Gunung Kidul Regency in
Yogyakarta, specifically Blimbing Village in Ponjong District, is a dry and
desolate region – one of the main characteristics of an area with a dominantly
karst geology. Karst – a term used worldwide to refer to limestone regions – is
a kind of natural landform shaped by the dissolution of layers of soluble
bedrock, in a process called karstification. Karst is characterized by
sinkholes (closed basins), underground streams, and caverns, caused when
rainwater and carbon dioxide dissolve limestone. These landforms are created
gradually over millions of year.
Karst is important, as
nearly 70% of karst contains valuable minerals, and many also contain water
springs. In Indonesia, karst zones are found on nearly all islands, covering
roughly 20% of the total land area.
With thoughtful
consideration to the environment, cave and karst ecotourism can be an excellent
way to utilize these areas, especially when local communities are involved. As
well as generating revenue, this approach also requires that the karst be
protected for its economic and environmental value. In fact, noting the
tremendous benefits contained in karst, on 6 December 2004 President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono proclaimed the karst zone a natural laboratory and encouraged
"eco-karst" activities.
Here at Gunung Kidul,
cave and karst tourism is currently being developed, as a very logical way to
help overcome the local people's poverty. This activity, which obviously appeals
only to certain people, has not been widely developed, but a few karst-related
activities, such as cave exploring, are beginning to attract visitors.
The karst zone at
Gunung Kidul is actually part of the much larger Gunung Sewu karst zone in
Central Java, which stretches as far as Pacitan in East Java. Blimbing village
itself has seven cave entrances into three caves – two vertical and one
horizontal – that can be explored by special-interest tourists.
Cave exploration in
Dusun Blimbing is very safe. Not only are the guides highly qualified and
experienced, but international-standard safety equipment is used, ensuring
safety even for absolute beginners. Before entering the caves, visitors are
urged to stop off at the Blimbing Village Hall, which serves as an information
center on tourism in the area. Here you can receive the information you need
through visual displays, videos, and important explanations, including proper
preparation for trekking and caving activities.
As a
starting experience that's sure to give you an adrenalin rush, tourists can
explore the Cokro vertical cave, or Luweng Cokro. From the Village Hall,
tourists first hike around 500 meters along a steep trail through an arid
landscape with rocky plains, until they come to a rice-field dike.
Arriving at the mouth
of the cave, you will be greeted by local people offering help lift you into
and out of the cave; but you have to follow your guide's orders.
Luweng Cokro has two
openings and is around 18 meters deep. To start the exploration, you enter
through a narrow opening just wide enough for one person, with a strong wall to
hold on to. Once the ropes are properly fastened, your guide will order you to
sit and hold on to the cave walls on both sides. As you hang, the local people
will gradually lower you until you reach the cave floor.
After this descending process, you can continue by exploring the cave, which
extends roughly 300 meters. It's best to do this in the dry season, when the
cave is not full of water.
Luweng Cokro, like many
caves, contains stalactites and stalagmites in many interesting shapes,
creating an exotic panorama. These "ornamental" structures are
created by mineral deposits from water dripping over thousands of years. The
floor of this cave is challenging to navigate, as it comprises boulders, mud,
soft ground and sand.
Luweng also contains
some unusual cave-dwelling creatures: snakes, swallows, and many bats flying
near the cave walls. The cavern has an unusual structure, with one large
chamber like a ballroom and a descending corridor that gradually becomes
narrower; toward the end you have to squat to more forward.
If you want to explore
this cave in a party of ten, it will take around three hours: 45 minutes to
descend, 90 minutes to explore the cave, including rest periods, and another 45
minutes to reascend. The party is usually divided into groups; when one group
has finished the descent, they start the exploration while waiting for the
others to descend.
After finishing the
exploration and resting briefly, the tourists get ready to be hauled up and out
of the cave. The guide in the cave gives orders using special communication
equipment so that the people outside are ready to pull.
During the ascent
process, you need to maintain a gentle balance, avoid moving too much, and hold
on to the rope, especially when you approach the mouth of the cave so that you
don't bang into the hard walls and injure yourself.
This activity is both challenging and a lot of fun,
but it's not recommended for those who suffer from a serious fear of heights or
darkness. These special-interest tourists need a certain level of courage, and
adequate understanding of what they're doing.
Luweng Cokro is a
perfect "starter cave" for tourists with no previous experience who
want to try caving. Even children can do it safely, following the guide's
instructions.
Getting
to Yogyakarta
Garuda Indonesia flies the Jakarta-Yogyakarta-Jakarta route 56 times per weeks,
and Denpasar-Yogyakarta-Denpasar 14 times per week.
Getting
to Dusun Blimbing
The village is 60 km southeast of Yogyakarta. You can take a bus from
Yogyakarta to Wonosari and then take another to Ponjong, and continue
by motorcycle taxi to Dusun Blimbing. Follow the same directions if using your
own vehicle.
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