Every trail that leads to the summit of Mount Semeru has its own charm. It is no wonder that many climbers refer to Semeru as the mountain with the most complete and captivating panorama in Indonesia. From the beautiful Ranu Kumbolo lake, the legendary climb that tests your mental strength, to the stunning purple flower fields of Oro-Oro Ombo.
Oro-oro Ombo is one of nature's masterpieces that never fails to captivate the hearts of adventure lovers. It is located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java, which is part of the route to Mount Semeru. Curious about my experience visiting the beautiful Oro-oro Ombo? Keep reading.
Oro-oro Ombo, the Purple Flower Garden at the Foot of Mount Semeru
Oro-Oro Ombo is a purple flower garden featuring Verbena brasiliensis flowers located on the Mount Semeru hiking trail. It is known for its beautiful, vast savanna and mesmerizing sea of purple flowers. However, behind its beauty lies a fascinating history and ecosystem changes worth exploring.
Etymologically, Oro-Oro in Javanese means grassland or open field, while Ombo means vast. So, literally, it means vast grassland. This name perfectly describes the geographical conditions of this beautiful area, which is an open savanna at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level.
It also stretches widely between Ranu Kumbolo and Kalimati. In the past, Oro-Oro Ombo was an open area dominated by natural mountain vegetation such as alpine grass and shrubs typical of tropical highlands.
However, in the early 2000s, changes began to appear when Verbena brasiliensis, an invasive plant species from South America, began to thrive in this area. This flower is believed to have entered the Oro-oro Ombo area accidentally, carried by climbers or animals. Due to its high adaptability, Verbena quickly spread and dominated the grasslands, displacing the native flora.
This phenomenon has made Oro-oro Ombo viral among climbers, as its purple flowers create a stunning view, similar to a lavender field. However, on the other hand, this condition has raised concerns from conservationists as it threatens the balance of the local ecosystem.
Currently, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park continues to control the verbena population while preserving the natural beauty of Oro-oro Ombo so that this area remains sustainable for future generations.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to enjoy the purple flowers blooming in Oro-Oro Ombo is during the dry season, which is between May and September. This is because during this season:
- The hiking trails are drier, making them very safe for hiking.
- The verbena flowers bloom beautifully, filling the savanna with striking purple hues.
- The weather tends to be sunny, making it easier to enjoy the panorama and take the best photos.
- Avoid visiting during the rainy season, as the trails leading to this place are usually very slippery and dangerous. In addition, the beauty of Oro-Oro Ombo will be reduced because the flowers will not bloom perfectly.
Exciting Activities at Oro-Oro Ombo at the Foot of Mount Semeru
There are several exciting activities you can do when visiting Oro-oro Ombo at the foot of Mount Semeru.
1. Enjoy the Sea of Verbena Flowers
This is the main attraction of Oro-Oro Ombo. Wild verbena flowers form a purple sea that contrasts with the savanna and mountain landscape. This spot is a favourite among photographers and hikers to take a break while admiring the beauty of nature.
2. Camping and Connecting with Nature
Many hikers choose to spend the night in the area around Ranu Kumbolo or Oro-Oro Ombo. With clear night skies and soothing sounds of nature, camping here will be an unforgettable experience.
3. Hiking to Kalimati and Mahameru
For those who intend to reach the summit of Mahameru, Oro-Oro Ombo is only a stopover. However, for some climbers, this place is enough to unwind and enjoy the adventure.
4. Nature and Flower Macro Photography
With its unique and breathtaking landscape, Oro-Oro Ombo is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The sunrise or golden hour moments in this flower field are truly mesmerizing. You can take various photos of the vast landscape covered in purple verbena brasiliensis flowers. You can also take some macro photos of these Verbena brasiliensis flowers.
5. Camping
For those of you who want to enjoy Oro-oro Ombo fully, you can camp nearby, such as at Lake Ranu Kumbolo. This is the official and most common camping spot for hikers before continuing their journey to Oro-Oro Ombo or the summit of Mahameru.
Those are some of the exciting activities you can do while visiting Oro-oro Ombo at the foot of Mount Semeru.
Experience Visiting Oro-Oro Ombo at the Foot of Mount Semeru
I visited Oro-oro Ombo for the first time in 2013 with friends. Our goal was to climb Mount Semeru and visit during the dry season, which is around May. At the time of our visit, the grass along the path to Oro-oro Ombo was yellowish-brown. It was wonderful. The path to this purple flower spot was also dry, making it very safe for climbing.
Equally important was the fact that when we visited, the Verbena brasiliensis flowers were in full bloom, a beautiful purple colour, so when viewed from above, the colour was evenly purple and gorgeous. These lovely flowers were in bloom during this dry season, so they bloomed evenly, and the sky was mostly clear and blue. It is a breathtaking natural sight.
To enjoy the stunningly beautiful view of Oro-oro Ombo, we decided to climb Mount Semeru first, and then visit it afterwards. So when we left, we just passed by it. It was only when we descended from Mahameru that we enjoyed this lavender field and stayed at Lake Ranu Kumbolo, which is not too far from this purple flower field.
The next morning, we trekked briefly from Ranu Kumbolo to Oro-oro Ombo, taking about 20 minutes to reach this place. We spent several hours enjoying the beauty of the Verbena brasiliensis flowers. From the top of the trail, we saw vast expanses of green grass beginning to turn yellow. Because May is the beginning of the dry season, the grass and lavender trees were still mostly green.
In addition to taking photos of these purple lavender flowers, we also enjoyed the beautiful scenery around Oro-oro Ombo. We took pictures of the stunning natural landscape. The location of the flowers, which were in the middle and surrounded by large trees, made these purple flowers look very striking and dominate the savanna.
Verbena brasiliensis flowers were beautifully lined up in bloom, surrounded by vast stretches of grass along the path to Kalimati. It formed a magnificent and enchanting natural landscape. Having a house around this place would be very pleasant and calming.
But remember, friends, for those of you who have the opportunity to visit Oro-oro Ombo, never damage these plants by picking them or doing anything else that could damage these beautiful flowers. Just enjoy their beauty and save them in your photo gallery. Let's be responsible hikers and savvy travellers by not damaging the tourist attractions we visit.
That was my experience visiting Oro-oro Ombo at the foot of Mount Semeru, which is incredibly beautiful and captivating. It gave me an unforgettable experience. Visit during the dry season to enjoy its beauty and the clear blue sky.
Has anyone ever visited Oro-oro Ombo at the foot of Mount Semeru? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section.
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