A Road Trip to Dieng Plateau

At 2,100 meters above sea level, Dieng Plateau stands as one of the highest highlands in Indonesia, captivating visitors with its breathtaking views and unique climate. Within this picturesque landscape lies Sembungan village, the highest village on Java Island, perched at 2,263 meters. From this remarkable height, clouds blanket the valley below, earning Dieng the enchanting nickname "Negeri Di Atas Awan," or "Land Upon The Clouds."

Dieng Plateau - Negeri di Atas Awan

This altitude brings a chilly atmosphere, where fog often wraps around the surroundings, creating an ethereal ambiance. Daytime temperatures hover around 18°C but can plummet to a biting 8°C at night. During the dry season, the arrival of cold monsoon winds from Australia can send temperatures down to a chilling 0°C, and on rare occasions, the region experiences frost, locally known as Embun Upas (loosely translated as poisonous dew in English), with the coldest recorded temperature hitting -5°C.

While the frost can be detrimental to local farmers—especially those tending to potato crops—at the same time it attracts tourists eager to witness this remarkable phenomenon in a tropical setting. For many, the allure of experiencing winter-like weather in Indonesia is irresistible, adding to the enchanting mystique of Dieng Plateau. The enchanting land of Dieng also inspired the tales of many legends. 

Things to Do in Dieng Plateau

• Watch the breathtaking view of sunrises and sunsets,
• Explore the volcanic craters, including the famous Kawah Sikidang,
• Besides the legendary lake of Telaga Warna, Dieng also has several other tranquil lakes,
• Visit ancient temples of the Candi Arjuna Complex, Candi Bima, Candi Setyaki, Candi Gatotkaca, and Candi Dwarawati,
• Stroll in Tambi Tea Plantation,
• Swing by Dieng Kailasa Museum,
• Check out Dieng Volcanic Theater,
• Go to the annual Dieng Culture Festival. 

And other information you need to go and stay comfortably in Dieng:

• How to go to Dieng Plateau
• Types of accommodations in Dieng Plateau
• Where and what to eat in Dieng

Tambi Tea Plantation

Stroll on the wooden bridge at Tambi tea plantation in Dieng Plateau.

As usual, highlands in Indonesia are suitable for tea plantations, including Tambi in the Dieng Plateau. Since they are privately owned, there are several plantations, but the sizes are smaller (compared to plantations in Puncak Pass, Ciwidey, and Pangalengan). Each of them offers breathtaking views of tea plantations that look like green carpets rolling on the hill, with mountains in the background, and swirling fog in the air. 

During our visit in mid-2024, at least we saw and visited three tea plantations in Tambi. Each plantation has low bridges and platforms made of wood or bamboo, about 1.5 meters above the dirt path. These structures were a bit rickety in places, but they provided a safe way to enjoy the view without getting scratched by sharp branches. The entrance fee for each plantation was Rp. 10,000 per person, plus parking.

Dieng Plateau Theater

Located at Jalan Dieng Theater with GPS coordinates of 7°13'00.1"S 109°54'54.4" E (-7.216693, 109.915097), Dieng Plateau Theater has been open since 2006. This theater has a capacity of 100 seats. It offers a 23-minute film about the Dieng plateau, such as its history, people, culture, and volcanic activity. The ticket price is Rp.10,000/person and the opening hours are daily, from 8AM until 4PM.

Dieng Culture Festival

Dieng Culture Festival is an annual event surrounding “Ruwatan Rambut Gimbal”, which is the ritual of cutting several children's dreadlocks. Although having dreadlocks is hereditary, they don’t have it since birth (dreadlocks started to grow when they were toddlers) and not all children in Dieng have dreadlocks. Usually, those children got a fever as the symptom of the start of the growing of dreadlocks. 

Preceding the ritual, these children request one thing from their parents, which will be given to them during the ceremony as soon as the dreadlocks are cut, otherwise, people believe that the dreadlocks will regrow. 

According to local beliefs, children with dreadlocks are the incarnation of Kyai Kolodete and Nini Roro Ronce. They are husband and wife who were assigned by Nyai Roro Kidul – the supernatural queen of the South Sea – to protect the Dieng plateau. Therefore, after the ritual, the dreadlocks are collected to be drifted on the Serayu River to reach the Indian Ocean and return to Nyai Roro Kidul.

Initially, Ruwatan Rambut Gimbal was the main event of the Dieng Culture Festival, but today it has developed to include other events, such as a Jazz Festival called Jazz Atas Awan, traditional dance performances, fireworks, and releasing lanterns.

The theme of the Dieng Culture Festival 2024 is The Journey and will be held from the 23rd to the 25th of August. 

What to eat in Dieng?

Mie Ongklok from Dieng.

One dish that is very famous in Dieng and Wonosobo is called Mie Ongklok. It is a noodle soup with bean sprouts and sliced cabbages as toppings, and it has a slightly sweet and thick broth.

When visiting Dieng, you should try snacks or sweets made from Carica, also known as mountain papaya. This fruit resembles regular papaya but is smaller and rounder, and it only grows in the Dieng Highlands.

How to Go to Dieng Plateau

Road trips are the only way to go to the highlands of Dieng. You can take a train or plane to Semarang, Yogyakarta, or Solo (Surakarta), and continue to Dieng by car. The distance between Jakarta and Dieng Plateau is approximately 400 kilometers. Thanks to the Trans Java toll road, the driving time from Jakarta is reduced to about nine hours. 

There are several roads that will take you to Dieng, such as via Bawang and Temanggung from the north, and Wonosobo from the south. Of these three alternatives, the road via Bawang offers the most breathtaking view. However, I would not recommend it, since it is a narrow road with steep inclines all the way to Dieng. Plus, the unpredictable fog comes and goes on this mountain, which often limits visibility to just a few meters ahead. You need a vehicle in excellent condition and a skillful driver to go through this road.

Tap/click the google map to get directions to Dieng Plateau.

The beginning of the road from Bawang to Dieng Plateau. From here on, the road becomes more challenging.

The second option is to drive via Temanggung and pass through the Tambi tea plantation. Dieng, known for being the best potato producer in Indonesia, also has tea plantations, although not as extensive as those in Pangalengan, Ciwidey, and Lembang-Subang, Bandung. Roads in Tambi are provincial roads, so they are wider with gentle slopes compared to the roads in Bawang. From Temanggung, you can continue north to Semarang or south to Magelang and Yogyakarta.

Accommodations in Dieng Plateau

Villas are the most popular accommodation option in Dieng, scattered across the highlands and nestled among potato fields. Each villa features a bathroom and a kitchenette. Some villas have a living room with a sofa bed. Typically, the bedroom is located in an open loft area. These villas can accommodate up to four guests, and the rules are generally less strict than those at hotels. The kitchenette is convenient for cooking instant noodles and brewing coffee, a staple for the cold nights in Dieng :)

The Horison Resort Dieng has a roof top restaurant, where we can enjoy the breathtaking view of Dieng.

The closest hotel to Dieng Plateau is the Horison Resort Hotel, a three-star establishment located about thirteen kilometers from the km. 0 marker in Dieng, towards Wonosobo, near the Tambi Tea Plantation. Its restaurant is situated on the top floor of the main building, featuring open windows that offer stunning views of the mountains. Guests can also enjoy sunrises and sunsets from the rooftop. Recently, it launched a glamping site called Luxcamp Dieng by Horison.

Bobo Cabin Dieng is a four-star hotel that provides several cabins within a tea plantation, boasting breathtaking views of the Dieng Highland. It is approximately fourteen kilometers from the km. 0 Dieng marker in the direction of Bawang.

Next on Dieng Plateau:

• Watch the breathtaking view of sunrises and sunsets,
• Explore the volcanic craters, including the famous Kawah Sikidang,
• Besides the legendary lake of Telaga Warna, Dieng also has several other tranquil lakes,
• Visit ancient temples of the Candi Arjuna Complex, Candi Bima, Candi Setyaki, Candi Gatotkaca, and Candi Dwarawati,
• Swing by Dieng Kailasa Museum.