Kawah Ijen and Mount Bromo

NOTE - we can organise a departure on any date for a minimum of two people. Use the dates (right) as a guide and let us know if you'd like to travel on alternate dates. 

Mt Bromo is heralded as one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. Easy to reach from Bali, this incredible short trip includes gentle rafting through the gorge at Songa and two short, sunrise treks, to the summit of Mt Bromo and Mount Ijen.

At 2,600m, Kawah Ijen volcano is  topped with a large caldera and a 200-meter-deep lake of sulfuric acid. Stone and ceramic pipes cap the fumaroles where sulfur condenses into a molten red liquid solidifying into pure sulfur. Miners hack chunks off with steel bars, braving dangerous gases and liquids with minimal protection, then load up as much as they can carry for the several kilometers to the weighing station. Loads can weigh from 45 to 90kg (100 - 200 lbs). Mount Bromo is sits on a vast plain called the Sand Sea (Lautan Pasir) with a stunning viewpoint that we will visit for dawn.

Sample itinerary

Day 1: Upon arrival at Surabaya Airport you will be transferred directly to Bromo.

Day 2:  You’ll be woken about 3am for a hot coffee or tea, before a 4WD jeep drive to Penanjakan Hill to enjoy the sunrise and amazing Tengger mountain (pictured, right). To reach Bromo we walk to what is known as the ‘Sea of Sand’. You’ll be back at your hotel at 7am for breakfast before a 2h drive to Condong village. Here you’ll take a relatively gentle river rafting trip for 3 hours before lunch and then back to your hotel. 

Day 3: Wake early again (3am) for a trek to Mount Penanjakan to watch the sunrise and trek around Bromo. You’ll be back at your hotel around 11am. After lunch you’ll be driven to Ijen crater volcano with its dual lake and fascinating culture and colours. Arrive at Sempol village about 5pm. 

Day 4:  A wake up call at 4.30 you will check out of your hotel and wth a takeaway, breakfast, drive to the slope of Mount ijen (about 20 minutes). Here we get a permit and then park before hiking to the top of the slope. It takes about 1,5 hours to ascend the crater rim along a shady track with wonderful views. The sulfuric lake reflects color over the surrounding walls. The view is stunning. Departing, we leave the crater and can either drive to Ketapang harbor, then cross by ferry to Bali or return to Surabaya for your onward journey. 

Style of travel

This trip is suitable for almost any age but you need a reasonable level of fitness. The trip itinerary is also quite weather dependent along with volcano activity and may require changes accordingly. 

Rafting

The rafting at Songa is through a beautiful gorge with waterfalls. It’s gentle grade and suitable for most people.