Gamalama Mountain in Ternate City, North Maluku Province

When people think about Ternate Island, they may think Gamalama Mountain. The fact is that the mountain has become the icon of the region and becomes one of the most significant tourist attractions in Indonesia. The location is in the midst of the island and it resides in the protected forest area. As for tourists, they are indeed attracted to the beauty of the mountain but there are other reasons as well! For example, people keep coming to the site in order to learn the history and conduct photography. It is true that Gamalama is an active volcano, but it never fails to lure tourists over time!

The Nuance
In terms of nuance, Gamalama Mountain features tons of green trees on its surface. Still, it also features dry and dusty surface on its peak, which is located near to the crater. What about the size? It is about 1715 meters above the sea level, which makes it the tallest volcano in the nation. One thing that makes it unique is the fact that Ternate Island is the part of this mountain! This explains why many visitors who come to Ternate are likely to enjoy trekking during the visit.

Exploring Gamalama Mountain
Tourists have many reasons to visit the mountain and one of them is related to its history. In fact, Gamalama has accompanied Ternate people for generations. The name derives from Kie Gam Lamo, which means a big nation. It is because the mountain becomes the pride and symbol of the society who lives in Ternate Island! It is said the 1775’s explosion destroyed Seola Takomi Village and left only a hollow which no becomes the famous Tolire Lake.

The past eruptions and activities of Gamalama Mountain have an effect on the local culture and tradition, without a doubt. Those who live in Ternate Island conduct several rituals annually in order to prevent upcoming explosions, in fact. For tourists, these become extra attractions during the visit later, indeed. As for the locals, they consider the presence of this grandiose volcano as a blessing instead of a threat especially in terms of agriculture.

Well, aside from learning the history and legend of Gamalama Mountain, tourists can enjoy numerous fun activities like trekking and adventure. Moreover, it takes no money to enter the site. What tourists need to do is to pray before trekking and avoid littering. There is a myth that visitors should avoid trekking in an odd number, as it represents a misfortune. Not all people believe in it, though, but it is better safe than sorry, no?

Nearby Attractions

• Clove Plantation
• Togafo Beach
• Akerica Beach

How to Get There
From Ternate City, a trip to reach the entrance of Gamalama Mountain takes approximately 15 minutes as the distance is 4.9 km. As for the best route, it is Jati Lurus Street. It is indeed a short trip, so everyone is able to get to the mountain without hassles. On top of that, Ternate also has reliable transportation services.

Where to Stay

• Makassar Indah Hotel
• Velia Hotel