Project Description
Drive from Sungaipenuh to Lempur, about an hour and 15 minutes. Walk through the rainforest for about 3-4 hours, visiting a pretty waterfall (Bersisik Emas), and crossing a creek along the way. Once you reach the lake, enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool, perfectly clear waters. Notice the underwater spring on the bottom of the lake constantly pumping in fresh water, and search for the brilliantly-colored fresh-water crabs that make the lake their home.
When it’s time to finally pull yourself away, return to Lempur for a night in a local homestay, or head back to Sungaipenuh.
Spend the night at the lake, which can cast an eerily blue glow if the conditions are right. Make sure to take a night walk to try and spot eye shine in the surrounding forests.
Enjoy a leisurely morning swimming and/or exploring the surrounding rainforest. Return to Lempur by mid-afternoon.
Interested in a longer multi-day jungle trek, that also visits Lake Kaco? Be sure to check out our Sumatran Tiger Trek itinerary!
Difficulty: Easy. The trail to the lake is relatively flat.
Activities: Hiking, Swimming, Bird Watching, Wildlife, Optionally Camping
Elevation: 1000m-1300m
Terrain: Jungle, Traditionally managed production forest, The bluest lake you’ll ever see.
Nearest Village: Lempur, Gunung Raya subdistrict, Kerinci regency, Jambi province, Indonesia
- A quality pair of hiking shoes – preferably waterproof – are essential.
- Comfortable trekking socks are recommended.
- Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Preferably made from quick-dry material.
- Your own water bottle, to cut down on single-use plastics.
- A headlamp, especially if you want to take any night walks.
- A waterproof jacket in case it rains, and to keep you warm in the chilly evenings and mornings.
- Sunscreen, especially if you plan on spending much time on the lake. Being so close to the equator, it’s easy to burn quickly-especially when the air is so deceptively cool.
The trail to the lake is pretty flat, but can be muddy in wetter seasons. Also be prepared for the occasional land leech, depending on the season and (un)luckiness.
Best to avoid weekends and public holidays, as local students can crowd the campsite and are prone to being disruptively loud.
Like all of our trips, you travel at your own risk. Keep in mind that you are visiting a wild and extremely remote area of rural Sumatra, far from quality medical care. It’s your responsibility to make sure you are covered with valid travel and medical insurance.
There are now daily flights to Kerinci from the city of Jambi! You can read more about them here.
The best place to base yourself before and after the trek is in the small village of Lempur, in the southern region of Kerinci, staying with your guide’s family. It’s also possible to stay in a small hotel in the main town of Sungai Penuh, about an hour north of Lempur.
Many travelers come overland via the city of Padang in West Sumatra to the town of Sungai Penuh. Expect the drive to Sungai Penuh to take around nine hours, although it can vary by an hour or two depending on the road conditions and the driver, and if you are taking public or private transport. Padang has direct flights to/from the hubs of Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Medan, and Batam. If you are in Bukittinggi, it’s possible to drive directly to Sungai Penuh, roughly a ten hour drive. From Sungai Penuh, you’ll be met and driven on to Lempur.
The city of Jambi is also a possible launching point, taking roughly nine hours to reach Lempur, without having to go to Sungai Penuh first. The road from Jambi is less winding than the road from Padang, so a bit more comfortable. As mentioned, Wings Air has daily flights to Kerinci. Susi Air also has thrice-weekly flights directly to the town of Sungai Penuh in central Kerinci, although the flights aren’t as reliable as the Wings Air flights, and are difficult to book.
You can read more about transport to/from Kerinci, and what travel looks like within the valley here.
When booking with us, we’ll be happy to assist you with all accommodation and transport arrangements.
As always, we use only local guides and porters from nearby communities, who are paid a fair, ethical wage above the standard local price.
