In a nation famed for its volcanoes, few are more talked about than Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen. Both are active volcanoes located on the Indonesian island of Java, but each peak offers a memorable and unique experience.
Travellers seeking adventure head to eastern Java to watch the day break over Mount Bromo and marvel at the bright blue flames and vivid turquoise crater lake at Mount Ijen. If you’re planning a trip to one or both, you’re in the right place! Here we cover all you need to know about visiting these natural wonders.
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A Guide to Visiting Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen, Indonesia 🌋
When to Visit Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen 🌅
In contrast to many other places in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s dry season runs from April to October, which is considered the best time to visit Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen. The high season is July and August, so those months are best avoided if you prefer fewer crowds.
The unpredictable rains that the wet season (November to March) brings mean poorer visibility and potentially treacherous trekking conditions.
A Little Language Lesson 🗣️
You may hear people saying ‘Kawah Ijen’ in relation to Mount Ijen, which can be confusing. In Bahasa (Indonesia’s official language), Kawah means ‘crater’, so when using this phrase people are referring to Ijen Crater. Kawah Ijen is sometimes used interchangeably with Mount Ijen in reference to tours to the volcano. Similarly, you may hear people using the Bahasa word for mountain to refer to Bromo, i.e. Gunung Bromo.
Mount Bromo vs Mount Ijen – What’s the Difference? 🆚
Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen are both active volcanoes located around 200 km apart. You might be forgiven for thinking if you’ve seen one volcano, you’ve seen them all. However, these two peaks are very different from each other, both in relation to their setting and the experience they provide. As the biggest draw for travellers in east Java, many people visit the volcanoes as they make their way across the island, either heading east from Yogyakarta towards Bali, or vice versa.
Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo is part of the extensive Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and takes centre stage in a dramatic and ancient volcanic landscape. Several peaks rise out of the Sea of Sand in this otherworldly place. The beauty of the volcanoes is best appreciated from one of the viewpoints that overlook the national park (King Kong Hill is the most popular). As the sun rises, the dawn light illuminates the rugged conical peaks, and in the distance you can see smoke puffing out of Mount Semeru. Despite the crowds with whom you’ll likely be enjoying the view, the scene is spectacular and the experience ethereal.
Once the sun has risen, you’ll head down to the Sea of Sand, a vast, dusty plane. A short hike across the sand will bring you to the slopes of Bromo, which you can ascend via a set of steps. At the top of the stairway you’ll find yourself on the very rim of the crater, looking down into the volcano’s smoking depths and listening to the deep rumblings emitting from the belly of the beast.
The Ponies at Mount Bromo 🐴
Ponies are available to hire to take tourists the short distance across the Sea of Sand to Mount Bromo. While it may seem like you are supporting a local economy by renting one, we would advise against it as the animals don’t seem to be well looked after. Besides, hiking through the volcanic landscape is all part of the adventure!
“The landscape of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park was unlike anything else I’d seen in all of Southeast Asia and hearing the roar of Mount Bromo is something I’ll never forget!” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
Mount Ijen
Mount Ijen stands alone on the eastern tip of Java. The appeal here is the volcanic crater, which is filled with the world’s largest acidic lake. The bright turquoise waters, a result of the extremely high levels of sulphuric and hydrochloric acid, create a dazzling image. (As you might expect, the lake is not swimmable – the water is acidic enough to corrode metal!)
An even more breathtaking sight is the blue fire phenomenon where blue flames can be seen blazing on the surface of the volcano. The electric blue flames are caused by sulphuric gas escaping through cracks in the volcanic rock and combusting as it reacts with the oxygen in the air. Kawah Ijen is the best place in the world to witness this spectacle.
Safety First 😷
When visiting Ijen, you’ll be required to wear a gas mask to protect yourself from the sulphuric gas in the air. While it’s not deadly – you’ll notice that the local sulphur miners don’t use masks – breathing in the gas can certainly be uncomfortable. You may find your lungs and eyes become irritated, so make sure you wear your mask when inside the crater and walking around the crater rim. Masks can be hired at the entrance to Mount Ijen.
The crater is accessed by a moderate hike up the side of the volcano. In order to see the blue flames, you’ll need to reach the crater in the darkness (hikes generally start around 2 am). After witnessing the blue fire, you can enjoy the sunrise and watch as the startlingly blue colours of the lake come to life in the sunlight.
Read about one traveller’s experience of witnessing Ijen’s blue flames here 🔥
The Ijen Sulphur Miners ⛏️
You’ll no doubt notice the locals hiking in and out of the crater with baskets full of yellow rock slung over their shoulders. Sulphur is a valuable commodity and miners extract the yellow stuff by hand. It’s backbreaking work that takes a toll on their health. Be respectful of these miners and make sure to move out of their way if you’re blocking their path in and out of the crater. Always ask before taking photos and note that a small tip may be expected.
Taking a Tour vs. Visiting Independently
Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen Tours
If you’re looking for the most convenient way to visit Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen (and some travel buddies!), consider booking a tour. You can choose to visit just one of the volcanoes or both as part of a package. Tours usually include transport, a guide, food and accommodation. Entrance fees may or may not be included as part of the price, so check before booking.
TOURS TO ONE VOLCANO
Tours visiting just Mount Bromo or Mount Ijen will sometimes include overnight accommodation as the journey to each volcano begins in the early hours of the morning, to reach the respective summit for sunrise.
Tours to Bromo will usually include pick-up from major transport hubs such as Surabaya, Probolinggo or Malang. Tours to Mount Ijen may begin in either Banyuwangi in east Java or even Bali, with transport included.
TOURS TO BOTH VOLCANOES
There are many tours that visit both Bromo and Ijen on a two or three-day trip. Most begin on Java and head to Bromo first and then continue east and onto Ijen the following day. Many will include, or be able to arrange, onward transport to Bali at the end of the tour.
It’s also possible to take the tour in the opposite direction, beginning from Bali and crossing over to Java to visit Ijen first and then travelling westwards to Bromo.
TOURS INCLUDING TUMPAK SEWU WATERFALL
Another popular option is a tour that includes both volcanoes and a visit to the huge and majestic Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, close to Mount Bromo. These will usually be 3-day tours and begin from Malang, visiting the waterfall first before Bromo and then Ijen.
Visiting Independently
It’s possible to visit both volcanoes without a tour or a guide. Visiting independently is a good option for those who like to take things at their own pace. It’s also a more budget-friendly alternative. However, it does require some logistics in terms of the various transport needed to get there. If you’re thinking of visiting independently, see information on how to get there using public transport below. 👇
How to Get There 🚂
Mount Bromo
From Yogyakarta via Probolinggo and Cemoro Lawang
The small town of Cemoro Lawang at the base of the volcano is the gateway to Mount Bromo. To get there, you’ll first need to reach Probolinggo, which is easily accessible by train from Yogyakarta (around 7–8 hours). Another option is to fly into Juanda International Airport in Surabaya (1.5 hours from Jakarta or 1 hour from Bali) and then travel onwards by train to Probolinggo.
From Probolinggo train station, you can jump in one of the shared vans heading to Cemoro Lawang (around 1.5–2 hours). In Cemoro Lawang you can hire a jeep or motorbike to take you to the viewpoint for sunrise and then onto Mount Bromo to hike up to the crater. Alternatively, you can hike to Mount Bromo from Cemoro Lawang (around 1–2 hours).
From Yogyakarta via Malang
It’s also possible (but less straightforward) to reach Mount Bromo from the town of Malang (6 hours by train from Yogyakarta). Anyone wanting to visit the stunning Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, which is a popular attraction near the mountains, will need to pass through Malang.
Public buses run from Malang to the village of Nongkojajar, from where you’ll need to take an ojek (motorbike taxi) to Wonokitri (near Tosari Village). Jeeps to Mount Bromo can be hired in Wonokitri.
Mount Ijen
To visit Mount Ijen, you’ll need to make your way to the town of Banyuwangi on the east coast of Java. The volcano is around an hour’s drive from the town, and it’s advised to arrange a driver to take you to the entrance to Ijen around 2 am .(It’s not recommended to drive a scooter along the pitchblack winding roads up to Mount Ijen.) Your accommodation may be able to help you arrange a driver the day before. From the entrance you can pick up the trail to begin the moderately easy hike up to Ijen Crater. The route is fairly easy going, but steep at times, and straightforward enough to navigate.
From Yogyakarta
Direct trains run from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi Kota train station (around 11–12 hours).
From Mount Bromo
Take a shared van from Cemoro Lawang to Probolinggo train station. Direct trains to Banyuwangi Kota take around 3.5–4 hours).
From Bali
Java is just a short hop from the popular island of Bali. As Ijen is located in the far east of Java, visiting from Bali is easy. Take a public bus to Gilimanuk in the west of Bali from Denpasar (4 hours) or Mengwi bus terminal (3 hours). Jump on a ferry from Gilimanuk on Bali to Ketapang Harbour on Java (around 15 minutes). You may even be able to stay on the bus to get on the ferry. Once on Java, either walk the 5 minutes to Ketapang train station to take a 15-minute train to Banyuwangi Kota or grab a taxi near the harbour to take you the short distance (15 minutes) into Banyuwangi town.
Entrance Fees 💰
Mount Bromo
Entrance to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park costs around 255,000 IDR (approx. $15.50USD).
Mount Ijen
The entrance fee to Ijen Crater is around 100,000 IDR (approx. $6USD) on weekdays and 150,000 IDR (approx. $9USD) on weekends.
Packing List for Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen 🔦
- Hiking shoes or boots – Even if you take a jeep to Bromo, you’ll need to hike across the Sea of Sand to the crater
- Long pants
- Lightweight t-shirt and fleece – It’s all about the layers!
- Warm jacket – You might be in the tropics but it gets cold on top of a volcano before the sun’s up!
- Water and snacks
- Flashlight or head torch – Visits to each volcano begin in the dark, either for the sunrise at Bromo or to see the blue flames at Ijen which are best viewed in the early hours before dawn
- Gas masks – For Mount Ijen; they can be hired at the start of the trail
FAQs ❓
Should I visit both Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen?
Many people (and tours) visit both the volcanoes as part of one trip. While it’s certainly possible to visit only one, the destinations offer very different experiences. If you have time, it’s definitely worth seeing both!
“I’d highly recommend seeing both volcanoes if you can. Each place is beautiful and unique!” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
How long is the hike up Mount Bromo?
If you hike to the viewpoint from Cemoro Lawang, the trek should take around 1–2 hours.
Once you reach the Sea of Sand, the hike across the sand and up the (roughly) 250 steps to the crater rim will only take around 25–30 minutes.
How long is the hike up Mount Ijen?
The hike up Mount Ijen usually takes around 1.5–2 hours from trailhead to crater rim.
Watching the sunrise over a volcano in Indonesia is a must-do activity in Southeast Asia. The perfect conical peaks in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park provide a unique backdrop to witness the dawn of a new day. Meanwhile, Ijen’s electric blue fire lighting up the night sky is a sight not easily forgotten.
If you’re seeking spectacular scenery, Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen should be on your Indonesia itinerary!
Have you visited Mount Bromo or Mount Ijen? Let us know about your experience in the comments.
Lisa Barham
Having always dreamt of travelling the world, Lisa finally decided to follow that dream in her mid-thirties when she left her nine-to-five in London for life on the road. After trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and learning to surf in Sri Lanka, she headed for wondrous Southeast Asia, where she can currently be found solo backpacking, navigating through life and unfamiliar streets.
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