Gunung Bandahara

Information

Elevation

3.012 m

Country

Indonesia (ID)

Location / Range

Barisan Mountains, Gunung Leuser National Park, Gayo Lues & Southeast Aceh, Aceh

Mountain type

Tropical rainforest peak (non-volcanic)

Volcanic?

No (non-volcanic)

Coordinates

3.7490, 97.7818

Difficulty

Very strenuous — a route of about 26 km from Bener Berpapah village (Seledok), a 7-day journey, difficult orientation across savanna, with no water source from 700 to 2,700 m above sea level

Best Season

April–October (dry season)

Permits & Rules

Permit from the Gunung Leuser National Park Conservation Authority (BB-TNGL); an experienced local guide is strongly recommended

Hazards

Route orientation is very difficult from the savanna area to the summit ridge; no water source between 700 and 2,700 m asl; very remote terrain; the highest peak is limited to ~2,400–2,900 m asl

Description

Gunung Bandahara is one of Aceh Province's highest peaks at 3,012 metres, lying within the Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL) along the boundary of Gayo Lues and Aceh Tenggara regencies. As part of the Barisan Range and the ecologically rich Leuser ecosystem, the mountain is known for populations of Nepenthes pitcher plants endemic to Sumatra. The standard route departs from Bener Berpapah village in Seledok, covering roughly 26 km over a 7-day round trip. The most demanding challenge is navigating across open savanna to the summit ridge, compounded by a complete absence of water sources between 700 m and approximately 2,700 m (the savanna zone). Access to the true summit is restricted by TNGL management; climbers are generally permitted only to around 2,400–2,900 metres. Gunung Bandahara ranks among the most remote and least-visited major peaks in Sumatra.