night before
about 2 hours
overnight
to Java and back
An East Java tour that leaves Bali at eleven at night
This East Java tour goes to Ijen, a volcano in the Banyuwangi highlands holding a turquoise crater lake that is one of the most acidic bodies of water on earth. Before dawn, sulphuric gas escaping through vents at the crater floor ignites and burns blue. It is one of very few places in the world where that can be seen.
Getting there from Pemuteran means a ferry to another island and a night without sleep. That is the honest version. What you get for it is a blue fire that most people have only seen in photographs, then sunrise over an acid lake, then breakfast and home by late morning.
The blue fire
Not lava. Sulphuric gas emerges at high temperature, meets the air and ignites, burning electric blue. It is only visible in full darkness, which is the entire reason this trip runs through the night.
The acid lake
Around 200 metres deep and turquoise from dissolved minerals. It is extremely acidic, which is why nobody swims in it and why the colour is that intense.
Two ferry crossings
Gilimanuk to Ketapang and back, about an hour each way. Your driver and jeep are arranged on both sides, and the ferry ticket is included.
Java runs an hour behind
Bali is UTC+8 and East Java is UTC+7. The itinerary below notes which zone each time refers to, because the clock going backwards mid trip confuses everyone.
East Java tour: blue fire or sunrise
The same East Java tour, leaving an hour apart. The earlier departure is the one that gets you into the crater while it is still dark.
Blue fire
Pickup 11 PM
- Leaves11 PM from your hotel in Pemuteran or Menjangan
- At the topAround 4 AM Java time, in full darkness
- IncludesThe descent into the crater to see the flames
- ThenBack up for sunrise over the lake
The reason most people come. The blue fire fades as soon as there is light in the sky, so the earlier departure is the one to take if this is your priority.
Sunrise only
Pickup 12 AM
- LeavesMidnight, an hour later than the blue fire trip
- At the topIn time for sunrise over the crater lake
- SkipsThe crater descent in darkness
- SuitsAnyone who would rather not go down into the crater
An hour more sleep and no descent on a steep trail in the dark. You still get the lake, the ridge and the sunrise, which on a clear morning is the better photograph anyway.
In the rate
Included
- TransportPrivate car, hotel pick up and drop off in the Pemuteran and Menjangan area
- FerryTicket for both crossings between Gilimanuk and Ketapang
- JeepKetapang to Paltuding base camp and back
- GuideEnglish speaking guide on the mountain
- PermitEntrance fee to Mount Ijen
- SafetyGas mask and head lamp for every guest
- FoodSimple breakfast at a local restaurant, plus mineral water
The gas mask is not decorative. Sulphur gas at the crater floor is genuinely unpleasant and can be dangerous in a shifting wind, so wear it when your guide tells you to and follow what he says about moving away.
The East Java tour runs twelve hours, across two islands
This is a long night and there is no point pretending otherwise. You leave before midnight, cross to another island, drive two hours inland, then climb three kilometres in the dark. Most people find it entirely worth it, but go in knowing what it is.
Note the time zones. Bali is an hour ahead of East Java, so the clock goes backwards when you land at Ketapang. Every time below is labelled. If you want something gentler on the same coast, our North Bali tour starts at a civilised hour.
05060708091011
Travelling
Home
The blue fire departure
- 23:00 BaliHotel pick up in Pemuteran or Menjangan, then 30 minutes to Gilimanuk harbour.
- 23:30 BaliFerry to Ketapang in Banyuwangi, about an hour.
- 00:45 JavaJeep from Ketapang to Paltuding, the Ijen base camp, about two hours.
- 02:00 JavaArrive at the car park. Time for a drink or something to eat before starting.
- 02:00 JavaBegin the trek. Three kilometres, about two hours, in the dark with head lamps.
- 04:00 JavaReach the rim. The guide leads the descent into the crater for the blue fire.
- 05:30 JavaSunrise over the crater lake from the rim.
- 07:00 JavaStart back down to the car park, then drive to Ketapang with a breakfast stop.
- 09:30 JavaFerry back from Ketapang to Gilimanuk, about an hour.
- 10:30 BaliDrive from Gilimanuk to your hotel.
- 11:00 BaliEnd of service.
What is included and what to pack
An East Java tour to a volcano is one of the few trips where packing badly ruins the night. Everything we provide, and everything you need to bring yourself.
Packed and ready
Nothing matches that search.
We provide
9 items
You bring
7 items
Old clothes are a good idea. Sulphur deposits stain, and the smell takes more than one wash to come out of a jacket. If you would rather stay in Bali, the West Bali tour and our private car service cover the local side.
