The recent surge in popularity of tourist destinations in neighboring countries is undeniable. Many people have likely heard the name "Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park." What is it, where is it located, and why is it so popular among Thai tourists? Let's find out together in this review.

General Information

  • Mount Bromo is one of Indonesia's approximately 400 active volcanoes, standing at 2,392 meters above sea level. It has erupted three times in the past 30 years, most recently in June 2004.
  • Mount Kawah Ijen is a volcano with a history of eruptions and transformations. Notably, the 1817 eruption created a lake within the crater.

Contacting the guide

Local Guides in Bali

There are many local guides to choose from in Bali, with prices varying depending on individual preferences. Here is a list of contacts for some of the most popular guides:

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other reputable guides available. It is always recommended to research and compare options before making a decision.

We emailed the guide to inform them of our desired destinations, preferred accommodation, and trip duration. We also provided our flight details for both arrival and departure. The guide then prepared an itinerary with pricing, which we could negotiate and adjust as needed. Our group ultimately chose Arif as our guide, not because he was the fastest or cheapest to respond. Before selecting a guide, we searched for their name or email address to find information about them, including their appearance and demeanor. Some guides appeared quite intimidating, so we consulted with our friends and felt a connection with Arif. (What kind of logic is that?) However, Arif ended up sending someone else to take care of us instead of personally guiding us throughout the trip. Oh well, that's how it goes!

**Package Summary**

The package price for 6 people is 13,650,000 IDR. The package includes:

* Car rental, gasoline, parking, and driver

* Jeep tour to 4 locations

* Entrance fees to Bromo, Ijen, Madakaripura, and Belawan waterfalls

* 1 night accommodation at Ijen

* 1 night accommodation at Bromo

* 1 night accommodation in Surabaya

* Local guide at Ijen and Madakaripura waterfall

* Horseback riding at Bromo

* Motorcycle

* Gas mask

**Exclusions**

* Meals

Choosing a Jeep

Based on reviews, many people climb on the jeep to take photos. It is recommended to tell the guide in advance what color jeep you want and choose one that allows you to climb on the roof to take photos. My group did not climb on the roof because the jeep did not have a roof rack. The guide kept stopping us, which was a bit annoying. We saw other groups taking photos on the roof, and we also wanted to, haha. But it's okay, there are many other views to take photos of.

Bromo Accommodation

Cemara Indah Hotel is a popular choice for Thai tourists, and for good reason. The views are stunning, with clear views of Mount Bromo. If you're looking for a place to stay near Bromo, this is a great option. However, be warned about the hot water situation. When we checked in, we were told to wait two minutes for the hot water to heat up. However, even after waiting 10 minutes, the water was still cold. We ended up having to take a cold shower.

Kawahijen Accommodation

Popular accommodations for Thai people in Kawahijen are Catimor Homestay and Arabica Homestay. Catimor is located deeper and closer to Blawan Waterfall. My group chose to stay at Catimor Homestay. The cleanliness was acceptable, and hot water was available in all rooms. The view was not worth mentioning as the homestay is located within the village and does not offer any scenic views.

Preparation

Essential items for Bromo and Kawah Ijen:

  • Warm jacket: A comfortable jacket is essential, especially for Kawah Ijen.
  • Face mask: A personal face mask is recommended, as the gas masks provided by guides may not be available or suitable for everyone. This is especially important for those with respiratory issues.
  • Headlamp: Guides do not provide headlamps, so it is crucial to bring your own. A headlamp is essential for navigating the dark trails and crater rim.
  • Physical fitness: The hike to Kawah Ijen is approximately 3 kilometers long and involves both steep and flat sections. The cold weather can also be challenging. It is important to be physically prepared for this demanding trek.
  • Motion sickness medication: The frequent uphill driving can cause motion sickness. It is advisable to bring medication to prevent or alleviate nausea.
  • Rain jacket: A rain jacket is essential, especially for the waterfall visit. Rain jackets are readily available for purchase at the site.

Photographic Equipment

  • Canon EOS 60D
  • Sony A5100
  • Sony A6500
  • GoPro Hero 4 Silver
  • DJI Mavic Pro
  • iPhone 6, 6+, 7

Internet SIM card

We purchased a travel SIM card from True, which supports both Singapore and Indonesia. In Indonesia, most of the areas we visited were mountainous, so the signal was intermittent. However, if you choose a good guide, their car will have Wi-Fi, which is a huge plus.

Travel Plan

To reach Bromo, you must fly to Juanda International Airport in Surabaya. As of now, there are no direct flights from Thailand. You will need to connect through:

  • Singapore for Tiger Air
  • Kuala Lumpur for AirAsia

Our group chose Tiger Air because we planned to visit Singapore on the way back, and at the time of booking, Tiger Air offered a much better price. So, the decision was easy. We departed on May 3, 2017, at 8:00 PM and arrived in Singapore around 11:00 PM. We slept at the airport and then flew to Surabaya, Indonesia, on May 4, 2017, to meet our guide.

According to the itinerary provided by the Indonesian guide, the trekking trip will take place from May 4th to 7th, 2017, with a group of 6 participants.

**May 4, 2017**

  • 9:35 AM: Arrival in Surabaya.
  • 10:00 AM: Embark on a 7-hour car journey to Ijen.

* 5:00 pm: Check in to the Catimor Hotel near Ijen.

**May 5, 2017**

  • 1:00 AM: Ijen Crater Tracking
  • 9:00 AM: Depart from the hotel and proceed to Blawan Waterfall.
  • 10:00 AM: Embark on a 7-hour car journey to Mount Bromo.
  • 5:00 PM: Check in to the Cemara Indah Hotel near Mount Bromo.

**May 6, 2017**

  • 3:00 AM: Bromo tour to 4 locations (Penanjakan viewpoint, Bromo crater, savanna, and whispering sands)
  • 9:00 AM: Return to the hotel for breakfast.
  • 10:00 AM: Depart from the hotel and proceed to Madakaripura Waterfall.

* 11:00 PM: Madakaripura Waterfall

  • 13:00 pm: Embark on a three-hour car journey to Surabaya.

* 4:00 PM: Check in at Cahaya Hotel in Surabaya.

May 7, 2017

  • 8:00 AM: Check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport.

* 10:15 a.m.: Departure

End trip

After our trip to Indonesia, the guide dropped us off at the airport and we flew back to Singapore for a one-night stay. The reason we chose to stay overnight in Singapore was to relax after the tiring hike up the volcano in Indonesia. So we went on a food and nightlife adventure in Singapore. In reality, there were shorter layovers available, but we chose not to take them. We figured we might as well make it a two-country trip! On the 8th day, we traveled to Singapore's airport and boarded a flight back to Thailand.

Expenses Breakdown (May 3-8, 2017)

Flights (Tiger Air):

  • 6 passengers: 26,340 THB (4,390 THB per person)

Luggage:

  • 25 kg outbound, 35 kg inbound (shared): 5,400 THB (900 THB per person)
  • Note: Tiger Air allows 2 carry-on bags (total weight 10 kg) and tripods must be checked.

Tour Guide:

  • 6 passengers: 13,650,000 IDR (2,275,000 IDR per person) ≈ 6,000 THB per person

Travel Insurance (Cigna):

  • 652 THB per person

Travel SIM Card (True Travel Sim):

  • 399 THB (66 THB per person)

Accommodation (Wink Hostel, Singapore):

  • 6 passengers: 5,600 THB (935 THB per person)

Currency Exchange:

  • Singapore Dollar (transportation, food): 2,000 THB per person
  • Indonesian Rupiah (food): 2,000 THB per person

**Approximately 17,000 baht per person.**

That's enough substance for now, haha. Let's follow our journey now.

**May 1-3, 2017**

We gathered at Suvarnabhumi Airport, checked in (luggage will be delivered at the final destination, you will not receive it while waiting for your connecting flight), and grabbed some snacks to prepare for the SIM card situation.

Ready to depart at 8 PM.

Arrival at Singapore Airport around 23:30.

We did not pass through immigration because we wanted to sleep and find food inside the airport. We had just eaten before boarding the plane, but we were hungry again after landing. Haha! However, there are many delicious food options in the immigration area, so don't miss out! We also managed to insert and activate the SIM card we purchased, and the roaming feature worked immediately. That's great!

After eating, I went looking for a place to sleep. I found a perfect spot behind the kaya toast stall, where many people were already sleeping. I wouldn't be lonely tonight.

**Around 3:00 AM, officers carrying guns (which felt intimidating) walked around checking boarding passes. If you didn't have a flight scheduled for the early morning, the officers would ask you to leave immigration. Luckily, our flight was at 8:15 AM, so we were able to stay and continue sleeping. Zzz**

**May 2-4, 2017**

After waking up, washing our faces, and brushing our teeth, we were ready to head to Surabaya. We kept in touch with Arif, letting him know our location and progress. Arif messaged us on LINE, saying that his team would pick us up when we arrived at the airport. He sent the contact information of the guide who would be picking us up via LINE. We learned that the guide who would be taking care of us was named Ferry. At first, we thought Arif would be coming himself, haha.

The flight was delayed by over an hour, so we messaged Arif to let him know we would be arriving later than expected. Fortunately, our first day's plan was simple, just a long bus ride to Kawaii-jien.

We arrived in Surabaya around 11:30 AM and contacted Ferry via LINE to inform him of our arrival. We waited briefly for immigration and baggage claim. After exiting the airport, we looked for our guide's sign and spotted Ferry. We greeted him with a handshake and exchanged pleasantries. Ferry then led us to the car where we stored our luggage and prepared for our journey to Kawah Ijen (the car was equipped with water, Wi-Fi, and a TV).

The Indonesian plan has now begun...

As we hadn't eaten anything since morning, we asked Ferry to take us to a restaurant. Shortly after leaving the airport, Ferry stopped at a restaurant and asked if we wanted to eat there. We didn't know anything about the place.

Unfamiliar with the dish's name, but its local popularity enticed me to try it. Resembling chicken soup with accompanying noodles, it was served with rice (at my own expense). The taste was acceptable. I've already decided that my culinary approach in Indonesia will be "eat to live," saving "live to eat" for my return to Thailand. 55+

And this is our guide. Still can't see the face clearly.

We continued our journey by ferry, stopping at convenience stores and restrooms along the way.

The road from the airport to Kawaii-jien is a two-lane road with oncoming traffic, making for a nerve-wracking drive. Drivers tailgate each other constantly, and there were several close calls with pedestrians. However, our guide seemed to be an expert, and we decided to close our eyes and avoid looking.

The majority of the journey to Kawaii Chien is mountainous. If you are prone to motion sickness, please bring medication. We arrived at Catimor Homestay in Kawaii Chien around 8 pm. After dropping off our bags, we ordered dinner at the homestay. They offer set meals for two people (this meal was at our own expense).

This set includes stir-fried instant noodles, fried chicken, long bean soup, fried sweet potato, omelet, watermelon, rice crackers, and steamed rice. Is it edible? It's edible, haha!

After a hearty meal, we retired to our rooms to shower and rest (hot water available). We prepared to ascend Mount Kawaikijen at 1:00 AM, with our guide scheduled to wake us around 12:30 AM.

**May 3-5, 2017**

Instead of asking if we were asleep, it would be more accurate to say that we didn't sleep well. Ferry brought us breakfast, but we weren't hungry yet, so we kept it in the car as a snack, consisting of bread and boiled eggs. We grabbed our jackets and flashlights and prepared to climb Mount Kawaii-jien, as it was sure to be cold. In addition to Ferry, our group guide, there was also a local guide from Mount Kawaii-jien who led us on the hike.

Looking up, I saw a line of elephants.

The city view is also available.

It took us about 2.5 hours to walk, which was good. We arrived at Blue Frame, but we didn't walk down to see it up close because there were a lot of people. So we walked around the top and took pictures instead.

And continue walking to wait for the sunrise. While waiting, it was really cold. I complained in my heart, can I not watch it? I want to go back to the accommodation. 55+

The sun is shining, it's time to take some pictures.

Capture a bird's-eye view with a drone.

It's time to go home.

The scenery on the way back was breathtaking. It was dark when we were walking up, so we didn't know what was around us. When it got light, we were amazed.

Strange tree

This is the face of the local guide who led the climb to Mount Kawaii.

The initial descent was deceptively easy, but it turned out to be more painful than the ascent. The steep path required us to constantly dig our toes in, causing discomfort. We stopped at a rest point along the way to enjoy Ovaltine and boiled eggs.

And then he walked on.

We arrived and saw our cars parked there. We were so happy! 55+

Ferry mentioned that they would stop by Blawan Waterfall before returning to their accommodation. The water flow was very strong.

After returning to the ferry dock, we were given one hour to rest, pack our belongings, and check out at 10:00 AM. We then continued our journey to Bromo. This is the accommodation where we stayed the previous night.

Traveled to Bromo and stopped for lunch at a local restaurant (paid for myself this time).

They fell asleep in the car again, as usual, not wanting to look at the road. Until

Safe arrival at Cemara Indah in Bromo.

Accommodation view

Enjoy the cool atmosphere from a high angle.

This accommodation offers Wi-Fi and a water heater, although the latter is currently unavailable. Jackets are available for rent for those who have not brought enough. Dinner can be ordered from the hotel. While in Indonesia, be sure to try the local beer (this meal is at your own expense).

The food was not photographed. I apologize for this.

Ferry informed us that we should wake up at 3:00 AM tomorrow to witness the sunrise at the Penanjakan 1 viewpoint. He will wake us up around 2:30 AM.

**May 4-6, 2017**

It's time to wake up and prepare our belongings to meet at the designated spot. To reach the viewpoint, we will need to use a Jeep, and we have chosen the red one. The driver will be another local guide, not Ferry, as Ferry will be preparing the horses for us after we descend from the viewpoint.

After nearly an hour's drive in a Jeep, we arrived at the viewpoint. The guide instructed us to take a picture of our license plate so we could find our vehicle upon our return.

At this viewpoint, there were vendors selling goods and mats for rent. We rented some mats because it was quite chilly before sunrise. While waiting, we took photos of the stars and elephants. We were very lucky to see elephants every day.

As the sky began to brighten, a group photo was taken, blocking the view completely. 55+

We were treated to the breathtaking view of Mount Bromo.

Let's take a look at another angle. It's a pity that we didn't see the sea of fog.

He then returned to the car and searched for it by looking at the license plate as he had photographed it.

After enjoying the view, we descended to go horseback riding. However, the descent took a long time due to the narrow and winding path, which made us nervous about falling. We laughed it off, though.

Before reaching the horseback riding area, we saw other cars parked on the side of the road, taking pictures of the mountain views and their vehicles.

We asked the guide to stop, but he seemed unhappy with our request. We were given 10 minutes to take photos, and we had to rush to get some good shots. We couldn't climb onto the roof of the car to take photos, even though we saw other groups doing it. The guide forbade it strictly. We were quite frustrated with the guide's constant restrictions, including not allowing us to sit on the car's hood. We noticed that the groups who were allowed to climb onto the roof had roof racks, which our car didn't have. So, we understood the reason behind the restriction.

For those who want to take photos on the roof of the car, inform the guide in advance that you would like to take photos in this style and request a car with a roof rack. The guide will then arrange for one to be provided.

It's so hot, we're all sweating like crazy. Ugh.

The last photo before the guide called us to get on the bus. It was a quick photo session. 55+

The group then took a short ride to the designated starting point, where they prepared to mount their horses.

It's time to switch from driving to horseback riding. Seeing the path ahead can be discouraging, but riding a horse can bring some peace of mind.

While riding a horse, one must be cautious. A friend in the group fell from their horse when it stumbled on a rock while walking. Fortunately, they were not seriously injured.

The horse runs incredibly fast.

From the point where we mounted the horses, they will take us almost to the stairs leading up to the rim of Mount Bromo.

*For those who want to take their time and relax while taking photos, I wouldn't recommend riding a horse both ways. It felt rushed, and taking photos while riding was difficult due to the need to hold on and avoid falling. Additionally, you won't be riding alongside your friends, as whoever gets on first will leave first. As a result, there are hardly any group photos while riding. If you're coming with a group, I suggest riding a horse either on the way there or back, but not both. This is just my personal opinion.*

Finally got to take a picture with the horse.

After dismounting, the horse handler will give you a name tag. When you dismount, hand the name tag back to them and you will get the same horse back. Honestly, I would like to change horses sometimes. 55+ In that area, there are villagers selling flowers that are used for making wishes and then throwing them into the crater, according to their beliefs.

While walking, I turned back to look at the beautiful scenery and couldn't help but take a picture.

The climb up the stairs is slow due to the many people taking breaks. Just seeing that makes me tired.

Looking down into the crater, I saw a multitude of flower debris. I wasn't particularly happy about it, but it's their livelihood. There was still a faint smell of sulfur in the air, but not strong enough to warrant a face mask. We stayed at the crater rim for a while to capture some beautiful photos.

Some aerial views

He then dismounted and walked to his original horse.

After this, take a Jeep to the savanna grassland, located behind Bromo.

We didn't take any pictures with the meadow because we were too busy taking pictures with the car. 55+

After that, we went to Whispering Sands. This area is a great spot for taking beautiful photos.

It's 9:00 AM now, and it's time to return to our accommodation for breakfast. Breakfast is served until 10:00 AM at our accommodation, but it was a close call. We almost didn't make it. 55+ Before departing, we gave the driver a small tip, even though we weren't entirely satisfied with the service. It's a gesture of goodwill from Thai people.

Ferry informed us that we had to depart at 11:00 AM to continue our journey to Madakalipura Waterfall. We had only just rested for a short while, and now we had to travel again. We grumbled in frustration.

The journey takes approximately one hour. Upon arrival, we will switch from car to motorbike for the remainder of the trip. The cost of transportation is included in the package. Due to the wet conditions on the trail leading to the waterfall, raincoats are required. Alternatively, those who wish to swim may choose not to wear one. After dismounting from the motorbikes, we will hike approximately 1.5 kilometers accompanied by a local guide and Ferry.

Battered and bruised as shown in the picture 55+

We have finally reached the landmark.

The local guide was very helpful, taking photos and assisting with the climb to the inner waterfall.

I was really impressed with this guide. As soon as we got back, I asked to take a picture with him, but I can't remember his name.

After that, we took a car back to Surabaya. On the way, we stopped at Ferry Restaurant. They asked us if we wanted to go to an Indonesian or Chinese restaurant. We answered without thinking, "An Indonesian restaurant, please!" Haha. So, we ended up eating what you see in the picture.

and continue to the accommodation in the city.

We stayed at the New Cahaya Hotel near the airport. The room was okay, and the lobby was also okay.

Our fight is tomorrow at 10:15. Ferry said he will pick us up at 7:30 tomorrow.

**May 5-7, 2017**

Another morning, another hotel breakfast.

Checked out and carried luggage to the airport. Do I really have to go back now?


Before we left, we agreed to give Ferry a tip. We were very impressed with his service and attention to detail. He was happy to fulfill any requests we had and even posed for a記念照片 with us. Ferry also asked for our LINE contact information. 55+ After that, Ferry quickly went to pick up another group, as he had back-to-back appointments. 55+ It was great to finally see Ferry's full face.

We changed planes in Singapore as usual, but this time we will stay overnight in Singapore. Take the opportunity to relax and eat before returning to Thailand tomorrow.

Waving goodbye to "Indonesia", a country with much to discover. #haloindonesia

Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed our journey. Please like, share, and care for us.

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# Mount Bromo# Kawaii-jian# Mountain# **Type# Indonesia # กินเที่ยว **English# Take a photo. # **Airplane** ✈️ # **Travel# Transportation
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