The sea of sands and
MOUNT BROMO
Java
Indonesia
LOCATION
DIFFICULTY
ACTIVITY
LENGTH
5 hours
AV. COST
50 - 75 euro p.p.
In Indonesia, Mount Bromo stands out as a volcano renowned for its unique and captivating scenery. Situated in East Java, it lies within the heart of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. This park encompasses various remarkable features, including the island's highest volcano, Gunung Semeru, which stands tall at 3,676 meters, and a vast caldera (a phenomenon formed when a volcano collapses) known as the Tengger caldera. Within this caldera, you'll find not only Mount Bromo but also Mount Batok and other volcanic formations. Mount Bromo itself is an expansive crater named Kawah Bromo, reaching an altitude of 2,329 meters and spanning an impressive diameter of 800 meters. Despite its serene appearance, it remains an active volcano, emitting a continuous plume of smoke, and its most recent eruption occurred in 2015.
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The charming village of Cemoro Lawang is the town in which most people spend the night - or at least the few hours before getting up in the dark again. An annual Hindu festival, known as Yadnya Kasada, takes place between June and July. Organized by the Tengger, one of the few remaining Hindu ethnic groups of Java, this festival is a time of profound significance. It brings together people on Mount Bromo to present offerings and perform sacrifices, seeking blessings from the divine entities.
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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
TRANSPORT
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Probolinggo - No matter where you start your journey, to reach Mount Bromo you will have to pass through Probolinggo
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Malang - From Malang it's a 2 hour drive at night. If you travel by day it will take you fro 3 up to 4 hours. At the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park entrance, you will have to swap cars as only the local community is allowed to enter the park by car.
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Kawah Ijen - After or before hiking up Mount Ijen, travelers drive on towards Mount Bromo
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Surabaya - The highway from Malang to Mount Bromo takes you along Surabaya, so if you want a shorter drive, opt for starting in Surabaya
TRAVEL TIPS
The start of your journey
Around 3 AM you will be picked up at your hotel or accommodation, leaving your luggage there. The jeep will bring you up to the viewpoint of your choice, across the sea of sands, and later on back to your place so you can take a shower and get your stuff before moving on to the next stop of your journey with your own transportation.
The temperature
Wear layers! At night, and especially when waiting for the sunrise, temperatures drop to below 0 degrees celsius and as you'll be standing still for quite a while, you will need to dress warm. You can buy extra coats, hats, and gloves in the town where you are spending the night if necessary. At the viewpoint of your choice there will also be stalls and seating where you can have a kopi tubruk (coffee that has to rest for a while to let the coffee grounds settle to the bottom of your glass) or hot tea.
The layers become important when the sun has risen and your jeep takes you to the next part of your journey: the sea of sands. Temperatures rise quite quickly and you will want to take off your warm coat or sweater while you drive through this amazing landscape. Walking through the volcanic soft sands and up the crater of Mount Bromo itself gets even hotter and hotter, so being able to take off additional layers here will be a welcome option.
The packing list
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Layers (hiking socks, hiking shorts, hiking pants, shirts, thermal layers, scarfs, fleece or sweater, hat, windjacket)
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At least 1 layer that you can take off when the temperatures increase
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Gloves - on top of the viewpoints it will freeze
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A headlight and/or a flashlight/torch.
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Good hiking shoes, with grip on the soles.
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A bottle of water.
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Sunscreen and sunglasses. You will need protection against the strong rays of UV.
The Viewpoints
The best viewpoints for mount Bromo according to most people is either King Kong Hill or Seruni. These are both very busy but if you don't wait until the last moment you will be able to find a spot. If you don't see one right away, keep walking up or down the hills to find less crowded spots.
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King Kong Hill is located on Penanjakan Hill and is one of the highest viewpoints. It is however also one of the busiest viewpoints so I would advice to go to one of the others.
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Mount Bromo itself is an option that not many travelers go for, but is beautiful as well. Instead of starting on the opposite side, you venture your way up the volcano in the dark and experience the sunrise on top of the volcano. Afterwards you will pass by all the jeeps and go to the viewpoints so you don't miss that side of the view.
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Penanjakan Hill has many viewpoints that are lesser known / haven't ever gotten a name so you can also opt for driving around until you find a good spot. Keep an eye on parking rules so you don't block the road or get a fine.
WHERE TO STAY
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