With limited time, a lot to see, and big distance between places, This is a jam-packed schedule but definitely worth it!

Get ready for the thrill of a lifetime in East Java, where adventure meets natural splendor! Trek to the summit of Mount Bromo at sunrise and witness a landscape like no other. Delve into the mystical blue flames of the Ijen Crater on a night hike, and explore lush and pristine waterfalls along the way. This is not just a trip; it's an adrenaline-filled journey through some of Indonesia's most breathtaking terrains.

Mt. Ijen, Pt. Perk. Lidjen, Tamansari, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Jalan Tumpak Sewu, Besukcukit, Sidomulyo, Lumajang Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

East Java, Indonesia

Mt Bromo, Area Gunung Bromo, Podokoyo, Pasuruan Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Indonesia

Malang, Malang City, East Java, Indonesia

Madakaripura Waterfall, Branggah, Sapih, Probolinggo Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Kampung Warna Warni, Jalan Zaenal Zakse Jalan Ir. H. Juanda 6, Jodipan, Malang City, East Java, Indonesia

Quick, adventure-packed trip in East Java, Indonesia

On our return journey to Surabaya from Tumpak Sewu, we stopped in Malang, known as a weekend and holiday getaway for residents of Surabaya. There, we visited the Rainbow Village, a revitalization project aimed at assisting an underprivileged community. The initiative involved repainting the buildings to attract tourists. Visitors pay a small entrance fee to explore and take pictures, and the village residents have set up shops selling various items to generate income.  

* We hired a tour guide and a driver for the entire trip to save time, as navigating public transportation wasn't feasible with our tight schedule. This approach is highly recommended for its convenience and for supporting local communities, as local guides accompany you in each area. Hotels are also arranged for us and we can make a stop anywhere during the drive. We used Arif Travel (arif.travel35@yahoo.com). We paid half upon pickup (cash) at the airport and the remainder upon drop-off on our last day. The organizer is very friendly and professional. 

*Notes — A mask is a must and I would really recommend goggles to protect your eyes from the sand.

One of the two waterfalls we visited during our trip was particularly memorable. After checking out from our hotel in Bromo, our driver dropped us off and arranged motorcycle taxis to take us to the entrance. From there, we walked another 2 km to reach the waterfall. Along the way, we saw many monkeys. Although the waterfall isn't very large, it is incredibly beautiful, with lush green leaves covering the surrounding walls. Despite its size, it's definitely worth a visit.

Another well-known volcano in Java offers an unforgettable experience. We began our hike at 1:30 am, tackling a steep initial ascent. However, the trail becomes much easier after passing the official cabin. It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the crater rim and another hour to descend into the crater. If the hike is too strenuous, local guides offer a cart service, pushing you up the mountain in a wheel cart.

After the waterfall, we drove to a hotel near Ijen to get some rest before the next day's hike.

In Lumajang — Aby Hotel (half way from Ijien to Tumpak Sewu waterfall)

At Ijien — Ijien view hotel (decent hotel where we spent 2 hours at)

Due to the pervasive toxic sulfur fumes, a gas mask is necessary, which your tour guide will provide, although the condition of the masks may vary. The main attraction is the mesmerizing ‘blue flame,’ caused by the combustion of sulfuric gas escaping from rock fissures, visible only in the dark. You can also observe locals mining sulfur, hauling carts full of it down the volcano early in the morning.

Additionally, the crater houses the world’s largest acidic lake. As the sun rises, you will be greeted by one of the most breathtaking views imaginable.

This is the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen—enough said! We arrived early and were greeted by a local guide who first showed us a breathtaking panoramic view of the waterfall with a volcano in the background. Then, we began our descent. The path down included stairs, steps, ropes, and other fun obstacles, taking us about 20 minutes to reach the waterfall.

If you think the pictures of Tumpak Sewu you’ve seen online are impressive, seeing it in person will leave you awestruck. It felt like stepping into a scene from Jurassic Park! The waterfall surrounds you from every angle, and looking up, you can see flocks of birds flying overhead. It was surreal.

Afterward, we explored other smaller yet equally impressive waterfalls in the area, including steep ones that required some climbing, a small blue lagoon, and some caves. It was a fun few hours of exploration, although the 45-minute climb back up was less enjoyable!"

For East Java, we flew into a port city of Surabaya. Our guide picked us up at the airport with a medium sized, comfortable van and took us on a two hour-drive journey to a homestay near Mt.Bromo, where we spent the night before the actual Bromo tour.

After the hike. We drove to a hotel in Lumajang region to get some much needed rest. 

We made our way back through the sand dunes via horse back riding to the jeep that was waiting for us. We spent quite a while driving in the area around Mt. Bromo including the 'Teletubbies Hill'. There are several spots for people who want to take pictures. 

We returned to the hotel around 9 AM, covered in dust—eyes, nose, ears, hair, shoes, socks, hat—everywhere!

We woke up at 2 AM and left the hotel by 2:30 AM. Our local tour guide, Willy, had arranged for a red jeep to take us to the King Kong viewpoint. The weather was quite cold (11°C) and windy. From where the jeep was parked, we walked a short distance past small street vendors and restaurants where many people sheltered from the cold wind and dust, waiting to head to the viewpoint.

To be honest, there's not much to see in Surabaya. Even our guide couldn't provide any recommendations. However, we did find a small tobacco museum that we found quite interesting. According to TripAdvisor, there is also a Chinese temple and a long bridge in the city that some people visit. 

We climbed a random hill above the official viewing point and joined a few others waiting for the sunrise. At 5 AM, the first light of day appeared, and we watched the beautiful sunrise. We stayed for a while, taking in the scenery before the jeep took us down to the actual crater of the volcano.

Along with other visitors, we walked through the vast area of volcanic sand. You can opt for a horse ride to shorten the journey. We climbed the stairs and spent some time walking around the crater, taking in the strong sulfur smell. You can buy a bouquet of flowers at the crater to throw into the crater for good luck (as mentioned by the locals).

We wandered around the city before our driver took us to the airport ending this trip with smiles on our faces.

Quick, adventure-packed trip in East Java, Indonesia

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