3-day East Java tour: Bromo sunrise, Ijen blue fire, waterfall

Three days chasing two volcanic peaks and a waterfall in East Java

A 3-day private tour from Surabaya that covers Mount Bromo's sunrise, Ijen Crater's midnight blue fire phenomenon, and Madakaripura Waterfall. The itinerary includes an English-speaking guide, all transport in a 4x4 vehicle, two nights' accommodation in the Bromo and Ijen areas, breakfast daily, and specialized gear for the sulfur crater trek. Minimum two people per booking. The tour adjusts to early or late flights on days one and three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Bromo sunrise and Madakaripura waterfall

• Meet guide at 03:00 AM lobby
• Drive to Penanjakan 1 for sunrise
• Enjoy sunrise with coffee or tea
• Visit Love Hills viewpoint
• Explore Sea of Sand area
• Trek 1 KM to Mt. Bromo summit
• Return to hotel for breakfast and check out
• Drive to Madakaripura Waterfall
• Use shuttle to waterfall entrance
• Explore waterfall with local guide

Day 2: Ijen Bluefire trekking and departure

• Drive to Licin village at midnight
• Trek 3 KM to Ijen Crater top
• View bluefire and sulfur miners
• Descend to see bluefire closely
• Watch sunrise and lake view
• Return by 4WD to hotel
• Check out and continue journey

The experience

Day one starts with a 3 AM pickup from your hotel in Surabaya or Malang. A 4x4 vehicle takes you to Penanjakan 1, where you watch Mount Bromo emerge at sunrise around 5:15 AM with free coffee or tea. From there the route moves to Love Hills for a different angle on the peak, then crosses the Sea of Sand, a 10-square-kilometer expanse of volcanic ash, before a one-kilometer trek to Bromo's crater rim. Your guide stays with you the whole way, pointing out Mount Batok and the Hindu temple used for traditional ceremonies. After descending for breakfast and a shower at your hotel, you drive an hour to Madakaripura Waterfall, where a local guide meets you for the final stretch on a scooter shuttle. The waterfall sits deep in rainforest. Bring a waterproof jacket because you will get soaked walking through two massive falls and mountain-fed pools.

Day two is the Ijen Crater night trek. At midnight your guide collects you from the hotel and drives 75 minutes to the small village of Licin. From the parking area, a three-kilometer trek takes roughly 90 minutes uphill to the crater rim. The blue fire (sulfur igniting as it emerges from the ground) appears around dawn depending on weather and visibility. Your guide takes you down into the crater to see it close if conditions allow. You'll also watch the miners, who carry loads of raw sulfur weighing around 70 kilograms each down the mountainside. After the blue fire fades with sunrise, you climb back to see the crater lake, then descend past coffee and clove plantations on the drive back to the hotel. Checkout happens midday, and the tour ends with a drop at Surabaya, Malang, Banyuwangi, Ketapang port, Blimbingsari airport, or a bus or train station: wherever your onward travel begins.

The tour includes a private English-speaking guide throughout, all ground transport in a 4x4 vehicle, two nights in a private room, daily breakfast, unlimited bottled and mineral water, and specialized gear for the Ijen trek: gas mask, headlight, and goggles. If you have an early flight on day one or a late flight on day three, let the operator know and they'll adjust the schedule so you're not rushed. The minimum booking is two people. A cancellation is possible after confirmation if the group doesn't meet that threshold, though you'd receive an alternative date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 vehicle transport throughout the three days.
• English-speaking guide for all activities.
• two nights in a private room in the Bromo and Ijen areas.
• daily breakfast.
• unlimited bottled and mineral water.
• gas mask, headlight and goggles for the Ijen Crater trek.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at Surabaya, Malang, Banyuwangi, Ketapang port, Blimbingsari airport, or a bus or train station.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 11:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (20 to 40 years) · Senior (55 to 65 years) · Youth (16 to 19 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Java Exotica Tour

Is this one for you?The tour demands an early start on day two, 3 AM pickup for the sunrise, and a midnight trek on day three, so flexibility with sleep and a moderate level of physical fitness are essential. Book this if you want to see both volcanic phenomena (Bromo's sunrise and Ijen's blue fire) without arranging separate guides or transport between them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 19 years); Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6).

What time does the Mount Bromo sunrise happen on this tour?

Sunrise at Mount Bromo occurs around 5:15 AM. Your guide picks you up at 3 AM from your hotel, drives to Penanjakan 1 viewpoint, and you watch the peak emerge with complimentary coffee or tea while the light breaks.

Is the Ijen blue fire trek difficult, and how long does it take?

The Ijen trek covers three kilometers and takes about 90 minutes to reach the crater rim where the blue fire appears. It is a night hike on a mountain trail, so moderate fitness and willingness to walk uphill in darkness are needed. Your guide leads you and can take you down into the crater to see the blue fire closely if conditions permit.

What should I wear and bring for Madakaripura Waterfall?

Wear a waterproof jacket because you will get wet walking through the rainforest and past two massive waterfalls. Bring a plastic bag to protect your phone. The operator provides a scooter shuttle from the parking area to the waterfall entrance, and a local guide accompanies you for the final stretch.

Does the tour include accommodation and meals?

Two nights in a private room in the Bromo and Ijen areas are included, along with breakfast each day and unlimited bottled and mineral water. Lunch and dinner are not included in the price.

Can the tour be adjusted if I have an early flight on day one or a late flight on day three?

Yes. Tell the operator your flight times when you book, and they will customize the schedule so the pickup on day one is early enough for your departure and the drop-off on day three is timed to your flight, avoiding any rush.