Climb the Ijen volcano and discover a unique natural phenomenon
Climbing the Ijen volcano and spotting the 'blue fire' is not for everyone. In the middle of the night you start a very tough climb, where after a while you also have to wear a gas mask because of the sulfur smoke from the volcano. The 'blue fire', which you can only spot in the dark, is a beautiful phenomenon caused by a chemical reaction caused by, among other things, sulfur vapor. It is one of the three places in the world where you can witness this phenomenon! The Ijen climb is tough, but definitely worth it! It is a very special volcano, because how unique is it to be able to descend into a crater of an active volcano?!
A beautiful natural phenomenon
Prepare for a very short night inBanyuwangi, a village near the Ijen volcano. At 00:30 you leave for the climb of the volcano. It is of course an option to do the climb during the day, but then you cannot spot the blue fire. It is a tough and tough climb of more than three kilometers up a steep path. Our guide walked up like a kind of Usain Bolt (our group consisted only of young backpackers), so he kept a steady pace. As you get closer to the top, it is highly recommended that you start wearing a gas mask (your guide will have one with him). My eyes started to sting a lot due to the sulfur fire from the volcano. If you don't wear a mask, you will cough a lot. Fortunately, your guide also knows exactly where to walk and be, because you really can't see anything in the dark. After reaching the top, it is time to descend into the crater. Prepare for a lot of climbing and scrambling. I was glad I had put on good walking shoes. This means that the descent is certainly not for everyone. In the meantime, you will see many locals climbing up with hard months with solidified sulfur (sulphite) as if it were nothing. Yellow sulfur is used, among other things, for cosmetics and medicines. The workers cut this out of the rock and lift it up. How very hard this must be. They don't even wear masks and walk uphill in sandals. Bizarre... Be sure to give the workers a good tip when they offer you the sulfite, but you are not allowed to take this with you to the Netherlands!
In the crater it is possible to see the'blue fire' to see! This fire is caused by a chemical reaction by the sulfur vapor. Because it is still very dark, you can see the blue fire clearly. However, you are not allowed to get too close, but the guides will happily take some beautiful photos or videos closer to the fire. After this you climb up again and it is time to wait for a special sunrise. Unfortunately it was very cloudy where we were, but we were still able to catch a glimpse of the beautiful blue turquoise water. Be sure to look up nicer photos on Google to get a better idea!
After this you walk down again for three kilometers, and around 7:00 am we were back at the parking lot. We had a quick breakfast here before we were dropped off at the ferry to Bali. Time to relax!
How to visit the Ijen volcano?
There are several options to visit the Ijen volcano, depending on your budget and preferences. Many travelers have booked a package deal with a visit to the Bromo volcano in Yogyakarta, Malang, Probolinggo or Surabaya. However, it is also possible to visit the volcano without a multi-day tour.
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From Yogyakarta/Malang/Probolinngo or Surabaya:Book an all-in tour from one of these cities to the Bromo volcano + Ijen crater. This way everything is arranged and you only have to meet somewhere at the agreed times. We had booked such a tour and found it ideal. This will of course increase the costs, but it is certainly worth considering this. The tour ends with a crossing to the north of Bali, your next destination!
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From Banyuwangi: From Yogyakarta it is possible to take a direct train to Probolinggo. From here you take the train to Banyuwangi. There are even direct trains from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi, but then you skip the Bromo volcano... Probolinngo is a good base to also visit the Bromo volcano! An absolute must! In the morning you drive by scooter or with a private driver from Banyuwangi to the foot of the Ijen volcano. When paying the entrance fee (100,000 IDR) you will be assigned a guide and a gas mask.
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From Bali: Because the Ijen volcano is very close to Bali, it is also possible to visit the volcano from Bali. Take a bus to Gilimanuk and buy a cheap ferry ticket here. The crossing takes about an hour. From the port, take a bus or taxi to Banyuwangi. At night you climb the Ijen volcano and then you are back in Bali the same day!
Continue your journey
Continue your journey through Indonesia by ferry to Bali. Book a nice accommodation in the north of Bali, such asLovina.
