Lembata’s Sacred Mount Ile Api

Mount Ile Api is the highest peak on Lembata island, a small island just o Flores, in East Nusa Tenggara. Standing at 1450 metre tall, Mount Ile Api is visible from miles around. This active volcano has some similar characteristics with Mount Bromo in East Java, where the main crater of the mountain is surrounded by ne volcanic sand. At some point, you can spot yellow sulphurous marks near the crater, a sign of the mountain’s volcanic activity. The starting point to hike Mount Ile Api is Lewolotok village, one of the traditional villages near the mountain. You can also start hiking from Jontona village, Bungamuda village, Lamatokan village, or Kolontobo village. Ceremonies are held at Mount Ile Api every year; the largest one is called Utan Wetun or ‘Kacang Tumbuh’ usually at the end of the year. From the top of Mount Ile Api, you can see the Flores Sea and Adonara island with Mount Ile Boleng in the background. *Photo courtesy of Indonesiakaya.com