A challenging hike to the 995m summit of Manucoco, the highest point on Atauro Island. Reaching it involves a tough and steep climb up, and slippery descent. It is significantly harder than Mt Ramelau (the highest point in Timor-Leste, at nearly 3,000m), with more ascent and descent, a much rougher track, and as it close to sea level, it is hotter. As you climb you pass through a range of vegetation, and in the thick rainforest close to the summit you are likely to hear plenty of birdlife (though seeing them can be a challenge). Other than the views from the summit, it is arguably one of the less scenic hikes on the island, though a decent workout.

I caught a tuk-tuk from Beloi ($2) to where the road ends and the track starts. A few years ago USAID installed large signs at the start, and close to the summit, along with sign posts, though these can be misleading and some are missing, making the use of a local guide highly recommended.

Setting off at dawn the landscape ahead, with Manucoco clear, was beautifully lit.

It was a relentless ascent in a mixture of shade and sunlight.

There were a number of gates to climb over, built to protect crops from the goats that cover the island.

There are surprisingly few big views along the way, but occasionally it would open up.

There was plenty of long grass to walk through.

The most visually interesting, if challenging section, was through rainforest close to the summit.

It opened up at last heading to the summit for big views across the island.

I took my drone up for a different perspective.

The actual summit is the next peak along, but this is sacred and near inaccessible.

You return along the same route. This was slightly faster but more difficult than going up, as it is steep and very slippery. Without poles I would have fallen over a number of times, and even with them I got close on a number of occasions.

For the detailed route and logistical information please select this hike below (click top left for the list of hikes).