Mount Ijen Sunrise Trek from Bali: Blue Flames and Crater Lake
Watch blue fire burn across the crater floor, then hike to the rim as the sun rises over Java
Mount Ijen Sunrise Trek is a 22-hour guided tour departing from Bali that crosses to Java by ferry, climbs the volcano at night to witness the blue flame phenomenon, and reaches the crater rim for sunrise over the acidic lake. You trek through jungle with a professional guide, meet sulfur miners carrying loads down the mountain, and return to Bali the same day with hotel pickup, safety gear and breakfast included.
What’s included
- Entrance fees to Ijen Crater.
- hotel pickup and drop-off in Bali.
- ferry crossing tickets to Java.
- professional local guide speaking English.
- safety equipment including gas mask and flashlight.
- bottled water.
- light breakfast after the trek.
- private round-trip transportation.
Times
- Every day 18:00 19:00
Before you book
Operated by Bali Exploring Tours
Prices and times updated 12 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The trek starts before dawn. You leave your Bali hotel in darkness, travel by private transport to the ferry terminal, and cross to Java. A 7-hour journey that gets you to the volcano's base by late morning. After rest and a light meal, you begin the climb in late afternoon, hiking uphill through tropical jungle with your guide and a gas mask for the sulfur fumes. The trail is steep and the air thickens as you approach the crater rim.
Around midnight, you reach the sulfur mining zone and witness the blue fire: flames burning across the crater floor where sulfur seeps from the earth and ignites. The sight is real and strange, electric blue against the black rock, and you'll stand among the miners who work through the night, hauling sulfur loads manually down the mountainside. The crater itself spans 1 square kilometer, its acidic lake glowing green in your flashlight beam. You stay at the rim for hours, watching the fire and the miners work, then wait for sunrise.
As light breaks, the lake comes into full view and the flames fade. You photograph the crater and the landscape, then descend the same route. Breakfast waits at the base, and the return ferry and transport take you back to your Bali hotel by evening. The entire day is arranged: guide, gas mask, flashlight, water, ferry tickets and transport are all included. You bring only yourself and a medical certificate confirming fitness for the hike: a requirement the volcano authorities enforce.
Is this one for you?This tour demands a medical certificate and moderate to strong physical fitness. The 22-hour span includes a 7-hour ferry crossing and a steep night climb, so it suits travelers who are prepared for a full day of travel and hiking rather than a half-day excursion. The blue fire and crater lake are only reachable by this overnight trek. No shorter or easier route reaches them.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What is the blue fire at Mount Ijen and when do you see it?
The blue fire is sulfur burning as it escapes from the crater floor. You witness it during the night climb, around midnight when you reach the mining zone, and it remains visible until sunrise burns it away. The flames appear electric blue against the dark rock and are most vivid in complete darkness.
How long is the actual hike up Mount Ijen?
The trek to the crater rim takes several hours of climbing through jungle at night. The total tour duration is 22 hours, but that includes 7 hours for the ferry crossing from Bali to Java, hotel pickup, rest time at the base, and the return journey, so the hike itself is a significant portion of the day but not the full 22 hours.
Who are the sulfur miners and what do you see them doing?
Sulfur miners work the crater at night, extracting sulfur from the volcanic ground and carrying heavy loads down the mountain manually. You meet them during your trek and witness their work firsthand as they move across the crater floor, showcasing the physical endurance required for this dangerous job.
What is included in the tour and what do I need to bring?
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Bali, ferry crossing tickets to Java, a professional local guide, safety equipment (gas mask and flashlight), bottled water, light breakfast after the trek, and private round-trip transportation. You must bring a medical certificate issued by a doctor within one day before the hike, confirming you are fit for the activity.
What does the crater lake look like?
The Ijen crater lake is acidic and spans 1 square kilometer. It has a distinctive green hue visible in daylight and glows faintly when lit by flashlight at night. The lake is surrounded by steep crater walls and the sulfur mining zone, creating a stark volcanic landscape.
Mount Ijen Sunrise Trek from Bali: Blue Flames and Crater Lake
22h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 157 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.