Gua Jomblang is one of around 500 caves located in limestone mountain in Gunungkidul. Gua Jomblang is a vertical cave and the height is around 80 meters. To enter the cave will take SRT (Single Rope Technique), this is a technique to explore vertical cave using one rope to ascend and descend.
To enter Jomblang cave, cavers should pick one route from 4 routes available. The first route was the easiest and known as VIP route. In VIP route, the first 15 meters was a steep track, that can still be climbed or stepped. Complete SRT equipments are needed. And 20 meters further cavers can slide through rope. Other routes are more difficult than this, they are 80 meters, 60 meters , and 40 meters.
This cave was first explored by Acintyacunyata Speleological Club (ASC), cavers club from Yogyakarta, in 1984. In 1970s and 1980s, this 50 diameter cave was used as an assassination site for hundreds of communist members that were brought to the cave edge and then shot one by one and fell to the cave bottom. Local people have abundant of spooky stories around this cave.
The bottom of the cave is lush forest, and surrounded by limestone wall that is overgrown with bush. After the rough struggle to descend the cave, this forest can be used as place to rest. From here cavers can continue their exploration through a tunnel that connect Gua Jomblang to other vertical cave, Gua Grubug. The tunnel is 500 meters and easily accessed.
Grubug Cave is a vertical cave with height of more than 80 meters. Once you enter the cave from the tunel you can feel the cold breeze from Grubug cave. The cave has river from Kalisuci Cave. And the most popular feature from the cave is its heavenly light from the cave mouth which looks like it is covered by trees. The light is best seen from 09.00 to 13.00, where it showers the bottom of Grubug Cave. The cave mouth drops water from above by its stalactite, that it drops creates a huge stone which can be use to take pictures. To explore the tunnel it is recommended to have good flashlight, wear good walking shoes as it is slippery and muddy. You can also go down to the river, to enjoy its fresh cold water.
As the track to Jomblang and Grubug is very difficult, especially to to ascend, it is recommended to visit the caves in small group and depart early from Yogyakarta so you will not miss the heavenly light and finish the trip before its dark.
We organize tour to Jomblang and Grubug Cave Exploration:
4D/3N Night Kalisuci Cavetubing, Waterfall Rappelling and Jomblang-Grubug Vertical Caving 4 Days/3 Nights
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