Field Trip to Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto, West Sumatera - Indonesia

November 14-17, 2026

Quota: 15 Tickets

About Sawahlunto

Sawahlunto is a heritage tourism city developed around a former coal mining area and is rich in historical and educational value. As Indonesia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site representing underground coal mining heritage, the city offers a unique experience through its historic mining sites, museums, cultural landmarks, and direct insight into the legacy of the mining industry.

Trip Overview

4 Days, 3 Nights

Day 1, November 14

Participants will fly from Bali to Jakarta and connecting flight from Jakarta to Padang. And will continue from Padang Airport to Sawahlunto by car and check in at hotel.

Day 2&3, November 15&16

Participants will visit mine sites and cultural sites.

Mine Sites:

Museum Lubang Mbah Soero. Dutch colonial mining construction. originally opened in 1898 during the Dutch colonial era. It is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ombilin Coal Mining Site, offering visitors a rare chance to walk through an authentic tunnel.

Museum Tambang PT. Bukit Asam, est. 2014. Exploring the History and Evolution of the Coal Mining Industry in Sawahlunto

UPO Sawahluwung, est. 2019. An underground mine access that represents modern mining operations

BDTBT MEMR (Underground Mining Training Center). A Hub for Training and Technical Discussions to Enhance Underground Mining Competencies

Cultural Sites:

Lobang Jepang, or Japanese Tunnel, is an underground military complex in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia. It was constructed by the Japanese occupying army during World War II as a protection tunnel for defense purposes, various military functions, including a reconnaissance room, ambush room, prison, and armory. It was constructed using the forced mobilization of tens of thousands of laborers, known as Rōmusha, from Java, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan. The tunnel's durability is attributed to the robust soil used for its walls, which became more robust when mixed with water.

Ngarai Sianok has two steep walls facing each other and almost vertically, falling to a flat bottom where a river meanders among green ricefields. Its height is about 100 to 120 meters and the canyon itself is for about 15 km long. This cliff is separates the towns of Bukittinggi and Kota Gadang on its opposite side.

Harau Valley is the most stunning destination in Sumatra. The landscape in Harau Valley is dramatic, with towering cliffs rising above picturesque rice paddies dotted with slender coconut trees. Visiting one of gadang house the authentic Padang houses near by.

Day 4, November 17

Participants fly from Padang to Jakarta. Arrived at Jakarta estimated arrival @12.10pm. End of trip.

What is included in the fee?

Flight from Bali to Jakarta, Jakarta to Padang.
Flight from Padang to Jakarta.
Ground transportation throughout the trip
Lunches and dinner throughout the trip
Three night's accommodation
Admission all site visits

Field Trip Terms and Conditions

Personal protective equipment will be provided
Adhere to the company's implemented safety procedures
This trip is exclusively available to registered IMVC 2026 participants. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to cancel any registration if the participant is not registered for IMVC 2026.

Register to this trip