.
Rp 350 000 per pax for the expedition (free for children <6yo, you can try to get 50% discount for children below 12yo). Probably the bigger the group the cheaper per person (around Rp 280 000 per pax, if more than 4 pax). Includes guide, snack, water, lunch, and raincoat.
Contact: The management of Lembah Purba Expedition is the same as for Situ Gunung Bridge.
Webpage: https://situgunungbridge.com/
WhatsApp: +628111440144
Email: [email protected]
Our Lembah Purba Expedition guide, pak Ule: +62 855 2393 5813 (very professional and knowledgeable guide, speaks Bahasa Indonesia only, no English)
Children’s age: Even the guide said that the trek is for any age, I would not take kids below 5 yo, as I wouldn’t feel safe on the bridges with them. You have to fix yourself (with wall climbing gear) on one smaller bridge (not on the main long bridges, only to the narrow one that is on the picture below), that are slippery, so you have to ask yourself if your child if tall enough to do that. Our friend with 7yo children did it without any problems.
How we did it: While Nicolle went with the whole family to the other attractions described in this article, I (Veronika) went with my friend for 1 day trip on Lembah Purba Expedition only and later our friends with 7yo children went to Lembah Purba too.
Timing is everything: We left Jakarta at 4:30 am, arrived at the cashier of Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge at 7 am, hiked Lembah Purba Expedition until 12, took lunch, went to see the lake, left back home at 1:30 pm, arrived to Jakarta at 4:30 pm. You need to go early morning and go back early afternoon because of the traffic. If you go in "wrong" time, it might take you 5 hours (or more) back to Jakarta.
You don’t find much information about this trip, maybe because it is quite new and by Indonesian standards, it consists of too much walking. But by European standards, it is an easy hike. It is relatively flat, 8 km in total and it took us 4 hours including all stops for taking pictures and eating (probably 2 hours clean walking time).
Start and finish for Lembah Purba Expedition is at the same place as for the visitors of the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge. We would describe it as a 6km extension of Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge VIP trip (the longest trek on the picture of the yellow map below).
We bought the entrance tickets in the VIP office (see 1st picture below). We got a guide, pak Ule. It might be a good idea to book the tour in advance.
We got a tea, took pictures, and enjoyed the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge, the longest in South East Asia. We passed the Glamping and continued to another big bridge that is only for the visitors of Lembah Purba Expedition. While the area around the first bridge is very touristic, after the second bridge you enter a paradise. The jungle is amazing, the path is well maintained, no trash, western-style clean toilets. In total, we passed about 10 different bridges (some of them almost as long as the first one) and we saw the stunning double waterfall, Lembah Purba. It is so huge, that we needed raincoats to protect us from water raining from the waterfall. Lembah Purba is about 3x higher than the Sawer waterfall.
We got back to the second bridge and continued the same route as Situ Gunung VIP visitors, via Red Bridge to a restaurant with stunning view. Delicious Indonesian lunch was served.
Lembah Purba Expedition:
Start: Same cashier as for the VIP visitors of the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge
Duration: 4 hours
Open: 7am – 4pm, but you have to start this trek before 1 pm
Price: Rp 18 000 (locals and KITAS) or Rp 200 000 (foreigners) per pax for entrance to the National Park.
Rp 350 000 per pax for the expedition (free for children <6yo, you can try to get 50% discount for children below 12yo). Probably the bigger the group the cheaper per person (around Rp 280 000 per pax, if more than 4 pax). Includes guide, snack, water, lunch, and raincoat.
Contact: The management of Lembah Purba Expedition is the same as for Situ Gunung Bridge.
Webpage: https://situgunungbridge.com/
WhatsApp: +628111440144
Email: [email protected]
Our Lembah Purba Expedition guide, pak Ule: +62 855 2393 5813 (very professional and knowledgeable guide, speaks Bahasa Indonesia only, no English)
Children’s age: Even the guide said that the trek is for any age, I would not take kids below 5 yo, as I wouldn’t feel safe on the bridges with them. You have to fix yourself (with wall climbing gear) on one smaller bridge (not on the main long bridges, only to the narrow one that is on the picture below), that are slippery, so you have to ask yourself if your child if tall enough to do that. Our friend with 7yo children did it without any problems.
How we did it: While Nicolle went with the whole family to the other attractions described in this article, I (Veronika) went with my friend for 1 day trip on Lembah Purba Expedition only and later our friends with 7yo children went to Lembah Purba too.
Timing is everything: We left Jakarta at 4:30 am, arrived at the cashier of Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge at 7 am, hiked Lembah Purba Expedition until 12, took lunch, went to see the lake, left back home at 1:30 pm, arrived to Jakarta at 4:30 pm. You need to go early morning and go back early afternoon because of the traffic. If you go in "wrong" time, it might take you 5 hours (or more) back to Jakarta.
Lembah Purba Expedition with children (youngest is 7yo):
3. situ gunung lake
If you have walked the large expedition loop described above, you may feel a bit disappointed by the lake.
But still, in the middle of the nature, surrounded by jungle and reachable by nice short walk (quit steep) on a concrete path through the forest. You can have picnic here and the kids can run around the spacious green fields. There are stalls with local snacks and drinks before entering the green area.
But still, in the middle of the nature, surrounded by jungle and reachable by nice short walk (quit steep) on a concrete path through the forest. You can have picnic here and the kids can run around the spacious green fields. There are stalls with local snacks and drinks before entering the green area.
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4. Where to stay
1. Glamping Sukabumi
2. Harrison Hotel
2. Harrison Hotel
5. ADD-ON Trip: gunung padang megalitic site
If you want to extend your trip to 2 days, you might consider visiting prehistoric site of Gunung Padang Megalitic Site.
The megalithic site is 1,5hr from Situ Gunung. You can stay a night in a very nice, new, hotel Horison in Sukabumi town (close to the bridge), visit the site day in the morning, and then return directly back to Jakarta in time to avoid the afternoon traffic.
The megalithic site is 1,5hr from Situ Gunung. You can stay a night in a very nice, new, hotel Horison in Sukabumi town (close to the bridge), visit the site day in the morning, and then return directly back to Jakarta in time to avoid the afternoon traffic.
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Situ Gunung Sustpension Bridge, Lembah Putra, Lake
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Add on Trip: Gunung Padang Megalitic site
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IMPORTANT:
Leave Jakarta early morning: 4.30-5.00am so you arrive to Situ Gunung at 7am, (If you leave later, you will get stucked in macet in the town of Cicurug, just off the highway). Leave Situ Gunung for Jakarta at 2pm at the latest for the same reason,
Opening hours and ticket:
Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge area: 7am- 4pm, 50.000rp/person regular, 100.000rp VIP ticket (you will get refreshment and can take short cut back from the waterfall)
Lembah Putra Expedition: start your trip in the morning between 7am - 1pm, detailed info see above
Situ Gunung Lake: free entrance anytime
Contact: The management of Lembah Purba Expedition is the same as for Situ Gunung Bridge.
Webpage: https://situgunungbridge.com/
WhatsApp: +628111440144
Email: [email protected]
Our Lembah Purba Expedition guide, pak Ule: +62 855 2393 5813 (very professional and knowledgeable guide, speaks Bahasa Indonesia only, no English)
What to bring: Sport shoes, sunscreen, repellent, hut, sunglasses, raincoat, camera.
For Lembah Purba Expedition long pants because of leeches (we have seen about 3 of them, one bite me, I didn't even notice as it doesn't hurt and there are no consequences, just a red mark for 3 days). Leave a change of clothes and shoes in the car in case it rains
Q&A:
Is the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge SAFE? We felt safe all the time. The bridge construction looks professional and very well maintained. We are not afraid of heights.
At the beginning every visitors get a "wall climbing gear" on your legs and hips (see on the pictures from Lembah Purba Expedition above). If nothing happens, you don't really use it on Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge, you just have it on you (you use it during Lembah Purba Expedition for some smaller bridges that are slippery). In case there would be a sudden earthquake or strong wind or if you would start panicking, then you can fix yourself to the structure of the bridge and wait for a help to come to rescue you.
Is Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge SCARY? If you are not afraid of hights, then no, it is not scary, just exciting!
What if I am afraid of heights? Well, then it's up to you. It's high.
Can most people cross? Yes, majority of the people can cross, however our guide told us, that some visitors start to be affraid in the middle of the bridge, so they fix themselves with the "wall climbing gear" to the bridge structure, sit on the bridge floor and wait till the bridge guide will come to help them. So, you wouldn't be the first one.
Is Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge FOR CHILDREN? We understood that children of all ages are allowed, but I would think twice to take children under 5 year old. Confirm directly with the bridge management (WA: +628111440144, [email protected]) if they have "wall climbing gear" for small children and discuss with them all your doubts.
Is it crowded? It is not crowded during pandemic (March 2021).
Before pandemic there were up to 3000 visitors a day during weekend. Not so many in the morning at 7am, peak hour was 2pm.
Now during pandemic there were about 50 visitors on a weekday and a bit more over weekend, but still not crowded.
What is the diference between Regular ticket and VIP ticket? Regular cost Rp 50 000 and VIP Rp 100 000. Both tickets entitle you to visit Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge. With VIP ticket you get some refreshments and you can use a shortcut to return back via Red Bridge (another nice suspension bridge).
Do you need a COVID test? When we went there at the beginning of March 2021, we had one (Swap Antigen), but nobody controlled it. Nor on the way, nor on the bridge. However we heard stories that police was randomely checking people travelling from Jakarta to Bogor for the test.
What is the ideal time to leave Jakarta? Leave as early as you can, preferably 4:30-5:00 am. If you leave later, you will get stucked in macet in the town of Cicurug, just off the highway. Tip: check the time on google maps few days before at the time you want to leave + 2 hours (e.g. if you plan to leave Jakarta at 7am, check the trafic at 9 am - time you get to Cicurug). Leave Situ Gunung latest at 2pm for the same reason.
When to go? Dry season is June - Sept. Expect rain during rainy season, between Dec to March. Day temperature is around 25C, but it is a bit cooler (20 C) in the morning.
Leave Jakarta early morning: 4.30-5.00am so you arrive to Situ Gunung at 7am, (If you leave later, you will get stucked in macet in the town of Cicurug, just off the highway). Leave Situ Gunung for Jakarta at 2pm at the latest for the same reason,
Opening hours and ticket:
Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge area: 7am- 4pm, 50.000rp/person regular, 100.000rp VIP ticket (you will get refreshment and can take short cut back from the waterfall)
Lembah Putra Expedition: start your trip in the morning between 7am - 1pm, detailed info see above
Situ Gunung Lake: free entrance anytime
Contact: The management of Lembah Purba Expedition is the same as for Situ Gunung Bridge.
Webpage: https://situgunungbridge.com/
WhatsApp: +628111440144
Email: [email protected]
Our Lembah Purba Expedition guide, pak Ule: +62 855 2393 5813 (very professional and knowledgeable guide, speaks Bahasa Indonesia only, no English)
What to bring: Sport shoes, sunscreen, repellent, hut, sunglasses, raincoat, camera.
For Lembah Purba Expedition long pants because of leeches (we have seen about 3 of them, one bite me, I didn't even notice as it doesn't hurt and there are no consequences, just a red mark for 3 days). Leave a change of clothes and shoes in the car in case it rains
Q&A:
Is the Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge SAFE? We felt safe all the time. The bridge construction looks professional and very well maintained. We are not afraid of heights.
At the beginning every visitors get a "wall climbing gear" on your legs and hips (see on the pictures from Lembah Purba Expedition above). If nothing happens, you don't really use it on Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge, you just have it on you (you use it during Lembah Purba Expedition for some smaller bridges that are slippery). In case there would be a sudden earthquake or strong wind or if you would start panicking, then you can fix yourself to the structure of the bridge and wait for a help to come to rescue you.
Is Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge SCARY? If you are not afraid of hights, then no, it is not scary, just exciting!
What if I am afraid of heights? Well, then it's up to you. It's high.
Can most people cross? Yes, majority of the people can cross, however our guide told us, that some visitors start to be affraid in the middle of the bridge, so they fix themselves with the "wall climbing gear" to the bridge structure, sit on the bridge floor and wait till the bridge guide will come to help them. So, you wouldn't be the first one.
Is Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge FOR CHILDREN? We understood that children of all ages are allowed, but I would think twice to take children under 5 year old. Confirm directly with the bridge management (WA: +628111440144, [email protected]) if they have "wall climbing gear" for small children and discuss with them all your doubts.
Is it crowded? It is not crowded during pandemic (March 2021).
Before pandemic there were up to 3000 visitors a day during weekend. Not so many in the morning at 7am, peak hour was 2pm.
Now during pandemic there were about 50 visitors on a weekday and a bit more over weekend, but still not crowded.
What is the diference between Regular ticket and VIP ticket? Regular cost Rp 50 000 and VIP Rp 100 000. Both tickets entitle you to visit Situ Gunung Suspension Bridge. With VIP ticket you get some refreshments and you can use a shortcut to return back via Red Bridge (another nice suspension bridge).
Do you need a COVID test? When we went there at the beginning of March 2021, we had one (Swap Antigen), but nobody controlled it. Nor on the way, nor on the bridge. However we heard stories that police was randomely checking people travelling from Jakarta to Bogor for the test.
What is the ideal time to leave Jakarta? Leave as early as you can, preferably 4:30-5:00 am. If you leave later, you will get stucked in macet in the town of Cicurug, just off the highway. Tip: check the time on google maps few days before at the time you want to leave + 2 hours (e.g. if you plan to leave Jakarta at 7am, check the trafic at 9 am - time you get to Cicurug). Leave Situ Gunung latest at 2pm for the same reason.
When to go? Dry season is June - Sept. Expect rain during rainy season, between Dec to March. Day temperature is around 25C, but it is a bit cooler (20 C) in the morning.