Adventure · Nature
Ijen and Bromo, in three days
Blue flames at midnight, a caldera at dawn, and a short flight home.
The day, in short
Three days and two nights across the strait: cross by ferry, climb Ijen in the small hours to see the blue flames of burning sulphur, then drive to Bromo for sunrise over the Tengger caldera. A hard, rewarding trip in a small group.
- Ijen's blue flames and sulphur crater lake
- Sunrise over the Tengger caldera at Bromo
- Ferry across the strait, flight back to Bali
Who it suits
Fit, adventurous travellers. Minimum age 14 (sample rule). Not for anyone with asthma or a heart or lung condition, or in pregnancy: the sulphur gas at Ijen is genuinely hazardous.
How demanding
Ijen is a night hike of about two hours up a steady path to the rim, then a steep, slippery 30 to 45 minute descent into the crater in a respirator. Bromo is easier on the legs but starts in the cold at 03:30. Both are at altitude, and the days are long.
What happens
- Day 1 · 06:30
Bali to Java
West across Bali to Gilimanuk, then the ferry to Ketapang. The crossing takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes, and the ferries run all through the day and night.
- Day 1 · 15:00
Banyuwangi
Check in near Ijen, eat early, sleep as much as you can.
- Day 2 · 00:30
Up Ijen
From the gate, about two hours up a steady path to the crater rim at about 2,386 metres, with a head torch and a respirator, which is not optional.
- Day 2 · 03:00
The blue flames
A steep descent, about 30 to 45 minutes, down into the crater to see sulphur gas igniting as it meets the air. They are best seen in the dark, from about 01:00 to 04:00. The path is steep and slippery, the fumes can be thick, and your guide decides whether it is safe.
- Day 2 · 05:30
The rim at first light
The turquoise acid lake in the crater, and sulphur miners starting their work. Ask before photographing anyone. We do not use the trolley service in which miners push visitors uphill.
- Day 2 · 09:00
A long drive to Bromo
Five to seven hours by road, with rests, to the village of Cemoro Lawang on the Tengger caldera rim.
- Day 3 · 03:30
Jeep to the viewpoint
A 4x4 up to Penanjakan, at about 2,770 metres, for sunrise over Bromo and the volcanoes around it.
- Day 3 · 07:00
Across the sand sea
Down and across the Tengger sand to the foot of Bromo, with the option of the walk to the crater rim.
- Day 3 · 11:30
To Surabaya
A drive to Juanda airport. The flight back to Denpasar is about an hour, with several departures a day.
Included and not
Included
- Included: Transfers from Bali, the Gilimanuk ferry and all road transport in Java
- Included: Two hotel nights in twin rooms
- Included: Local guides at Ijen and Bromo, and a respirator at Ijen
- Included: The Bromo jeep
- Included: Park fees
- Included: Breakfast on days two and three
Not included
- Not included: The flight from Surabaya to Bali
- Not included: Other meals
- Not included: Tips for guides and drivers
- Not included: Travel insurance (required)
- Not included: The Ijen trolley service (we do not use it)
Bring and wear
Tick things off as you pack. The ticks stay on this device.
Where we meet
Hotel pick-up in Ubud (about 06:30) or Seminyak and Sanur (about 06:00).
The trip ends at Surabaya's Juanda airport on day three, in time for the short flight back to Bali. The flight is not included, and we help you book it.
Pick-up around 06:30 on day one
At Ijen and at Bromo
- The sulphur miners at Ijen work in dangerous conditions to earn a living. Ask before taking anyone's photograph, and give your own money as a personal choice, never as payment to be carried.
- Bromo is sacred to the Tengger people, the Hindu community who live in the caldera. Keep to the paths, and do not climb on or disturb the offerings and shrines.
- Ijen can close, and routes can change at short notice because of gas levels. Follow your guide, wear the respirator for the whole of the time in the crater, and turn back if told.
When it works best
Best in the dry season, roughly April to October, when skies are clearer. Even then, Bromo's sunrise is often hidden by cloud and the sea of fog is a lottery. Ijen can close entirely for gas levels or maintenance. We will tell you plainly at each stage what is open and what is not.
Cancellation. Sample policy: free changes or cancellation up to 7 days before. If Ijen or Bromo close, we swap the order of the days where we can; the Ijen element is not refundable once the crater is closed on the day, but we will offer another departure.
Good to know
Each fact was checked on the web on the date shown. Where a fact comes from one source only, we say so.
- Ijen crater rim
- About 2,386 m above sea levelChecked 6 Oct 2026. Source: Several guides (Backindo, Dialoog Hotels, Tripadvisor listings)
- Blue flames
- Burning sulphur gas, visible by eye only in the dark, roughly 01:00 to 04:00. A respirator is needed.Checked 6 Oct 2026. Source: Backindo, Journey Era, Geoscopy
- Ijen gate hours
- Open from about 02:00 to 12:00, and subject to closure, so check at the timeChecked 6 Oct 2026. Source: Backindo (one source only, so confirm with your guide)
- Bromo and Penanjakan
- Bromo is 2,329 m; the Penanjakan viewpoint is about 2,770 mChecked 6 Oct 2026. Source: Wikipedia, Mount Bromo; The World Travel Guy
- Ferry
- Gilimanuk to Ketapang takes about 30 to 60 minutes, with sailings around the clockChecked 6 Oct 2026. Source: Bali Java Overland; Tiket.com; Direct Ferries
- Flight back
- Surabaya to Denpasar is about 1 hour 5 minutes, with several flights a dayChecked 6 Oct 2026. Source: FlightsFrom and airline route listings
- Ijen to Bromo by road
- Five to seven hoursChecked 6 Oct 2026. Source: Rome2Rio, GeckoRoutes and operator itineraries
Sample price. Includes two hotel nights, the ferry, the guides, the jeep and a respirator. Excludes the flight back.
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