Travels in Java: Take a Dip in the Cibolang Hot Spring

Cibolang Hotpsring Pengalengan

Cibolang Hotpsring Pengalengan

Travels in Java; Located around 30 miles (50 km) south of Bandung in Pengalengan, West Java, the Cibolang hot spring is surrounded by the beauty of nature. Now, with its growing reputation among tourists, Cibolang is bringing new meaning to the term ‘hot spot’.  

In the surrounding landscape, visitors can roam around scenic tea plantations, dial up the adrenaline with river rafting trips, hike in the misty mountains, or simply unwind in the warm, volcanic water of the hot springs.  

Perched at an altitude of 4,750 feet (1,450 meters) above sea level, Wanasuka Village is home to the 2-hectare Cibolang hot spring. It takes about two hours to get there from Bandung by car, on a journey through the verdant landscapes of West Java.  

Cibolang Hotpsring Pengalengan

Tucked away between two mountains 

At journey’s end, the Cibolang hot spring sits in the foothills of twin mountains, called Wayang and Windu. Up here, the air is cool and fresh, with temperatures rarely edging over 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). All around, fragrant pine trees and colorful calliandra combine to create the feeling of a secret glade in the forest. 

According to local traditions, the mountains here are sacred places where gods reside. They are also the wellspring of the Citarum River, which flows from seven springs in Wayang mountain to a lake called Situ Cisanti, before joining the Citarum tributaries. Peoples say the water that trickles down from the mountain is divine, as it comes direct from the gods. 

And the Cibolang hot spring is certainly a heavenly place to spend the day. The volcanic heart of the mountain warms the spring waters to temperatures between 104 and 115°F (40-46°C), creating a kind of natural bath or jacuzzi, tucked away in the forest.  

Travels in Java Cibolang Hotpsring Pengalengan

What to do in Cibolang Hot Spring  

Established in 1990, the Cibolang hot spring complex provides visitors with access to three main pools, each filled with natural hot water that flows direct from the mountains.  

Entrance tickets are just Rp25,000 (US$ 1.60) per person, and you can even grab yourself a private pool ticket for Rp40,000 (US$ 2.58) per person. This is a great way to let off steam with family and friends. 

Travels in Java

The Cibolang hot springs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To get the most out of your trip, follow our top tips: 

 Top Tips: Visiting Cibolang Hot Spring 

  • Visit in the early morning and late afternoon, when the atmosphere is serene and magical 
  • The water is like a hot bath, so dip your toes first and acclimatize to the temperature 
  • Rent a mat and enjoy a picnic with friends and family 
  • Grab yourself private pool, then sit back and enjoy the view  
  • Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit! 

Keeping Cibolang Green 

Travels in Java: Take a Dip in the Cibolang Hot Spring

Forest and farmland surrounding the hot springs. (Photo: Trees4Trees/Kemas Duga Muis) 

As part of our commitment to preserving the upstream regions of the Citarum River, which includes the Cibolang hot springs, Trees4Trees has been busy planting trees to keep the area green and healthy. 

“Since 2022, our replanting program has been hard at work around the villages of Wanasuka and Banjarsari, with 54,000 trees planted in strategic locations. “We specifically planted trees on local farmland, to help the environment while also supporting local farmers,” explains Muhammad Anggy, Trees4Trees’ Cisangkuy Unit Manager.  

These activities provide a range of benefits to the local landscape, from ensuring the availability of water sources, to preventing erosion, and preserving the hot springs, which provide a source of income for many people living in the area. But this is just the beginning. Around 61,000 trees will be planted in Wanasuka and Banjarsari village by the beginning of next year (2024).

Zeni is Trees4Trees’ Field Coordinator for these two villages in Cisangkuy. He hopes these replanting efforts can make a big difference in the near future. “By adding more trees, we aim to preserve the hot spring and the foothills of the twin mountains that form part of the upstream Citarum river,” says Zeni. “By improving upstream areas at the source of the river, we also hope to benefit downstream areas, bringing prosperity to local communities and returning the Citarum to its natural state.” 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Editor: Christopher Alexander

6250 Trees Planted in a Collaboration with NEC Indonesia

6,250 Trees Planted in a Collaboration with NEC Indonesia
Photo: Trees4Trees/Kemas Duga Muis

As a concern for environmental improvement and helping the local economy, Trees4Trees collaborates with NEC Indonesia to plant 6,250 trees planted on the lands of Sukaresmi Village and Sukaharja Village, West Java. The trees are planted in a total area of 10.5 hectares and involve 25 local farmers where trees are planted in their lands. A wide variety of trees ranging from fruit trees like avocado, mango, and durian, to woods like mahogany, teak, and albizia were planted in the tree-planting program.  

Pandu Budi Wahono, the Trees4Trees Program Manager said that conservation function is the main purpose of the program, but it is also expected that the tree planting will be beneficial for the local community. 

“Conservation function is the main purpose of the program so that trees planted will produce oxygen and maintain the water sources. But we are hoping that it will also be useful for the socio-economic community because we involve around 25 local farmers in total in the program,” said Pandu. He also said that mahogany trees will be planted along the village roads to make an improvement on the environment of the village public facility.  

According to Pandu, there is quite a lot of unproductive land in both Sukaresmi and Sukaharja villages, so it is expected that this program can be continued in the following year. 

Trees Planted Part of the NEC Corporate Social Responsibility Program  

The tree-planting program is a part of NEC Indonesia Corporate Social Responsibility Program that focuses on environmental sustainability to preserve nature. Joji Yamamoto, the NEC Indonesia President Director said that it is in line with NEC 2030 vision in the environmental aspect: Living harmoniously with the earth to secure the future. 

“The environment is one of the focuses of NEC 2030Vision to ensure a sustainable earth, so that we can live in harmony with nature to protect the future of this planet,” he said.  

Yamamoto on behalf of NEC, also thank the village head and all the residents of Sukaresmi and Sukaharja village to accept trees donation. “NEC Indonesia is proud to be able to take part in environmental preservation today. We thank all residents who have agreed to accept donations of thousands of trees from us to be planted on your land,” he added.  

CSR with NEC Indonesia
Photo: Trees4Trees/Yulianisa Dessenita

Started the Program with Tree-planting Event  

Marking the start of the tree-planting program, a tree-planting event was conducted last December 10, 2023. 250 trees were successfully planted in the public facilities of Sukaresmi village during the event. While the rest of the 6,000 trees were planted on 20 farmers’ lands in Sukaresmi and Sukaharja village last December 2022.  

26 staff of NEC participated in the event as tree planter volunteers, including the President Director, Joji Yamamoto. One of NEC staff who volunteers as a tree planter, Fathan, said that as part of NEC family, he is proud to be involved in the event. “We are grateful, especially because we can contribute to environmental improvement, not only for the benefit that we get today but also for the future,” he said. 

6250 trees planted
Photo: Trees4Trees/Kemas Duga Muis.

With the implementation of the tree-planting program in his village, the head of Sukaresmi village, Yana Sunarya thanked NEC and Trees4Trees for the program in the context of the conservation in his village. “We thank the tree-planting program. Hopefully, the trees planted can supplement the oxygen as well as the water source for prolonged life. By planting trees in our village, we also hope the trees will bring a great benefit for the villagers,” said Yana.