Bromo and Ijen Travel Guide:Two Volcanoes, One Epic Journey.
Bali, the island of Gods has so much to offer if you're there on a short trip.
But what if I tell you that there are so many more beautiful places in Indonesia that you can visit.
Today I want to take you for a journey to East Java where Mt Ijen and Mt Bromo are located.
🌋Where is Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo?
Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo are both located in East Java, Indonesia.
If you're considering a visit to both Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo in one trip, there are some important things to keep in mind. These two volcanoes offer unique experiences, but they also require proper preparation and planning.
🌋Organization
Making the decision between booking an organized tour from Bali or preparing the trip yourself, depends on your preferences, budget, and travel style.
My partner and I organized our own adventure, and it was an amazing experience.
Lets talk about Pros and Cons between organized tours and doing it solo.
Organized Tour from Bali.
Pros:
- Convenience: Organized tours provide a hassle-free experience. Transportation, accommodations, and an itinerary are taken care of, allowing you to relax and enjoy the trip.
- Local Knowledge: Tour guides have extensive knowledge of the area, culture, and history, enhancing your overall experience.
- Meeting new people and sharing experiences with fellow travelers, a group tour can be a great way to connect.
Cons:
- Limited Flexibility: Tours typically have fixed schedules and itineraries, leaving less room for spontaneous exploration or personal preferences.
- Cost: Organized tours can be more expensive due to the added services and convenience provided.
Organizing the Trip Yourself.
Pros:
- Flexibility: Planning your trip independently allows you to customize the itinerary according to your interests and pace.
- You have more control over your budget and can choose accommodation and transportation options that fit your price range.
- Personalized Experience: You can focus on activities that truly interest you and spend more time in places you fall in love with.
Cons:
- Time and Effort: Planning and coordinating the trip can be time-consuming and stressful; trying to research about the destinations and logistics.
- If you decide to rent a car, be prepared to drive at least six hours per day.
🌋What is the best month to visit Mt Ijen and Mt Bromo?
The best month to visit would be during the dry season, which typically falls between April and October.
We went to Mount Bromo in mid-April, it wasn't too crowded, however, the weather was a bit cloudy during our visit. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you go.
The months of June, July, and August are considered the peak season and are popular among tourists due to the pleasant weather and clear skies, so if you are planning to go there within those months - be prepared for crowds.
🌋Itinerary
Day 1:
We rented a car and started our journey from Canggu, Bali at around 11 AM and headed to the port:
The drive takes about 4 hours.
Our ferry ride to Java was about 30 mins and cost us 6.000 IDR ($ 0,40 USD) each and we paid 150.000 IDR ($10 USD)for our car.
Make sure to bring your international driving license.
We booked a hotel near Ijen in the area called Banyuwangi
It is the closest town to the start of the hike.
We had an early dinner before heading to bed because wake-up call the next day was at 2am.
Day 2:
It's 2 in the morning and we're already on our way to the start of the Ijen trek. The drive from Banyuwangi will take about an hour, but we're excited to start. We've been looking forward to this adventure for weeks and are ready to take on whatever challenges come our way.
The entrance fee for foreigners is 150,000 rupiah, which is about $10 USD.
The out-and-back trek is 9.3 kilometers in distance with almost 600m of incline but it may be more if you wander around and visit the blue fire.
Wear sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes. Bring a windproof jacket, a hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun after sunrise. A headlamp or flashlight is crucial for the early morning trek to witness the Blue Fire.
To witness the magical ‘Blue Fire’ phenomenon at Kawah Ijen, start the trek in the early hours of the morning, preferably after midnight. It all depends on your page but it takes many people about 3-4 hours to reach the top of the crater lake.
The sulfuric gases emitted by the volcano at Kawah Ijen can be strong and irritating to the respiratory system. It is highly recommended to bring a respirator mask. If you don’t have one, they can be hired or purchased in the parking lot from locals before the hike starts. Your tour company should provide this.
After the lake, we went up to fully see the sunrise and a beautiful view. It felt like we were on a different planet. The colors were so vivid and the scenery was breathtaking. I couldn't believe my eyes.
But it was the time to go down and hit he long road to the next stop - Bromo National Park.
After only getting two hours of sleep, we had to leave the hotel quickly to start our drive to Bromo National Park. The trip was going to take almost an entire day, and we didn't want to miss the sunset once we arrived.
The road we traveled was incredibly long and seemed never-ending. We had to stop a few times to rest our legs and take a swim in the sea, which ran alongside the road for a considerable distance.
Expect heavy traffic and steep inclines, particularly around Bromo National Park. I highly recommend using a high-quality car for this drive.
You have a few options for your stay when visiting Mount Bromo. Malang is about a 2-hour drive away, Probolinggo is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away, or you can stay in Cemoro Lawang village at the base of the mountain, which is what we chose to do. There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses in all three locations, so you can pick the one that suits your needs best.
Day 3:
To take the Bromo tour you will need to arrange a jeep rental.
You can't drive yourself and it's illegal to use any other cars than 4x4 Jeeps. We found a local guide just on the street of the village and rented a jeep from him.
All of the Jeep rentals at Bromo are pretty much the same model. A Bromo Jeep rental can fit up to five passengers. The price for a Bromo jeep rental changes according to the tourist season.
Prices:
Jeep Rental Low Season - Rp 500,000
High Season - Rp 650,000.
We didn't want to miss the iconic sunrise view, so we started the day with a 3 a.m. wake-up call to head to one of the viewpoints.
After sunrise, the next stop is the bottom of the caldera.
Mount Bromo Entrance Fee
Weekdays: 220k IDR (~$15 USD) / person
Weekends: 320k IDR (~$21 USD) / person
Once the sun rises, a jeep will transport you to the Bromo crater, which is a 25-minute drive from the viewpoint. The jeep will drop you off on the dusty valley floor, and from there, you can take a leisurely 30-minute walk to the crater. Climbing to the top of the Bromo crater is a simple task.
If you're tired of walking you can take a horse ride and it will bring you right to the bottom of the stairs.
After all these adventures we head back all the way back to Bali with a overnight stop in Malang (love this cute city!) and famous waterfall - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall (must visit).
I recommend staying in Malang at least for a day and checking the city and its surroundings.
My top hotels:
Cafes:
Things to see:
The "Rainbow Village" Of Jodipan
Entrance: 3,000IDR
Opening times: 07:00 - 18:00
This is an EPIC waterfall and it is regarded as one of the best in Indonesia.
It’s 20,000 IDR entrance and it’s 15,000 IDR to walk down.
If you still have any questions you're welcome to book a consultation call with me.
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