Gunung Ijen is one of the most unique active volcanoes in the world, located on the island of Java in the Banyuwangi area. The summit of Mount Ijen rewards visitors with fairy-tale landscapes of breathtaking beauty. Inside the caldera lies the sulfuric lake known as Kawah Ijen -- the largest sulfur lake in the world. At night, liquid sulfur glows with a blue flame called "blue lava," creating a truly extraordinary and magical atmosphere.
What awaits us?
- Black volcanic sand beach
- Ferry crossing to Java
- Terracotta sculpture park
- Hike up Mount Ijen, standing at 2,803 m
- Descent into the volcano's crater
- Acidic crater lake
- Blue flames inside the crater
- Sunrise at the summit and stunning photographs
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM -- departure from your hotel.
- 10:30 AM -- black volcanic sand beach. Optional: pre-book an "Enduro Riding"* session, 1 hour (contact us for pricing).
- 11:00 AM -- departure heading north toward the port.
- 12:00 PM -- We will stop by the ocean shore for a cup of coffee* and a snack*, watching the long crashing waves.
- 1:00 PM -- heading north toward the ferry (approximately 2-2.5 hours).
- 3:45 PM -- Our ferry departs for Java. The crossing takes about 1 hour. As we approach the island, the active volcano Ijen becomes clearly visible -- that is our cue to disembark and set our clocks one hour back, as Java is in a different time zone from Bali.
- 4:00 PM -- Arrival on Java. We head to the terracotta sculpture park, featuring works that embody aspects of Indonesian culture and traditions. The sculptures illustrate various characters and stories from Indonesian myths and folklore, as well as elements of nature such as plants, animals, and landscapes. Some depict people performing traditional Indonesian dances and rituals. The statues may include symbolism tied to local beliefs and spirituality, such as images of deities or mythical creatures. The park also features modern interpretations of traditional themes, where artists use terracotta to create abstract forms and conceptual works reflecting contemporary art within the context of Indonesian culture.
- Optional: a detour to a pine forest near the hotel.
- 6:00 PM -- Transfer to the hotel. Check-in, free time to rest. We will need our energy for the ascent of Mount Ijen, which stands at 2,800 m above sea level.
Day 2
At 1:00 AM we meet at the hotel reception. Transfer to the trailhead (40-minute drive). Meeting with the guide and safety briefing. The guide will hand out gas masks and flashlights. The moderately challenging ascent follows a well-maintained trail and takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. If you prefer not to walk, local porters can carry you to the top for about 800 000 IDR.
At the summit, a magical spectacle unfolds before us: the blue shimmer of flames, the world's largest turquoise sulfur lake, bright yellow sulfur deposits, and sweeping panoramas. In the volcano's caldera you can witness the blue glow -- the flames of Ijen -- which occur when sulfuric gas escaping from cracks in the mountain ignites. The flames sometimes rise up to five meters high. Ijen is one of the purest sulfur mines in the world, where workers extract sulfur through incredibly grueling labor. They load sulfur into baskets and carry them on their shoulders to the collection point; the loads can weigh up to approximately 80 kilograms.
You may optionally descend into the volcano's caldera itself to see the blue flames up close and observe the sulfur miners at work. Leaving them a tip would be a kind gesture, as their earnings are barely sufficient for such back-breaking labor. We return to the crater rim to await the sunrise and take magnificent photos against the backdrop of the acid lake, watching the mist of sulfuric fumes. At 7:00 AM we begin our descent, enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. If energy permits, we will visit the hot springs*.
8:00 AM Transfer to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Rest. 12:00 PM Check-out. Optionally, we can visit a forest of magical beauty*.
Return to Bali. Estimated arrival at your hotel: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM depending on traffic.
The tour price is calculated individually. Please contact us for detailed information.
What to bring:
- Comfortable hiking footwear (sneakers or trekking shoes)
- Rain poncho
- Warm clothing (a warm sweater and windproof jacket)
- Leggings or thermal tights
- Gloves
- Extra water and high-energy snacks (cookies, chocolate)
- Chargers, power bank, camera or GoPro, drone, etc.
- Cash for personal expenses
Recommendations:
- Trekking difficulty: moderate
- Ascent: 1.5-2 hours (average time)
- Contraindications for mountain trekking:
- Exacerbation of chronic conditions
- Cardiovascular diseases (particularly severe forms of ischemic disease, with pulmonary and respiratory insufficiency): coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, aneurysm of major vessels, heart or aorta, cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, hypertension, etc.
- Respiratory conditions
- Joint and musculoskeletal disorders