National park · Indonesia
Mount TamboraGunung Tambora
Visit Mount Tambora: pay the entry fee (Rp 50 000–70 000), take the 2‑day guided trek to the summit in the dry season (Apr–Oct), and stay at the Pancasila guesthouse; avoid the rainy months (Nov–Mar).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
approximate
Established
2004
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
- Approximate; official park boundary not published (check).
- Established
- 2004
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Tambora, a remote supervolcano on Sumbawa, offers a rugged 2‑day summit trek with few visitors. Access is via Pancasila village where a K‑PATA guide and guesthouse provide mandatory support; the dry season (April‑October) gives the safest conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2004.
Size and age
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²) · national park since 2004
Approximate; official park boundary not published (check).
Why go
- Remote volcano with a deep crater and panoramic views.
- Rare chance to trek a supervolcano with few tourists.
- Cultural experience staying with the K‑PATA community in Pancasila.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trail slippery.
- FebRainy, leeches abundant.
- MarRainy, road conditions poor.
- AprDry, clear skies, trail accessible.
- MayDry, warm, good visibility.
- JunDry, occasional showers.
- JulDry, hot, trail dry.
- AugDry, hot, peak visibility.
- SepDry, stable weather.
- OctDry, end of season, fewer visitors.
- NovRain starts, trail muddy.
- DecRainy, road often closed.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javanese macaquesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| LeechesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Endemic forest birdsMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sumbawa Besar
Bus to Dompu (early), then bus or ojek to Calabai, then motorbike to Pancasila.
6–8 h
From Dompu
Public bus (4–5 h) to Calabai, then ojek to Pancasila.
5–6 h
From Bima Airport
Taxi to Dompu (≈2 h) then follow above route.
≈4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pancasila village | Entrance gate, guesthouse, guide office, supply shops. | Open with entry permit. |
| Base camp (2 km trailhead) | Start of the ascent, basic facilities. | Guided access only. |
| Summit crater | Volcanic crater rim, views of Sumbawa. | Guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximated from satellite maps; for navigation use GPS device.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | IDR 50,000–70,000 (≈ US$4–5) | person | Gate at Pancasila; covers basic trail access. |
| Guide (per day) | IDR 200,000 (≈ US$13) | person | Required for summit trek. |
| Lodging (guesthouse) | IDR 100,000 (≈ US$7) | night | Provided by K‑PATA at Pancasila. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Summit guide permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- Rp50,000–70,000≈ US$4–5
- Rp200,000≈ US$13
- Rp100,000≈ US$7
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for any ascent beyond the base camp.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated guesthouse area; only night at Pancasila.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
Where to stay
In the park
Pancasila guesthouse (K‑PATA)
Simple rooms, meals, guide coordination.
Near the park
Bima town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, 30 km (19 mi) from gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses, 19 mi (30 km) from gate.
Safety
Steep, slippery sections medium
Leeches and insects low
Road closures in rain high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Pancasila village reachable by car; short walk to gate.
- Summit trail steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local K‑PATA community by staying in their guesthouse.
- Carry out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Use established trails; do not disturb wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Tambora?
Entry is Rp 50 000–70 000 per person; a guide costs Rp 200 000 per day and guesthouse lodging Rp 100 000 per night.
What are the best hikes in Mount Tambora?
The main hike is the 2‑day guided summit trek (≈18 km round‑trip). Shorter walks to the base camp viewpoint are possible but still require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Mount Tambora?
Dry season April to October offers clear trails and good visibility; avoid the rainy months November to March.
Do I need a guide to climb Tambora?
Yes. Park rules require a licensed guide for any ascent beyond the base camp.
Can I camp on the mountain?
Camping is only allowed in the designated guesthouse at Pancasila; no back‑country camping is permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Mount Tambora
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