Kawah Ijen Blue Flame Tour: midnight volcano crater hike
The blue flame burns only at night, and you'll stand at the crater's edge to watch it.
A midnight-to-morning tour of Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java starts with a 90-minute drive from your hotel, then a one-hour hike to the crater floor where sulfur miners work and the blue flame burns. You descend 30 minutes to the flame, return to the summit for sunrise over the green crater lake, and pass through a coffee plantation and Jagir Waterfall on the way back. A private vehicle, English-speaking guide, gas mask and hotel pickup are included.
14h–1d
Step-by-step itinerary
Ijen Crater Blue Flame and Sunrise
- Meet at the starting point
- Drive to Ijen crater parking area
- Hike to the top of the volcano
- See the blue flame and miners
- Watch the sunrise from the crater
- Explore crater scenery and green lake
- Return to parking area
- Pass coffee plantation and waterfall
The Experience
The day starts before midnight with pickup from your hotel and a 90-minute drive through rainforest to the Ijen parking area. From there you hike upward for about an hour to reach the crater rim, where the blue flame—a phenomenon caused by burning sulfur gases—glows against the dark. You descend another 30 minutes into the crater itself to stand near the miners who harvest sulfur and to photograph the flame up close.
After you've seen the blue fire, the hike reverses back to the summit, arriving in time to watch sunrise break over the crater. The green crater lake spreads below, and you'll see the sulfur miners at work in the morning light. The walk down takes you through the crater scenery itself, not around it—this is the route that lets you stand where the flame burns and where the mining happens.
On the return to your hotel, the route passes through a local coffee plantation and Jagir Waterfall, both optional stops if you want to break up the drive. A private vehicle means no waiting for other groups, and your guide speaks English. A gas mask is provided and included; the sulfur air at the crater floor is why it matters.
What’s included
- Private vehicle and driver.
- English-speaking guide.
- hotel pickup and drop-off.
- gas mask.
- health certificate.
- optional stops at Jagir Waterfall and a local coffee plantation on the return route.
Operated by Osing Vacation
Is this one for you?The midnight departure and the crater-floor hike are what separate this from a daytime volcano tour—you see the blue flame only in darkness, and you stand where the sulfur miners work, not on a rim trail above them. Book this if you want the phenomenon itself, not just the view of it.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What exactly is the blue flame at Kawah Ijen?
The blue flame is burning sulfur gas that escapes from the volcano's crater. It glows bright blue at night because of the way sulfur combusts, and it's visible only in darkness—which is why this tour departs at midnight. During the day, the same sulfur burns but produces only heat and yellow smoke.
How long is the hike up to the crater, and how difficult is it?
The hike to the crater rim takes about one hour, then another 30 minutes down to the crater floor where the blue flame burns. The path is steep and the sulfur air can be thick, which is why a gas mask is provided and moderate physical fitness is needed. Children are welcome from age 5 when accompanied by an adult.
Do I see the sunrise, or just the blue flame?
You see both. After watching the blue flame at the crater floor, you hike back to the summit and wait for sunrise, which breaks over the green crater lake. The miners are also visible in the morning light, working on the crater floor below.
What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle for the 90-minute drive, an English-speaking guide, a gas mask, and a health certificate. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring a headlamp or flashlight for the midnight hike, and dress in layers—the crater is cold at night and altitude affects temperature.
Can I stop at the waterfall and coffee plantation on the way back?
Yes, both Jagir Waterfall and the coffee plantation are optional stops included in the program at no extra cost. You can choose to stop or continue straight back to your hotel depending on your energy and schedule.
What if I'm arriving by cruise ship—can I still book this tour?
Yes, cruise passengers can book this tour. At the time of booking, you'll need to provide your ship's name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time so the operator can plan the pickup and return to match your ship's schedule. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
Kawah Ijen Blue Flame Tour: midnight volcano crater hike
14h–1d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 69 per person
★★★★★★★★★★5.0026 reviews
