Mount Tambora

Information

Elevation

2.722 m

Country

Indonesia (ID)

Location / Range

Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara (Tambora National Park)

Mountain type

Stratovolcano (active)

Volcanic?

Yes — volcano

Coordinates

-8.2428, 117.9861

Difficulty

Moderate–Hard — volcanic sandy trail; the two main routes require 2–3 days of travel

Best Season

July–September (peak dry season)

Permits & Rules

Tambora National Park entry ticket; you must check in at the ranger post; a local guide is strongly advised

Hazards

Volcanic gas around the crater; sandy & landslide-prone terrain; scarce water on the trail; fast-changing weather

Description

Mount Tambora is an active stratovolcano rising to 2,722 metres on the island of Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara. It is world-famous for its April 1815 eruption—the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, rated VEI-7, ejecting approximately 150–160 km³ of volcanic material. The blast reduced the summit from roughly 4,300 metres to its present height and excavated a caldera over 6 km in diameter that remains clearly visible today. The 1815 event triggered the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816 across the Northern Hemisphere, causing global temperature drops, crop failures, and widespread famine. Tambora is accessible via two official routes: the Doro Ncanga trail on the south side (shorter, roughly 6–8 hours to the summit) and the Pancasila trail on the north side (longer). The area was designated Tambora National Park in 2015.