Pacet

Pacet is a mountainous district in East Java, about 60 km south of the provincial capital Surabaya.

Understand
Pacet is on the northern side of the Arjuno-Welirang twin volcanoes. Administratively, it is a district in the regency of Mojokerto. The city of Mojokerto is about 30 km to the north. Pacet is a hilly resort which is popular among travellers from Surabaya, especially the younger ones, as the nearest "escape" from the bustling and densely populated city. It has a few hot springs.

Unfortunately, this resort has hit its nadir during a major holiday season in 2002 due to a landslide. Many visitors who were swimming in the hot spring pools were killed due to this disaster. After this incident, the hot spring was relocated.

Get in
The best way to get into Pacet is by car. From Surabaya, head to Waru (DO NOT enter the highway/ toll road but drive straight to Sepanjang and then to the town of Krian). From Krian follow the sign to Mojosari and drive up to Pacet. The road is not very steep but it will take you to an altitude of about 600 m above sea level. Having said that though, from the border of the Pacet district we have to go through a steep road (about 30 degrees?) to reach the hot springs.

Get around
Since there is little (if any) public transport in Pacet, visitors get around Pacet by car.

Do

 * Soak into the hot springs and swim in the swimming pools
 * Outbound and flying fox at Padusan and the Pacet Mini Park.
 * Rafting
 * Fishing (there are some fishing ponds, the notable one being Pak Gufron's fishing pond at Dlanggu, some 7-8 km from Pacet)

Buy

 * Fruit, agriculture product such as potato chips, and another kind chips and vegetables at the market

Eat

 * Pacet is equipped with many small food stalls (warung), selling Indonesian food.
 * Many eateries and fishing ponds serve grilled or fried fish.
 * sweet fermented black glutinous rice

Sleep
There are some budget hotels around the hot springs and some villas for rent. there are also some camping grounds.

Go next

 * Tretes and Trawas are less than half an hour away.
 * Drive up to Cangar, which belongs to the Malang regency. This resort is about 1500 m above sea level and also has hot springs. From Cangar you can go to Batu and Malang.