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Private Day Tour from Medan: Corpse Flower Trek
What to Expect:
The Corpse Flower or Titan Arum in full bloom, North Sumatra forest
Embark on a captivating journey into the realm of the Titan Arum, or the corpse flower, Amorphophallus Titanum. This extraordinary plant, residing in the rainforests of North Sumatra, is renowned for its colossal and malodorous cluster of blossoms. However, witnessing its rare bloom is subject to nature’s timeline, occurring every 4 to 10 years. The Titan Arum flaunts the world’s largest unbranched inflorescence, emitting a scent reminiscent of decaying flesh during its brief 24 to 48-hour flowering. Safeguarding its natural habitat is essential due to potential threats such as collectors and deforestation. Join a day tour to witness this phenomenon, preserving a species that thrives in small, secluded regions.
Highlights
- Witness the rare Titan Arum in its natural habitat.
- Located in the karst forest of Sumatra.
- Unique opportunity to experience this stunning yet foul-smelling flower.
- Encounter a plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.
- Learn about the Titan Arum’s captivating life cycle and blooming patterns.
- Explore the challenges and threats faced by this unique species.
- Contribute to the preservation of this remarkable flower.
Tour Description
Delve into the world of the Titan Arum, or Amorphophallus Titanum, also known as the corpse flower. It’s famed for its enormous and foul-smelling cluster of flowers. While it’s cultivated in botanic gardens globally, its true home is the steep hillsides and rainforests of North Sumatra.
This short-lived wonder boasts the largest unbranched inflorescence (flower cluster) on the planet and emits an aroma reminiscent of rotting flesh. It typically takes a staggering 4 to 10 years between flowerings, making it a star attraction in botanic gardens during its brief bloom.
The Titan Arum comprises an inner flower spike called the spadix, enveloped by a petal-like collar known as a spathe. Before opening, the spathe tightly encloses the spadix. Once unfurled, it reveals an interior ranging from deep crimson to purple. The entire spadix can grow to over 3 metres (9.8 feet) in height.
This extraordinary inflorescence takes months to develop, reaching peak growth at a remarkable rate of up to 15 cm (6 inches) per day. Its bloom lasts a mere 24 to 48 hours. When in full bloom, it generates heat exceeding 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) and emits its distinctive “foul odor” to allure flesh flies and carrion beetles for pollination. After 48 hours, it wilts and enters dormancy.
Food produced by the Titan Arum is stored in an underground corm, which fuels the rapid growth of the inflorescence or a new leaf after a period of dormancy. This corm can weigh around 70 to 90 kg (154-200 pounds), marking it as the largest in the plant kingdom.
Following 12 to 18 months of photosynthesis, the leaf withers, and the plant goes dormant. Several leaf cycles typically occur before the plant accumulates enough energy to flower anew.
A day tour to observe the native Titan Arum species actively contributes to the preservation of this flower, found only in relatively small, restricted geographical areas. Two major threats to the Titan Arum are collectors and, more critically, deforestation. Protecting its rainforest habitat is crucial to the survival of this species.
After your jungle expedition, we’ll make our way back to Medan. We conclude the tour by dropping you off around 7 p.m. at your address in Medan.
Daily Departures: We lead you into the heart of the jungle every day.
What to Bring: An extra T-shirt, a towel, and mosquito repellent are recommended.
If you wish to venture deeper into the jungle, we offer you the opportunity to extend your trek to 6 hours, a true immersion in this remarkable landscape. However, this extension requires an overnight stay in Batu Katak, turning your day trip into an unforgettable package tour. Price on Application.
Immerse yourself in the depths of Sumatran wilderness with our Titan Arum Day tour, a journey etched with the magic of floral encounters, lush landscapes, and the vibrant heart of the jungle.
Price:
Price (starting from):
- 1 person = $105 USD per person
- 2-3 persons = $95 USD per person
- 4-6 persons = $75 USD per person
Included
- Safe & private transport in comfortable air-conditioned car + fuel according to program
- English speaking driver who is also your guide, and his meals
- Entrance and parking fees to visit the objects as mentioned in the program
- Lunch and Fresh fruits
Excluded
- Personal expenses such as: drinks, souvenirs, lunch, dinner
- Donations and tips