Ijen

One of the most thrilling experiences while visiting Indonesia. We stayed at Gilimanuck. The hike starts around 2 AM. Gas masks, sweaters, hiking sticks, etc. are available for rent from the starting point. For those who are unable to trek the 4 km hike, trolleys are provided by the locals. The 1 km descent to the lake shore is only possible on foot. The stunning green acid lake and blue fire offer a magnificent view. The active volcano with erupting sulphur produces a strong odour. Artworks made of sulphur are available as souvenirs from the site. The sunrise from the rim of the crater is a great view.

My first experience climbing a mountain in the Ijen crater. It was incredibly exciting and enjoyable once I reached the top. The views were breathtaking, making me want to linger there. The trail is quite challenging for those who have never climbed a mountain before, with the climbs quite steep and slippery. It's important to bring climbing equipment for safety. I'd love to return here for the beautiful scenery and scenery. If you're not strong enough to climb, there are taxis or other services available to help you climb, but they'll cost more.

What an amazing experience and such a beautiful place to visit. Overall we spent a total of 4hr 30mins to climb the mountain, visit the crater and then come back. The climb up the mountain is steep and is uphill the majority of the way. Then to go down to the crater, it’s mainly rocks and dirt and is quite slippy. It was very very busy when we went, we got held up for a long time trying to get down to the crater, so be prepared. The blue fire was amazing to see, but surrounded by tourists as you would expect. Also avoid the sulfur smoke because it causes your eyes to water and can make you cough, even through the mask. They also ask at the bottom if you want to hire a coat- do NOT do this if you have a jumper or jacket already. We hired a coat and we took it off within 5mins of walking, amongst everything else we were wearing. The walk gets so hot as it’s all uphill. People were shirtless and in shorts by the time we got to the top. Additionally, you will be surrounded by tourists which block out the cold. Overall, this was quite a difficult trek, but 100% worth it. Make sure you wear good shoes.

Very beautiful blue mountain flames. Must prepare well with full coverage eye goggles and as well as the filter mask. It’s worth the trip and the climb. Must reach before 5am, the flame fades after that. Sulphur gas smells strong. The blue lake visible after 5am. The view when going down the mountain is fantastic too

My visit to Mount Ijen was an unforgettable experience. The trail was quite crowded, especially during the time I went — it was clearly a very touristy period, and honestly, there were a bit too many people. That took away from the peaceful vibe I was hoping for. Because of the crowd, I chose not to go down to see the famous blue flames. It felt unsafe — people were pushing to get down, and it didn’t seem worth the risk. Still, the view from the top was absolutely stunning. The bright blue crater lake was breathtaking, even from above. The sunrise was partially hidden by fog, but it actually gave the whole scene a mysterious, magical feel. We were lucky with the wind direction too — we barely needed our gas masks, as the sulfur fumes weren’t too strong that morning. If you’re planning to go, definitely bring a flashlight, sunglasses, and good hiking shoes. Despite the crowd, it’s one of those rare places that truly lives up to the hype — a must-see at least once in your life.

Beautiful and definitely worth doing — but you have to accept that you’ll be doing it alongside more than a thousand other tourists. Most people start the hike around 2 AM, so it gets crowded, and there’s often a traffic jam on the way down to the blue fire. Still, it’s quite an experience — a bit dangerous, but the sunrise and the mysterious blue flames make it all worthwhile.

What a stunning place and you must be here! For the trekking part is quite challenging but once you get to the top all exhausting is disappeared.

An unforgettable experience. Although I missed the best timing to see the blue fire—since I was in a beginner group—the breathtaking view of the lake made up for it. The stunning scenery and immersive nature quickly eased any disappointment. I highly recommend wearing proper gear: sturdy hiking shoes, a trekking pole, a good quality mask (due to sulfur gas), and a reliable headlamp, as it’s dark during most of the hike. Avoid carrying a heavy bag—there are many small stalls along the route where you can buy foods and drinks. Make sure to bring enough cash. For those who aren’t used to long hikes or are not in peak physical condition, you can rent a "taxi" (a trolley pulled by local guides) to go uphill for around IDR 1,000k. If you also use it for the downhill journey, the total cost can go up to IDR 1,700k, depending on your weight and the distance. The gate opens at 2 AM, so you only have around 2 hours to reach the blue fire before daylight fades it. The trek is quite long and steep—you’ll first hike up to the peak and then descend to the lake where the blue flame appears. Be extra cautious during the descent, as the path is rocky and slippery. It requires focus and balance, especially in the dark. Overall, it's a challenging but incredible adventure—well worth the effort if you're prepared!