Mount Ijen Tour Package: Complete Travel Guide to the Blue Fire Volcano
Mount Ijen Tour Package Complete Travel Guide to the Blue Fire Volcano
Introduction: Why Mount Ijen?
Mount Ijen is one of the most iconic volcanoes in East Java, Indonesia — famous for its otherworldly blue fire phenomenon, a turquoise acidic crater lake, and the tough sulfur miners who work every day in extreme conditions. Located on the border of Banyuwangi and Bondowoso, Ijen offers a mix of raw adventure, cultural experience, and natural wonder.
If Bromo is about sunrise and wide landscapes, Ijen is about surreal volcanic magic. Many travelers combine both into one overland journey across East Java.
🛑 Practical Information for Visiting Mount Ijen
📍 Location: Between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso, East Java
⏰ Opening Hours: 1:00 AM – 12:00 PM (for Blue Fire & Sunrise tours)
🎟 Entrance Ticket:
- Local visitors: Rp 5,000 – 7,500 (weekdays vs weekends)
- International visitors: Rp 100,000 – 150,000 (weekdays vs weekends)
- Camera fee: Rp 30,000 (drone not allowed without special permit)
⚠️ Regulations:
- Swimming in the crater lake is strictly prohibited (extremely acidic, pH ~0.3).
- Gas mask is mandatory (sulfur gas).
- Hiking only allowed with official opening hours.
🗓 Best Time to Visit Mount Ijen
- Dry Season (April – October): Best weather, clear sunrise, safer trails.
- Rainy Season (November – March): Blue fire still visible, but trails can be slippery.
- Blue Fire Visibility: Best between 2:00 AM – 4:00 AM before sunrise.
- Sunrise View: Around 5:30 AM with lake background.
👉 If your main goal is Blue Fire, join a midnight tour.
👉 If you prefer easier trek + lake view, sunrise tour is enough.
🚐 How to Get to Mount Ijen
From Bali:
- Denpasar → Gilimanuk Ferry → Banyuwangi (±5–6 hours)
- Many travelers take midnight ferry then continue with local jeep/van.
From Surabaya / Malang:
- Surabaya → Bondowoso (±6–7 hours by car)
- Often part of Bromo + Ijen combo tour.
From Yogyakarta:
- Yogyakarta → Surabaya/Malang (train/flight) → continue overland to Ijen.
👉 Easiest route: Start from Banyuwangi, which has airport & train station.
🥾 The Trekking Experience
- Starting Point: Paltuding post (1,850m)
- Trail Length: 3 km (±1.5–2 hours hike)
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep in first 2 km)
- Blue Fire Spot: Additional 30–40 minutes descent into crater (only with guide).
- Sunrise Point: Crater rim overlooking turquoise lake.
Hiking Ijen is less about physical challenge, more about surreal scenery. The highlight is not just the trek, but the entire atmosphere: glowing fire, hissing gas, miners carrying 70–90 kg sulfur rocks, and the sunrise over the largest acidic crater lake in the world.
🛏 Accommodation Near Ijen
- Budget Homestays (Rp 150,000 – 300,000/night): In Banyuwangi town.
- Mid-range Hotels (Rp 400,000 – 700,000/night): Around Licin or Bondowoso.
- Eco-lodges & Luxury Resorts (Rp 1,000,000+/night): Hidden in coffee plantations with stunning views.
👉 If you join midnight Blue Fire tour, it’s best to stay in Banyuwangi for quick access.
💰 Mount Ijen Tour Package Price
Here’s a rough price range (subject to operator and season):
- Ijen Midnight Blue Fire Tour (from Banyuwangi):
Rp 400,000 – Rp 650,000 / person (shared group)
Rp 1,500,000+ / private tour (2–4 pax) - Bromo + Ijen Overland Tour (3D2N):
Rp 2,700,000 – Rp 4,500,000 / person (shared)
Rp 6,000,000+ / private - Bromo + Ijen + Sukamade Turtle Beach (4D3N):
Rp 4,500,000 – Rp 7,500,000 / person - Customized Luxury Adventure:
From USD 700 – 1,200 / person (private jeep, eco-lodge, guide, meals).
🌿 Responsible Travel Tips
- Wear a proper gas mask (avoid surgical masks, rent/buy from tour operator).
- Support local miners by buying small sulfur crafts.
- Do not litter in the national park.
- Respect guide instructions — the gas can be life-threatening.
🧭 Popular Combo Tours with Ijen
Most travelers rarely do Ijen alone; they combine it with other East Java highlights:
- Ijen + Bromo Tour (classic volcano combo)
- Ijen + Sukamade Turtle Beach (wildlife + adventure)
- Ijen + Baluran National Park (safari-style trip)
- Ijen + Menjangan Island (Bali) (snorkeling & diving)
📌 Quick FAQ
Q: Can I visit Ijen without a guide?
A: Officially yes, but for Blue Fire you MUST hire a licensed guide.
Q: How cold is it?
A: At crater rim, temperature can drop to 5–10°C at night. Bring jacket.
Q: Is Blue Fire always visible?
A: Yes, but brightness depends on wind & gas condition.
Q: Is it safe?
A: As long as you follow guide’s instructions, yes. Gas mask is mandatory.
✨ Conclusion: Why You Shouldn’t Miss Ijen
Mount Ijen is not just a volcano — it’s a rare natural phenomenon where earth, fire, water, and human endurance collide in one dramatic setting. The blue fire is a once-in-a-lifetime sight, while the sulfur miners remind us of resilience and hard labor.
Whether you combine it with Bromo or make it a standalone adventure, Ijen will leave you breathless — literally and figuratively.
👉 Ready to plan your trip? Check our Mount Ijen Tour Packages and explore more cluster guides about best activities, routes, and combos.
Mount Ijen Tour Package Price & Options
Choosing the right Mount Ijen tour package depends on your travel style, budget, and how much time you have. Below is a price comparison between shared group trips (budget-friendly, join other travelers) and private tours (flexible, more comfort).
🔹 Price Table – Ijen Tour Packages (IDR)
| Package Type | Duration | Shared Trip Price / Person | Private Tour Price (2–4 Pax) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ijen Midnight Blue Fire | 1D (Start Banyuwangi) | Rp 400,000 – 650,000 | Rp 1,500,000 – 2,200,000 | Transport, guide, gas mask, entrance fee, water |
| Ijen Sunrise Trek Only | 1D (Start Banyuwangi) | Rp 350,000 – 500,000 | Rp 1,300,000 – 1,800,000 | Transport, guide, ticket |
| Bromo + Ijen Tour | 3D2N (Start Surabaya/Malang) | Rp 2,700,000 – 4,500,000 | Rp 6,000,000 – 7,500,000 | Jeep Bromo, transport, lodging, guide, entrance fee |
| Ijen + Sukamade Turtle | 3D2N (Start Banyuwangi) | Rp 2,500,000 – 3,500,000 | Rp 5,500,000 – 7,000,000 | Jeep, guide, turtle conservation visit |
| Bromo + Ijen + Sukamade | 4D3N | Rp 4,500,000 – 7,500,000 | Rp 8,000,000+ | Jeep, guide, lodging, all tickets |
| Customized Luxury Ijen Tour | Flexible | – | USD 700 – 1,200 / person | Private jeep, eco-lodge stay, meals, translator |
🔹 Most Popular Itineraries
- 1D Midnight Blue Fire Tour (from Banyuwangi): Start at midnight → hike to crater → see blue fire → sunrise → back to hotel before noon.
- 3D2N Bromo + Ijen Combo: Day 1 Surabaya pickup → Bromo sunrise → Day 2 drive to Banyuwangi → Day 3 midnight Ijen trek → finish at Banyuwangi or ferry to Bali.
- 4D3N Adventure (Bromo + Ijen + Sukamade): Best for travelers wanting both volcanic and wildlife experience.
🔹 Best Arrival & Departure Points
- Best Arrival: Banyuwangi (for Ijen only) or Surabaya (if combining Bromo + Ijen).
- Best Departure: Bali (via Gilimanuk ferry) or Surabaya airport.
📌 Internal Linking Next:
- Practical Guide to Ijen Crater
- Best Time to Visit Mount Ijen
- Top 8 Activities Around Ijen
- Ijen vs Bromo: Which to Choose?
- Ijen Tour Package Price List