Punthuk Setumbu – The Best Place to See Sunrise Before Visiting Borobudur Temple

Punthuk Setumbu Hill – Apart from the sacredness of the Borobudur Temple, Magelang also has many interesting tourist destinations to visit. If we previously discussed the Chicken Church, now let’s move a little to the natural tourism of Punthuk Setumbu Hill. This tour is really suitable for healing, calming the mind or just enjoying the sunset at dusk. The location is close to Borobudur Temple and the route is quite easy to reach.

Punthuk Setumbu Hill

Punthuk Setumbu is a hill in the same area as Menoreh Hill in Magelang, Central Java. In Javanese, Punthuk means mound, while setumbu means tumbu or rice hood made from woven bamboo. So if interpreted, Punthuk Setumbu is a hill whose shape is similar to a tumbu or rice hood.

According to history, Punthuk Setumbu was once just an ordinary hill used as a terraced field. However, his name went viral when a photographer captured the sunrise of Borobudur from the top of the hill. After the photo was uploaded to social media, many visitors were curious and it ended up becoming one of the tourist destinations in Magelang to this day.

The Attraction of Punthuk Setumbu

The following are the tourist attractions of Punthuk Setumbu, from tracking, having a beautiful coffee, taking selfies to hunting for a nirvana sunrise:

1. Exciting Tracking with Exotic Natural Scenery

Because it is located at an altitude of approximately 400 meters above sea level, you need tracking to reach the top of the hill. The duration of this tracking is around 15 minutes with terrain conditions that are quite smooth.

Even though you have to walk a little further, your tiredness will pay off when you get to the top. Apart from that, the natural panorama around the hill will also be your loyal friend to reduce tiredness.

2. Beautiful Country Style Tea in the Clouds

One of the mandatory things you must do while on holiday here is to drink beautiful coffee accompanied by a nirvana sunrise. Just imagine, enjoying a cup of coffee accompanied by rice fields, shady plants and clouds hanging over Borobudur. It really is the best moment, isn’t it?

3. Enjoy Nirvana Sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu

The reason why Punthuk Setumbu has become so viral is because of its natural beauty, especially in the morning. At this sunrise moment, you can see the splendor of Borobudur Temple bathed in morning light. Apart from that, if you are lucky there is usually a white mist that covers the end of the temple which makes visitors feel as if they are seeing a country above the clouds. Visitors call this beautiful moment Nirvana Sunrise because its beauty is above average.

4. Sunbath at Menoreh Hill

As the afternoon progresses, Punthuk Setumbu Hill is often used as a sunbathing location or basking in the sun. The right time for sunbathing is around 10.00 to 11.00 WIB. At those hours, sunlight is still good for health and increases immunity. So, when it starts to feel hot, don’t rush home first, it won’t take long, at most only 20 minutes.

5. Hunting for Aesthetic Photos

Besides healing, you can also use Punthuk Setumbu as a place to hunt for aesthetic photos. Here you can be satisfied taking photos with natural backgrounds, clouds and the majestic Borobudur Temple from above. Apart from that, there is also another photo spot in the form of a veranda which you can access for free.

Travel Route to Punthuk Setumbu

For those of you coming from Magelang, you can immediately take the route from the T-junction towards Borobur Temple. Arrive at the front of the temple, please look for the name of the hotel with the name Manohara then choose straight to the Menoreh Hill area. Follow the road until you find an information board saying “Borobudur Nirwana Sunrise” and follow the route.

So, if you are departing from Jogja, you can take the route to the Borobudur Temple area then follow the same guide as above. In contrast to the journey from Magelang, the route to Punthuk Setumbu Hill from Jogja Araj takes around 44 minutes to 1 hour.

Entrance Ticket Prices to Punthuk Setumbu

The following is information related to the address, ticket prices, facilities and opening hours of Punthuk Setumbu Hill:

• Address: Jalan Borobudur Ngadiharjo KM 4, Kurahan, Village Karangrejo, Borobudur District, Magelang, Central Java.
• Ticket Price: Rp 25,000 for local tourists, Rp 50,000 for foreign tourists
• Opening Hours: 04.00 to 17.00 WIB
• Parking: IDR 2,000-IDR 5,000
• Facilities: Toilets, large parking area, prayer room, comfortable chairs, food court, photo spot, camping ground and accommodation.

Lastly, those of you who intend to spend the night on Punthuk Setumbu Hill,  can rent accommodation at nearby hotels such as Plataran Heritage Borobudur Hill, Nudy Homestay, Omah Setumbu Village, Jalan-Jalan, Borobudur Homestay and Balkondes Ngadiharjo.