The Long Way Round Asia 20237 views
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Step 40/60: Indonesia - Gunung Bromo

Gunung Bromo photo by Jantine De jong

About Gunung Bromo

Gorgeous place to visit, especially at sunrise. Sure, you can take the easy way and watch it from the viewpoint along with many other tourists. Or you can take the hard way and actually stand on Gunung Bromo with just a dozen others and watch the sun come up (while enjoying the sulfur fumes coming from the vulcano...). It is really worth it!! Ok, pay attention. It is not that hard, believe me. Ok, it is, but still it is very do-able to catch the sunrise on top of Bromo. Here are some tips. First: bring a good bright flashlight! Second: have some sense of direction. Third: locate hoof prints in the sand (horses take people up and down during the day). Four: Try and memorize the map the tour-operator showed you or take one with you. And five: leave about 2 hours, instead of 1 (which they'll tell you), before sunrise and you'll probably just make it in time. I will explain the way in the 'Gunung Bromo' cadre.
Bus/Coach icon
How I got here ?

Price: 26 €

Traveling time: 15 hours

Minivan from Surakarta (Solo) to Denpasar in Bali, stop in Cemoro Lawang (near Gunung Bromo) Night at hostel in Cemoro Lawang included in the price.

Tips & Tricks

  • Don't get a guide, too expensive. Just bring a really good flashlight!!
  • Having a sense of direction might not be bad! Remember the maps they show you!

Things to see

Gunung Bromo 10 /10
2 €
Gunung Bromo photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
When going down into the big crater, keep walking towards the sign. It will tell you the way to Cemoro Lawang (you just came from that) and the viewpoint, 10 km away. There are 2 rows of poles. Go down the middle and start walking. Shine your light and try to find hoof prints in the sand. You'll pass a temple on your right. Pass it. The path will go up a bit. You'll find a staircase. Just 253 Steps to go!
Crater 6 /10
0 €
Crater photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Nope, there was no lava...so the inside might have been a bit disappointing. But there was that horrible smell from the sulfur cloud! Especially walking up the crater (those 253 steps), it was really bad since the wind was blowing it our way. Hard to breathe sometimes. You can walk all around this crater. It will take about 45 minutes to an hour. But the best part is just the view! Especially at sunrise!

Practical

Yoshi's guest house 8/10
Price - €
Address

3 Kilometers from Gunung Bromo
Ngadisari

User's opinion:

Included in the tour-price. Rooms were great and really big, mine had 2 stories! Had a Austrian/Tirol feel to it. Hot shower available! OK food, but pretty expensive. Big nice garden as well.