3-day Bromo Ijen tour from Surabaya: Blue flames and crater rim

Sulfur miners work the crater at night while you watch blue flames burn across the volcanic floor.

A 3-day tour from Surabaya that takes you to Mount Bromo for sunrise, then to Mount Ijen for a night hike to see blue flames and the world's most acidic lake, with an English-speaking guide, private jeep and accommodations for two nights. The tour ends with a ferry crossing to Bali or return to Surabaya. Temperatures drop below 7°C (45°F) before sunrise at the 2,329-meter elevation, so bring warm layers. The Ijen hike involves a steep 800-meter descent into the crater on a rocky, narrow path with a 45-degree incline.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Cemoro Lawang

• Arrive before 11:30 AM
• Visit Madakaripura waterfall if weather permits
• Travel to Cemoro Lawang
• Check in accommodation
• Dinner with menu choice

Day 2: Bromo sunrise tour and travel to Banyuwangi

• Depart hotel at 2:30 AM for Bromo tour
• Jeep drive to viewpoint for sunrise
• Return to jeep parking after sunrise
• Walk to top of Mount Bromo
• Return to hotel for breakfast and shower
• Check out at 10:00 AM
• Drive to Banyuwangi (6 hours)
• Check in accommodation
• Dinner with menu choice

Day 3: Ijen hike and drop off in Bali

• Depart at 12:00 AM to Paltuding
• Hike to Ijen peak (1-2 hours)
• View blue flames at crater bottom
• Climb back to Ijen peak by 5:00 AM
• Return to Paltuding by 6:00 AM
• Breakfast and shower at hotel
• Check out at 10:00 AM
• Drive to Ketapang ferry port
• Ferry to Gilimanuk port
• Private transfer to Bali hotel or Surabaya

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in Surabaya or Malang before 11:30 AM, and if you arrive early enough, you can visit Madakaripura waterfall on the way to Cemoro Lawang. You'll stay overnight in one of three accommodations depending on availability (Manis ae Cabin Bromo, Villa 88, or Lava View Lodge) all positioned for the pre-dawn departure.

On day two, your driver and guide collect you at 2:30 AM for the jeep ride to the Bromo viewpoint, where sunrise typically breaks around 5:00 AM. After watching the light hit Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru standing side by side across the national park, you'll drive to the base of Mount Bromo itself, park near Luhur Poten temple, and walk 30 minutes to the crater rim: the last stretch climbs 245 stairs. You'll hear the roar of the active volcano from the edge before heading back to your hotel for breakfast and a shower. By 10:00 AM you're driving six hours to Banyuwangi, where you'll spend the second night.

Day three begins at noon with a one-hour drive to Paltuding, the entrance to Mount Ijen. The hike to the peak takes 1 to 2 hours depending on your pace, but the real draw comes after you reach the crater rim: a steep, rocky descent of about 30 minutes takes you 800 meters down into the crater itself. The blue flames (sulfur burning as it emerges from the volcanic cracks) are only visible before sunrise, so you'll be hiking in darkness with a headlamp, gas mask, and goggles provided. You'll see the miners at work, carrying 60 to 80 kilograms of sulfur down the mountain twice a day on minimal safety gear, their income tied directly to the weight they haul. After the flames fade with daylight around 5:00 AM, you climb back to the rim to see the turquoise acidic lake and the volcanic landscape in full light. The walk back down takes about an hour, and by 10:00 AM you're checking out for the final leg: a drive to Ketapang ferry port, a ferry crossing to Gilimanuk, and then a private car transfer to your hotel in Bali or back to Surabaya, ending the three-day tour.

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide for Bromo and a separate guide for Ijen.
• private jeep for the Bromo tour with driver.
• private air-conditioned car with driver, gasoline, parking and toll fees.
• two nights of accommodation in a private room with bathroom and hot water.
• entrance tickets to Bromo and Ijen Crater.
• gas mask, goggles and headlamp for the Ijen night hike.
• daily mineral water.
• medical certificate from a clinic for Ijen hike requirements.
• private car transfer from Gilimanuk ferry port to your Bali hotel with ferry tickets included.

Options for this experience

3 options

Option 15 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 16:00

Option 28 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00

Option 35 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 08:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (7 to 74 years) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by BROMOIJEN Tour Transport

Is this one for you?Pick this 3-day trip if you want to see both Bromo's sunrise and Ijen's blue flames. Choose the Bali drop-off option if you're ending there instead of returning to Surabaya.

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Top questions

Can I see the blue flames at Mount Ijen, or is there a chance they won't be visible?

The blue flames are only visible before sunrise, and the hike down into the crater to see them is steep and rocky. Mount Ijen can close on the first Friday of each month for maintenance, and during wet season volcanic activity sometimes forces authorities to close the trail to the blue flames for safety, though you can still see the crater landscape from the rim. There's no guarantee of visibility on any given day. Nature's unpredictability is part of the experience.

What's the physical demand like on this 3-day tour?

Mount Bromo involves a 30-minute walk and 245 stairs to the crater rim at 2,770 meters elevation. Mount Ijen is more demanding: a 1 to 2-hour hike to the peak, then a steep 800-meter descent into the crater on a narrow, rocky path with a 45-degree incline, followed by the same climb back out. Temperatures drop below 7°C (45°F) before sunrise, and wind can be strong at these elevations. You'll need at least moderate fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or respiratory issues.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Bali, or is it included?

The tour includes a private car transfer from Gilimanuk ferry port to your hotel in Bali, along with the ferry tickets themselves. If you prefer to return to Surabaya instead, that option is available at checkout.

What happens if I can't complete the Ijen crater descent? Can I still do the tour?

You can hike to the Ijen crater rim and see the landscape, sulfur smoke, and the turquoise lake without descending into the crater. The rim walk takes less time and avoids the steep 800-meter drop, though you'll miss the blue flames and the miners at work below.

Are meals included, and what about the ferry to Bali?

Breakfast is included after each sunrise hike, and mineral water is provided daily. Lunch is not included in any option. The ferry from Ketapang to Gilimanuk and the private car transfer to Bali are included. You pay for the ferry ticket as part of the tour package.