Bromo (Tips and Adv)

Mount Bromo is one of the main tourism destinations in Java Island, Indonesia

Bromo is the most popular volcano destination in Indonesia or might be in the world. The landscapes, views, plantations, sunrise spots, attractions, hiking routes, adventure things, traditions, shrines, temples, and cuisines make every traveler around the world falling love with this spectacular volcano. It is one of the ‘precious rare gemstones’ in Java Island and I am so proud living in this ‘Land of Rice’. Java Island is the real nature of paradise on earth. I have visited Bromo many times from different ways, and I am so glad can share this to you. Here the lists below is the good tips that you can try in Bromo : 

Mount Bromo is the most popular volcano destination in the world (the picture is taken from King Kong Hill)

How to get there? There are three ways to visit Bromo (from Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Malang). 

·      Yogyakarta is the second most popular destination in Indonesia after Bali for international tourists. After visiting important destinations in Jogja and its surroundings (Borobudur, Prambanan, Sultan Palace, Mount Merapi and Tamansari), travelers continue their journey to East Java Province by train or car. Mostly tourists from France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Holland, Belgium, UK, Italy, and Norway are taking the route like this with their professional guides. They can stop in Jombang or Mojokerto train station (the drivers are waiting in the train station), then go to Bromo highland by car. 

·      Surabaya is the capital of East Java Province, and has a quite big International Airport. Mostly, Singaporean, Thai, South Korean, Philippine, Vietnamese, and Malaysian tourists are traveling to Bromo from this capital. 

·      Malang is the second biggest city in East Java Province after Surabaya. This route is only good if you have time to explore Malang first before traveling to Bromo. 

The Golden Sunrise in November (from King Kong Hill)

Routes? There are two routes to go to Bromo highland (from Nongko Jajar – Tosari and Probolinggo or Pasuruan – Cemoro Lawang). Rent a car or long Elf is extremely recommended to make your trip memorable. 

·      The route from Nongko Jajar to Tosari village has better views and landscapes, less traffic jam than Probolinggo or Pasuruan city and faster to reach, if you are from Malang city or Mojokerto train station (about 2,5 - 3 hours). If you are from Jombang train station, you need a little bit more time.

·      The route from Probolinggo or Pasuruan city to Cemoro Lawang village is more traffic jam, less good views and landscapes, and needs longer time (about 3 – 4 hours). This route is only good if you are from Surabaya (Juanda International Airport), and you don’t have a choice. But, in my opinion still spectacular.

The View of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru (from Love Hill aka Bukit Cinta)

Accommodation? Bromo highland has two parts (eastern and western). In the eastern part there are so many types of accommodation (guesthouses, homestays, cottages, hotels, hostels, and local houses). 

The Golden Sunset in Lava View Cottage or Bromo Permai areas (Cemoro Lawang area) 

 

·      Eastern part (Cemoro Lawang area) has good view if you stay in Lava View Cottage, Bromo Permai, Café Lava, and many guesthouses here. You can get free sunset if you stay in Lava View Cottage or Bromo Permai. But, this area very popular, you must book minimum 3 months before and of course a quite expensive. 

It is still in the eastern part (before Cemoro Lawang), in the Wonotoro Village (Desa) there are some cheap local houses with clean and good rooms for budget travelers (around 20 – 30 USD). But, you must interact with local people and a little bit patients to find it or you can ask your professional guides to help you. Or, if you don’t have problem with money, you can stay in the most luxurious resort in Bromo highland (Jiwa Jawa Resort) with its famous café and gallery (Java Banana Gallery). 

·       Western part (Tosari area) has a 3 star hotel with okay facilities and quite good enough services. But, the good thing from Tosari is very easy to find cheap local houses with clean and good rooms (20 USD – 25 USD). You need help from your professional guides to get the best rate. 

The view of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru (from Pananjakan Point 1)

Sunrise Points? Do you trust so much with your traveling guide books? Forget it my friends! The authors absolutely have no idea. There are two main places for sunrise in Bromo with the goodness and the badness. 

·         Mount of Pananjakan sunrise points is the most popular mountain for sunrise and the best of the best view and landscape of Bromo in the morning. In this mountain you can find 7 points for sunrise and landscape with its own angles of photography (Pananjakan point 1, King Kong Hill area with its 4 points, Love Hill, and Seruni Hill). Pananjakan point 1 is the most popular but unbelievable and uncomfortably crowded location. King Kong Hill is an excellent point for you who love a location with less people, not crowded, and good for tranquility moment for your mind and soul.

The View of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru (from King Kong Hill)

·         Bromo Crater Point has unique angle for sunrise and you don’t need jeep at all to reach the crater. You must stay in Cemoro Lawang area for accommodation, and then walk to the Sea of Sand and hiking a little bit until the crater of Bromo, then waiting in this area for sunrise. 

You can do this if the situation in Bromo is wary or “waspada” in Indonesian. Maybe the sunrise has unique angle of photography but you cannot see the magnificence view of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru in one single frame. Bromo Crater Point is the worst view but cheap. This point is only good for budget travelers (everything has price mates!).

 You can hike in the different way if you want

Hiking Route? Yeah, there is one route to hike from Seruni Hill to King Kong Hill, and then continue to Pananjakan Point 1 (if you like the crowdedness). It is hardcore route and mostly for travelers who don’t have money to rent a jeep or hiking maniac. You must have strong vitality and endurance, proportional body, and strong legs. You absolutely need a professional guide because you don’t know the field and the route. Don’t risk your life. 

Hiking to the Bromo Crater

Another Hiking Route (Mount Batok)? Hell yeah! This route is really really insane dudes!. After hiking from Mount Pananjakan, you can walk to the Sea of Sand to hike Mount Batok (the neighborhood of Mount Bromo). I never bring my clients to hike this crazy route if the fee is not good. Never!.

Jeep Driver? Be a good tourist!. Mostly drivers in Bromo highland are freelance. You are never being poor if giving IDR 30.000 – 50.000 for your jeep driver. Trust me! You gonna feel good in your heart and soul. 

Although in the situation like in the picture, Bromo is still safe for tourists. Don't trust so easily from media (for media a bad news is a good news)

Bromo Trip ? Wake up early in the morning around 02.30 – 03.30 am (it depends on the location of your accommodation), then go to Mount Pananjakan by Jeep. At 06.00 am back to the jeep to go to the Sea of Sand, then walking and hiking to reach the Bromo Crater (Kawah Bromo). You also can rent a horse if your body exhausted. Go down from the crater to the slope of Bromo, then visit Pura Luhur Poten aka Bromo Temple (sometimes closed, sometimes open), then back to the jeep. This is the normal trip in Bromo. 

Pura Luhur Poten aka Bromo Temple is additional destination for you

Notes : 

·        Sunrise is not the main attraction in Bromo. I don’t understand why so many tourists crazy about it. It is only additional attraction my friends!. The main attraction is the view and the landscape of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru in far distance and in one single frame for your photo. The last, please understand that this is nature. 

·         There is no guarantee about sunrise or clear weather. Sometimes Bromo is smoky and foggy my friends. But according to my experiences, it is very rare for the cases like that in the morning. According to my experience again, the view and the landscape are spectacular if you can see the beautiful Milky Way Galaxy at night with amazing stars before sunrise. Mark my words. 

Rent a horse if you wanna try different sensation (The picture is taken by Kristoff Hotiu, my friend from Belgium)

Need a professional guide? Need a car, a long Elf, a micro bus or a big bus ? Need a jeep for Bromo? Need a reasonable accommodation? Need someone to arrange your trip? Whatsapp: +6285669307197 (Yoga Efendi).

Additional Information:

·         Ticket for International Tourist per pax             :

Regular Days                           : IDR 220.000 (about 20 USD) – since 2014

Holiday & National Holiday     : IDR 320.000 (about 30 USD) – since 2014 

·         Transportation    (Local or International Tourist):

Rent a Horse           : IDR 100.000 – 150.000        (about 10 – 13 USD)

Rent a Jeep             : IDR 450.000 – 1000.000      (about 38 – 77 USD)*. 

*The price depends on the season (Low – High – Peak). 

*The rate   of 1 USD = IDR 13.000     (July 2016). 

·         You must have Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for transaction in my country. But sometimes, USD and EURO are still accepted.