Witness three active volcanoes in the Ring of Fire. The volcanoes in Indonesia are among the most active in the Ring of Fire. This tour is an amazing but exhausting hike. Only for those with stamina.
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Itinerary: Semeru, Bromo & Ijen - 4 days / 3 nights
The route can be carried out in the opposite direction in case needed with flights. Please ask if you are in doubt about the possibilities.
Click on one of the headings to read the extensive itinerary.
Hike to Kalimati camp at 2700 m
To the top of Java island. First stage: Kalimati camp
By 4WD Jeep you will be driven to Ranu Pane village in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. You will be picked up at 05.00...
Once in the village you have some time to prepare before your hike to the highest mountain on Java starts. Today you conquer 600 heightmeters as you start hiking at 2100 m. Kalimati camp is situated at an height of 2700m. Depending on your cruising speed, you will reach your destination in 6 to 8 hours.
The highlight of the day might be Kumbolo lake, where you will have lunch with coffee and tea. Don't forget to regularly check Mt. Semeru, that is erupting about every 20 minutes.
Reach the summit of Mt. Semeru at 3676 m
Reach the summit of Mt. Semeru
It is still dark when you start climbing on rough terrain. It takes about an hour to get to Arcapada. From then on it is a straightforward route. Sandy and rocky loose ground will test your stamina. Prepare to slide down when you try to go up. Most people reach the summit in about 3 hours, but it depends on your ability to keep going. After reaching the summit (Mahameru), enjoy the views and witness the volcano's eruptions from nearby.
The National Park's board advises to decent before noon due to gas production and smoke development by the volcano Semeru. When back at the Kalimati Camp, breakfast will be served. Have some rest after this long, beautiful and exhausting but extraordinary morning. Once packed, you will return to Ranu Pane village via Mt. Ayek-Ayek.
After lunch, you will be dropped in Malang to spend the night, to relax in your hotel, or to explore the city.
Sunrise tour Mt. Bromo, arrive in the afternoon at the Ijen Plateau
Sunrise tour Mt. Bromo - Ijen Plateau
Have a cup of coffee or tea to before leaving to Mt. Pananjakan at midnight. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach the viewpoint. You can have a hot drink and some local snacks while waiting for the sun to rise. Enjoy the scenery over Mt. Bromo while the sun rises. Then you will descend to the black Sea of Sand. This black sand sea covers partly the ancient crater rim in which Mt. Bromo rose. You will drive through an amazing landscape to finally park near the Poten Luhur temple, from where you can walk in about 45 minutes to the top of the active volcano Bromo and its crater.
After enjoying Bromo you willl be driven back to Cemara Lawang village to have breakfast in your hotel before check out. Then you continue your trip via Arak-Arak hill to spend the night at the Ijen Plateau. The plateau is actually a coffee plantation. If the sun hasn't yet set, you can visit the coffee factory (when season), take a bath in a sulphuric hot spring, and see a waterfall.
Witness the spectacular blue flames at the Ijen crater lake
Ijen blue flames at Ijen crater lake
It will be an early morning again if you wish to see Ijen's blue flames. Don't mistake the blue flames for lava as actually volcanic gasses react with oxygen. It can only be seen at night and Ijen happens to be the biggest blue fire area in the world. At 2 o'clock in the morning you depart with your local guide to hike up hill and then into the crater.
When the sun is about to rise, you can hike out of the crater and see the colors changing over Ijen crater lake and the surroundings while sulphur miners are at work. These miners have one of the hardest jobs in the world. The sulphuric gasses condense in the ceramic pipes that have been installed. When the liquid poors out of the pipes it solidifies quickly. Then the miners are able to collect it. In bamboo baskets on their shoulders, they carry about 80 to 100 kg sulphur out of the crater and down the mountain.
Once you have seen it all, the driver is waiting for you. It takes about 1,5 hours - via Licin - to the harbor in Ketapang. The ferry operates 24 hours a day and you will find public transport till around 18.00. Remember that Bali time is one hour ahead of Java time.