The Ijen Plateau is characteristic for its coffee plantation and the settlements where the workers live. Explore Javanese life at the Ijen Plateau before heading to one of Indonesia's most famous icons, the green blueish most acidic lake in the world.

The fascinating Plateau, the spectacular lake, and the amazingly strong sulphur workers won't disappoint you.

Pick up - Ijen Plateau exploration

The earlier we pick you up, the more time you will have to explore Ijen Plateau. This gripping environment lodges an about 2 centuries old coffee plantation, surrounded by active and dormant volcanoes. Coffee is being picked about 8 months a year and processed in the two coffee factories on the plateau itself. The workers live in colorful settlements in two villages. At the end of the day you can relax in a sulphuric hotspring and visit the waterfall. Its water flows underground all the way into the Java Sea.

Ijen crater lake and sulphur miners

At first glance it seems a beautiful lake with its specific color, but if you dig into the facts you might feel fear. Ijen crater lake is actually an ingenuous deadly lake. It's pH is even lower than the battery of a car and will quickly turn anything from metal into nothing but a bubbling memory.

Standing in the heart of Ijen's crater - next to the turquoise lake bordered by the grey-brownish crater edge witnessing the amazing blue fire - you are having an experience that nowhere else in the world can be found. This outer-space environment is one of kind on earth.
In the meantime volcanic gasses continiously escape from a series of vents next to the lake - to add to the dramatic scenery. Ceramic pipes are placed over some of these vents to condense the volcanic sulphuric gasses which then will turn into liquid sulphur that quickly cools off and solidifies. This bright yellow residue is collected by the sulphur-miners, who have one of the hardest jobs in the world. They carry baskets with 80 to 90 kg of sulphur up the crater rim and then down the slopes of the mountain twice or three times a day.

Watch the sunrise before heading back to your car. Once back at the car we will drive you to Ketapang harbour. If you would like to be dropped off somewhere else (e.g. Surabaya), please let us know. Additional costs might be involved. 

Note: actually you can start this tour practically anywhere in East Java, in Yogyakarta or in Bali. Banyuwangi is connected directly via air to Surabaya and Jakarta.