5 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
43 miles from Bondowoso by car
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
Less than a day
Ijen (Indonesia)
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Lucie Aidart
Practical information on Ijen
Reviews of Ijen
The ascension of Ijen is a highlight stop in your discovery of Indonesia . Located in the extreme east of Java island, this volcano of close to 7900 feet is known for its turquoise-coloured acid lake .
My suggestion:
Do not forget to take warm clothes!!!
My review
At the foot of the volcano, begins a a short hike of about an 1h30 over an elevation of about 2 miles . It is true that this stage of the journey is not the easiest as the slopes are quite steep but remains surmountable because if I could do it, so can you. Halfway up you can come to a halt at a point where sulphur carriers must pass. In effect, these last stop at this sort of tollgate in order to weigh their blocks of sulphur and obtain a ticket that will be exchanged for money at the foot of the volcano.
All along the way you will come across them and some even sell figurines made of sulphur. It is mind-boggling to think that they carry blocks of 70 to 100Kg (154 to 220 pounds) and make the trip twice daily.
Once at the top, a breathtaking sight and I am not just talking about the sulphur vapour that can spout from time to time.
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Matt Paish
The Ijen volcano is located east of Java. It's well-known for its blue flames and its lake, the most acidic on the planet.
My suggestion:
Don't forget to hire a gas mask so that you can get close to the flames safely. And above all, take care not to disturb the workers.
My review
After too long a day in the bus, I had slept barely two hours when my guide woke me to tackle the Ijen volcano. An alarm call at midnight, one hour's drive in a Jeep and it was time to begin the ascent with a headlamp.
Two hours of climbing and a 45-minute descent later and I finally reached the blue flames. It was very difficult for me, but worth it, as the sight was absolutely incredible. It's not often that you can get close to the flames of a volcano in this way. At sunrise, the climb away from the volcano was much more straightforward and the view was fabulous. I could see the volcano's crater, the dying blue flames, the vivid yellow of the sulphur, the acidic lake and above all, a magnificent sunrise over the surrounding landscape. It was a difficult walk, but one of my best sunrises and one of the best memories of my trip to Indonesia.
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Lucie Aidart
206 travelers' photos
