In the mid of August, Fred, Cindy and I went for our first hiking at Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia. Mount Bromo is quite popular among tourists both local and foreigner for its ‘easy’ hiking track. The highlights of the area are Mount Bromo (with its smoking crater), Mount Penanjakan (the favorite sunrise spot), and Cemoro Lawang (where most visitors stay). There’s also Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java. Locals say, it took 2 days straight to hike Mount Semeru. It will never be on my list!
Accommodation
We reach Cemoro Lawang (the outer side of Mount Bromo area) at 11 pm and booked a room at Cafe Lava Hostel. Most people, including us, only use the room for a couple of hours since we have to start hiking at dawn – if you’re looking for the sunrise. Cafe Lava Hostel has the best location (at the edge of the crater) so you just need to walk straight into Bromo. But I don’t think it worth the amount of money we payed. It is over priced.
Sunrise from Mount Penanjakan
3.15 am
We had our morning call. It was 3 am and I was too excited that I didn’t even feel sleepy anymore although I only got a 4 hours sleep. We put our jacket on along with our gloves, winter hats, pants, and shoes. Since I left my boots in Bandung, I used my running shoes instead – it slips several time. We were prepared to see the sunrise!
The sky was full of stars I could never imagine and the temperature was less than 10 degree Celsius up there. Not to waste any more time, I sat on the back seat of the Jeep heading to Mount Penanjakan. It took about half an hour to reach the parking area at Mount Penanjakan and then we walked for about 10 – 15 minutes to the top of Mount Penanjakan.
Here, at the top of Mount Penanjakan, lies a brilliant panoramic view of Mount Bromo, Mount Semeru, and the crater! I was lucky enough with the cloud so the view up there was so clear to the east. And if I looked straight, I could see the sun coming up slowly.
Since Mount Bromo is one of the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, it is crowded! Some people even used their camera flash as they took some pictures of the mountain, which I found quite annoying.
But later when the sun shows up, all things were paid off.
Mount Bromo’s Crater
06.30
Off to the crater we go! We trekked down Mount Penanjakan and up to Mount Bromo summit. It was a 2 – 3 km long journey. There are horses available for rent but we chose to walk instead.
From Mount Penanjakan, it took around 10 minutes using our Jeep to reach the foot of Mount Bromo’s Crater. And an hour walk to the top of Mount Bromo’s crater.
The Savanna
07.30
Next up was the savanna area. We just had a quick stroll around this area and took some pictures along our way. There’s nothing so special around here. But still the view was beautiful.
I had so much fun hiking Mount Bromo! The sunrise, the experience, the feeling worth the effort. Thank you for the amazing experience!
Tips
Bring your jacket along with your gloves as it’s cold up there at dawn. But if you don’t you could rent a jacket for around 25k-30k Rupiah and buy a gloves for 20k Rupiah.
*some photos courtesy of Fredric, my beloved travelling partner!
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Sharon Loh 
That looks like such a beautiful destination!
It is, Kayla! I can’t believe I was there. Too bad it is over crowded.
That is too bad. You still got beautiful pictures though. It captured the beauty without the blemish of the crowds.
Haha thank you! I was lucky I could.. you know, slip into the crowds. And got a perfect spot to capture the view. I also took a quick shot of the crazy crowds though
That looks so amazing!!!! Looks like you had fun too 🙂
I did!!! This was my first time ever hiking to a mountain & the first time I woke early at dawn to watch the sunrise. Guess I’ll do it again next time 😀
how beautiful journey it is 🙂
Thank you Hafidh! It is indeed beautiful there. Would love to come back! 🙂
What camera do you use to take those pictures?
Hi! We use Fujifilm x20 🙂
Are those pictures edited? They look really nice haha
Yup, some of them are edited. I did some exposure and contrast setting 🙂
アメリカンイーグル
is it possible for you to rent a car if you are a foreigner?
If yes, do you mind to share the website for it?
Hi Carlos!
Of course it’s possible. But unfortunately, I can’t find any trusted website fro renting a car. But in fact, once you get there, there will be a lot of locals offering you a jeep for rent.
Just don’t be hesitate to do a little bargain 🙂
can i know the rate of the cafe lava hostel?
Hi! 🙂 It’s around $60 for 3 person.
Hi Sharon, I plan to travel to Surabaya next month. I intend to go to Malang & Mt Bromo. But do not wish to watch the sunrise, just a visit there. Can you recommend transport from Surabaya to Malang. Tq
Hi Wei Juan!
Sounds like a fun trip!
The only public transportation I know is bus. They say it departs every 15 minutes. So it might be easier for you to catch up with the bus schedule.
There is also another alternative, a shuttle minivans. You can find it at the airport.
Have fun!
hey there! read the whole thing and was amazed! im actually going there in 3 weeks time and im quite curious about the accomodation like the cafe lava per night and the jeep per trip. Is it worth?
Hey Zouleey, thanks for reading!
The Jeep cost around IDR 500.000 and there’s nothing you can do about it except do the bargain 😛
About Cafe Lava, for me it isn’t worth it. But there’s another hotel near Cafe Lava named Java Banana. You might want to check this out : http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1144644-d1147335-Reviews-Java_Banana_Bromo-Probolinggo_East_Java_Java.html
Happy travel and have a safe trip! 🙂
thanks for the info. im choosing my accomodation, still can’t decide. Java banana seems to be pricey..
For cafe lava hostel u commented is $60 for 3. Why is is not worth it and overpriced?
Well, because, the room is lack of maintenance 😦
Oh about Java Banana, there’s a room that can accomodate 9 adults in 6 bunk beds. My friends said it’s quite cheap compared to Cafe Lava. But I’m not quite sure abt the exact pricing.
Hmm.. well, only two of us going. So ya.. still thinking..
Thanks for the reply…
Hi, I’ll be heading to mt bromo in a month’s time. Just want to ask if you booked your 4×4 van only when u reached cemoro lawang? We’re hoping to settle our transport up to bromo only when we get there. Great photos btw!
Yes!!! 🙂 There are a lot of people there offering you to book the 4×4 van. All you’ve got to to is bargain 😉 Aw thanks!!!
Hi,
If you don’t mind to share, how did you reach Cemoro Lawang? Where did you travel from?
Did you also book the sunrise tour (by Jeep) with Café Lava hotel as well? How much did they quote? Thanks.
Hi there!
I went there by car, my boyfriend drove from Bali.
And yes, we still need to book the Jeep since we’re not allowed to travel around Bromo by city car – I think it would be hard without Jeep.
Once you get there, there’ll be a lot of people offering you the Jeep & tour package. You’ll just have to bargain for the best price. The Jeep costs around IDR 500.000.
I went there in April. I enjoyed the trip very much. Login to http://www.lwjuan.com to share my experience.
May I know what is the weather like at Mt Bromo? how cold?
Yes it is, at dawn. You need thick jacket and also gloves. But after the sun rises, it’s only chilly.
hi Sharon.. salam kenal.
nanya dong.. did you go there yourself? apa sama tour package gt yah?
Thanks!
Hi Jenita!
Nope. Kemarin pergi sendiri sama temen hehe. Bawa mobil kesana. Tapi sampai sana, harus sewa Jeep karena ga boleh pake mobil pribadi di Bromo nya.
icic.. thanks for the infoo.. lagi mikir to book everything ourself, apa pake tour package aja.. jadi enak tinggal di jemput dari sby airport. hahaha. km sewa mobil disana? apa km asal surabaya?
You’re welcome! 🙂
Oooh hahaha tinggal di Sby ya? Kalo harganya reasonable sih enakan tour package aja biar ga repot 😛
Aku dari Bandung. Waktu itu kebetulan lagi tinggal di Bali, trs jd dari Bali ke Bandung bawa mobil gitu. Terus sekalian mampir deh. Hehe.
ohh.. aku pikir km tinggal di surabaya.. hehe.. kita2 dari singapore nih. dan agak susah kontek travel agent indo.. once they know we called from singapore, harganya mayand di mahal-in gt. haha.. jadi lagi asking around deh. thanks yah sharon! =)
Oooooh! Haha ihhh sedih dimahalin cuma gara2 tau dari Singapore.
Iya coba cari2 info aja dulu. Hope you have a nice pleasant trip!!
Nice info and photo
http://javatravelline.com/
heyy i just stop by to look at your pictures about bromo. Mau nanya, where did you rent the Jeep? Did you drive that jeep sendiri atau dapet supirnya juga? thanks ya
Hello there! 🙂 Thank you for reading, ya.
Kemarin nyewa Jeep random waktu udah sampai kesana. Banyak abang2 nongkronin nawarin Jeep mereka. Udah include supirnya kok.
Have fun in Bromo!
Hi SHaron, Thanks for sharing you amazing Mt Bromo experience. Some nice clicks..
I too spend some awesome time in Mt Bromo and Ijen. Read my experience here
http://www.ultrawidelife.com/
You have a new follower 🙂
hii, sharon, nice experience drove form bali to bromo wow,, sorry i m miko, i m tour guide for bromo and ijen, please next time would you use our service, hehehe, because we eat from visitor like you,, for all who need information and tour package, for bromo and ijen, please visit at javatourholidays@blogspot.com or email at javatourholidays@gmail.com
thanks sharon
Hi Sharon..Amazing pics…:) We are also planning trip to Mt Bromo in Aug this year. However, were wondering how difficult/easy is the trek – considering we would have a 11 month old infant with us. While both me and my husband have done a bit of trekking earlier – but we are unsure if we can do it with the baby along, The picture and description of the place looks tempting.
Hi there! Thank you for reading 🙂 The trek is pretty easy, it seems like it’s made for beginners. If you’re travelling with a baby, though, it might get a little bit harder I think as you do a lot of walking, although the route is pretty straight forward. But it really depends on you! 🙂 Safe travel
Hello
Mostly foreigner will visit Bromo,Ijen, somewhere Bali.
I have the tour and travel which can provide transport and accommodation.
Just visit my web
http://www.triptobromo.com
http://www.ranggaprasukmana-tour.blogspot.com
“we meet we deal we travel”
See you guys,
Warm regards from Indonesia 🙂
Unique experience and highlight of our tour. Got up early (around 3 am) then transferred by jeep, followed by 45-minute hiking to the volcano crater. This is a place which looks something out of the world. Stunning.
Those photos are amazing, thank you for sharing with us
mount bromo is the best mountain in east java