The journey
Summit four of Java's most spectacular volcanoes, from a pre-dawn climb up Merbabu to Semeru's live eruptions, Bromo's crater rim and Ijen's blue sulphur lake, before resting on the shores of Bali.
East Java: A Volcano Trekking Expedition is a demanding journey through some of Indonesia's most dramatic volcanic landscapes. Begin in Yogyakarta with the Sultan's Kraton and the UNESCO-listed temple of Borobudur, then set out on a run of pre-dawn summit treks: Mount Merbabu for sunrise views over Central Java, Mount Semeru, Java's highest peak and one of its most active volcanoes, Mount Bromo's otherworldly caldera, and Ijen's luminous blue sulphur lake. Cross the Bali Strait by local ferry to finish with two days of rest on the shores of Pemuteran.
Highlights
- Explore Yogyakarta's 18th-century Kraton and the UNESCO-listed Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple
- Trek to the summit of Mount Merbabu for sunrise views over four neighbouring volcanoes and the Dieng Plateau
- Take a scenic train journey from Solo to Mojokerto through Java's volcanic landscapes
- Summit Mount Semeru, Java's highest peak, and watch its frequent eruptions at sunrise
- Trek across the sand sea and up the crater rim of Mount Bromo, with sunrise views from Mount Penanjakan
- Reach the rim of Ijen's crater to view its vast, steaming blue sulphur lake, then cross the Bali Strait by ferry to rest in Pemuteran
Included
Accommodation
10 nights across Borobudur, Selo, Solo, Tumpang, Kalimati (tent camp), Ranupani (ranger house), Cemoro Lawang, Ketapang and Pemuteran
Activities
Yogyakarta Kraton tour · Menoreh Hills trek and full exploration of the Borobudur complex · Mount Merbabu pre-dawn summit trek · scenic train journey from Solo to Mojokerto · Mount Semeru approach trek via Ranu Kumbolo to Kalimati basecamp · Mount Semeru sunrise summit trek · Mount Bromo caldera crossing and crater rim trek through the Tenggerese villages · Mount Penanjakan sunrise trek over Mount Bromo · Ijen Crater trek to view the blue sulphur lake · Bali Strait ferry crossing · Menjangan Island snorkelling
Also included
Private air-conditioned vehicle and 4x4/Jeep transfers throughout · local trekking guides and porters where mentioned · train tickets (Solo to Mojokerto) · local ferry crossing (Ketapang to Gilimanuk) · breakfast daily from Day 2 (10 total), plus 9 lunches and 10 dinners
The route
Eleven days across Indonesia
9 stops · Borobudur to Pemuteran
Borobudur
Selo
Solo
Tumpang
Kalimati
Ranupani
Cemoro Lawang
Ketapang
Pemuteran
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Journey's end
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Day by day
The route in detail
Day 1
Arrival in Yogyakarta & Borobudur
On arrival at Yogyakarta's airport, your guide and driver will be waiting to begin the day with a short orientation tour of the city, starting at the Kraton, the Sultan's Palace. Dating to the 18th century, it's a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture, its rooms and chambers offering an introduction to this unique aspect of Javanese heritage and culture. Enjoy lunch at the Gadri restaurant, in front of the Kraton. After lunch, transfer to Borobudur and check in to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure, with dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Borobudur.
Day 2
Menoreh Hills Trek & Borobudur Temple
Depart early for the transfer to the Menoreh Hills for the first trek of the trip, taking in views of the massive Borobudur complex from afar, along with the range of volcanoes on the distant horizon. The trek passes through plantations and traditional villages before arriving at the temple itself. Spend time exploring the breathtaking Borobudur complex, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, learning about the extraordinary history behind its construction: composed of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, assembled entirely by human labour over more than 75 years. This UNESCO World Heritage site remains in its full glory today, with magnificent carvings across its unusual, monumental structure. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the complex, then transfer to Selo village for an early rest ahead of tomorrow's pre-dawn trek. Overnight in Selo.
Day 3
Mount Merbabu Summit Trek to Solo
Depart in the early hours for the base of Mount Merbabu, at 1,700 metres above sea level, beginning the ascent around 4:30am. Climb for around six hours through pine forest to Sabana II camp, resting before a final 45-minute push to the summit, watching first light illuminate a panorama that takes in neighbouring Mount Merapi and distant volcanoes on the horizon. Descend to camp for a well-earned lunch, then continue the descent back towards Selo, a journey of three to four hours. In the evening, transfer on to the city of Solo, checking in to your hotel for the night. Overnight in Solo.
Day 4
Scenic Train to Tumpang
Transfer early to Solo train station to board the Sancaka Pagi, a scenic, air-conditioned rail journey to Mojokerto in eastern Java, a wonderful opportunity to meet locals and take in the volcanic landscapes of Central and East Java from a different point of view. Lunch is served at a local restaurant en route by road. On arrival in Mojokerto, transfer to Tumpang village, at the gates of Tengger National Park. Dinner at the guesthouse. Overnight in Tumpang.
Day 5
Trekking to Kalimati Basecamp
After breakfast and a brief medical check-up, transfer by Jeep to the southern gate of Bromo Tengger National Park and Ranu Pani. Meet your local guide and porter team, and after a safety and logistics briefing, begin the trek from Ranu Pani towards Ranu Kumbolo, through bush and casuarina forest, stopping at the stone wall of Watu Rejeng. After a picnic lunch, continue climbing from Ranu Kumbolo (2,400m) to Kalimati (2,700m) through rolling savanna landscape, where tents are set up for the night and dinner is prepared by the trekking team. Overnight camping at Kalimati Basecamp.
Day 6
Mount Semeru Sunrise Summit
Begin the ascent to the summit of Mount Semeru at around 2:00am. At 3,676 metres, Semeru is the highest mountain in Java and one of its most active volcanoes, its near-perfect cone in fact a dome with a striped hillside. The three-to-four-hour climb crosses sand and stone terrain, with frequent chances to watch its regular eruptions along the way. After reaching the top, descend back to basecamp for breakfast before returning to Ranu Pani village. Dinner and accommodation tonight are at the house of a local ranger in Ranupani. Overnight in Ranupani.
Day 7
Mount Bromo Crater Trek
After breakfast, travel by 4x4 across the Tengger region and the caldera of Mount Bromo, arriving in Cemoro Lawang. Check in to the hotel and enjoy lunch before the afternoon's exploration. Walk through the exotic Tenggerese villages and across a sea of sand to the base of Mount Bromo, climbing around 250 steps to the crater rim. Explore scenic viewpoints around the crater with your guide before descending. Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure. Overnight in Cemoro Lawang.
Day 8
Mount Penanjakan Sunrise to Ketapang
Depart early by Jeep for Seruni Village, the starting point for a sunrise trek to Mount Penanjakan (2,770m), for a magnificent view over Mount Bromo. Trek back down for breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to Ketapang, with lunch at a local restaurant en route. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the resort, with dinner provided at the hotel. Overnight in Ketapang.
Day 9
Ijen Crater Trek & Ferry to Pemuteran
Rise early for the excursion to Mount Ijen, with breakfast at the hotel before setting off by 4x4. Reach Paltuding, the base camp of Kawah Ijen at 1,850m, then trek 3 kilometres along a wide, packed dirt path to the crater, encountering local sulphur miners carrying loads of up to 70 kilograms along the way. At the top (2,368m), take in views of the crater lake, 200 metres deep and containing around 36 million cubic metres of steaming, acidic water. Return to the hotel by late morning, then transfer to the Ketapang ferry terminal near Banyuwangi for a 45-minute local ferry crossing of the Bali Strait to Gilimanuk. Continue by road to the village of Pemuteran and check in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pemuteran.
Day 10
Leisure in Pemuteran (Optional Tour Available)
Spend the day at leisure in Pemuteran, relaxing on the beach after a demanding run of summit treks. Optionally, join a snorkelling trip around Menjangan Island in the heart of Bali's West National Park, widely considered the finest underwater world Bali has to offer, spending the morning over beautiful coral gardens with a chance to walk the island and spot local wildlife, including deer, over a picnic lunch. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Pemuteran this evening. Overnight in Pemuteran.
Day 11
Departure
Enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward flight.
Moments
Along the way
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