Are you planning to visit Indonesia and include the Ijen Tour as part of your journey? The Kawah Ijen volcano offers the beauty of blue fire. Located in East Java, Indonesia, this impressive phenomenon can only be seen in the dark, where the blue flames start to burn throughout the day.
Travelers who want to witness the beauty of the blue fire in Kawah Ijen must hike to the summit during a sunrise Ijen Tour. We refer to this place as Mount Ijen, where the volcano has more to offer than just the blue fire. It also boasts the largest acidic crater lake on the planet and serves as a prominent location for sulfur mining.
Mount Ijen is home to local miners who extract sulfur. They hike multiple times a day to perform this job, putting themselves in danger even though they receive a low rate of pay. The volcano also produces toxic gases, making it important to wear a gas mask for extra protection at the summit.
In this guide, first-time travelers can find all the information related to the Kawah Ijen tour, including the beauty of the blue fire and ideas for arranging your tour to Mount Ijen.
Kawah Ijen Tour: Facts and Latest Updates
The Blue Fire in the Ijen crater is a primary attraction for both domestic and international tourists, as it is one of only two such occurrences in the world. Here are some interesting facts and information about Kawah Ijen:
1. Location: The border between the Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso Regency of East Java.
2. Kawah Ijen entrance fee for 2023 on weekdays: IDR 100,000.
3. Kawah Ijen entrance fee for 2023 on weekends: IDR 150,000
4. Last eruption: June 2022.
5. Kawah Ijen height: 2,799m.
6. On Wednesday, 24th May 2023: Mount Ijen has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
7. The Ijen Geopark: It has achieved the highest recognition among other candidate Geoparks in Indonesia due to its unique geological, biological, cultural, and natural phenomena, such as the blue fire within the Ijen Mountain region. This makes the Ijen Geopark a globally recognized attraction.
8. The Geological Agency: It downgraded the activity status of Mount Ijen from alert (level II) to normal (level I) on August 1st, 2023.
9. The opening time for the hiking trail to the Kawah Ijen Natural Tourism Park: It has been changed to 02:00 AM WIB. Previously, the climbing time was set at 04:00 AM WIB, preventing travelers from witnessing the blue fire phenomenon.
10. Recently, tourists have expressed disappointment because they couldn’t witness the renowned blue fire phenomenon. This disappointment stems from the intentional extinguishing of the blue fire spots near the sulfur pipeline by sulfur collectors. Now, the blue fire is visible again starting from September 15, 2023.
Read More: Why Ijen Crater Must Be Your Next Trip Destinations
Even if tourists are unable to witness the blue fire, they are still treated to the breathtaking sight of the greenish-blue acidic lake, which is equally stunning. To see the blue fire, travelers need to start the hike very early, as it typically takes around 90-120 minutes to reach the crater viewpoint.
Mount Ijen Private and Group Tour
For first-time travelers who want to visit Mount Ijen, the simplest way is to join a private tour from Banyuwangi or a nearby village. Since the blue fire is visible in the dark, these tours usually go to Kawah Ijen early.
This means you’ll need to start very early, with most tours leaving Banyuwangi between midnight and 1:30 am. This way, you can see the unique blue fire before watching the sunrise from the crater.
For the best chance of witnessing the blue fire at Mount Ijen, it’s better to choose a private tour. The benefit is you have more control over the departure time, allowing you to arrive as early as you prefer.
Private tours from Banyuwangi vary in cost, starting from around 350,000 Rupiah per person. Typically, this rate is based on a minimum of 2 people and doesn’t include the entrance fee.
If a private tour is not within your budget, consider a group tour with the earliest departure time. This increases your likelihood of reaching the site in time for the blue fire.
Group tours have set departure times, but some operators start earlier than others. If the blue flames are a priority for your experience, ensure you choose the earliest available tour. Group tour prices can vary, but a reasonable cost is approximately 150,000 Rupiah, excluding the entrance fee.
How to Book Mount Ijen Tour
There are two main ways to book tours to Mount Ijen – through your accommodation or online. Regardless of your choice, it’s crucial to check online reviews before making a commitment. If you can’t find reliable information online, it’s safest to choose another operator with positive reviews.
Discover the wonders of Banyuwangi, East Java with Yukbanyuwangi, your trusted travel companion. With a rich history dating back to 2014, we’ve proudly organized over 4,000 trips, including the amazing Ijen Tour, Bali Java Overland Tour, Bromo Tour, and Sukamade Tour.
Read More: Price, Itinerary and Facilities Ijen Tour From Banyuwangi
Other Things to Witness
Ijen Tour offers more than just the blue fire, including:
1. The Crater Lake
While the blue fire captures the attention of many visitors, Mount Ijen is also renowned for hosting the world’s largest highly acidic crater lake. The water in this crater lake has a unique turquoise-green color and contains hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. Consequently, the pH of the water is less than 0.3, making it capable of dissolving metal. Therefore, swimming in this lake is not allowed!
2. The Miners
While for many people, hiking Mount Ijen is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience to appreciate its natural beauty, for some Indonesians, it represents a daily struggle to extract sulfur from the crater. Sulfur mining is an exceptionally challenging job. Miners trek into the crater of Mount Ijen, carrying around 70-90 kilograms of sulfur on their backs as they ascend out of the crater and descend back down the volcano.
3. The Crafts
As the number of tourists visiting Mount Ijen has risen, the miners have started crafting small sulfur figures and ornaments. They sell these items at the volcano’s summit to supplement their income. The prices are reasonable, starting at around 25,000 Rupiah each, depending on their size. We recommend purchasing one to contribute to supporting the miners.
In conclusion, a Mount Ijen Tour promises a captivating experience, from witnessing the mesmerizing blue fire to exploring the largest acidic crater lake. Whether opting for a private or group tour, early departures ensure the best views. Support local miners by considering their crafted sulfur souvenirs, creating lasting memories.
