Mount Ijen Morning Trek

On the Ijen Plateau, experience the drama of Ijen, Merapi and Raung volcanoes, which loom large over a skyline that still feels wonderfully wild.

You’ll need to wake up very early to set off on the hike up to the Ijen crater, but the reward really is worth it.

Along the way, you’ll hike through rural villages, coffee and clove plantations and stretches of Javanese rainforest, before reaching the show-stopper at the rim: a vivid turquoise sulphur lake, surrounded by sheer crater walls at 2,883 metres above sea level.

Sunrise is the busiest time to hike – especially as you’re in with a chance of seeing the otherworldly “blue flames” when it’s still dark – but it’s usually less crowded than Mount Bromo.

What you’ll do

Set your alarm early to hike up Mount Ijen, winding through rainforest, spice groves and villages with your guide
Trek up to the crater rim as the sun rises to see the vivid turquoise sulphur lake glowing ethereally
Soak up the epic views of the Ijen Plateau all around you