Wisata Kawah Ijen — Attraction in Java

One of my best travel experiences ever!

Tips: You MUST bring a gas mask - aside from being highly toxic, the gas/steam/smoke is overpowering if you don’t have one. DO NOT go if you have asthma - people have recently died who did not heed this warning. Strong lungs will be challenged by the smoke, so please be careful and err on the side of caution. Anything and everything you bring will absolutely reek of sulfur for days or weeks - my backpack and shoes still smells STRONGLY 10 days later. Washing clothes fixes this, but think of bringing a backpack you can wash instead of one you cannot. Bring a flashlight or buy one at the beginning area of the hike. Best bet is to bring your own - you want to see where you are going and since your hike will most likely start around 1am expect absolute darkness all the way up. Your guide will warn you that no insurance is provided if you go into the crater (your park ticket includes insurance apparently). Be careful if going into the crater - the hike down into it is quite rocky and when the smoke hits you - it is INTENSE. Expect to wear your mandatory gas mask most of the time and have burning eyes. Our seasoned guide went without a mask and had to ask another guide for an extra mask as he could not handle it without. Once the sun rises I suggest going all the way down towards the mining area - but be SUPER careful as the gasses are most concentrated and HIGHLY toxic here. Stay away from high concentrations at all times! They can be immediately fatal! I spent a good 30 minutes down near the mining area and kept an eye on the winds at all times without issue. Bring cigarettes and small cash (5,000) to offer in exchange of pictures with miners. They highly appreciate it. I also brought bananas and water for them. This is the toughest job in the world and any kindness on your part will be very appreciated. The hike up the mountain feels endless - it’s not half bad. It is quite steep but is up a very wide and cared for dirt path (maintained by the miners!). It isn’t overly slippery - even in rain (according to our guide). I wore some runners (for lack of better shoes) and was fine. Hiking boots would be better but not absolutely required. Sandals would be a mistake IMO, although I saw a few people with them. Alternatively you can pay around 1,000,000 to be pulled up the path on a cart, if you are so inclined and/or very lazy.

Have fun and above and beyond everything else - be very careful! This is not your typical tourist attraction - you are taking your life in your hands by going, especially if you go INTO the crater. That being said - it was beautiful, enlightening,...

Kawah Ijen Crater is challenging for climbers. The place is still natural, very little intervention from the government or local people. Originally, kawah Ijen is the place for miners to get sulfur/brimstone. But lately, it turns to be one of the iconic landscape Indonesia has.

The ideal time to start climbing is 1AM if you want to see all the "wonders".

From the starting point, you have to climb 3.5km to the top: 1km slopey road with some gravel, 1.5 VERY steep climbs, and another 1km of slope climbs. Note that if your palms sweaty, knees weak, and arms heavy, you can use the "taxi" service for 800k IDR to go up.

Once you're on top, you can choose to stay on top or (if you still have time) go down to the Crater. DO NOT go down if you have asthma or fear of heights, because you will have to climbed down the cliff with no protection at all (climb at your own risk!)

At the Crater, if you're lucky, you can see the famous blue fire. Careful not to enter the cave full of sulfuric gas.

On your way to climbed up the cliff, be sure to not step on the wrong stone. You will also encounter another climbers along your way up. So mind your steps!

On the very top, just before the sunrise, there are plentiful of beautiful scenery to take photos. So prepare your gears, your photo style, and your warm clothes.

On your way back to starting point, you can climbed down or use the "taxi" service for 300k IDR. Quite expensive but very useful if you're too tired from climbing all the way up.

FYI: Ijen Crater is closed every first Saturday...

Very crowded and touristy. National Park is better than crater.

Tips: It's not hiking, it's walking by the road. Anyone can do it easily. Someone quicker, someone longer. still have kinda taxi. Man powered taxi) No need any guide. Entrance fee 100K. Going down to see blue lights can be more hard for not sporty people. But it's a stones and very safe. Pick up a head light if you plan to meet a sunrise. Go to the blue lights more early if you want to avoid huge crowd. Go to the sunrise after blue lights. Just follow the main road to the opposite side of crater. Better to have normal mask in case wind change. But it's not dangerous at all. Sunrise is meaningless to catch. Better to come around 8am and avoid all crowds. And enjoy blue water.

About sulfur workers: Don't believe any stories about small salaries. Salaries are completely OK. The biggest respect to workers - give them a road. It's really heavy. If you want to support some worker, just buy directly something from them. Be careful, many workers are not workers. Just trying to tell some sad story and sell you something. They are not protected not because of the small salary. Just because they want to do it in this way. They easily can afford simple protection against smog.

I recommend stay in Bromo for few more days, it's much more interesting area. Ijen Crater by itself it's more about marketing and selfy. But if you enjoy Great Chinese Wall - you will be...