Within the Gunungkidul Regency in Yogyakarta Province lies the charming Desa Wisata Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran, or simply Desa Wisata Nglanggeran (Nglanggeran Tourism Village). Once you step foot in the area, you will be greeted by super friendly locals who welcome you and speak of their cultures and traditions. Is there any better way to delve deeper into the heart of another culture?

The Nglanggeran Tourism Village received an Award from the ASEAN Community Based Tourism (CBT) Awards in January 2017. Since then, many tourists and organizations from across the globe have flocked here to see what all the hype is about. Here is where our wanderlust takes us on a journey of revelations and new insights into other cultures and traditions.

First stop? Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran, or the Api Purba Volcano. The 1.5 to 2 hour climb is extremely worth it once you reach the top of this volcano. Here is where you take a deep refreshing breath of fresh air and admire the view from above. Located 700 meters above sea level, the dazzling view is like no other. And then it is time to travel back to the real world down below.

The next adventure? Another journey to paradise, away from the hustle and bustle of reality. Once upon a time, there was a cute little hill that sat comfortably in the Nglanggeran area. However, one day, the locals decided to transform this simple hill into one of the most alluring ponds in the nation and named it Embung Nglanggeran (Nglanggeran Pond). It is best to climb to this pond and cherish the view during sunrise or sunset, but we definitely recommend the sunrise. The glorious view of the yellowing sun slowly enveloping the pond and the surrounding hills is totally worth waking up before the break of dawn.

Finally, you reach the final destination of your journey through the natural spectacles that the charming Nglanggeleran Tourism Village has to offer. Now, it’s time to get wet! The Terjun Kedung Kandang, or Kedung Kandang Waterfall, lies hidden deep in the village of Nglanggeran. This is a quaint little waterfall where water trickles down a jagged hill surrounded with lush green paddies. Locals say that if rain falls the night before, the beauty of this site will be magnified the day after. For those who choose to remain dry, there is an artificial bamboo bridge where you can enjoy the charming streams of water traveling to the bottom of the waterfall.

But that’s not all. Now, it’s time to explore the village itself! There are all sorts of activities to do within the village that could open your eyes to new sensations and experiences.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well, this village offers its visitors a glimpse of how the locals tend to their chocolate gardens. They also produce their own rice. Here is where you can observe all the steps to farm for rice until harvest and then cook your own meal. As for sweet tooths, this is also where you can not only see how people grow cacao seeds, but also create some delicious chocolate treats.

For culture enthusiasts, the village is rich in Javanese culture and people will not hesitate to teach tourists, especially foreigners who have no inkling about Javanese culture, how the inhabitants uphold their traditions and rituals. You will be taught unggah-ungguh, or local manners, on how to greet others, communicate gestures and many other things. The way Javanese treat and communicate with their elders is different from how they treat and communicate with those of the same age or younger. Here, you will also be able to learn to play the karawitan, a set of musical instruments that produce dreamy and enchanting traditional music.

If you crave for some more action, you can also learn about Jatilan, also known as Kuda Lumping. This is a traditional magical dance often performed by the locals using horses woven from bamboo known as kepang. In the days of old, aside from entertaining locals, this traditional dance was performed to lift the spirits of the people to fight against invaders. The villagers here will not only give you a chance to see this hypnotizing performance, but will also give you the opportunity to be involved in preparing for the performance, starting from the costumes to the music.

Meanwhile, artsy visitors can visit the Batik Topeng Workshop (Batik Mask Workshop). Here is where you can create your own masks painted with intricate Batik designs. And then play around using the masks with your locals and friends. Is there anything better than bringing home a unique distinctive souvenir made with your own two hands?

We’ve come to the end of our tour of the charming village of Nglanggeran, but this is not the end of our journey throughout Indonesia. Come book a ticket now to enjoy the pleasures nature has to offer at the alluring Tourism Village of Nglanggeran.

Getting around

It is best to explore the village itself on foot or using a motorcycle. When traveling a bit outside the village, such as the Api Purba Volcano, Nglanggeran Pond or Kedung Kandang Waterfall, it is best to travel by motorbike or personal vehicle.

Getting there

The village is located around 20 km from the Wonosari District and around 25 km from Yogyakarta. No public transport is available, so it is best to use your own transportation or rent a personal vehicle. If you opt to rent a car, the price could range from IDR 250,000 (no driver) to over IDR 600,000 (with driver) per 12 hours. If you are a foreigner or are not familiar with the district, it is best to rent a car that comes with driver. The map to this village is also available on Google Maps under the name ‘Desa Wisata Nglanggeran’.

Where to stay

There are over 100 homestays ready to welcome visitors in the village. To book a reservation, contact the number below.

Note:

This village offers complete packages for tourists that include lodging, transport and various activities to make your stay hassle-free and more enjoyable.

Address:
Desa Wisata Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran
Nglanggeran, Patuk
Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55862

Phone:
+62 818 0260 6050

Village Tourism Package

*the price may be changed anytime and the package may be personalized based upon requests

1) Homestay Package:

Starting from IDR 75,000/person

2) Trekking Package:

Starting from IDR 70,000/person

3) Sunset and Sunrise Package:

Starting from IDR 175,000/person

4) Research Package:

Starting from IDR 160,000/person

5) Education Package:

1. Cocoa Cultivation
   
   Starting from IDR 15,000/person

2. Dodol Cocoa Creation
   
   Starting from IDR 20,000/person

3. Batik Mask
   
   Approx. IDR 50,000/person

4. “Janur” Creation
   
   Starting from IDR 15,000/person

5. Etawa Goat Farm
   
   Starting from IDR 20,000/person

6. Hydrophonic
   
   Starting from IDR 20,000/person

7. Paddy and Rice Fields Planting
   
   Starting from IDR 40,000/person

8. Local Culture & Arts
   
   Starting from IDR 25,000/person

6) Outbound Package

Starting from IDR 130,000

7) Adventure Package

1. Rock climbing/Rappelling
   
   Starting from IDR 30,000/person

2. Tyroleans/Clifswing
   
   Starting from IDR 555,000/person

8) Live-In Package

Starting from IDR 385,000

9) Camping Package

Starting from IDR 120,000/person

10) Gathering Night (for students only)

Starting from IDR 120,000