Regret not being able to capture the starry sky over the volcano🌠
Before setting off, I was dreaming of a thrilling mission to conquer two volcanoes. However, after my adventure at Ijen, I had to skip the second one and catch up on some much-needed sleep [Sweating Emoji]. The journey from Ijen to Bromo takes about 6 hours by car, and then it’s another long haul back to Bali. With such a short holiday, I had to make the tough decision to give up.
I highly recommend reserving three days for the dual volcano route, followed by a few more days to relax by the sea. This would make your trip around 7 days in total. If you’re not planning to unwind by the beach, I suggest at least five days to fully enjoy the experience.
[Sweating Emoji] Ijen Volcano Route: Start from Bali → Gilimanuk Port (about 1 hour by boat) → Ketapang → About 2 hours by car to the starting point of the volcano → Hike for about 2 hours to reach the crater.
[Light Skin Tone Emoji] The best time to visit Ijen Volcano is between 2 AM and 5 AM.
🏠 Homestays at the foot of the mountain are available for around 200, while hotels range from around 500.
🚗 For short distances, use Grab for motorcycle rides, and hire a car for longer trips (about 300 RMB/day).
🍚 Don’t miss out on Indonesian fried rice, dirty duck (which tastes similar to smoked duck 🤔 but with unique seasoning), and fresh seafood🦞. Be sure to try some grilled food by the seaside for an unforgettable dining experience.
⚠️ A gas mask is essential to see the blue fire (avoid staying too long in areas with thick smoke, as it’s pungent and toxic; I even saw someone faint [Sweating Emoji]).
⚠️ Always apply sunscreen by the sea! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Without it, you might end up with a sunburn that rivals the locals’ skin tone [Disapproval Emoji].
[List Emoji] Visa Processing
Since traveling abroad isn’t a frequent activity, we got our e-visas processed in advance before departure, which was incredibly convenient and saved us from any visa-related worries.
[One Emoji] For the Indonesian e-visa, contact [Right Arrow Emoji] Kuaima Visa
[Right Arrow Emoji] WeChat: Kuaima Visa Information [Thumbs Up Emoji]
[Two Emoji] On-arrival visa, as we arrived in Surabaya late at night, there were few people, and the process was quick.
[Three Emoji] Apply for an e-landing visa on the official website. There are many tutorials online, so ensure your passport information is correct! Beware of fake third-party websites.
The prices are all pretty much the same [Sweating Emoji], with only a small difference.
Personally, I prefer the hassle-free option, and I highly recommend [Right Arrow Emoji] Kuaima Visa.
I totally get why you had to skip the second volcano—sleep is crucial! The Ijen to Bromo drive sounds intense but worth it for the views. Next time, maybe plan a longer trip to hit both?探险总是让人又爱又恨！
Absolutely, next time you visit Bali, a longer trip would be perfect for exploring both volcanoes! The Ijen Crater Lake and Mount Bromo are both breathtaking, and taking your time between them would make for an unforgettable journey. Thanks for your thoughtful comment—it’s great to hear others share the same love for balancing adventure with rest. Safe travels!