“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 start at around midnight with a pickup from your hotel, followed by a transfer to a Jeep somewhere along the way, before driving into Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park under the cover of darkness.
The first stop for many is the ever-popular sunrise viewpoint, although this is something of a misnomer, as there isn’t really just one sunrise point, but many stretched out along the ridgeline above the road. On a typical morning, Jeeps line up for kilometres in both directions, full of visitors who have all come for the same reason – the incredible panorama provided by a Bromo sunrise.
Once 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 rising from the throat of the volcano 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, the 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 various tours readily available online. Private tours vary in price depending on the number of people in your party and any extras you choose. Group tours are also available for the more budget-conscious traveller.
I based myself in the town of Probolinggo, around an hour’s drive from Mount Bromo. As it is currently the rainy season, I decided to skip the sunrise – an increasingly unlikely event – and hired a motorbike and driver instead. He took me to the parking area beneath Mount Bromo, leaving me with just a short walk to the crater.
