Across Indonesia: Falls, Sand & Fire

Four days across East Java, from Surabaya to Bali: Tumpak Sewu falling at you from every side, a jeep across Bromo's sea of sand in the dark, and the night climb up Ijen.

Length: 4 days, 3 nights
Starts, ends: Surabaya, Bali
Pace: Active
Best months: Apr to Sep

Day by day

Day 1
Surabaya to Tumpak Sewu
Picked up in Surabaya around midday and driven south, four to five hours, to the villages around Tumpak Sewu. The evening is yours: a walk through the village, an early dinner, and an early night.
Sleep
Tumpak Sewu
Meals
None included
On the road
4 to 5 hours
Included
Pick-up in Surabaya, private car and driver
Worth knowing
Every hotel on this trip is comfortable and highly rated by other travellers, and chosen for where it is. Each is minutes from the next morning's start, and on a trip this active, a good night's sleep close by counts most.
Day 2
Into Tumpak Sewu, then up to Bromo
At the falls first thing, then 45 minutes down bamboo ladders and wet rock to the floor of the canyon, with spray coming at you from every side. Back up by lunchtime, then the drive up to Bromo.
Sleep
Bromo
Meals
Breakfast
On the road
About 5 hours
Included
Tumpak Sewu entry, local guide
Worth knowing
The climb down is steep, wet and slippery all the way. Wear shoes with good grip, bring a dry bag for your phone, and expect to be soaked. After heavy rain, the base can close.
Day 3
Bromo at sunrise, then east to Ijen
The jeep leaves in the dark, across the sea of sand to the sunrise viewpoint, then 250 steps up to the smoking crater rim. Back at the hotel mid-morning, then six to seven hours east towards Ijen.
Sleep
Ijen
Meals
Breakfast
On the road
The jeep, then 6 to 7 hours by car
Included
4x4 jeep, local guide, Bromo park entry
Worth knowing
Penanjakan 1 is the famous viewpoint and the busiest; King Kong Hill and Seruni Point are quieter. It is around 4 to 5°C before dawn, so bring a warm layer, a hat and gloves. A horse can take you across the sea of sand to the steps, paid on the spot.
Day 4
Ijen, then Bali
Up in the middle of the night for the climb to Ijen's crater rim, then down towards the blue fire and the acid lake. Back at the bottom mid-morning, a meal on the road, the ferry to Bali and the car to the airport.
Sleep
Your own plans in Bali
Meals
Breakfast
On the road
About 1 hour to the ferry, an hour across, then 3 to 4 hours to the airport
Included
Ijen entry, gas mask, health certificate, local guide, ferry, airport drop
Worth knowing
About 3 km, the first half at around 35 degrees. The gas mask is a must for the sulphur, and the blue fire is never guaranteed. Porters can pull you up in a trolley, the Lamborghini, paid on the spot.
Or instead
Stay on in Bali for two more days instead of flying out: a resort in Ubud to sleep it all off, a snorkelling trip off the coast, or temples at your own pace.

Room to change

Every day on this trip can move. These are the changes we’ve already worked out, and what each one involves.

Two of the three

Bromo and Tumpak Sewu, Bromo and Ijen, or Tumpak Sewu and Ijen. One day shorter, and one early start fewer.

Just one of them

For only Bromo, Tumpak Sewu or Ijen, we would plan a trip in Bali and add it as a two-day trip out. Be warned that it is hectic: most of those two days are spent on the road and the ferry.