The first stop in Java, Indonesia – YOGYAKARTA
Yogyakarta is a medium-sized city located in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the center of an older Buddhist civilization established in the area prior to the advent of Islam.
Sightseeing: There are plenty of sightseeing choices available from Yogyakarta. Most are single-day or half-day tours. For the more adventurous, there are two- and three-day hiking tours available to Mount Merbabu, a nearby dormant volcano. The single-day tours are varied and include sunrise tours, visits to the Buddhist structures in the area, and adventure activities.
Getting there: If you’re in Bali, there are direct daily flights from Denpasar to Yogyakarta with Lion Air and Garuda Air.
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From overseas: The nearest overseas hub is Singapore. There are direct daily flights from Changi Airport to Yogyakarta with Scoot Airlines. Note: If you’re flying into Jakarta, there’s also the option of using the fast and efficient train service to Yogyakarta.
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Transfer from Yogya Airport: Yogyakarta Airport (YIA) is approximately 36 km from Yogya City. The quickest and least expensive form of transport is the airport train service. This service is direct and takes approximately 40 minutes. Trains depart from Yogya Airport every 30 minutes.
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The best accommodation in Yogakarta
There’s plenty of accommodation to suit a variety of budget ranges, from hostels to five-star hotels. A good recommendation is to stay in the Malioboro District. This is the city center, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from.
Click this link to see the Malioboro District
Mid-Range Hotels: A good choice in this regard is the Riss Hotel. Located in the Malioboro District, this is a reasonably priced four-star hotel.
Click this link for booking inquiries
Most of the four and five star hotels have reasonable Western menus on offer. The best choice in this regard is the Phoenix Hotel in the Malioboro District. The Phoenix is a five-star hotel which has an excellent buffet BBQ available from Wednesday to Saturday. The price is 400k IDR per person.
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Sightseeing at the Buddhist structures of Java
The two most popular locations in the Yogyakarta area are Prambanan Temple and Borobudur. Both can be visited independently (not on an organised tour) simply by using the Grab service to get there.
- Prambanan Temple is within the city environs and, allowing for traffic conditions, is approximately 30 minutes travel time from the Malioboro District.
- Borobudur is further out (beyond the city environs) and, allowing for traffic conditions, will take approximately 60 minutes from the Malioboro District.
If you’d prefer to use a tour provider (including an English-speaking guide) to visit the above-mentioned locations, a good option is the Borobudur Sunrise Service.
Click this link for booking inquiries
Prambanan Temple: This temple is the easier of the two to access. Using a local guiding service will provide a deeper understanding (in-depth information) of the site. However, if you just want to visit independently, this is easy enough to do.
As of 2025, the entry price for foreigners is 400k IDR per person.
Click this link for directions from Malioboro District
Borobudur: According to online information, this is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Due to its design, it is unique and impressive. The most popular sightseeing experience is the sunrise tour. However, be aware that during the peak season (July – August) there are often hundreds of people doing this.
While being an impressive structure, the sheer numbers that visit for a sunrise can dampen the experience. To do a guided tour, contact the previously mentioned local operator.
To visit independently, click here for directions from the Malioboro District
Cave tour of Jomblang
Jomblang Cave is an interesting cave site located 52 km east of Yogyakarta City in Central Java. It’s an exciting and challenging caving experience, with the highlight attraction being the shafts of sunlight streaming through a hole in the cave roof in the farthest cave room. Getting into the cave involves a thrilling 40 meter drop by rope and harness into a sinkhole.
Click this link for the location of Jomblang Cave
Getting There: The best way to experience Jomblang Cave and remove the hassles of traveling there on the crowded roads is to do an organised tour from Yogyakarta. There are several tour operators offering full-day tours from Yogyakarta.
An excellent choice in terms of service is Jomblang Cave Tours. Note: The tour price varies with the number of participants. The pick-up time from your hotel is normally 07:00 am. Travel time from Yogya to Jomblang Cave is approximately 1.5 hours.
Additionally, if you want to avoid overcrowded conditions, try to do the tour on a weekday.
Click this link for booking inquiries
On-site: Once you arrive at the site HQ (parking area), there’s a covered seating area where you can relax while the driver does your registration and gets your ticket (queue) number. You’ll also be issued with a set of wellington boots for the walk through the cave.
Note: The cave floor is extremely muddy. Wearing your own hiking boots isn’t a good idea as they’ll get coated in mud.
Wait time before starting the caving tour is usually about 30 minutes. There are restrooms and tea and coffee available in the waiting area.
Reppelling through the Omblang Cave Tour
The group size for an excursion through the cave is 25–30 people. Once everyone has been registered, the guide team will move the group down to the cave drop point. At this location, everyone is issued a caving helmet and put into groups of two. After this is completed, the lead guide will give a briefing about the excursion through the cave and the initial drop into the sinkhole.
The drop: The 40 meter drop into the sinkhole is a thrilling start to the cave tour. The drop apparatus is well set up and completely safe. The guides and team operating the drop ropes are professional and experienced in this activity. Each person is fitted into a harness which is then hooked on to the drop-line. Two people at a time take the drop to speed things up.
Entering the Cave: Once the full group is safely down at the bottom of the sinkhole, the tour guides will lead everyone into the lower section of the cave. This involves a 30 meter descent down a slippery, muddy slope. Once you get down to the inner cave floor, there’s no let up with the mud. It’s worse.
Cave excursion through the Jomblang Cave
There’s a route across this first cave room which the guides lead you on to avoid the worst of the mud. On the opposite side of this first cave room, a muddy trail leads to a short tunnel which eventually opens up to the main feature of the excursion: another massive cave room with a hole in the roof. As you get towards the end of the joining tunnel, you’ll see the shafts of sunlight streaming through the hole in the cave roof.
The inner cave room: This is the highlight of the tour and provides the opportunity for some great photos or video. There are a couple of spots around the edge of the cave where the best photos can be taken. The guides will direct the group members to them. They allow plenty of time for everyone to get photos of the sunlight streaming down from the roof of the cave.
Returning to the top: This is simply a matter of retracing your steps back to the starting point. Everyone is pulled out of the sinkhole, two at a time.
Tour summary: Although the muddy conditions within the cave are hazardous (muddy and slippery), the effort to work through the mud is well worth it in the end. The inner cave room, with its shafts of sunlight, is quite spectacular. Jomblang Cave is an excellent day’s adventure activity.
Taking a sunrise Jeep Tour through the Kalaidem Bunker area
The Merapi Sunrise Viewpoint is the first stop on the jeep tour. You normally arrive there at dawn and have some waiting time before the skies become light. This is also the location of the Kaliadem Bunker, so you get two of the attractions at one stop.
If you do the long tour, you’ll have plenty of time for photography of the volcano and also for checking out the bunker. There’s a tower which gives you an elevated position for viewing the sunrise and also looking at the volcano.
The sunrise viewpoint location is approximately four km from the Merapi summit and provides a nice view of the volcano and surrounding landscape.
Kaliadem Bunker: As mentioned, this is at the same location as the sunrise viewpoint. After getting a good look at the volcano in the morning light, your guide can take you down into the bunker and give a commentary on its history.
According to my guide, the bunker was originally built as a place of safe refuge for local villagers in times of minor eruptions (smoke and hot ash). During the 2010 eruption, two local men died in the bunker after taking refuge. Unfortunately, the 2010 eruption had a major lava flow, and the bunker proved ineffective in providing a safe shelter. Since then, the bunker is no longer used as a place of refuge. It remains a sightseeing attraction.
Visiting the Museum Village in Merapi
The Alien Stone is the third stop on the tour and, according to my guide, the large volcanic rock on site has the resemblance of an Alien’s (the movie) head. The best thing about stopping here is the unobstructed view you get of the volcano. It’s the best on the route.
The Museum: This is normally the last stop on the tour, and it provides an up-close look at the tragic events which occurred on the day of the 2010 eruption. The museum is actually a village which was inundated by hot volcanic ash. The damage is quite astounding, with metal objects such as motorbikes being melted by the hot volcanic ash.
As you walk through the museum there are photos and information placards which give a commentary on the events of the 2010 eruption.
Summary: After Jomblang Cave, this is probably the best one-day tour in the area. You get a reasonably close look at Indonesia’s most active volcano and learn a bit about the eruption history.
As mentioned, the long tour (although more expensive) is probably the best option as it allows more time at each sightseeing location without feeling rushed.
The Mount Bromo Tour
The Mount Bromo Caldera, and its semi-active volcanic cones, is a popular sightseeing attraction located approximately 130 km (by road) south of Surabaya in Eastern Java. This visually impressive volcano is best viewed in the dry season (July and August) when weather conditions are generally dry and clear.
Getting there: If you’re already in Java, the best option is to travel to Malang City and make an organised tour from there. Note: Malang is the nearest main center with hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants, and is a good option to use as a base for day trips to the various sightseeing attractions in the area.
Click this link for the location of Malang City
From overseas: If you’re flying in from overseas, the best and nearest international airport is in Surabaya. There are direct daily flights from Singapore with Scoot Airlines.
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Doing an organised tour: Although possible to get to Mount Bromo independently (DIY), it’s highly recommended to do an organised tour starting in either Surabaya or Malang to avoid the hassle of arranging transportation to get to all the various sightseeing locations en route.
Ijen Bromo Tours are an excellent choice for a well organised tour, with professional, English-speaking guides. Note: They have several tour packages available which also include Kawah Ijen.
Click this link for tour info and booking options
The Sunrise Viewpoint on Mount Bromo
If you depart from Surabaya, travel time to the jeep tour meeting point at Bromo Village is approximately 3–4 hours (depending on traffic conditions). Travel time from Malang is approximately 2–3 hours.
If you’re doing an organised tour, pick-up times from your hotel in either Surabaya or Malang will be in the evening (approximately 9–10 pm) to co-ordinate getting to the sunrise viewpoint on time. Arrival time at Bromo Village is generally around 01:00 am. You’ll then transfer from the minivan to a jeep for the drive into the caldera and the ascent to Penanjakan Sunrise Viewpoint.
The sunrise viewpoint: There are a couple of things to keep in mind when you’re traveling to the viewpoint for the sunrise. The first is that if you arrive pre-dawn (3–4 am) it will be seriously cold. Take a good jacket and a woolen hat.
The second is that the viewing platform gets incredibly crowded, especially in July and August. Try to be in position on the viewing platform no later than 04:00 am. Even though you’ll be standing around in the cold for a while, you’ll have a better chance of getting a front position for photography.
Note: Avoid going on weekends.
Click this link for the location of Penanjakan Viewpoint
Visiting the Volcano Crater on the Mount Bromo Tour
After watching the sunrise from Penanjakan Viewpoint, the next stage of the tour is heading back down to the flat area at the bottom of the caldera. This area is called the Sea of Sand, primarily because of the black volcanic sand which fills the terrain at the base of the caldera.
The tour jeeps normally park at a location which is near the base of a small inactive cone, from which the tour groups make the hike to the top of Bromo Crater.
Bromo Crater: From the parking area, it’s approximately 1 km to the rim of the semi-active crater. For anyone who’s feeling fatigued, there are horses available (at an extra cost) for transport to the base of the crater cone.
On the way, there’s an interesting Hindu temple to spend a few minutes looking at. The ascent to the rim of the cone involves an arduous hike up a sandy slope. Once you reach the rim of the volcanic cone, there’s a track which takes you around the rim (to the left) to the highest point for a spectacular view of the crater.
The crater often has intermittent releases of smoke which, under pressure, sound like a giant breathing.
Continuing on: After viewing the volcanic crater, you’ll return to the jeep and head back to Bromo Village for breakfast. For those doing an extended tour, you’ll head to your next location. For those just doing Mount Bromo, you’ll be returned to your hotel in Surabaya or Malang.
Ijen Blue Fire Tour
Mount Ijen is a semi-active volcano located in Eastern Java, approximately 34 km from Banyuwangi City. It’s a popular sightseeing location which attracts many international and local tourists. The primary draw cards are the Blue Fire and the sulfur mining activities which occur near the crater lake.
A tour to Ijen Crater involves a significant amount of uphill hiking and a challenging descent to the crater lake. The hiking component could be classed as moderately challenging. However, what pushes it into the difficult class is the clouds of sulfur fumes which are encountered during the descent to the crater lake.
When this is combined with the steep, rocky trail, the difficulty level is significantly increased due to the requirement of wearing a gas mask and goggles.
Note: Without these two safety items, the local guides will not allow anyone to descend to the crater lake.
Getting There: If you’re already in Java, then organizing a tour from Banyuwangi is relatively easy. Simply contact one of the local operators specializing in Ijen tours.
An excellent choice in this regard is Ijen Expeditions. Their prices are very reasonable for group or solo travelers, and they have experienced, knowledgeable guides.
From Bali: Ijen Expeditions can also organise overnight (24 hours) tours for people staying in Bali. However, due to the small, congested roads in Bali, this option includes a significant amount of travel time. It takes approximately 8 hours each way, including the ferry crossing from Gilimanuk to Banyuwangi.
Note: The prices for a tour from Bali are door to door. Pick-up time is normally 18:00 (6:00 pm).
Click this link for booking inquiries
The Ascent on the Ijen Blue Fire Tour
Once you’ve committed to doing the tour, you’ll be given a pick-up time at your hotel. If you’re staying in Banyuwangi, this is normally around 23:00–23:30.
Before heading up to the start point you will be required to do a medical check — blood pressure and resting pulse rate — to determine your fitness for the hike.
On-site: Once you arrive at the Ijen parking area/start point you’ll be greeted by your guide for the hike. He will issue you the gas mask and goggles you’ll need to complete the outing safely.
The parking area/start point also has several small restaurants where you can buy snacks, coffee, and tea. There are also toilet facilities on site.
The Ascent to the Crater Rim: This is the first stage of the tour. It’s a 3.5 km hike to the crater rim:
- The first 1 km is an easy slope.
- The second 2 km is steeper and more difficult. Near the top the trail narrows and zigzags to the top.
- The final 500 meters is mostly flat going.
At various points along the trail there are rest stops (huts) with seating selling coffee, tea, snacks, and bottled water.
For anyone who runs out of energy or who does not have the stamina to complete the hike to the crater rim, transportation in the form of two-wheeled carts with seats is available. Two haulers are assigned to each cart to push and pull you to the top.
Note: To be able to see the Blue Fire, the ascent hike normally starts no later than 02:00.
The Crater Rim: The trail along the crater rim is mostly flat going and allows recovery time before the descent into the crater.
If the wind is blowing across the crater lake (from the west), you’ll already be able to smell the sulfur on the crater rim. If this is the case, you’ll be asked to don your gas mask before starting the descent.
Note: If you’re only doing the sunrise tour, you won’t make the descent into the crater.
Exploring the Crater Like on the Ijen Blue Fire Tour
This is the second stage of the tour and, as mentioned, the most challenging, not least because you’ll be descending in the dark.
The trail down to the crater lake is steep and rock-strewn. If the sulfur clouds are being blown up the crater face, the challenge increases significantly due to the requirement to wear a gas mask and goggles. This requirement impedes vision markedly.
Under normal circumstances, the descent to the crater lake will take a minimum of 30–40 minutes.
Note: For additional safety, use a hiking pole during the descent.
At the Crater Lake: The Blue Fire is located at the lowest point of the trail near the crater lake. As mentioned, you can only see this when it’s dark (at night). Normally it’s not visible after 05:30 when dawn breaks and it begins to get light.
The Blue Fire is a product of burning sulfur, and at Ijen it looks like a small stream flowing downhill.
Getting close to get photos or video is extremely hazardous as toxic sulfur clouds are constantly swirling about in the area. Even if you’re wearing a gas mask and goggles, you’ll still probably inhale sulfur fumes and have burning eyes.
Trying to do this in the dark makes it even more of a challenge because you’ll have to turn off your headlamp or flashlight to see the Blue Fire.
Note: There are only two places in the world where Blue Fire can be seen. One is at Ijen, the other is somewhere in Iceland.
The Sulfur Miners of the Ijen
As soon as it’s light, the sulfur miners begin their day’s work. The sulfur mining area is approximately 50 meters above the Blue Fire zone. You’ll need to hike back up the trail to see them at work.
The miners have installed piping to funnel the liquid sulfur to a flat area where it is set to a solid mass. Once it is solidified, the miners use crowbars to break it off into manageable chunks. While they’re doing this, clouds of toxic sulfur fumes are swirling about everywhere.
Once enough of the chunks are stacked up, the miner will then begin loading up his carry baskets. They have two baskets suspended off the end of a long pole, which they support on their shoulders during their long climb up to the crater rim.
According to my guide, the combined total weight of these baskets is around 60–70 kg. These miners are probably doing one of the world’s most hazardous jobs, and even though they’re wearing gas masks and goggles, the sulfur must eventually take a toll on their health.
The reward for such difficult and hazardous work is just 1500 IDR per kilo.
