Mount Bromo
indonesia
Mount Bromo: Sunrise Hikes to Indonesia’s Iconic Volcano
Quick Answers
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Mountain Stats
- #1 Most Picturesque Sunrise In Indonesia
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Natural Form and History
Natural Mount Bromo Indonesia - Natural history
Mount Bromo is the only active crater within the Tengger caldera which is home to seven eruptive centres. The original Tengger Volcano went through five stages to form the Tengger caldera. The original volcano, called Ngadisari was formed nearly a million years ago by the eruption of pyroclastic deposits and lava flows to a height of 4,500m. Subsequent eruptions resulted in the formation of the caldera as it stands today.
Natural Mount Bromo Indonesia - Climbing history
Mount Bromo has a religious and cultural significance for the Tenggerese people of Probolinggo, East Java, who have been scaling the mountain for centuries to make offerings to the mountain gods. Today the mountain is one of the biggest draws for tourists in Indonesia and is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, where is shares the limelight with its taller neighbor, Mount Semeru.
Natural Mount Bromo Indonesia - Current status
With its ethereal beauty and accessible nature, Mount Bromo is one of the most hiked mountains in the world. The climb up its deeply furrowed side is made easier by a steep flights of stairs all the way to the top. The complete experience of Mount Bromo is thought to begin with witnessing the sunrise from the neighbouring peak of Mount Penanjakan from where one sees the darkness give way to the undulating sands and dark cones that surround Mount Bromo which itself stands wreathed in a sea of clouds, often spewing smoke into the sky.
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Climbing Experience & Itinerary
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Climbing Experience
The trail to the top of Mount Bromo is a non-technical climb with a steep flight of stairs and can be undertaken by anyone with a fair degree of physical fitness.
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Trail options
The trail up Mount Bromo starts with a walk along the Sea of Sand, a large and windy stretch of powdery sand which lies between Mount Penanjakan and Mount Bromo. This is followed by a flight of stairs – 240 to be exact – at a steep incline, which brings you to the edge of the crater. It is not advisable to try scaling the mountain along any other path as the sand and ashes can make it very slippery. Once you’re at the top of the steps, you can walk up along the edge towards the highest point of the summit. There is no clear path to the summit, and most tourists do not attempt going further up since this is still a very active volcano.
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Support facilities
Guides and porters
Trail facilities
Food & water
Network connectivity
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Safety & Accessibility
Weather
East Java overall enjoys mild weather throughout the year but the best time to plan a trip is during the dry season between May and August. Daytime temperatures within the Park seldom range over 20 degrees Celsius and night time temperatures can drop to single digits, especially on the mountain tops. While aiming for the dry season, zero in on June to visit Mount Bromo if you can, to coincide with the Tenggerese festival of Yadnya Kasada. On the 14th day of the month-long festival the villagers climb up to Mount Bromo and throw offerings into the crater for good health and prosperity.
Climbing safety
Volcanic activity: Mount Bromo, with its top almost completely blown off, is still a very active volcano and at times of high activity, it could be shut to visitors. The sand on your way up, or sulphur fumes near the crater rim can lead to breathing difficulties.
Slips and falls: Up at the rim of the crater, there is a one meter ledge with safety rails to help you peer into the crater safely, but at points the safety railing may be missing and one needs to be very cautious in walking around.
Personal safety
Mount Bromo is a very popular point for visitors so it is unlikely you will ever be alone or isolated.
Permits, Fees, and Regulations
An entrance ticket must be purchased at the Park entrance.
Emergency contacts
Police: 110
Fire: 113
Ambulance: 118
Getting there and away
Surabaya is the nearest airport.
Most tour operators will pick you up from Surabaya. The drive to Cemero Lawang where you will spend the night will take approximately 5 hours.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a train from Surabaya to Probolinggo which is the nearest point to the Park on the train route. The train ride is about 2 hours long and there are several trains during the day. On arrival at Probolinggo, you can take a cab to get to the Bayuangga bus station which is about 7km away. The bus ride takes about 2 hours but since the bus services are infrequent, you can also consider the possibility of taking a shared cab or private taxi to Cemero Lawang.
A few years back, shared taxis or vans wouldn’t depart until they were full, which meant one could be waiting for an indeterminate amount of time. We need to confirm whether this is still the case, but try to avoid that trap in the meantime by arranging private transport.
Money Matters
With peddlers, jeep drivers and horse owners, be sure to clearly set rates beforehand to avoid getting scammed.
Some visitors have also reported being ripped off by scammers posing as Park officials so be sure to check for identity before handing over money in the name of entrance fees.
The entrance ticket to Mount Bromo costs locals IDR 27,500 on weekdays and IDR 32,500 on weekends. The charge for foreigners is IDR 217,500 on weekdays and IDR 317,500 on weekends.
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Special Tips
Tips for amateur climbers
Though Mount Bromo is the most accessible and most popular climb, take the opportunity to also scale the rugged Mount Batok that stands next to it. This is not as easy as scaling the staircase but is also not a technical climb and can be accomplished in about 90 minutes, both ways.
Tips for advanced climbers
Advanced climbers won’t get much of a thrill from climbing Bromo.
Tips for women
Indonesia is generally considered a safe country for women, and since this is a bustling tourist space, women travelling solo or in groups have little to fear.
Tips for trail runners
The BTS Ultra is run on and around Bromo once a year.
Climbing Mount Bromo Indonesia - Gallery
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The Bromo caldera early morning
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Descending into the Bromo caldera
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The mists falling into the Bromo caldera
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Bromo - an active giant