The Dieng Plateau, nestled in the Central Javanese Highlands of Indonesia, is a natural marvel located not far from the city of Yogyakarta. This former volcanic crater complex boasts a diverse array of landscapes, ranging from active volcanoes to ancient Hindu temples, smoking sulfur springs, vibrantly colored lakes, fresh mountain air, breathtaking sunrises, and endless terraced fields covering the surrounding hills.

Last summer, I embarked on a full-day exploration of Dieng with a close friend, and we were utterly amazed by this hidden gem, which remains relatively unknown to international tourists. The sunrise over the Dieng Plateau was particularly spectacular.

The name "Dieng" translates to "abode of the gods," a moniker that seems fitting for a place with such an incredible scale and mystical aura! This travel blog will guide you on how to reach Dieng Plateau and provide you with all the essential information you need to know before embarking on your journey.

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Where is Dieng Plateau?

Dieng Plateau is situated in Central Java, Indonesia, approximately 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Yogyakarta. The nearest airport is also in Yogyakarta (YIA), served by numerous budget airlines with high ratings. You can purchase flights to Yogyakarta on Skyscanner.

Despite the relatively short distance, the journey from Yogyakarta to Dieng Plateau takes much longer than you might expect – roughly four hours – due to the winding mountain roads. I must admit, I've never felt so nauseous in a car before.

However, don't let the long drive deter you from visiting, as Dieng Plateau truly stands out as one of the coolest highlights of our time in Java!

How to Get There

The simplest and best way to explore Dieng Plateau is to join a shared tour or hire a private driver for a full-day excursion from Yogyakarta.

If you prefer to travel with a vetted tour company, GetYourGuide offers highly rated day trips from Yogyakarta to Dieng Plateau. The itinerary includes hotel pickup, all entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide. We've used GetYourGuide for numerous travels and activities worldwide, and they've always been fantastic. Highly recommended!

Another option is to hire a local driver directly from Yogyakarta and negotiate the terms yourself, allowing you to potentially add some extra attractions if you wish.

The round-trip journey takes approximately eight hours, and we spent an additional five hours exploring the sights!

What to Expect When Visiting Dieng Plateau

Watching the sunrise over a volcano is a major highlight of a trip to Dieng Plateau, but unfortunately, the four-hour drive from Yogyakarta means you'll need to leave very early.

Our driver picked us up at 11 PM (yes, you read that right), which was excessive. We had some time to kill before reaching Sikunir Mountain, so we ended up sleeping in the car for about two hours.

Make sure to get a good night's sleep the day before and request your driver to depart as late as possible!

What to Bring

• Jacket: It's cold, so bring a jacket or hoodie. You can take it off after sunrise. The altitude here is higher than most parts of Indonesia, so temperatures can drop to as low as 8 degrees Celsius (47 degrees Fahrenheit) before sunrise.

• Long Pants: See above. Long pants are a good choice for warmth.

• Hiking Shoes: Flip-flops are not suitable for the sunrise hike, and it can be muddy. Wear proper shoes.

• Flashlight: You'll need a flashlight (or your phone's light) for hiking in the dark before sunrise.

• Camera: You'll definitely want a camera and drone to capture the scenery of this place.
  
  

Attractions and Activities at Dieng Plateau

• Sikunir Sunrise

One of the main attractions of Dieng Plateau is watching the sunrise over the active volcano, Merapi, from Sikunir Hill on the plateau's eastern side.

The most popular hiking spot is Sikunir Hill. Your driver can help you find the trailhead, and the path itself is relatively easy to follow. From the parking lot, the hike to the summit is steep but short, taking only 30-45 minutes.

Continue hiking until you reach the highest point for photos. If the sunrise time at Dieng Plateau is 5:20 AM, you should arrive at the summit by 5:00 AM or even 4:45 AM to secure a good spot for photos.

At the summit, we squatted with a friendly group of Indonesian locals who wanted to take selfies with us, as they rarely see Westerners here. The sunrise was misty but beautiful.

• Telagawana Lakes

These are a pair of sulfur lakes with strange green and yellow hues.

You can pay 30,000 Indonesian rupiahs to view the lakes from above or 100,000 rupiahs to walk down to the lakebed. When we visited, no one was at the ticket office, so we got a free view of the upper lake.

My advice: Skip the lower viewpoint, as it's overpriced, and the best views are from above the lake surface.

• Mountain Terraces

Dieng Plateau is covered with terraced fields planting potatoes, strawberries, and other crops.

If you have extra time, you can hike up some of the hills, but the roads and hills in Dieng are not very pedestrian-friendly.

The best way to view the terraces is by drone. This place is a drone paradise.

• Sikidang Crater

This is a huge smoking sulfur pit surrounded by many smaller bubbling geothermal pits.

As you might imagine, there's a strong smell of sulfur, and a bunch of tacky decorations and over-the-top selfie spots (including a giant gorilla plush toy) detract from the experience and make it even more bizarre.

• Arjuna Temple

Dieng Plateau boasts numerous 7th-century temples, which are actually one of the oldest existing structures on the island of Java.

Arjuna Temple is the best-preserved, and admission is included in the ticket you purchase for Sikidang Crater.