Above the cloud
A sea of cloud below.
Felix Dance — CC BY 2.0 · Tanmanfalcon — CC0 · Felix Dance — CC BY 2.0 · Felix Dance — CC BY 2.0 · Felix Dance — CC BY 2.0 · Almerino Lavan Santos — CC BY-SA 4.0
Mount Ramelau, whose summit is called Tatamailau, is the highest point in Timor-Leste and on the whole island of Timor at 2,963 m. Its top often sits above the clouds, with grassy slopes and eucalyptus trees, and on clear days the summit looks over the sea on both sides. The mountain is about 70 km south of Dili. Tatamailau means grandfather of all in the Mambai language. In the Portuguese era it was counted the highest mountain of Portugal. A 3 m statue of the Virgin Mary stands on the summit, and an annual pilgrimage climbs to it around 25 March. Old-growth mountain forest once covered it, and only patches remain near the crests. The climb starts from Hato Builico village, 3 km away, on an earthen trail rising through pasture and trees. From the top you often see a sea of cloud below. It is very cold at the top. The mountain is 14 km in a straight line south-west of Maubisse and 40 km from Dili. The climb is free and best with a local guide. Bring warm clothes, a torch and water, as the summit is cold and the trail rocky.
A sea of cloud below.
Pasture and trees.
Sea on both sides.
Ainaro Municipality; the trail starts from Hato Builico, Timor-Leste
From Hato Builico village, best with a guide.
Very cold at the top; bring warm clothes.