How much time do i need for this transumatran trip?

True, but most people go there as part of a three day trek.

@Giora
Is it easy enough to find directions by oneself to these hotsprings from any given ketambe guesthouse...and without a guide ? thanx

@trjp1972
That is more hotsprings than i could afford to visit...I ll ahve to choose...pictures of these forest hotsprings seem absolutely amazing. thanx

The hot springs are in the middle of the forest. You follow some narrow forest paths up and down until you come to the river, you then wade across the river, and follow the obvious path on the other side upstream. No-one - not even me - could give you reasonable directions. I'd be saying things like "follow this narrow path roughly straight until you come to a big tree where there are a couple of different trails; go downhill and follow the narrow trail vaguely left and then right, and then cut through the bushes and up a slope until you come to a really big tree, and then go downhill and whenever you have an option of more than one trail take the one which looks a little bit more used than the other one."

Do you understand what I'm saying? Would you trust those sorts of directions if you were in the middle of the forest?

Two things: first, the forest area around Ketambe isn't that big, and IF (it's a big if!!!!) you have good orientation skills for getting yourself around a jungle without getting lost, you'll probably figure it out pretty well after a day or two of wandering around. It would be very easy to get lost though, if you didn't know what you were doing.

Secondly: if at any point during your wanderings you come across the main overnight camp, which is right next to the river and obvious, then you have as good as found the hot springs: from the camp, cross the river, follow the only trail upstream on the other side for about 45 minutes, and you will reach the hot springs. Be careful at the hot springs, there are no signs, obviously, and some of the water is at piping hot temperatures.

If you want to visit the hot springs without a guide, I would give yourself at least two days to figure out the forest, and I would not attempt it at all unless you know how to wander narrow trails in a tropical jungle without getting lost.

Also note that some of the guides don't like tourists who don't have guides, and might not be the friendliest to you inside the forest.

The hotsprings are easy to find. The fastest route is to walk along the road to Puncak Gurah (a small collection of huts just past the entrance to Gurah Villa). From there enter the jungle and descend to the camping ground. Cross the Gurah river and follow the path upstream for an hour or so. You'll smell it once you get close enough. Go with a friend, or hire a guide (you'll certainly see more wildlife if you go with a guide).

I'm not sure what you mean by "Puncak Gurah". Do you mean the little trail that enters the forest next to the single building which looks like an abandoned mosque?

At any rate, I know a few ways of getting to the camping ground, but they all involve lengthy climbs (mostly in the forest) before descending down to the camping ground.

I think you're being a bit blase with your description though. Perhaps you've forgotten what it's like to be in the jungle there when you're not familiar with it? Either that or you know an easy route to the hot springs that I'm not aware of, despite having been there multiple times.

Also take great care a you walk past the hotpring. It' steamy, smelly and the rock are slippery. If you fall in you'll scald yourself very badly and will have to be evacuated by a whole team of locals. Thankfully it doesn't happen very often.

No. The path you're talking about is called Jalan Masjid. Puncak Gurah is a lot further along the road. It's where a lot of people finish their treks. It's the fastest and most direct route to the camping ground. It's the route all the porters use while the guides are taking their guests round and round in circles!

All right, that's interesting. I've never discovered that trail before. The ways I know to get to the campsite are all rather complicated.

I dont mind taking a guide for say half a day to get to these hotsprings and if it comes with the additionnal prospect of spotting jungle critters then it is all good and gets some cash into local economy (or to buy kreteks and sopi). What would that cost approx?

Is Pak Mus still the most recommended place to stay ?

Thanx

The fastest way through the jungle if you start at the abandoned mosque (not at all recommended!) is to walk up the river for a bit, scale the almost vertical cliff on the left the follow the ridge to the top of the hill. From there descend to your left until you see a path to the right, take two right turns and follow the path down to the camping ground.

I'd always recommend hiring a guide for your first trip in the jungle at Ketambe, but if you absolutely must go without one go with a friend and take a lot more water than you think you'll need.