Orchid Forest Cikole: What to See and How to Get There

Step onto a suspension bridge strung between towering pine trees, wander through a forest filled with orchids, and enjoy the cool mountain air of Orchid Forest Cikole. Here's what to see inside the park and the easiest ways to get there from Bandung or Lembang.

Orchid Forest Cikole, the best forest park in Lembang, Bandung.

At first glance, Orchid Forest Cikole feels more like a pine forest than a tourist attraction. The air is fresh, and you can stroll along paved paths beneath a canopy of pine trees. Located on the slopes of Mount Tangkuban Parahu, it enjoys cool weather throughout the day, often accompanied by a light drizzle.

The entrance to Orchid Forest Cikole is designed to resemble an orchid petal. Beautiful potted orchids adorn the entrance. Many orchids were once attached to the tree trunks, but the remaining collection is now housed in the Orchid House.

Things to do in Orchid Forest Cikole

As soon as you pass the ticket booth, you will be greeted by the serenity of a pine forest. There are plenty of activities here. One of them is climbing a platform near the entrance to enjoy a panoramic view of Orchid Forest Cikole from above. The view from this angle is unique because you are positioned between the visitors below and the towering pine treetops above.

Since its opening, the highlight of Orchid Forest Cikole has been the Wood Bridge at the back of the park. It is a long suspension bridge connecting several pine trees. The bridge stands approximately three meters above the ground. It uses wooden planks as its base and knotted ropes as its railings.

You need to purchase a separate ticket to access the Wood Bridge. For safety reasons, only five people are allowed on the bridge at a time, and it closes during rain. It is a one-way bridge. After reaching the end, you can return to the main path by taking a flying fox or walking along the trail beneath the bridge.

That trail is an attraction in its own right. It used to be a dirt path with several hammocks hanging from the tree trunks. Today, it has been transformed into the Garden of Light, with countless fairy lights strung throughout the area.

Woodbridge at Orchid Forest Cikole, Lembang.

As you make your way from the entrance to the Wood Bridge, there are plenty of other attractions worth stopping for: 

• Hang around and enjoy live music in Terrace Paphio, an open amphitheater in the middle of Orchid Forest Cikole.
• Try mini golf at Putt Putt Golf.
• Feed rabbits in the Rabbit Forest.
• Play Giant Chess, where each chess piece is as tall as an adult.
• Let your child play in Orchid Castle, a playground for children. A separate ticket is required, but it covers one child and one accompanying adult.

One attraction that deserves special mention is the Orchid House. It is a greenhouse with a vast collection of rare orchids. Unfortunately, many of these species bloom only occasionally. In contrast, colorful phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids flower throughout the year.

Orchid House, the orchid green house in Orchid Forest Cikole.

The next spot to see is a triangular structure in front of the Orchid House exit. Although it is called the Green House, it only has two slanted sides and no doors. The plants inside add to the charm of the area, making it a popular spot for photos and selfies. It is gorgeous and beautifully decorated :)

If you like the orchids and want some for your home or as gifts, the path leads directly to Bazaar Anggrek (Orchid Bazaar). The shop sells popular orchids such as phalaenopsis and dendrobium, as well as small and colorful cacti. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, the displays are lovely to browse :)

Beyond the Orchid House area, there are even more activities waiting throughout the park. Rabbits are not the only animals you will find here. For an additional ticket, you can ride a horse at the Horse Ranch near the exit of Orchid Forest Cikole. Not a fan of fluffy rabbits and horses? How about a dog? Did you know that you can bring your dog to Orchid Forest Cikole? Unleash your dog in the Pet Playground and let it run around and play :)

Whenever you need a break from exploring, there are plenty of eateries scattered throughout Orchid Forest Cikole. On the left side of the entrance is Aspasia Coffee, which serves pizza, coffee, and light snacks. Follow the path to the right and you will reach Pine Kitchen, where you can dine in or order a picnic basket. Enjoy your meal while taking advantage of the endless photo opportunities around you :) If you want more variety, head to the food court near Orchid Castle. Last but not least, there is a food stall beside the Giant Chess area serving comfort food such as instant noodles, hot dogs, and coffee.

Picnic-style seating beneath the pine forest canopy.

Terrace Paphio, the open amphitheater in Orchid Forest Cikole

The main path of Orchid Forest Cikole is a long paved walkway that descends from the entrance to the exit gate near the Horse Ranch. From there, you can take a free shuttle back to the parking area. Alternatively, if you are not ready to leave, simply walk back up toward the entrance. Another exit gate is located beside the main entrance lobby. Today, the upper parking area is lined with souvenir kiosks, along with operators offering mountain biking and paintball activities.

No time to read now?

No worries! Save it on Pinterest for later :)

 

Directions to Orchid Forest Cikole

Click/tap the map to go to Google Map and find your directions to Orchid Forest Cikole.

Orchid Forest Cikole is located on the slopes of Mount Tangkuban Perahu, the most famous mountain in the greater Bandung area. It is approximately 7 kilometers north of Lembang, across from the Jayagiri camping site. The coordinates are -6.7802777, 107.6361084. Do note that Orchid Forest Cikole only accepts cashless payments, including debit cards, credit cards, and QRIS.

The ticket booth is approximately 1 kilometer from the main road, while the upper parking lot and entrance are another 3 kilometers uphill. There is also a newer parking lot near the ticket booth. Free shuttle cars operate between the parking lots and the entrance, and they also pick up visitors from the exit gate. They only accept cashless payments, such as debit cards, credit cards, and QRIS.

Although the entrance to Orchid Forest Cikole is on the main road connecting Bandung, Lembang, and Subang, there is no direct public transportation serving this route. You have to take at least two minibuses called Angkot (Angkutan Kota). Their arrival is unpredictable, and they can be uncomfortable because they do not have air conditioning and the seats face sideways. However, the fares are inexpensive.

It is usually better to use a ride-hailing service such as Grab or GoJek. Because ride-hailing services are usually one-way, make sure you arrange transportation for the return trip. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a car back to Bandung because Orchid Forest Cikole is quite far from the city.

For greater convenience, you may want to hire a private driver for the day. You can spend half a day exploring Orchid Forest Cikole and use the rest of the day to visit nearby attractions. The closest attractions are Mount Tangkuban Perahu and Asstro Highland Ciater. You can also explore other places of interest in the Lembang area or return to Bandung via Punclut and continue your holiday at WOW Sarae Hills.