Hike to Inerie: Tips and Recommendations

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View from the summit of Mount Inerie



The storm has passed, a strong wind and heavy rain in Flores has ended at the end of March. April began with a sunny day and we were in Bajawa on the fifth of April 2025 starting the day very early in the morning  ready to hike Mount Inerie.

Kusni, a local guide from Tololela village, located exactly on the foot of Mount Inerie came to meet Laurent and Bilo, our French guests who explored Flores for 5 days, explained about what to prepare for the hike, the approximate time to hike, the elevation of starting point and the peak of the hike. He later emphasized more about the physical conditions and experience of hike before hiking to Inere. He is more careful now as some parts of the trail to the summit of Inerie have disappeared because of the landslides after the endless rain in March.

“Inerie is a natural pyramid shaped mountain. If you have done hiking to Rinjani or other mountains, Inere is considered the most challenging one", Kusni claimed during his first meeting with our customers.

We made just 15 minutes drive to the starting point from Manulalu or 20 minutes faster than if you start from Bajawa city.

The starting point is located at Watu Meje Village, District Tiworiwu II, Bajawa which is already 1.000 meter above sea level and there 1.245 remained to tackle.

Kusni distributed his headlamp and gloves to Laurent and Bilo and was ready to go to hike Inere which is 2.245 meter above sea level.

Laurent has gained some experiences of hiking before Inerie but not with Bilo who only did  a very few before. She struggled in most of the trek especially going down but Kusni helped her patiently till she could pass the challenge.

When we asked about how they rate from 1 to 10 the difficulty level of hiking to Inere, Laurent said 7 and Bilo said 8 although Laurent pushed her to say 10 after what he had seen how she’s struggling during the hike.

The total hour of the trek was three hours up and three hours down. Starting the hike at 2.30 and finishing at 10.30 including the time they spent enjoying the view.

Pictures below speak for itself. Enjoy it as it is the most amazing view you can’t ever think about,  only if you are up there on the summit of Inerie. 

All thanks to  Kusni for the passionate job you have done and for the wonderful pictures you have taken.

Here’s what  you should prepare before the trip including a must thing to bring and other important aspects we highly recommend you to do before hiking to Inerie

Tips before hiking to Inerie;

  1.  Required good physical conditions and having experience of mountain hikes.

If you are a beginner, you can still do it but you will definitely suffer most of the hike. It may sound short the hike but most of the trail is filled with gravel and sharp rock that you have to crawl in most parts.

2.                 Headlamp

If you hike for the sunrise,  you will start hiking around 3 am, so headlamps need to be equipped.

3.                  Glove

When going down from Inerie,  you will mostly slide through the sand and all you need to do is to rely on your shoes and hand to stay balanced.  Having gloves on will help you to get avoided from being scratched from the sharp rocks.

4.                 Stick

Whatever the age, a stick is highly needed. You will walk through the steep which is about 45% steep with a cliff on both sides and the trail is challenging in the most parts.

5.                 Proper hiking shoes

Shoes with proper grip will help you to hike this steep mountain. From the bottom to the summit is a completely steep trail.

6.                 Jacket and trousers

It can be very cold around 10-15 degree Celsius on the summit with a strong wind. 

7.                 Snack or breakfast box

You won't enjoy the amazing view with an empty stomach.

8.                 Rain coat

Even if it’s sunny on the bottom,  the weather on the summit is unpredictable.

9.                 Water

Bring a minimum 600 ml of water bottle and you will be alright.

10.            Sunglass

It’s sunny on the top. Protect yourself so that you can enjoy every angle of Inerie with joy.

11.            Sunblock or sunscreen

You will need this especially when the sun starts to rise. The summit can be very cold and also very hot. 

12.            Sunhat

It is very comfortable when hiking with this sunhat on especially when going down during the sunshine

13.            Face mask 

Since the volcano is still active and smoke appears from the crater, it is not smelly but it may happen, so facemask is needed. It is also needed when you slide down to avoid dust from sand and soil.

13.            To go with local guide is highly recommended

Yin, Local people in Watu Meje who we met at the starting point had informed us that there have been many accidents towards tourists who walked on their own without a guide. They got lost and fell on the rocks and got injured. He claimed there’s only one way to hike to Inere and it’s through Watu Meje but be very careful because some trails are open because of the river formed from the water flowing from the mountain. Going with a guide will help you. Our company collaborates with the local guide,  Kusni is one of them.

  Yulianus Irwan

 














 

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