At 1996m, the beautiful caldera of Danau Gunung Tujuh is the highest in Southeast Asia and makes for a pleasant day ascent or part of a multiday trek. It takes 3½ hours to climb to the lake from the park entrance, which is 2km from the village of Pelompek, camping near the lake if staying overnight. An ojek to the trailhead costs around 10,000Rp. Subandi Homestay in Kersik Tua can organise two- or three-day treks, including a canoe crossing.
Wildlife in this area includes tapirs and Siamang gibbons, and one of the signature sounds of the Kerinci forests is the hooting and howling call of the gibbon.
Pelompek is 8km north of Kersik Tua (bus 10,000Rp) and 60km from Sungai Penuh (15,000Rp). You’ll need a park permit; if the park office is closed, ask next door at the tiny Losmen Pak Edes , which also has two very basic rooms and can arrange guides.
