“Visiting Gunung Bromo is one of the most unique activities in not only Java, but possibly all of Indonesia. There is a good reason that this epic spot features on most of the tourism brochures, banners and websites for the country. Bromo, essentially, is a volcano. Unlike most volcanoes, however, it is a lot easier to access, as reaching the summit only involves a short hike.” Excerpt From Lonely Planet Indonesia.
Taking a trip to Gunung Bromo is usually done by Jeep from Malang, or even from Surabaya. Most tours will start at around midnight with a pickup from your hotel, transferring to Jeep along the way, and then a drive into Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park under the cover of darkness. The first stop for many is the ever-popular sunrise point (although this is a bit of a mismisnomer, as there isn’t really just one sunrise point, but many, stretched out along the ridgeline above the road). On a typical morning, Jeeps will be lined up for kilometres in each direction, full of visitors that have all come for the same reason – the incredible panorama provided by a Bromo sunrise.
Once the the sun has risen, you will head back down the hill in your Jeep into the sandy, barren Bromo wasteland, and cross to the foot of the volcano itself. After the Jeep parks a couple of kilometres away, it is then up to you to trek across the remaining sand, and up a couple of hundred stairs to the rim of the Bromo crater. For most people, standing at the top of Gunung Bromo is one of those experiences that only comes around once in a lifetime. The noise that emits from the throat far below sounds not unlike a jet engine, and only hints at the incredible power that resides right under your very feet. After the trek back to the Jeep, your tour ends with the drive back to your hotel, possibly with a couple of stops at scenic viewpoints along the way.
Getting to Bromo is easy with the various tours readily found online. Private tours range in price, depending on the number of people in your party and what extras you opt for. Group tours are also available for the more budget conscious.
I based myself in the town of Probolinggo, a 1-hour drive from Mount Bromo. It’s the rainy season here at the moment so I decided to skip the sunrise – currently an unlikely event – and hired a motorbike with driver. He took me to the parking area beneath Mount Bromo – a short walk from the crater.
