East Java’s Mountains of Fire

Banyuwangi, East Java
Located at the far eastern-tip of Java,  here is the beginning or end of the train line across the island.
From the nearby port at Ketapang, car ferries make the short 30-40 minute crossing acoss the Bali Strait.

Car Ferries depart every half hour or so… or as they fill up. Crossing is about 30-40 minutes. Nice to be on deck for the view, have a coffee or snack or maybe a short foot massage which local guy may offer!

Train services in Indonesia have improved very much making a journey through East Java much easier!

Banyuwangi also has an airport-  short flight from Bali DPS or from Jakarta.

From the port or airport, an approx one hour drive into the hills brings you to the beautiful Ijen Resort.

Ijen Resort set amidst rice fields, offers stunning views of Mt Ijen.

Such a beautiful place to relax for a few nights.
Driving up to the resort, stop at a beautiful old Dutch coffee plantation at Kaliklatak where you can enjoy lunch.

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You can also enjoy a guided walk to learn about the coffee grown here.

Mt Ijen Crater and the Blue Fire
This is quite a trek and means a very early departure from the hotel.
Ijen resort  staff can assist with a local jeep and guide to take you to the Crater and to see the Blue Fire:
https://www.ijenresortandvillas.com/place-of-interest

charming staff at Ijen Resort

Continue on to Mount Bromo by train:
Each morning, the train departs Banyuwangi for Surabaya, stopping at Probolinggo where you get off for Bromo.  A hour drive from Probolinggo brings you to Cemoro Lawang – the view point of Mt Bromo where lots of guest inns are located.

Train Staff at the Banyuwangi station gathering for prayer before departure:

Executive Class seating is very reasonable for the 4.5 hour ride to Probolinggo.
Then it’s an hour drive up to Mt. Bromo.  Either have a driver arranged or you can find transport or Grab Car from the train station.

For the best view accomodations overlooking Mt. Bromo, Lava View Lodge or Cemara Indah offer simple but adequate lodgings for the overnight before getting up to experience the sunrise.

Lava View Lodge has two guest inns… a simpler one right in the smack of the busy guesthouse road… so be sure to book the Lava View Lodge which looks right out to the view>

Each early morning, a convoy of jeeps head down into the Sea of Sands. You can book a join-in ride with the guesthouse but as it can be crowded and a bit chaotic- especially on weekends, it is also worthwhile to arrange your own jeep allowing your own flexible time. Or hire your own motorbike driver.

A Hindu temple within the Sea of Sands
The villages around Bromo and Semeru National Park are inhabited by the Tengger people who claim to be descendants of the Majapahit Hindu Empire of East Java. The Tengger people consider these mountains their sacred land.

From the Sea of Sands, you can either walk or horse ride to the active Bromo crater alongside Mt. Batok.

Exploring around Mt Bromo feels like being on a different planet!

More on Train Travel across Java:

From Probolinggo, continue onward by train to Surabaya and beyond acorss Java…

Malang is also a charming little city to explore for a few nights.
TUGU Hotel in Malang is a destination in itself  filled with art.
https://tuguhotels.com/hotels/malang/

Getting to Malang means a slower train via Surabaya, so may be quicker to make the drive on a newer toll road, or try an adventure backroad from Bromo down to Malang.  You may find a spot where the Teletubbies come!

KAI-  Kereta Api Indonesia ( national railways ) has an App to download, but can be difficult to navigate.
Train tickets throughout Indonesia may 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

Journey to Bromo from Malang or Surabaya?
Train or drive to Probolinggo to visit Bromo first, then pick up the train in Probolinggo for Banyuwangi!

West Bali and Pemuteran Beach
The western tip of bali offers the best snorkeling and diving sites off Menjangan Island.
The owner of Taman Sari was the pioneer of reef restoration projects which now continue with a wonderful group at:  Biorock

You can also help support turtles!

Turtle Hatchery Pemuteran:
https://reefseenbali.com/turtle-hatchery/

Secuded 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/

Fly to Banyuwangi?
If just wish to access East Java from south Bali, check into a short flight from Denpasar DPS to  BWX.
Flights also operate to/from Banyuwangi from Jakarta.   Hopefully a Banyuwangi- Surabaya flight will restart allowing connections that way.

Selamat Jalan!