Exploring Alas Purwo National Park......Banyuwangi East Java

Here is my experience visiting one of the most interesting National Park in Java.

Alas Purwo National Park located in Banyuwangi (5 hours from Surabaya). Right on the tip of Java Island.Javanese believe that this jungle is the beginning (purwa) of all. According to Javanese legend, Alas Purwo is the first land appeared from the ocean.

This National Park is 434,2 KM square and rich of wildlife inside especially bull, dear, and peacock.

Alas Purwo is also where you can fine caves that are used as meditation caves. They are Istana Caves, and Padepokan Caves.

I went there to Istana Caves the inside of the cave laid a humble board seemed like to be used as bed with statue and incense and offering. It was quiet dark but a man offer me a flashlight. Inside the cave i met a young men with long hair and he has been living in the cave for years. I went inside with two men from Australia and South Africa. At the end of the cave there is a tunnel, very small tunnel that we had to bend over, and sure took off our shoes as the bottom was water to the ankle. The length of the tunnel was just 3 meters approximately. and at the end of the tunnel there was a small cave room with oferring and incence and.... bats. The bats looks calm and do not feel they were disturbed by us.

The path to caves are very interesting to enjoy too cus you can see creek and lush bamboo is all around. You will meet few people on site they usually have purpose to meditate.

Hindu people visit Pura Agung in the mids of Alas Purwo to celebrate Pagerwesi that is celebrated once in 210 days.

Alas Purwo National Park is rich of flora and fauna. It is the home lutung budeng (Trachypithecus auratus auratus), bull (Bos javanicus javanicus), ajag (Cuon alpinus javanicus), peacock (Pavo muticus), The Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), deer (Cervus timorensis russa), The Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas), dan The Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis). And other protected animals such as Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Those turtles usually go to the shore between Januari to September.

Sadengan Savanna 80 ha pastures where you can see wild bull, barking deer, wild pig, peacock, jungle fowl and many kind of birds. The wild animals are grassing and can be seen in the morning and afternoon from the viewing tower.

G-LAND BEACH

Located in the midst of Alas Purwo national Park. The G derives from Grajagan bay. G-Land is naturally completed with waves for beginner to the most advanced surfer.

My First Visit in Alas Purwo (An Adventure)

After visiting Baluran National Park, me and my friend fron Banyuwangi then planeed to visit Alas Purwo hmmm we are curious how G-Land is :). We were 2 girls travel alone to the jungle which are no common for javanese :)

We went by her motorbike. And guess what happened...... the road were no good for motor bike of hers, we had flat tyre. When we arrived Pancur, we left the motor in front of Mushola (mosque). And we continue our trip to G-Land on food.

At first we follow the road which is dark as the trees were tall. So we chose to fringe the shore.

My friend loves shore very much she was exited to see white sandy beach. Walking thru the sand we felt like it was our island or something, cus there was no one. Just us, and quiet. Only the waves that broke. My friend changed her trousers to short pants like she did in a private bathroom. :)

It was hot but we still prefer to follow the coast line. it took 3 hours approximately to G-Land. Pancur to G-Land is 9 Km.

We saw surfers and we knew that we arrived to one of the best surf beach.

It was afternoon and we knew we couldnt return on foot to Pancur cus we were exhausted so we managed to sleep at G-Land. Luckily there is a 3 floor surfer tower. I met a very kind young men that lent us pillow and blanket so we can sleep well on the 3rd floor of the tower. :)

But we awake until late at night cus we joined with young men with guitar and singing with bonfire. HMmm it was so peaceful...... the song..... the guitar....the moon .....and the sea that started to tide.

In the morning, we returned to Pancur by logistic truck. We had to wait until the tyre repaired. There is no tyre in the jungle so we had to ask someone who wanted to go to town to buy for us. Luckily there is a man who had to ride his gf home for her visit. Afternoon at 6 PM we head back to Banyuwangi.

My Second Visit To Alas Purwo (in group)

This visit less adventure and not that hard like my first experience :)

I went there with my campuss friends. We went buy 27 seats bus, and stop at the entrance gate of Alas Purwo where we had to pay entrance fee. We had luch box there.

In this trip we were accompanied by a ranger as our guide. We rode by Land Rover to G-Land and the to Sadengan Savanna and Ngagelan Beach to see turtle captivity ( i didnt visit these palce on my first trip)

Ngagelan is pretty interesting. Here you can see baby turtle and turtle eggs that were burried under the sand. Turtle lying eggs in the middle of the night is one of the most interesting tour to do. For this tour you must stay overnight at Triangulasi where accomodation is available for Rp. 50.000.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Banyuwangi-Pasaranyar :65 km (by car)

Pasaranyar-Trianggulasi :12 km (by car)

Trianggulasi-Plengkung :10 km (by land rover)