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BDO destination photo
PKU destination photo

BDOPKU

Our Recommendation
7.8

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers a prime view of the iconic Tangkuban Perahu volcano immediately after takeoff from Bandung and a stunning perspective of the Java Sea islands and the winding river systems of Riau during the approach.

Right Side Highlights
7.8
🌋

Tangkuban Perahu

A spectacular bird's-eye view of the distinctive upturned-boat crater just north of Bandung airport.

🏝️

Thousand Islands

Small emerald patches of the Kepulauan Seribu archipelago scattered across the blue Java Sea.

🌊

Sunda Strait

The busy maritime passage between Java and Sumatra, often filled with cargo ships and tankers.

🌿

Coastal Mangroves

Intricate, vein-like water channels and dense mangrove forests along the eastern Riau coastline.

🐍

Siak River

One of Indonesia's deepest rivers, snaking through the landscape as you descend into Pekanbaru.

The right side is highly recommended for the initial climb out of BDO to see the volcanoes. During the descent into PKU, look for the 'Bono' tidal bore phenomenon if timing coincides with a full moon, though the river's winding path is impressive any time. Afternoon flights on this side offer the best lighting for photography of the Sumatran coastline.

Left Side Highlights
7.2
🏘️

Bandung Basin

An expansive view of the city nestled within a plateau surrounded by the Parahyangan mountains.

🏔️

Mount Gede Pangrango

Massive twin-peak volcanoes visible in the distance as you head northwest toward Sumatra.

🏖️

Southern Lampung Coast

The rugged coastline of the southern tip of Sumatra where the land meets the Indian Ocean currents.

⛰️

Barisan Mountains

The long volcanic spine of Sumatra visible on the western horizon during the mid-flight cruise.

🌳

Sumatran Peatlands

A vast mosaic of tropical forests and agricultural patterns unique to the Riau province interior.

Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid direct sun glare. This side is better for observing the urban sprawl of West Java and the distant, dramatic silhouettes of the Barisan mountain range in Sumatra. Keep an eye out for the transition from the mountainous Java terrain to the flatter, swampy landscapes of southern Sumatra.

Top Activities in Pekanbaru
Route Information

Distance: 1,064 km (661 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 25 min

Departure: BDO (-6.900629997253418, 107.57599639892578)

Arrival: PKU (0.4607860147953034, 101.44499969482422)

Route Type: Domestic

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