East Java’s Mountains of Fire and Crossing over to Bali

East Java is home to several prominent active volcanoes, called Gunung Api “mountains of fire.” These volcanoes are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high seismic activity.

Mount Bromo (Gunung Bromo) is the iconic active volcano famous for its surreal landscape within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park within a vast “Sea of Sand” surrounding multiple volcanic cones.

2329 meters above sea level, Gunung Bromo attracts lots of visitors, especially on weekends, to see spectacular sunrise views and to explore the otherwordly landscape of the Tengger Caldera. Looking down onto Mt. Bromo’s crater next to Gunung Batok, you may also be able to see Gunung Semeru in the distance, Indonesia’s highest mountain (3676m). This highly active stratovolcano, is named after the mythical Mahameru, the center of the universe and the abode of gods in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.

A sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Bromo is named after the god Brahma and at its crater is an idol of Ganesh.
The Tengger people, are a unique ethnic Hindu group residing around Mt. Bromo. Descendants of the Majapahit Empire, the Tengger people consider Mt. Bromo their sacred land, preserving ancient Javanese Hindu traditions. During the course of the year, festivals are held with offerings to the volcano and for their agricultural practices, balancing tradition with modern life.

Each early morning, a convoy of jeeps take visitors down into the Sea of Sands from where you can continue to walk, or ride on horseback, to the foot of the volcano. About 250 concrete steps brings you to the crater’s rim alongside Mt. Batok.

Your accomodations can book you a join-in jeep ride, which at times can be a bit chaotic, so arranging your own private jeep, or motorbike driver, will give you more flexibility.

Cemoro Lawang is a spread-out hub of accomodations – from simple guesthouses to more upscale hotels. For the best view onto the crater, there is Cemara Indah or Lava View Lodge.

Lava View Lodge actually operates two guest inns. One simpler guesthouse smack in the middle of the busy main road of accomodations, but nicest is the Lodge that looks right out to the view. And if you do not wish to venture down into the Sea of Sands, simply walk out and enjoy the view from the lodge.

If time permits, venture further around the savannahs into rolling hills to see where the Teletubbies are believed to reside. Of course the Teletubbies would enjoy this landscape! And for the more adventurous, continue by jeep into rugged backroads that will connect you to the city of Malang.

When Best to Travel to Bromo: weather patterns are so unpredictable these years, but traditionally:
Dry Season: April- October (with peak crowds June-August )
Shoulder Season: March or November- maybe some refreshing rain but fewer crowds.
Wet Season: November- March

Getting to Bromo

The drive from either Surabaya or from Malang is approx 2.5 hours, partly now on a new toll road.
At Probolinggo on the north coast turn inland and upward for about an hour to Cemoro Lawang.
You can stop to see the beautiful Madakaripura Waterfall on the way.

Train to Probolinggo
About 2 hours from Surabaya – enjoy the scenery from a comfortable train off the traffic and arrange car transport from Probolinggo up to Cemoro Lawang.

Executive Class seating is very comfortable and reasonable. Love seeing the staff gathering for prayer for the first morning departure, so you can relax and enjoy the ride. Snacks and meals are available.

Continue to Far East of Java for Mt Ijen and the Ferry to Bali

The same train to Probolinggo continues on for another 4.5 hours to Banyuwangi, the far eastern tip of Java from where you can cross over by ferry to Bali.
Banyuwangi is the base to explore Mt. Ijen. There are several nice hotels along the beach or venture inland about one hour drive to the beautiful Ijen Resort.

Set amidst emerald green, Ijen Resort is such a beautiful place to relax for a few quiet nights.

The welcoming staff at Ijen Resort- and on the way, stop at the former Dutch plantation house at Kaliklatak for tea or lunch. Guided tours also available to learn about the coffee grown here.

Ijen Resort can arrange transport and local guides for the adventure up to Mt Ijen where you can see the famous blue flames:
https://www.ijenresortandvillas.com/

Remote south coast of East Java
For travelers seeking more adventure and nature tourism:
Meru Betiri National Park and Sukamade Beach is where you can enjoy night-time turtle watching.
Check out Java Turtle Lodge: https://javaturtlelodge.com/
Alas Purwo National Park is the famous G-Land Surfing getaway.

Crossing to Bali

Car Ferries depart from Banyuwangi’s Ketapang port every half-hour or so, making the 30-40 minute Bali Strait crossing. Nice to be out on deck, enjoy a coffee, or maybe a foot massage offered on board.

Arriving at the port of Gilimanuk of Bali, about an hour drive on the northwest coast brings you along
Bali Barat (West Bali ) National Park and to tranquil Pemuteran Beach.

The western tip of Bali offers the best snorkeling and diving sites off Menjangan Island.
Pemuteran offers lots of lovely accomodations and dive operators can arrange for you to see the underwater world.
The owner of Taman Sari Hotel in Pemuteran was the pioneer of reef restoration projects which now continue with a wonderful group at:  Biorock

Taman Sari website: https://tamansaribali.com/

You can also help Support Turtles!

Turtle Hatchery Pemuteran short walk along the beach from Taman Sari:
https://reefseenbali.com/turtle-hatchery/

Secluded luxury in nature at the edge of West Bali National Park:

The Menjangan:  https://www.themenjangan.com/
and
Plataran Menjangan:   https://www.plataran.com/plataran-menjangan/

Click for more on Bali- Island of the Gods:
https://alamasia.net/asia-destinations-news-and-links/bali-and-indonesia/bali/

More on Train Travel across Java:

KAI-  Kereta Api Indonesia ( national railways ) has an App to download, but can be difficult to navigate.
Train tickets throughout Indonesia can be booked very easily on  Tiket.com   or download their App.

The Man in Seat 61  is always a wonderful resource for Train Journeys around the world:
https://www.seat61.com/Indonesia.htm

Banyuwangi has an Airport!

Flights operate to/from Banyuwangi ( BWX) from Jakarta and check to see if a short hop flight is available from Bali ( DPS ) Perhaps one day a flight between Surabaya and Banyuwangi will be reinstart which would help boost travel to East Java.

Selamat Jalan– Safe Journeys! Travel gently and Live Consciously

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