Dua Saudara Mountain

Dua Sudara Mt is settled in Madidir village, Madidir sub-district, about 12Km from Bitung downtown. Dua Sudara is a non-active mountain that standing on the east Klabat Mountain; a Mountain that facing directly with Tangkoko Batuangus nature preserve. Dua Saudara is the highest mountain in the area to the east of Gunung Klabat in North Sulawesi. There are actually three main peaks that give their names to the Tangkoko-Batuangus-Dua Saudara National Park area.

The twin peaks of Dua Sudara Mountain provides a perfect panoramic photo shoot especially when taken from the coast of the Lembeh Strait. Although the volcano is impressive, yet until today not many have ventured the climb to its peak that stands at 1,351 meters above sea level.

Tangkoko is located in the northeastern-most volcano on the island of Sulawesi and lies about 3km northeast of Dua Saudara. It has a large deep crater which is today populated with numerous rare species of animal and plant. Dating back in 1801, the crater is contained a cone that surrounded by lake water. At this time, the new flat-topped lava dome is emerged. This was named Batuangus (burnt rock) and it was the source of later volcanic activity (most recently in 1880). The nature reserve was created in 1942 by the Dutch. The foothills of Gunung Dua Sudara are dense with sugar palm trees that were planted here on purpose by the Bitung government for the conservation of the environment, since according to the Wallace Theory, the Tangkoko reserve and Mt.Dua Sudara are regularly blown by the hot airstream that flows from south to north. When left unhampered the hot wind will blow straight to the North Pole, accelerating the melting of glaciers there.

In addition to sugar palm trees, the local people have planted maize, sweet potatoes, coconuts and bananas, which also look decorate the slopes of this mountain. The remainder of the slopes are filled with rattan vegetation, banyan trees, teak forests and ilalang. Sulawesi’s endemic animals like the tarsiers and the maleo bird have made these their habitat also.

The nature reserve itself is one of the most beautiful rain forests in Indonesia and is the best place to spot the rare tarsier. Many foreign tourists visit to see the creature at dusk or dawn, plus the black monkeys, numerous hornbills and cuscus. However, the village of Batuputih is a very peaceful place. There are numerous homestays surround the entrance to the national park and local people that derive much of their income from tourism. A beach of black, volcanic sand that lies just a five minute walk from the homestays.

Although Mt. Dua Sudara is not as wellknown when compared to other more famous volcanoes in Indonesia but its presence is a boon for local climbers. The only route to reach the top is through the city of Bitung. It normally takes about 4 hours to the peak, which is quite a laborious hike since climbers must sometimes wade through muddy areas.

There is no special permit needed, but hikers must pay an entrance fee of Rp. 85,000 for international tourists, and Rp. 75,000 for domestic visitors. Payment is made at Post no. 1 located at the Tangkoko-Dua Sudara Nature Reserve in the village of Batuputih.

How to get there
The distance from Manado, capital of North Sulawesi to the town of Bitung is around 44 km. If you do not wish to take a private car, you can take the public bus that starts from the Paal Dua or the Karombasan Bus Terminal. There is non airconditioned buses that charge Rp.7,500 for the trip while the fare for airconditioned buses is Rp.8, 500, for the two hours’ ride, while a taxi will cost you around Rp. 200,000.