Mount Bromo: Visit an Active Volcano on East Java, Indonesia

If you’re visiting Bali or Lombok, it’s worth the 45-minute flight to the neighboring island of East Java to experience its natural wonders.

Top on the list for most tourists (and me): the Tumpak Sewu waterfalls, and a hike up Mount Bromo.

By the way: the flight is the easy part. From there, it’s an adventure to get to the volcano … but worth it!

Key Info on Mount Bromo:

• It’s an active volcano on the island of East Java, Indonesia.
• You can rent a car and drive on your own, but it’s likely easier to go with a guide.
• Consider the impact seasonal weather changes will have on your visit (explained below).
• Expect major traffic and a lot of other tourists.
• Consider combining your visit to Mount Bromo with other stops in this rural area, like the waterfalls at Tumpak Sewu.

Mount Bromo: Location & Basics

• Location: Mount Bromo is within the massive Tengger Caldera, which spans about 10 kilometers (6 miles) in diameter. It’s part of a larger volcanic complex in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
• Elevation: Mount Bromo is 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) above sea level. Mount Bromo may be the most famous, but nearby Mount Semeru is the highest peak in the area.
• Volcanic Activity: Mount Bromo is an active volcano. The last significant eruption occurred in 2016.  
• Crater Access: Visitors can reach the crater of Mount Bromo by hiking up a trail. 

Mount Bromo is in what’s nicknamed the “Sea of Sand,” a barren moonscape you can explore on jeeps and horseback. It forms a giant parking lot for tourists, too.

Bali to Bromo (on East Java)

Whether you’re coming from Lombok or Bali, you’ll fly to Surabaya. It’s only an hour-long flight. Check these airlines for nonstops:

• Garuda Indonesia
• Lion Air
• Citilink
• Batik Air
• AirAsia Indonesia
• Wings Air

The flight cost will likely only be $50 – $75 each way.

You can rent a car from the Surabaya airport, but it’s easiest to take a tour with a driver who will pick you up right at the airport.

The Best Tours of Mount Bromo

You may be lucky enough to spend several days touring East Java.  For most people, their time is limited. Tours are truly the best way to visit Bromo.

From Surabaya, tours will depart at midnight to get you to the volcano by sunrise.

From a hotel closer to Bromo, you’ll still be up well before dawn for a 2:30am departure!

The tours bring you to a sunrise viewpoint, and then to the volcano itself.  It’s worth the early alarm!

➡️ Click to Book: Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour

Sunrise at the Volcano

Mount Bromo is famous for its sunrise views. Visitors often start their journey in the early hours of the morning, making their way to a nearby viewpoint, such as Mount Penanjakan, to witness the sun rising, illuminating Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru in the distance. 

The Ride to the Viewpoint

If you’re beginning your visit from a hotel near Mount Bromo, you may be wondering why you have to leave 3 hours before sunrise!

Well, you won’t be traveling a long distance, but the tourist traffic creates a daily gridlock which takes a long time to maneuver through.

Along the way, your driver will transfer you to a jeep, which will join an unbelievable caravan of colorful jeeps all driving to the volcano viewpoints.  I was astounded by how many other people were heading there with us.

Guides say around 1,500 jeeps make the drive each day!  Add to that hundreds of motorcycles zipping through the slow traffic.

Eventually, you’ll be dropped off in a small village, which will have shops and cafes open by 2:00am.  Most only open for the sunrise crowd, and close by 7:00am!  

What to Wear on Your Hike

I wore shorts, thinking I’d be fine.  I was wrong. It was freezing!  You’re up high, and it’ll be windy, too.   Wear layers to take off if you get too warm.  The shops you pass in the little village will actually sell hats and scarves, which many other chilly hikers were purchasing.

I was happy to find some coals to warm my hands afterwards in one of the hut cafes.

A Warning About the View

There’s always a chance the view of Mount Bromo and other peaks will be completely obscured by fog.  It’s usually quite windy, so hopefully the wind will blow the fog out of the way before the sun rises.

In our experience, the fog stuck around for a few hours, but we got great photos during the breaks when it lifted.

Photography at the Mount Bromo Viewpoint

Drones are ok to use.  If you fly yours, just be aware of the others around you doing the same.

There are different viewing platforms.  It’s best to walk all the way to the end first for the best view, and then work your way back.

Hiking Mount Bromo to the Crater

After enjoying sunrise, and warming up at a cafe, your driver will take you to hike the volcano itself.

Parking

You’ll be in a massive parking lot. You can hire a horse to take you up part of Mount Bromo.  A ride will cost $10 to $15.

The Hike Up

It’s a strenuous, but straight-forward hike to the crater.  You’ll get winded with the rest of the crowd, which will be made up of all ages from children to seniors.

The final leg of the hike is a long set of steps.  It’s about 200 steps up to the crater.

The Gases

You’re likely to be hit in the face by fumes wafting up out of the crater.  Most people choke and cough up top while enjoying the view.  I’ll elaborate on this down below.  But be warned: watch the wind while you’re walking around up there.

Walking Around the Crater

You used to be able to walk around the entire crater.  A landslide destroyed part of the trail, so these days you’re limited to about a third of it.  

Members of the local tribe guard the seismograph on site.  It registered last in 2015, triggering sirens before the volcano erupted.

Local Traditions & Sacrifices

I’ll go more into the “Legend of Mount Bromo” down below, but local people still do sacrifices and ceremonies at Mount Bromo.  They toss living chickens, vegetables, and money into the crater.

The Volcanic Fumes at the Crater

Let’s go deeper into the choking fumes at the crater. I was so curious to experience myself!

The volcanic gases are mostly sulfur dioxide, which is constantly released from the crater.

• Basics: Sulfur dioxide is released as magma reaches the Earth’s surface. The heat causes the sulfur in the magma to oxidize and form gas.
• Effects: Sulfur dioxide can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and shortness of breath. It can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
• Concentrations: The concentration of these gases is highest near the crater, where they are directly emitted from vents.
• Winds: The winds shift, blowing the gas toward visitors, causing an immediate choking reaction.
• Warning: People with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of these gases, even at lower concentrations.

For most people, if you pay attention to the wind direction and try to stay upwind, you’ll avoid the fumes. Still, you’re likely to get hit a few times up there. It’s part of the Bromo experience!

Mount Bromo Photo Gallery

Here’s another group of photos, showing what the Mount Bromo tour looks like.

Recent Volcanic Eruptions

Mount Bromo is known for its relatively frequent eruptions.

• 2010: Mount Bromo experienced a significant eruption in November 2010, following an increase in volcanic activity that included ash emissions and loud rumblings. The eruption continued intermittently for several months, with ash plumes rising several kilometers into the air, disrupting air travel and covering nearby villages in ash.
• 2011: The 2010 eruption activity extended into 2011, with ongoing ash emissions and eruptions that impacted the surrounding areas. The Indonesian government issued evacuation orders for communities in the immediate vicinity.
• 2015-2016:  The eruptions during this time produced large ash clouds that reached up to 3 kilometers (about 1.9 miles) above the summit, leading to temporary closures of local airports and affecting tourism. The ashfall from these eruptions impacted agriculture and daily life in nearby villages.

The Best Time to Visit East Java

The best time to visit East Java, weather-wise, is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to September.

The guides I’ve spoken to say the best views are in July and August, but that’s also when Mount Bromo is most crowded.  May, June, and September are great for a visit.  April and October are decent.

In December, January, and February, it’s often rainy.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Dry Season (May to September):

• Weather: This period offers clear skies, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures.
• Temperatures: Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). As I found out the hard way: it can get cooler at night, especially in higher altitudes.
• Visibility: The dry season provides the best visibility for sunrise views and photography.

Wet Season (October to April):

• Weather: The monsoon season brings almost daily rainfall or showers, often obstructing views and making trails muddy.
• Temperatures: Temperatures are slightly warmer, ranging from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F). Plus, the humidity is higher, which can make it feel hotter.
• Travel Conditions: Some roads and trails might become difficult to navigate due to mud and landslides, particularly in more remote areas.

The Legend of Mount Bromo & Modern Sacrifices

From what I was able to gather on our visit to Mount Bromo, the story revolves around Roro Anteng and Joko Seger, the ancestors of the Tenggerese people who inhabit this part of East Java.

Roro Anteng was the daughter of a king, and Joko Seger was the son of a priest. They married and ruled over the region, but were unable to have children.  They prayed to the gods of Mount Bromo for help.

Moved by their prayers, the god of Mount Bromo granted their wish: they would be blessed with 25 children! 

But… there was a catch: the last child must be sacrificed into the volcano as an offering. 

In time, Roro Anteng gave birth to 25 children. When it came time to fulfill their promise of giving up the final child as an offering, the couple hesitated to sacrifice their youngest, Kesuma.

As you’d expect, the gods got angry, and Mount Bromo erupted.

The child, Kesuma, Kesuma willingly threw himself into the volcano, fulfilling the promise his parents had made. His sacrifice calmed the volcano, and the Tenggerese people have since held the Yadnya Kasada ceremony each year to honor Kesuma’s sacrifice and appease the gods.

During the Yadnya Kasada festival, the Tenggerese people make offerings of rice, fruits, vegetables, livestock, and money, throwing them into the crater of Mount Bromo as a tribute to the mountain gods. This ritual is believed to ensure the continued safety and prosperity of the community.

Nearby on East Java: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls, located about 70 kilometers from Malang and near Mount Semeru, is a must-see natural attraction in East Java. The waterfall is famous for its unique shape, with multiple streams of water flowing down a 120-meter-tall cliff, resembling a curtain of water.

• Getting There: The journey to Tumpak Sewu involves a drive through rural villages and scenic landscapes, followed by a hike. The trail to the base of the waterfall includes a steep descent, with bamboo ladders and ropes in place to assist with the more challenging sections.
• At the Base: Once at the base, you can walk up close to the waterfall, but be prepared to get wet from the mist and spray. The area around the falls is lush and green, adding to the experience.
• Viewpoints: For those who prefer not to hike to the base, there are several viewpoints along the rim of the valley that offer spectacular views of the entire waterfall.
• Tips: It’s best to visit during the dry season (April to November) when the trail is less slippery and more accessible.

FAQs on Visiting Mount Bromo

Let’s wrap up with a few frequently-asked-questions about Mount Bromo.

Is Mount Bromo difficult to hike?

It’s strenuous, especially the final 200-step climb, but you’ll see people of all ages and abilities up there.

Is Mount Bromo an active volcano?

It is, with the last major eruption in 2015/2016.

How far is Mount Bromo from Surabaya?

Depending on the route, it’s about a 130-kilometer / 75-mile drive, which takes around 2.5 hours. As I mentioned, traffic near the national park gets very congested.

Wrap: Is the Mount Bromo Volcano Worth It?

I went back and forth on this for a month while trying to figure out the logistics of our trip to Bali and Lombok. Eventually, I cut out a day on Lombok and figured out a way to get to East Java in time for a driver to take us to both Tumpak Sewu and Mount Bromo.

I’m so glad it worked out this way! I’ve been to other volcanos, but each one is unique. It was especially interesting learning about the local culture in the area. The sunrise view surpassed expectations, even though it was a bit crowded.

I was also surprised to see how many jeeps were on the narrow road with us before dawn to get up to the viewpoint! This is definitely an experience I’m glad we made time for … AND … one that we hired a guide/driver for!