Introduction:
This itinerary covers the two major attractions around Surabaya, which are the Bromo and the Ijen crater. From Surabaya, the route to Probolinggo remains the same; from there one route leads to Cemoro Lawang, which is the base for Bromo trek and another route leads to Bondowoso for onwards journey to Paltuding, which is the base for Ijen trek.
This itinerary is a 4D / 3N itinerary using public transports for the travel. However, if you're drivng or hiring private car, you might be able to make it within 3D / 2N also.
Also, because the suggested itinerary is based on public transport, you must look up the bus schedules, consider delays and accordingly book the flight timings.
Package Tour:
Some tour operators in Surabaya offer 3D / 2N package covering Mount Bromo and Ijen crater. These packages are good especially if you are on a packed schedule, otherwise materializing this itinerary on a short trip is a bit difficult. Budget package could cost around 1.500.000 IDR per person (2016) including accommodation and transportation and breakfast in Banwyuwangi, and welcome snacks. Meals are on your own. If you have more people travelling, you can negotiate a bit on the price as well.
DIY Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Cemoro Lawang: From the Surabaya airport, board a public bus to Probolinggo (or, hire a taxi to Probolinggo, but you need to haggle for prices). Small buses connect Probolinggo to Cemoro Lawang, which is the base for the Bromo trek. Spend the rest of the day exploring the small hamlet. Prepare for an early morning start for the next day. Arrange for Jeep 4WD for the next morning unless you wish to trek to the sunrise point.
Day 2: Sunrise - Sea of Sand - Bromo trek: At 4 am, the jeep picks you up from the accommodation for the Penjakan view point. The sunrise is around 5 am. If you wish to trek, the trek takes around 2-2.5 hours. Hence, you need to plan the start time accordingly. Due to the crowd in Penjakan, alternate viewpoints have been opened with equally spectacular view. One of them is the King Kong Hills.
Enjoy the view, sipping a cup of hot coffee and cuppa noodles from the local vendors, before proceeding towards Mount Bromo.
Take a halt on the way at the sea of sand to
enjoy the panorama, which is truly breathtaking.
Next, proceed towards Mount Bromo trail head. You may opt for a soft trek or horse ride to reach the base of the 250 steps which you need to climb to reach the rim of the crater. The entire trek (without horse ride option) takes around 45 mins to 1 hour.
After having some local breakfast at a nearby stall, head back to your accommodation, freshen up and board a bus back to Probolinggo. From Probolinggo, buses are available to Bondowoso. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Alternately, you may opt for the 7-8 hours' drive to Banyuwangi, which is another 1-2 hours' drive from Paltuding, the base for Ijen trek. This option saves you a day but the journey is hectic.
Day 3: Arrive Sempol / Paltuding: From Bondowoso, you can take the morning bus for Sempol, from where you can hire an ojek to drop you off at Paltuding post. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and prepare for an early morning next day, as the trek to catch the blue flames of Ijen starts at 2 am.
With the driving option, you save this day.
For accommodation, you can opt to stay at the Paltuding post itself, which offers camps but at a much higher rate. Or, you can stay at cheaper accommodations at Sempol (with bus option) or in Banyuwangi (with drive option).
Day 4: Trek Ijen: Unless you're staying at Paltuding, you must start from your accommodation by 12:30 am. The trek opens up for public at 2 am. Food stalls are present at the base of the post to have some quick snacks and drinks before the trek starts, which is a good idea despite a bit higher price, because the only food stall available during the trek is in the midway halting area.
With the driving option, you save this day.
For accommodation, you can opt to stay at the Paltuding post itself, which offers camps but at a much higher rate. Or, you can stay at cheaper accommodations at Sempol (with bus option) or in Banyuwangi (with drive option).
Day 4: Trek Ijen: Unless you're staying at Paltuding, you must start from your accommodation by 12:30 am. The trek opens up for public at 2 am. Food stalls are present at the base of the post to have some quick snacks and drinks before the trek starts, which is a good idea despite a bit higher price, because the only food stall available during the trek is in the midway halting area.
The total trek uphill is about 3 Kms, of
which, the first 2 kms is through steep inclined land, while the last 1 km is
less inclined. The total trek takes around 1.5-2 hours (depending on fitness
level) to reach the rim of the Ijen Crater.
To go near the bank of the crater, you need to wear the mask due to the sulphur smokes.
While the wee hours of night gives the stunning view of the blue flames, under the daylight it unveils the lovely turquoise Crater Lake. Enjoy the stunning views before heading back to the head of the trail. Here, there are plenty of buses and ojeks to bring you back to Bondowoso directly, or to Sempol, where you can take some rest before proceeding to Bondowoso. From Bondowoso, buses connect to Surabaya. This ride takes around 5 hours.
Good to know:
- You must carry woollen gloves, socks and ear / head covers as it is quite cold
- You must carry masks to the Ijen crater due to the sulphur smokes.
- You must prepare the cash to pay the entry fees to Ijen and Bromo on the spot
- The Ijen blue flames are visible only until sunrise and the entire trek takes around 1.5 – 2.5 hours depending on your fitness level. Hence, you must plan the starting time accordingly.
- Souvenir ideas: Near Bromo, a no. of sellers sell handicrafts made of “forever love” flowers
Recommended read:
- Exploring Mount Bromo
- Chasing the blue flames of Ijen Crater
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