EXPLORING THE MUARAJAMBI TEMPLES COMPOUND SITE - 4 DAYS - 3 NIGHTS
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| Gumpung Temple in the morning |
- Getting to know the largest temple compound site in Indonesia (3,012 ha)
- Visiting 8 temples and 17 menapo (= mound) out of 82 unexcavated remains
- Reconstructing the life in 7th to 14th century
- Exploring series of landscapes during Buddhism period from west to east area.
- Enjoying the local community’s life atmosphere
History
The existence of the complex was discovered for the first time from a report written by a British officer named S.C. Crook who was appointed to visit the hinterlands along Batanghari river in 1820.
He recorded that there was an assumption in the community that Muaro Jambi was once a capital of an ancient city. Crooke had a chance to see the remains of brick building and a rock statue in the denseness of the forest near the village.
The Archeologist assumed that the complex was a worship area and a learning center. This was supported by the first written information on Jambi found in Chinese record in T’ang dynasty (618-906) which mentioned a visit of a Mo-lo-yeu kingdom representative to China in 644-645. The name of Mo-lo-yeu can be referred to Malay kingdom.
The word Malay was restated in a document written by I-tsing on his pilgrimage journey to India in 672. He dropped by Shih-li-fo-sih (Sriwijaya) for six months and then in Malay for two months. When he went back to Malay in 692, he wrote that Malay has become Sriwijaya. What he recorded is in line with the content of Karangberahi inscription dated in 686.
Main Feature
The temple compound is the largest one in Indonesia. It has canals with unique characteristics and 84 artifacts in the form of temples, pond and new identified mounds. It is estimated that there are still more mounds buried but they haven’t been found yet. It’s situated about 40 km from Jambi and can be reached by traditional boat or by car. Along the trekking track you’ll pass orchard and local settlement. You’ll visit 8 restored temples and 18 mounds.
Detailed itinerary
Day One, Thursday
Arrive at Sultan Thaha airport or other meeting point, greetings and go to hotel. Free program.
Meals: -
Day Two, Friday
Breakfast at hotel and check out. The explore begins from Tanggo Rajo to Desa Kemingking Luar by taking traditional boat in one hour and we’ll start the day’s trekking straightaway to Duren Sakat mound (the easternmost mound), and the ruins of Sialang temple (the easternmost temple), as the starting point of the 7th -14th century Buddhism trace of worship. Then, we’ll continue to visit Buluran Dalam mound, Astano mound and Astano temple which was once a cremation place. From Astano we’ll head to Danau Kelari before we get to Desa Muarajambi to have lunch at a villager’s house. After lunch, we’ll go to Kembar Batu temple passing an old normalized canal. Next, we’ll see several more mounds; Kepayang, Tinggi 1, Gajah Mati and Kepayang 2. We’ll spend the night at a homestay (villager’s house), to enjoy tea/coffee + local snack. Dinner is at 7 pm.
Meals : B, L, D
Day Three, Saturday
Breakfast and shower. Start the trekking on the western area: Tinggi temple, Gumpung temple and the site museum. Then we’ll go to Sungai Melayu past Pa’i mound and Sungai Melayu mound. The next stop is Gedong 1 and Gedong 2 temples and other mounds (Parit Duku, Samsuar , Kandang Kerbo, Pemandian Ayam, Nasdi, Dahlan). After that we’ll check out the biggest temple in the area, Kedaton temple. The explore continues, we’ll go to Ujung Tanjung and Lek Saki mounds. At Sungai Terusan we’ll stop to see Koto Mahligai temple. After lunch, we’ll head to Desa Danau Lamo and Bukit Sengalo which becomes the center of the complex and is situated in the westernmost of the area. In the past, this temple became the place for last meditation for Budhism worshippers. We’ll have tea or coffee and local snack at Bukit Sengalo. At 4.30 PM, we’ll go back to hotel and check in. Free program. Dinner is at 7.30 PM at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D
Day Four, Sunday
Breakfast at hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport for the morning flight or a bus station or to hotel for extended night.
Meals: B
Price per person: (please contacts us for more details)
Price includes:
- Airport transfer on Day 1 and Day 4
- Private land transportation with AC, from Muarajambi Temples to hotel
- 2 nights at executive standart Grand Wing Abadi Hotel *** or similar (twin share based)
- 1 night homestay
- Meals: 3 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner.
- Pompong boat, rakit boat rent and entrance fee
- 1 local track guide, translator and porter fee
- 2 times of coffee/tea with local snack
- Mineral water during the tour
- Emergency medical kit
- Donations for local community development.
Price doesn’t include:
- Personal expenses: laundry, telephone, minibar, etc
- Tips and gratuities
- Domestic flight tickets and departure taxes
- Travel insurance and optional excursion.
