Ijen Crater Sunrise Hike: Blue Flames & Crater Lake

The world's largest acidic crater lake sits at the summit, ringed by sulfur vents that glow blue in darkness.

A guided hike up Ijen Crater from Banyuwangi starts before dawn and includes pickup from your hotel, a professional English-speaking guide, headlamp and gas mask, and coffee or tea at the summit. You hike through the night to see the blue flames cast by sulfur vents, then stay for sunrise over the turquoise crater lake. The full experience takes about nine hours from hotel to hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ijen Volcano Hiking and Return

• Pick up from Banyuwangi accommodation
• Drive to Paltuding campsite starting point
• Briefing with guide before hike
• Hike to see blue fire
• Ascend to Mount Ijen summit for sunrise
• Enjoy acidic crater lake landscape
• Return to starting point
• Drive back to Banyuwangi accommodation
• Drop off at hotel and end service

The experience

The hike begins with pickup from your Banyuwangi accommodation and a drive to Paltuding campsite, the trailhead about an hour and a half away. Your guide briefs you on the route before you start climbing in darkness, equipped with a headlamp to navigate the volcanic terrain. The blue flames (sulfur burning as it emerges from the crater) appear only at night, so the timing of the ascent is built around catching them before dawn breaks.

Once you reach the summit of Mount Ijen, you're standing at the edge of the world's largest acidic crater lake, its water a striking turquoise from dissolved minerals. The sulfur vents that create the blue flames surround the crater rim. Your guide shares details about the geology and the local history of the site while you wait for sunrise, and you get coffee or tea at the summit to warm up during the pre-dawn hours. The descent and drive back to Banyuwangi follows, with drop-off at your hotel ending the service.

The tour includes an English-speaking mountaineering guide, entry to Mount Ijen, a gas mask and headlamp for safety in the sulfur-rich environment, and air-conditioned transport with pickup and drop-off in Banyuwangi city center. If your accommodation is outside the city center (at Ijen resort, Licin village, or elsewhere), an additional charge of 150,000 IDR applies to the booking. The hike suits all fitness levels, though low fitness is not recommended given the terrain and the pre-dawn start.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Banyuwangi hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• an English-speaking mountaineering guide for the entire hike.
• entry fee to Mount Ijen.
• headlamp and gas mask for safety around the sulfur vents.
• coffee or tea served at the summit.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guided sunrise tour of Mount IjenGuide in English · Available from 17 Oct 2027Duration: 11 hours. Select this if the pickup and drop-off point is in Banyuwangi city center. Pickup is included.

Mt Ijen day hike (no sunrise)Guide in English · 07:00Guided panoramic lake day hike: choose this option for a morning hike to see the panorama of Mount Ijen (not Blue Fire or sunrise). Duration: 5 hours: pickup, then continue to the starting point, then 2-3 hours of hiking, and back to your accommodation in Banyuwangi. Pickup is included.

Mt Ijen hiking from BaliGuide in English · Available from 17 Oct 2027Mt Ijen Blue Fire hiking: choose this option for an activity starting from Bali island. Pickup, drop-off and ferry are included. Duration: 22 hours. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except FridayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (15 to 75 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Java Expedition

Is this one for you?The pre-dawn start and night hike are what let you see the blue flames before they fade at sunrise, so book this version if witnessing the sulfur vents at their most visible is your priority. If you prefer to hike during daylight only, the day-hike option skips the blue flames but reaches the crater lake and summit without the early morning.

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Top questions

What are the blue flames at Ijen Crater, and when do you see them?

The blue flames are sulfur burning as it emerges from vents in the crater floor, visible only at night. You hike in darkness to witness them before sunrise, when they glow brightest against the pre-dawn sky.

How long does the hike take, and what time does it start?

The full experience takes about nine hours from pickup to drop-off. You're collected from your hotel before dawn so the hike can begin in darkness and reach the summit in time for the blue flames and sunrise.

What equipment and safety gear do I get?

A headlamp and gas mask are provided to protect you in the sulfur-rich environment around the crater vents. Your guide is a trained mountaineer who leads you safely through the volcanic terrain.

Is the hike difficult, and who can do it?

The hike suits all fitness levels, though low fitness is not recommended. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or if you are pregnant. The minimum age is 15.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Pickup and drop-off from your Banyuwangi hotel, the guide, entry fee, headlamp, gas mask, and coffee or tea at the summit are all included. Meals beyond the hot drink are not included, so bring snacks if you prefer them.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Bali?

Yes. One of the purchase options is a Mount Ijen hike departing from Bali, which includes the longer transfer. Confirm your starting point when you book to ensure the right option is selected.