FROM THE BIG AND BAD TO THE GENTLY STEAMING, INDONESIA IS ONE OF EARTH’S MOST VOLCANIC NATIONS AND A CENTRAL ARC IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN’S MYTHICAL RING OF FIRE. LUKE CLARK PICKS 10 OF THE MANY VOLCANOES WE LOVE, ON OR NEAR THE MANDALA AIRLINE NETWORK

1 MERAPI

For sheer ferocity, “fire mountain” tops our list. Perched beside Jogjakarta, thousands live on Merapi’s lush slopes yet it’s described as a “decade volcano” due to its frequent dangerous explosions. Active since 1548, Merapi’s outbursts add seven million cubic tonnes to its slopes every year. Historians cite it as the original destroyer of Borobudur in the 11th century. When quiet, travel agencies sell night trips for views of lava flows on Merapi’s eastern side but extreme caution is advised. Perhaps, like Jogja’s royal Kraton, you’re better off appeasing the mountain and admiring it from afar.

2 SEMERU

Mount Semeru (pictured in the background) is Java’s highest volcano at 3676m. Known locally as Mahameru or great mountain, Hindus consider it Indonesia’s most sacred mountain, the father of Bali’s Mount Agung. Legend has it the gods moved Semeru from the Himalayas, scattering other peaks throughout Java in the process. Also one of Java’s most active volcanoes, when quiet, guidebooks describe its ascent as a rough three-day trek.

3 BROMO

Aptly described as a furrowed cone in a sea of ash and sand, Mount Bromo is a scenic masterpiece – its eery landscape inspiring myths and legends. Among the most picturesque mountains in the archipelago, visitors to Bromo-TenggerSemeru National Park ride miniature Tenggerese ponies to the mountain’s rim, where the scene is akin to the moon’s surface. One of Java’s finest dawn views, if anywhere could give you an otherworldly, “Middle Earth” feeling, this is it.

4 KRAKATAU

It’s no exaggeration to call Krakatau the world’s most famous volcano. This volcanic island, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, is a popular boat-ride trip. Yet today’s version is named “Anak Krakatau”, child of the original mountain. When it blew its top in 1883, Krakatau sent ash 80km into the air. People 4600km away thought they heard loud gunfire, while the explosion was heard in Sydney with an estimated force of 10,000 Hiroshima bombs. Today’s visitors to the eastern side of the island are advised to avoid walking anywhere near its edge.

5 RINJANI

A short hop from Bali, Lombok’s Mount Rinjani is revered by Sasaks and Balinese alike – and by those who traverse the popular hike up Indonesia’s second-highest volcano. Joint winner of the 2004 World Legacy Award, the three-day Rinjani Trek stretches from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the cobalt blue crater lake and on to Sembulan Lawang. Known as one of the region’s best organized treks outside the rainy months, the walk offers superb mountain and sea views and the chance to spot barking deer, macaques and civets.

6 SUMBING

About 125km from Jogja and Semarang and considered the husband of Mount Sundoro, Mount Sumbing’s perfectly-shaped cone holds important cargo; the grave of one of the holy men who brought Islam to Java. Devotees mark Idul Fitri, the end of fasting month, each year by trekking to his grave. Considered a challenging climb through steep slopes and sulphuric gas, those who reach its peak enjoy spectacular views of the cloud line and Central Java spreading out below.

7 AGUNG

Bali’s most active volcano, misty Mount Agung is seen as the centre of Balinese consciousness, the navel of the universe. Every temple in Bali has a shrine dedicated to Agung and the mountain is considered the throne of the gods. Pura Besakih, the “mother temple” on the slopes of Mount Agung, is Bali’s most sacred and its annual festival during the 10th lunar month is island-wide. A relatively easy hike in good weather, many visitors start around 10pm for a dawn arrival at the peak – and a view worthy of the gods.

8 BATUR

The female counterpoint to Agung, Batur forms a crater lake 11km in diameter. Shaped like a dish with the lake at the bottom, the cone of Batur rises dramatically out of the water. The lake is one of Bali’s most scenic spots and is best viewed from above at Penelokan before you descend lakeside to Kedisan to experience hot springs said to have healing qualities. Across the lake is Trunyan inhabited by the original Balinese. Guide books advise against climbing Batur due to aggressive touting; enjoy the view instead.

9 DIENG PLATEAU

Around 80km from Jogja and 2093m above sea level, the Dieng Plateau is home to Indonesia’s oldest Hindu temple complex. Set in an isolated misty plateau is a hive of volcanic activity in the marshy caldera of a collapsed volcano. Derived from “abode of the gods”, Dieng was once a busy temple city and features over 400 temples from the 8th and 9th centuries. Take the three-hour walk from Dieng village – including the beautiful telaga warna or coloured lake – to feel truly transported into another world.

10 SIBAYAK

Just a few hours by bus from Medan, Gunung Sibayak is one of Indonesia’s most accessible volcanoes, featuring interesting steam vents and hot springs and bright yellow sulphuric rocks. North-west of the town of Berastagi is Sibayak Multinational Resthouse from where it’s an easy three-hour walk to the top, followed by a descent down a set of stone stairs. Next, stop off at the soothing hot springs near Semengat Gunung on the way back. Return home to tell your friends you entered the realm of proud volcano tamers.