Trekking Gunung Gede via Putri
Semangat Ibu! That is what we heard all the way up Gunung Gede — strangers cheering us on like family. Some even stopped us for photos, maybe because we were among the oldest hikers on the trail that day. Their encouragement carried us step by step, through steep forest climbs and tangled tree roots that doubled as staircases.
This was no ordinary weekend for me. It was full of firsts:
- First time camping
- First time sleeping in a tent
- First time realizing just how cold a sleeping bag can feel
- And yes, first time trekking with no loos… just nature. Let’s just say it was “character building”
Yet somehow, it still felt like luxury hiking.
I wasn’t alone on this adventure. With me was my friend Yanti Nisro — the perfect partner for this trek. She guided, encouraged, and laughed with me through every steep stretch.
The trail from Gunung Putri is direct and steep. It winds through thick forest alive with the hum of insects, bird calls, and the occasional cheer or laughter from fellow hikers. Roots became our steps (and sometimes our trip hazards), and our quads were on fire.
But then, just when the forest seemed endless, the trees opened into a ridge of pure magic: Taman Edelweiss.
A vast field of Indonesia’s eternal flower stretched before us, framed by blue skies and deep green mountain slopes. It felt like stepping into another world.
That’s where we set up camp at 2,750m — our little home under the stars.
This was my first time camping overnight on a mountain. Thankfully, our amazing porter carried the heavy loads, set up tents, and even cooked hot meals: mie rebus, pisang goreng, and endless cups of teh manis. Truly, five-star service at high altitude.
As the sun set, the cold crept in fast. We layered up until we could see our breath in the icy air. Sleeping in a tent at that altitude? Let’s just say I learned how cold “cold” can feel.
But the rewards made it worthwhile: a night sky scattered with stars, the sound of laughter drifting between tents, and the warmth of friendship and shared adventure.
The next morning, the trail beckoned further toward the summit. Many hikers woke in the early hours to climb higher. But we chose differently. Instead of pushing on, we paused at Alun-alun Suryakencana, a wide meadow at the foot of Gede.
It was a conscious choice — to honor the experience without needing to chase the summit. The meadow itself was breathtaking, a vast alpine field framed by ridges and filled with Edelweiss. Sitting there, surrounded by beauty and silence, I realized that sometimes the journey itself is the destination. Reaching the campground and being fully present in that space was enough.
When the sun rose, the Edelweiss fields lit up golden, stretching endlessly across the highland. It was a scene I’ll never forget.
We had chosen to trek on Thursday and Friday, wisely following my friends’ advice that weekends get overwhelmingly busy. At first, I didn’t quite believe them. On our way up, the trail was almost peaceful, with only a handful of other trekkers in sight. But the next morning, as we descended, reality hit. Hundreds of hikers were on their way up — a moving river of people in every color of jacket, carrying all kinds of gear (and sometimes, no gear at all).
The contrast was striking: our serene climb versus the weekend crowd surging toward the summit. It made me grateful for the quiet we’d experienced on the way up.
Every so often, small warungs appeared like oases, offering drinks, watermelon, pisang goreng, and snacks. Only in Indonesia can you trek a mountain and find a food stall halfway up.
Trekking Gunung Gede via Putri was more than a hike. It was an adventure that stretched my body, tested my comfort zone, and filled my heart. From Semangat Ibu! cheers, to fields of Edelweiss, to laughing with Yanti under a starry sky — it was unforgettable.
I couldn’t have done it without Yanti, whose adventurous spirit and steady encouragement made the journey even more meaningful.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. But maybe next time, I will bring an extra thick sleeping bag.
Because in the end, trekking Gunung Gede wasn’t just about reaching the campsite or the summit. It was about community, resilience, joy — and discovering that with a little semangat, anything is possible.
by Poonam Sagar
