Raflesia Park

Raflesia Park is part of the Batang Palupuh Nature Conservation Center in Agam district. Although it has many other species, this 3.4 hectare conservation center is focused on conserving the Raflesia flower, which can only be found on Sumatra Island. This flower usually blossoms during wet seasons i.e., from mid to end of year.

Batang Palupuh Raflesia Park is a conservation center for three types of Raflesia flowers; Raflesia Arnoldi, which can be 1,5 meters wide when blossoming, Raflesia Arizentis with a 15 cm diameter when blossoming, and Raflesia Oumor Pupolus Titanum. Although it is more like a forest, this center is called a park because many Bunga Bangkai grow here. Outside this area, Raflesia flowers also grow in three to four areas.

Getting There

Batang Palupuh is situated some 10 km north of Bukit Tinggi. Although it is part of the Agam district, its distance to the capital city of Lubuk Basung is about 80 km. From the Minangkabau international airport, you can take a minibus plying the Padang-Pasaman route. This bus will pass in front of the gate of this tourist attraction.

Getting Around

Batang Palupuah is a large nature conservation area. However, visitors can only see blossoming Raflesia flowers within one to two kilometers. To see the unique flowers, visitors can only trek or walk across the forest. There are muddy paths with giant roots.

To Do

Raflesia Park offers an opportunity for nature lovers to see live blossoming flowers which can only be found in Indonesia. These flowers have long roots that can reach as long as 20 meters and grow in other trees. This conservation area is also used as a research and socialization center for young generations.

To Stay

Visitors can spend one day to explore various types of Raflesia flowers in this area. It is located near Bukit Tinggi, enabling visitors to stay there. However, if you like to stay overnight a bit closer to the park, you could stay in local community's homes.

To Eat

There is no special menu offered in this area. Visitors can enjoy tea or coffee and snacks served in food stalls belonging to local inhabitants.

To Buy

If you don't come at the right time or if you forget to take your camera, you may buy the most recent photographs of blossom Raflesia Arnoldi flowers. A 3R size photograph is sold for only Rp 5.000 from the conservation officials.

Tips

Because Raflesia does not blossom all the time, it is best for visitors to first contact the Office of Natural Resource Conservation at Khatib Sulaiman Street no 46A Padang or contact the Natural Resource Conversation Unit of Agam district. In addition to obtaining the correct information about the blossoming time, coordination between the Office and rangers in Batang Palupuh station will prevent you from any illegal collection around the area.

Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/194/rafflesia-park

Supported by : JavaToursim, Lintang Buana Tours