Java – Mount Bromo

After a few days in Java’s cultural capital, we moved to the area around one of the world’s most iconic volcanoes – Mount Bromo. We had also planned a trip to Kawah Ijen, famous for its blue flames and sulfur miners working in the crater, but due to increased volcanic activity, the area was closed. It’s said the crater is filled with nearly pure molten sulfur, and the miners carrying heavy baskets on their shoulders perform one of the world’s most extreme jobs. If you find yourself nearby, be sure to visit and share your photos!

The journey to Bromo takes almost a full day. We booked accommodation through an agency at Hotel Budi. A word of caution for travelers: always read brochures and booking confirmations carefully. I skimmed through the brochure and assumed there would be hot water at the hotel, but it turned out that this comfort was only available at the neighboring Hotel Sori. A reminder that even on vacation, careful reading is essential—especially in countries where standards vary widely!

Bromo
Bromo – Java’s volcanic icon

We only slept a few hours at the hotel. Wake-up was at 3:30 a.m., quick preparations, and without breakfast, we headed by jeep to the viewpoint. In theory, at sunrise, you can see not only Bromo but also the majestic, smoking Semeru – Java’s highest peak. Unfortunately, thick clouds obscured everything that morning. This is a common issue—mountain weather can be very unpredictable. Still, it’s worth remembering that Mount Bromo is a sacred place for the local Tengger people, who annually hold the Yadnya Kasada festival, offering agricultural produce and animals into the crater, believing it will earn the favor of the volcano’s spirits.

After the unsuccessful sunrise hunt, the jeep took us to the edge of the black volcanic desert. We crossed it on foot toward Bromo’s cone. The final stage is climbing 250 steps to the crater’s rim, where among a crowd of tourists, you can peer into the sulfur-spewing volcano. The place leaves a strong impression – both with its raw beauty and the energy of the natural force lying beneath the earth’s surface.

Bromo

The Bromo tour cost 350,000 IDR, including 80,000 IDR for jeep transport to the viewpoint and the volcano base. If you’re not keen on crowds and organized tours, consider an alternative: trekking to the viewpoint and Bromo independently. What are the benefits?

  • Enjoyable trekking with the chance to admire landscapes in solitude
  • Avoiding tourist crowds—especially at viewpoints and the volcano summit

How to organize it? When booking a tour, most of the cost covers transport and accommodation (around 270,000 IDR). Alternatively, you can hike from your hotel to the viewpoint at 6 a.m.—the route is easy and takes about an hour. After enjoying the views, descend to the village for breakfast, then head toward the volcano cone. By this time, most tourists have left Bromo, giving you the chance to admire the crater in near silence. Such an experience stays with you for a long time!