- People looking for a solo travel destination.
- People interested in foreign mountains
目次
Mount Bromo & Ijen Volcano, Indonesia
Mount Bromo and Ijen volcano are Indonesia’s representative active volcanoes in eastern Java.
Both are located at altitudes of over 2,000 meters, so the temperatures are cooler than in the hotter parts of Indonesia.
Mt. Bromo is especially impressive for its starry sky and sunrise.
There is no hiking and you can reach the top of the mountain by car, so you do not need to be physically active.
Ijen Volcano is famous for its “Blue Fire,” in which sulfur gas burns and produces blue flames.
When this sulfur gas comes to you on the wind, your eyes hurt, and if it gets into your lungs, you cough, which is a little dangerous.
Both mountains are interesting and offer spectacular views.
Two such volcanoes are Bromo and Ijen.
Recommended for those who travel alone abroad or want to climb mountains abroad.
Travel days required (from Japan)
(Assuming departure from Haneda or Narita, Japan)
This is only a guideline, but with plane connections in mind, that would be at least 4 days.
If you don’t consider flying and only have days for local tours, then
1 night and 2 days if either Mt. Bromo or Ijen volcano.
If you are going to both, it will be 2 nights and 3 days.
Best time to visit
July through September is a warm time of year with stable weather.
Conversely, the wettest months are January through March and December.
It looks good any time of the year except for rainy months.
Access to Mt. Bromo
Mount Bromo is located in the eastern part of Java, Indonesia.
Local tours of Mt. Bromo mainly depart from “Surabaya” or “Malang”. (and then Jogjakarta).
Both Surabaya and Malang have airports, but there are no direct flights from Japan.
Therefore, the main routes from Japan are via Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore.
It is convenient to search and compare airline tickets on Skyscanner.
The destination airport is better in Surabaya.
Because airline tickets are inexpensive and flights are plentiful and easy to access.
If you are flying from Japan to Surabaya,
Haneda – Singapore: Flight time is approximately 7 hours and 20 minutes
Singapore – Surabaya: Flight time is approximately 2 hours 25 minutes
It will take about.
Also, the straight line distance from Surabaya to Mt. Bromo is about 50 km,
but the distance by car is about 130 km and takes about 4 hours.
Search on Skyscanner will be displayed if you select “Tokyo – Surabaya”.
You can also search by using the “Search for Flights” button below.
View of Mt. Bromo
・You can get to the top of the mountain by car. You don’t need the stamina to climb mountains.
・Need warm clothes to go to the mountain before dawn
・The starry sky and sunrise on top of the mountain are inspiring.
・Mt. Bromo is picturesque.
The mountain is 2,329 meters above sea level, but there is no serious hiking as it is accessible by car.
It is a great way to enjoy the spectacular view at ease.
We will move in the middle of the night and watch the pre-dawn stars and sunrise on top of the mountain.
This starry sky and sunrise are the most beautiful and inspiring!
The photos don’t do it justice, but the view of Mount Bromo after the sun rises is also spectacular.
A picturesque view is spread out there.
After watching the sunrise, the car will take you close to the crater.
The volcanic activity of Mt. Bromo is very active, and this time I gave up the idea of going to the crater because it would be too dangerous.
If your timing is good, you can go to the crater.
The caldera here is also known as the Sea of Sand, and visitors can explore the vast caldera on horseback.
What you need to climb Mt. Bromo
- Warm clothing (fleece, down jacket)
- Headlamps
There is no hiking on Mt. Bromo and no need for serious mountain gear.
However, since you will be there before dawn, it would be better to have a headlamp or something that provides light.
You can use the light from your cell phone as a substitute, though.
Also, you need to be prepared for cold weather because of the high altitude.
you go before dawn and spend a couple of hours on the mountain to see the stars and sunrise.
I brought a fleece and a kappa, but it would be better to have down as well to stay warm.
Blankets can be rented on site, which may be used. (Paying a fee)
Access to Ijen Volcano
Ijen volcano is also located in eastern Java.
It is close to Bali, and if you only want to see Ijen volcano, you can go there via Denpasar Airport in Bali.
It takes about 6 hours from Bali to Ijen Volcano by car and ferry.
Ferry terminal from near Denpasar Airport: 4 hours by car.
Ferry boarding time: about 1 hour
Ijen Volcano from the ferry landing: about 1 hour by car.
View of Ijen Volcano
・Mountaineering shoes (at least sneakers) are required for 2-3 hours of one-way hiking.
・Need warm clothes for walking in the mountains at night
・Sulfur gas is present and gas masks are required
・The “Blue Fire” of burning sulfur is fantastic.
Ijen volcano is 2,799 meters above sea level.
The walk to the summit and crater takes about 2 to 3 hours each way.
However, the local guide will walk slowly, and there are no extremely steep hills, so you should be fine.
Entry fee is 100,000 rupiah (about 950 yen).
It is mandatory to climb with a local guide.
Entrance fees and local guides are included in the price if you sign up for a tour.
At Ijen volcano, we start walking to the summit around 2 am.
By the time you start walking, you can see the sulfuric gases of the mountain begin to burn from the rest stop at the starting point.
(The picture is blurry and not clear.)
The highlight of Ijen Volcano is the Blue Fire.
Sulfur gas from the mountain burns, creating a fantastic blue flame.
However, the sulfur gas is troublesome and becomes thicker as you approach the crater.
When the sulfuric gases that drifted in with the wind got into my eyes, it hurt so much that I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
If you go to the crater, you can see the Blue Fire right in front of you.
However, this time I could not get close to Blue Fire because of the high sulfur gas and the direction of the wind flow.
As it was not safe for tourists to approach, I handed my smartphone to a local guide to take pictures.
I wish I could have actually seen it up close.
Still, the cobalt blue crater seen after dawn is spectacular and enjoyable not only for its blue fire.
The view from the mountain at dawn is also wonderful.
Sulfur is also mined at Ijen volcano, and local workers walk around carrying baskets of sulfur.
One basket seems to weigh almost 35-45 kg, and they walk around with two of them on their shoulders.
It must be extremely tough to carry that much weight up and down the mountain.
Ask your local guide and you can have a basket of sulfur.
If you are interested, please try it.
It is quite heavy.
A word of caution, after climbing Ijen volcano, your clothes will smell very sulfurous.
The sulfur smell did not come out for a while after washing.
You should bring enough clothes to be disposable.
For those who do not want to be exhausted by hiking in the mountains, a wheelbarrow can be used to transport you to the crater area.
What you need to climb Ijen Volcano
The photo shows a local guide. Hanging around his neck is a gas mask.
- Gas mask
- Goggles
- Climbing shoes (at least sneakers)
- Warm clothing (fleece, down jacket)
- Headlamps
- Drinking water
Gas Mask
Gas masks are required due to the sulfuric gases flowing near the crater.
Some people were not wearing gas masks, but they seemed to be in great pain, coughing every time the sulfur gas drifted in the wind.
You can get them at the rest hut at the starting point, so you should definitely have them.
Goggles
I didn’t take it with me, but when the sulfuric gases drift in the wind, it hurts so much you can’t keep your eyes open.
It depends on the direction of the wind, so if you temporarily close your eyes, it’s not a problem, but goggles would be useful.
Mountaineering shoes
It is best to wear mountaineering shoes as you will be walking on rugged rocky terrain near the crater.
You should wear at least sneakers.
Locals walked around wearing sneakers.
Especially on the way to the destination, watch your step as you walk in the dark.
Warm clothing
The altitude is 2,799 meters, and it is cold at the top, so warm clothing is required.
A fleece, down jacket, and kappa are good to have.
Also, if you will be waiting at the rest hut until departure, bring a sleeping bag for your comfort.
Headlamps
You will need a headlamp as you will start walking in the mountains around 2 am.
You can procure locally, but the light is a bit weak with halogen lamps.
As for lamps, it is safer to bring LED types from your own country.
Drinking water
Although not limited to Ijen Volcano, don’t forget that there are no water stations other than the starting point.
Finally.
This time, I traveled to Indonesia alone with no plans, not even booking a hotel in advance.
There, I happened to meet some locals who showed me around Mount Bromo and Ijen volcanoes.
Indonesia is a good place for friendly people.
(But they will ask you for money for something.)
You can take a tour to Mt. Bromo & Ijen to be sure of getting there and save time.
If you have the time and are concerned about cheapness, the cheapest way is to take the train to the nearest destination and book a tour locally.
（The minimum number of reservations for a tour that includes two mountains is two people or more.）
This time, I could not take good photos of Mt. Bromo and Ijen volcanoes to convey their quality, but I am sure you will be impressed if you see them with your own eyes.
If you travel to Indonesia, please go there.
This is a great place for nature lovers.
To book your airline ticket,
Local tours are available through
It is convenient to use those.
In Klook, search for “Mount Bromo” or “Ijen Volcano” to see tours.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Klook.com
