This is the trail where all the key species are seen. The start of the muddy and poorly maintained trail is a 5-km (50 min) walk up through tea and cinnamon plantations from Keresik Tua, but Pak Subandi will run you up on his motorbike for a small charge. From here it is a 9.5-hr climb to the summit of Mt Kerinci. There is a base camp pondok 40 minutes up the trail beyond the entrance archway, then shelters at approximately 2-hr intervals. People normally camp below the summit and make the final ascent for dawn. For birding there is no need to exert yourself as all the best birds are at lower altitudes and trail between the entrance and the next 500 m are the best sections for birds, including Schneider’s Pitta. After this it gets steep.