Matebian is the home to the second highest peak in Timor-Leste, the 2,376m Mane (male) peak. Neighbouring it is the 1,963m Feto (female) peak. Summiting either is significantly harder than Mt Ramelau, despite their lower height, due to both the terrain and logistics. Matebian is an important place for local Timorese as it is where their spirits and souls reside after death, and it was also one of the last holdouts of resistance by FALINTIL against the Indonesians. It is an important pilgrimage site. Due to the sensitivities of this area (and the lack of clear trails) a local guide is essential. They can be hired from the two main hubs to access the area – Baguia or Quelicai.

The climb to the summit of Mane peak is tough, one of the toughest day walks in Timor-Leste, a steep hike from the village of Waiboro up and down 1,100m with little shade. Allow 3-5 hours to reach the summit, and 2-4 hours to return the way you came. A decent 4WD with local driver or excellent motorbike skills are required for the 1-1.5 hour drive from Baguia to Waiboro, as the road is barely passable, rocky and very steep. To reach Waiboro from Baguia head uphill to Ossohuna School, then turn right, and then the next right. It is possible to walk from Baguia to Waiboro but allow 2-3 hours each way in addition for the 800m ascent / descent.

I met my local guide in Waiboro, a young lad who was part of the family business as we overtook his father and older sister guiding other people on the way to the summit. It was his 5th time to the summit. Waiboro is an attractive village worth visiting in its own right, if the road to it wasn’t quite as terrifying!

It was a consistently steep climb with hardly any shade, hot and tiring work, even at this altitude. There were some farmed terraces above the village.

Matebian is home to eye catching scattered rock formations.

And waist high plants, which had attractive white flowers, but had overgrown whatever path there had been.

The summit is marked by a statue of Jesus Christ, which was erected at the summit on October 10, 1993, to honor and protect the deceased.

The views from the summit, as you’d imagine, were pretty good.

A couple to finish, from the rather hard on the knees return back down the same way, followed by another nerve wracking motorbike ride back to Baguia.

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