What comes to mind whenever you hear the phrase a ‘mountain trek’? Difficult mountain tops, amazing sites, and the unfiltered aspects of nature? All of this can be found in Indonesia’s Lore Lindu National Park but, in addition, you will also discover something unique, mysterious, and ancient—it’s more than just conquering trails dotting the surface of the Earth, as mountain trekking at this park takes you down countless centuries to a land full of forgotten megaliths and endemic wildlife, which can be found nowhere else in the world.
Lore Lindu National Park, which is found in the very middle of Central Sulawesi, features a staggering 2,180 km² in surface area, which is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve. It has a complex geography, with a mixture of a number of ecosystems ranging from lowland tropical forests to montane forests at 2000 meters above sea level which are covered in mist. Each of the ecosystems is sure to dazzle, making every step of your trek worthy of exploration.
Explore An Era Of Ancient Enigmas: The Megaliths Of Bada Valley
The primary reason that a Lore Lindu mountain is so exciting is its connection to the past. Over 400 granite megaliths are dispersed across the Bada, Napu and Besoa valleys. They are carved with amazing artistry and stand 4:5 meters tall, making them the tallest megaliths in all of Indonesia. The heritage of unknown people, for an unknown purposes carved the megaliths. The Megaliths are assumed to have dated from 3000 B.C, to A.D 1300, yet, there is still a lack of understanding of the peoples and purposes for the civilization vibrating between these two dates.
These sculptures create a great deal of curiosity for the adventurous traveler or tourist, leading one to explore deeper questions of life. One can imagine hiking through the verdant fields of rice paddies and savanna and encountering without knowledge an abstract figure depicting a person. As one traveller states, and they have gone on record to share with us, ‘to trek, is to be on a museum display, and every shrub and puddle of water draws upon fact or fiction onto the secret imagination of an ancient civilization.’ These ancient imaginary constructs were done by colossal stone jars also known as Kalamba, and lids Tutu’na.
The Unfiltered Beauty of the Mountains Trekking Experience
The journey to see these extravagant sights is a completely different adventure. The trails in Lore Lindu can be severely unnerving with ousting slopes and exceedingly slippery terrain after the rain. Trekkers often find themselves balancing on narrow paths with the hang of bridges and small rivers. They use the walking sticks to probe the ground and the rest is the immersion of that dreamy beauty. Most people stay at a modest Bomba village homestay where they partake in meals with the Lore ethnic groups that reside in that cuddly zone.
While deeper in the jungle, one might reside in an essential bamboo encampment while the rest of the jungle is an orchestra of itself. The guide of the trek simultaneously is preparing a tempting dish on a fire while the good gentle breeze of the jungle gives you goosebumps. This is, in all sincerity, the most authentic form of mountain trekking. The absence of modern comforts is greatly compensated with the immersion in nature. The trek in itself, is a challenge but the 72-year-old guide to a bunch of trekkers eases this fact out and proves that everyone can feel more accomplished.
Unique Wildlife Encounters
Lore Lindu Park is home to some of the rarest animals in the world along with numerous endemic wildlife of Sulawesi.
Be on the lookout for:
- Tarsiers: The smallest primates in the world, with a body size approach that of a rat and notable large eyes for its nocturnal activity. If you want to see these amazing animals, book a night tour.
- Mountain Anoa: See this small and rare dwarf buffalo is now a rare site.
- Babirusa: A wild pig that looks funny and is has four giant tusks.
- There may be other interesting mammals you can see during your visit, including Tonkean Macaques, Bear Cuscus.
For birdwatchers, the park is paradise, with 227 bird types in the park. 77 of them are Sulawesi endemics. The park also has an incredible variety of birds such as Geomalia, Purple-bearded Bee-eater and Sulawesi Goshawk, and is perfect for bird Lovers.
Planning Your Lore Lindu Expedition
Ready to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime mountain trekking adventure? Here’s what you need to know:
- Best Time to Visit: The best months are May to September due to the absence of rain. It is the dry season which means smooth sailing on trekking.
- Travel Routes: The best travel route is from the capital of central sulawesi. It is quite convenient.
- Goods to Carry: The weather is somewhat unpredictable so be ready for anything. Carry a good pair of trekking shoes, mosquito repellent, a minor backpack, and a jacket to wear at night as the highlands tend to get very cold.
- Hiring a Guide: The area is tough and self guiding is very dangerous. Learning local history about the wildlife and megaliths from someone knowledgeable will make your trip much more worthwhile.
Hiking in Lore Lindu National Park is not to be taken lightly. It is much more than simply a walk in the park. It is a real adventure which will stimulate your imagination. Every trek takes you closer to a beautiful, mesmerizing and mystical nature. It allows you to be a part of what seems to be a never-ending history. It is as if the trails have pages of information to teach you as you walk.
