Summary
Dieng Plateau is a natural wonder nestled in the highlands of central Java, Indonesia, close to the city of Yogyakarta.
This former caldera complex offers everything from active volcanoes to ancient Hindu temples, smoking sulfur springs, multicolored lakes, fresh mountain air, breathtaking sunrise views, and endless terraces covering the hills in every direction.
My friend and I spent a full day exploring Dieng last summer, and we were truly amazed by this hidden gem and how few international tourists seem to know about it. The sunrise at Dieng Plateau is particularly stunning.
The name Dieng translates to ‘Abode of the Gods,’ which perfectly encapsulates the incredible scale and mystery of this remarkable place! This travel guide will detail how to reach Dieng Plateau and provide all the essential information you need before your trip.
Where Is Dieng Plateau?
Dieng Plateau is located 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Yogyakarta city in central Java, Indonesia.
The nearest airport is also in Yogyakarta (YIA), with many budget-friendly airlines servicing this route. You can search for flights to Yogyakarta at Skyscanner.
Despite the short distance, the drive from Yogyakarta to Dieng Plateau takes significantly longer than expected—approximately 4 hours due to the winding mountain roads. Personally, I’ve never come so close to feeling nauseous in a car.
Nevertheless, don’t let the long drive deter you from visiting, as Dieng Plateau was one of the coolest highlights of our time in Java!
How To Get There
The most convenient way to visit Dieng Plateau is through a shared tour or hiring a private driver from Yogyakarta for a full day trip.
If you prefer to explore with a reputable tour company, GetYourGuide offers highly rated day tours to Dieng Plateau from Yogyakarta.
The tours typically include hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, and an English-speaking tour guide. We’ve relied on GetYourGuide for numerous tours and activities worldwide, and they consistently provide great service. Highly recommended!
Alternatively, you could hire a local driver directly from Yogyakarta, allowing you the flexibility to negotiate terms and possibly include additional sights.
Be prepared for almost 8 hours of roundtrip driving, with an additional 5 hours dedicated to exploring the area!
Visiting Dieng Plateau: What To Expect
Witnessing the sunrise on the volcano is one of the highlights of visiting Dieng Plateau; however, the 4-hour drive from Yogyakarta means an extremely early start is necessary.
Our driver picked us up at 11:00 PM (yes, you read that correctly), which was perhaps excessive. We arrived at Sikunir Hill with plenty of time to spare and ended up catching a couple of hours of sleep in the van.
Be sure to take a significant nap the day prior, and ask your driver for the latest possible start time!
What To Bring
- Jacket: It can get chilly, so be sure to bring a jacket or hoodie. You can remove it after sunrise. Given that this area is at a higher elevation than most of Indonesia, temperatures can dip to as low as 8 C (47 F) before sunrise.
- Long Pants: As previously mentioned, wearing pants is advisable to stay warm.
- Hiking Shoes: The sunrise hike is not suitable for sandals and may be muddy, so wear appropriate footwear.
- Flashlight: Having a flashlight (or using your phone) is essential for hiking in the dark before dawn.
- Camera: Don’t forget to bring a camera and drone to capture the breathtaking scenery of this place.
Things To See & Do At Dieng Plateau
• Sikunir Sunrise
One of the main attractions at Dieng Plateau is experiencing the sunrise over Mount Sundoro, one of Java’s active volcanoes.
The preferred viewpoint for this is Sikunir Hill, located at the eastern edge of the plateau. Your driver can point you to the trailhead, and the route is straightforward. It’s a steep yet brief hike from the parking area, taking approximately 30-45 minutes to reach the summit.
Make sure to reach the highest point for stunning photographs. If sunrise is at 5:20 AM, aim to be at the top no later than 5:00 AM, or even earlier at 4:45 AM, to secure a good spot for pictures.
At the summit, we met some friendly Indonesian locals eager to take selfies with us since they rarely encounter tourists here. While the sunrise was somewhat foggy, it was absolutely beautiful.
• Telaga Warna Lake
This area features two sulfuric lakes that exhibit unusual shades of green and yellow.
You may admire the lakes from above for a fee of 30k Rupiah, or spend 100k to access the lower viewpoint. During our visit, there was no one at the ticket booth, allowing us to enjoy the upper lakes for free.
My recommendation: skip the lower viewpoint, as it’s overpriced, and the best views are from above anyway.
• Hill Terraces
Dieng Plateau is adorned with terraces of potatoes, strawberries, and various crops.
If time allows, you can hike around these hills; however, the roads and hills in Dieng are not particularly pedestrian-friendly.
The best way to capture the beauty of the terraces is via drone. This location is a drone enthusiast’s dream.
• Sikidang Crater
This is a large, steaming sulfur crater surrounded by several smaller bubbling geothermal pools.
Prepare yourself for the characteristic sulfur smell, and be aware of the various tacky ornaments and gaudy selfie spots (including a large stuffed gorilla) that somewhat diminish the experience and add to its oddity.
• Arjuna Temple
Dieng Plateu is home to several 7th-century temples, which are among the oldest surviving structures on the island of Java.
Arjuna Temple is the best-preserved of them, and entry is included for free with the ticket you purchased for Sikidang Crater.
Entrance Fees
- Sikunir Hill: Free
- Telaga Warna Lake (Upper): 30k IDR
- Telaga Warna Lake (Lower): 100k IDR
- Sikidang Crater + Arjuna Temple: 30k IDR
Hotels Near Dieng Plateau
If you wish to extend your stay in the area, there are several homestay options in Dieng Plateau and the neighboring city of Wonosobo.
We opted to stay in Yogyakarta and visited Dieng on a day trip. Yogyakarta offers plenty of great hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls at very reasonable prices!
Is Java Safe?
I would confidently say yes; Java is safe, and I have visited the island numerous times over the years.
Indonesia boasts one of the lowest violent crime rates globally. We wandered around Yogyakarta at all hours and always felt secure.
While nowhere is completely without risk, Indonesia attracts millions of tourists annually, many of whom explore Java.
Best Time To Visit
The optimal time to visit Java (and most of Indonesia) is from April to November.
The rainy season spans from November to April. While you can still visit Dieng Plateau during this period, conditions are not ideal for mountain activities and sunrise viewing due to increased fog.
Happy travels!
