Ngalau Tarang in Agam Regency, West Sumatra Province
Tourists are likely to enjoy hiking and exploration when visiting Agam Regency. It is true that the region is known for its highlands. Still, more interesting vacation spots are available to explore including caves. One of them is called Ngalau Tarang, which is located in Kamang Magek Sub-District. To be exact, this cave resides in Kamang Mudiak Village. In terms of name, “Ngalau” means cave and “Tarang” means bright. The location is near to Ngalau Kalam or the Dark Cave. That means tourists can visit two astonishing caves, which are located in the same area! They only need to come with a local guide who knows the route well. So, what makes Tarang special?
The Nuance
Ngalau Tarang is located on a limestone hill. This explains why the cave is dominated by limestone landscapes. Unlike Kalam Cave, Ngalau Tarang is brighter inside. It is because the sunlight passes through the cave. Thus, visitors won’t be difficult in order to explore the cave at noon. However, they need a flashlight when exploring it in the afternoon. The access to the cave is considered easy, but everyone needs to walk from the nearby village to the entrance of the cave. The distance is around 100 meters.
Exploring Ngalau Tarang
As mentioned before, the distance between Ngalau Tarang and local settlement is quite near. That means tourists won’t waste too much energy to get there. Once arriving at the entrance, tourists may see a wide cave mouth! What about the interior? Like other caves, this one features both stalagmites and stalactites. The wall is made of natural limestone indeed and it looks so exotic. Due to the beauty, it is recommended to take some photos while exploring the cave later.
When it comes to the appearance, Ngalau Tarang looks like an ancient cave. This indeed lures nature lovers and photographers. Moreover, caving can be done easily due to the bright ambiance. However, the best time to explore the cave is at noon or bright day. Aside from the stalagmites and stalactites, the cave is known for its small river that passes through some parts of the area. The water is clear and refreshing. However, swimming is prohibited. The locals want to retain the clarity of the river, after all.
After exploring Ngalau Tarang, tourists must not forget to drop by in the neighboring cave called Ngalau Kalam. However, this one is quite dark and damp. That means everyone should carry a flashlight when exploring the cave. For beginners, in this case, they should not explore it without a guide!
Nearby Attractions
- Kalam Cave
- Tarusan Kamang
- Tirtasari Park
- Kelok Ambacang Malalak
How to Get There
From Jakarta City, tourists only need to take an airplane service at Soekarno – Hatta International Airport and head to Padang City right away. For the information, during normal weather, a flight to Minangkabau Airport would take around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Once arriving at Padang, the next destination is Agam Regency and it can be done by taking Maninjau – Lubuk Basung Street. The distance is 109 km, so this trip may take around 2 hours and 15 minutes. From Agam, it is recommended to take Padang Lua – Maninjau Street and head to the cave immediately. The distance is 52.3 km, so the trip would take around 1 hour and 43 minutes.
Where to Stay
- Kompphil Guesthouse
- Pakankamih Guesthouse
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