Just came back from East Java for a short trip covering Surabaya, Sidorajo, Batu (Apple Farm (Argowista), Prigen Safari), Bromo & Ijen. Day 1 from Surabaya to Prigen, staying at Batu. Day 2 travelling from Batu to Bromo. Stayed at Camara Indah (Tel : 0335541019), Cemara Lawang, a room facing the magnificent Batok & Bromo for Rp400,000 per night with breakfast and hot shower & TV. Their room range from Rp50,000 to Rp400,000 but will increase significantly during the peak season. The entrace fee to Penanjakan view point & Bromo cost Rp 25,000; Jeep rental Rp75,000; Jacket rental Rp30,000 if you want to hire the entire jeep it will cost you Rp355,000.

Try to arrive at Camara Lawang as early as possible to book the jeep up to the higher view poing at Penanjakan. Start your journey at 4am for the sunrise instead of 3am as the sun rises around 5:15am. There are stalls that sells food and drink at the view point. And the view point were swarming with tourists as well as vendors selling postcards, camera batteries etc. When you arrive at the carpark of Bromo, the local with try their best to persuade you to ride their pony for the short walk to the bottom of the crater. They start their price at Rp50,000 and will go down to Rp30,000. They will follow you with their pony all the way, hoping that you will change your mind.

After climbing up 245 steps to the rim of the crater, there will be some locals selling drinks as well as flower to be sacrificed to the volcano. If you take his photo, he will insist that you buy something from him. We had our shower and checked out around 11:00am and drive towards Ijen. The road condition was fine except for the stretch from Sukosari to Sempol but we managed to arrive before dark and checked in to Catimor Homestay – Jl. Gajahmada 249 Jember, East Java, Indonesia (081336322343 ask for Awi). Highly recommended – room from Rp110,000 to Rp150,000. We started our trek to Ijen at 7:15pm and went down to the crater with the help of a local. The walk to the rim was 3km and another 900m steep descend to the bottom.

The first 3km walk was very pleasant, spotted monkeys, squirrels, birds and wild flowers along the way. Do exercise extra care while descending to the bottom of the crater as the terrain was steep and the ground unstable. But the trek was well worth it !!! The acid lake was absolutely pristine. With the sulpheric smoke and yellow flame, it was an out of this world experience !! Do bring a mask or towel to cover your nose and mouth as the smoke can be suffocating. Spent some time wondering around Sempol, Coffee plantation, Blawan Waterfall and the final day drive back to Surabaya for our flight home. The tax paid at the airport prior to our departure has increaed from Rp100,000 to Rp150,000.

We hire a car with driver which cost us Rp1,550,000 for 4 1/2 days excluding toll, petrol, parking fee, tips and driver’s meals. The only setback for our trip was our driver, who was reckless in his driving, demanding, dishonest, rude and inconsiderate. However, I’m sure he is the exception because all the other locals we met were polite, friendly, helpful and very pleasant.

Hope this is helpful for your planning. Overall my trip was a blast except for the driver who drives us crazy !! I will definately revisit East Java again, probably to climb Mt. Semeru.

Cheers………

Lix

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