Indonesia, which is the largest archipelago in the worlds, is a country located in Southeast Asia. The country is made up of 5 major islands and around 30 smaller groups, lying between Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is famous for the diverse cultures across its islands, beautiful landscape, tropical rainforests, jungles, and especially volcanoes. Yes, I mean active volcanoes!
In this blog, I will share with you my experience of witnessing the sunrise over the black sand desert around Mount Bromo, an active somma volcano in East Java, Indonesia.
WHERE IS MOUNT BROMO AND HOW TO REACH THERE?
Mount Bromo is located about 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java, and is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, which covers an area of 800 square kilometers. While Mt Bromo is small in comparison to other volcanoes in Indonesia, it will not disappoint with its spectacular views and dramatic landscapes.
To reach there, I flew from Ho Chi Minh city to Surabaya with a short transit in Singapore. Then, I moved to a village in Probolinggo.
WHERE TO REST BEFORE THE TREK?
I stayed at Yoschi's Hotel in Probolinggo and super enjoyed their hospitality though it was a short stop.
As my flight was delayed, I reached the hotel at around 10pm and enjoyed my late dinner. You can take a tour from either city to Mount Bromo, or you can rent a scooter/car and drive yourself if you're feeling adventurous.
THE SUNRISE HUNTING
To prepared for the trip, I booked the travel agent in advance for the one-day tour at Bromo. (There are many tour options for you to choose, and for some options, you do not need to stay at the hotel for time and cost saving).
The local guide picked me and my friend at the hotel at 2am and we reached Penanjakan Hill at around 3.30am to chase the sunrise. The temperature at the vantage point was not cold compared to freezing snow mountain but will definitely make you feel chilly, so it is better to prepare some jackets to not get your body shivering or your nose running.
It comes as no surprise that Mount Bromo sites are highly crowded at morning. If you want to avoid the crowds, it's best to go during the week as weekends are usually busier with local tourists. Additionally, the cost of entering a National Park is substantially lower on weekdays.
Regardless of how you get to Penanjakan, you will have a few different views of Mount Bromo to choose from. In general, higher viewpoints are less crowded because they require more effort to reach. If you have the time, I recommend climbing to the highest point possible because the view improves as you go higher.
GET LOST IN THE SEA OF SAND
After catching the sunrise, at around 6am, we moved to Mount Bromo on a jeep. As the tour already included the entrance fee, in case you traveled by yourself, the total entrance fee to enter Mount Bromo is less than $20, which is acceptable for such a famous sightseeing.
You will most likely struggle if you do not drive fast through the thick sand. There are numerous areas where the sand is so soft and thick that you will become stuck or slide around.
We made our way over to the Mount Bromo hike entrance after having fun in the sand.
[Note: Don’t ride the horse across the sea of sand as it encourages the continuation of animal cruelty.]
Mt Bromo (2,392 meters) is not the tallest mountain in Indonesia, but its stunning beauty lies in its incredible surroundings.
HIKING TO THE TOP
It took approximately 30 minutes to trek from the basement to the peak, depending on your fitness level.
From my research, the best time to visit Mount Bromo is during dry season, from April to October. I visited in August, so it was perfect for us to trek and appreciate the outstanding view from above.
Due to increased volcanic activity, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is occasionally closed. Although this is unlikely to have an impact on your trip, it is worth noting. If the park is closed at any time, you should be able to find out either online or from locals.
Mount Bromo sunrise is my most epic and favorite sunrise so far. The stunning viewpoint, the atmosphere, and the majestic mountains are all that make the experience unforgettable.
Thank you for reading about my favorite place to catch the sunrise in Indonesia. I hope you like it and add it to your travel bucket list.
From a rainy Saigon with love,
Leo