Kawah Putih White Crater, Hot Springs and Tea Plantations Tour Bandung

Kawah Putih, the White Crater of Ciwidey

Kawah Putih is a volcanic crater lake on Mount Patuha, about fifty kilometres south of Bandung at around 2,400 metres above sea level. Its water changes colour with the weather and the sulphur content, from bright turquoise to milky white, and the pale crater walls, drifting steam and dead trees give the place an otherworldly look that makes it one of the most famous sights of West Java.

On this Kawah Putih tour you reach it on foot, walking for about thirty minutes through tea plantations to the White Crater viewpoint before descending to the lakeshore, with around two hours at the crater in total. The sulphur smell can be strong, so visitors are advised not to linger too long close to the water; mornings usually bring the clearest views before clouds roll in.

The Tea Plantations of Rancabali

The highlands around Ciwidey and Rancabali are covered with tea gardens planted in the colonial era and still worked today. Neat rows of bright green bushes roll over the hills, broken by tall trees and small pickers' paths, and the cool, damp air makes this one of the most pleasant landscapes near Bandung.

The walk to the crater and the drive between the stops pass through these plantations, with chances for photos of the tea pickers at work. If you have asked yourself what to do in Bandung beyond the city's shopping streets, a day in the Ciwidey tea country is the classic answer, and the drive itself, winding up from the city into the hills, is part of the pleasure.

Lakeside Lunch at Rancabali

Lunch is served at a glamping area on the shore of a highland lake in Rancabali, framed by tea plantations and forested hills. After the walk at the crater, it is a relaxed stop of about an hour and a half, with time to eat and enjoy the view across the water.

The lakeside area also has a go-kart track and a path around the shore, so you can stretch your legs or add a little speed before the afternoon. West Java is a Muslim-majority region and halal food is the norm, and you can tell us about any dietary needs when you book. The cool air, the reflections of the hills on the water and the quiet after the busy crater make this one of the most pleasant breaks of the day.

Kawah Rengganis Hot Springs

The day ends at Kawah Rengganis in Ciwidey, a forested valley where hot water from the volcano flows down a natural stream. The water is warm and milky, and pools along the stream make perfect natural baths. Many visitors also cover themselves in the soft, warm volcanic mud, which is said to be good for the skin, before rinsing off in the stream.

To reach the springs you cross a suspension bridge over the valley and can ride a basket cable car across the river, both fun parts of the visit. Around two hours here is enough to soak, play in the mud and dry off. Bring swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes, and keep swimwear modest as this is a family destination.