If you have only a few days in East Java, Ijen is the place that people end up talking about long after the trip. It is also the hike that makes visitors nervous. It starts around midnight, it is cold, and you walk in the dark. So is it really worth it?
Short answer: yes, for most people who are reasonably fit. Here is what to expect.
Why people climb Ijen at night
Ijen is an active volcano with a crater lake that glows turquoise in the morning light. Many visitors set their alarm for 1 a.m. for that view. Some also come for the sulphur miners, who carry heavy loads up from the crater by hand. Seeing their work up close is one of the things that stays with you.
What the hike is like
You drive from Banyuwangi to Paltuding, the starting point, and begin the walk in the dark with a torch. The path is steady and uphill, and you reach the crater rim around 4 a.m. You then wait for the sky to lighten, and slowly the lake comes into view. Afterwards you walk back down in daylight, which is a good chance to see the landscape you climbed through in the dark.
You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking uphill for a couple of hours. Take your time, rest when you need to, and tell your guide if you are struggling.
What to bring
- Warm clothes. It is cold at the top before sunrise, even though Banyuwangi is hot.
- Sturdy shoes with good grip
- A torch or headlamp
- Water and a small snack
- A scarf or mask for the sulphur smell. Our tours include a gas mask.
Should you go with a tour or on your own?
You can go alone, but a tour saves you the hard parts. On a private tour, we pick you up from your hotel in the middle of the night, so you do not have to find transport at midnight. Your ticket and health certificate are handled for you, and a guide walks with you and makes the pace comfortable. You are back at your hotel by the morning, ready to sleep or head to your next stop.
What our private Ijen tour includes
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Air-conditioned transport
- Entrance ticket and health certificate
- Gas mask
- Snack and water
- Guide
The price is per person and gets cheaper as the group grows. For 2 people it is Rp 1.097.000 (about $61) each. For 6 people it is Rp 660.000 (about $37) each.
Want more than the crater?
Add Kawah Wurung after the hike. It is a green valley with a view that people call a "mini Bromo", and the tower there gives you a wide look across the old Ijen mountains. On the way back you can stop at the Kalipahit waterfall.
Plan your Ijen trip
Tell us your dates and how many of you are travelling. We will reply with the plan and the price, usually the same day.