East Java in style

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Day 1: Yogyakarta - Malang

A relaxed travel day. In the morning your guide is waiting for you at your Yogyakarta hotel. Transport is ready for your transfer to the train station. Your luggage has been picked up yesterday (end of day) so you travel in the train with your hand luggage and your night bag only. An easy and comfortable train ride awaits you. In Malang you get of the train and drive straight to the hotel (approx 4PM). In Malang you can still do a short city tour.

Train tickets eksekutive or business class are bought in advance. We need a copy of your passport to but train tickets.

Overnight: Tugu Malang

Day 2: Malang

At 8Am you meet your local guide at your hotel. We depart to the boundaries of the Bromo Semeru National Park for very nice walk (4 to 5 hours). It is a surprising experience. You visit several villages in the area of Gubug Klakah. Get to understand the local agriculture, experience authentic village food, get an opportunity to interact with the villagers, learn to understand the villagers' lifestyle, and be amazed by some stunning waterfall(s) it is a long but incredible day definitely worth all efforts.

Day 3: Malang - Ketapang

Today we visit Bromo this can be done at sun rise then departure is 1AM or at a later time. You of course miss the sun rise but it will be less crowded at Bromo. At the discussed time we depart from the hotel. When on the sunrise tour we first drive Sukasari here you get into a jeep and you drive further to the viewpoint of Mount Penanjakan by jeep. You await the sunrise from the viewpoint or at a close by cafe enjoying a coffee. Once the sun has risen we drive you by jeep to visit the black Sea of Sand and Mt Bromo. After parking near Mt. Bromo (this is where you start if without sun rise), it is a 45 minutes walk to his crater rim. Once you reach the rim of the caldera, you can explore the area a bit or rest and enjoy the view. Back at the car we have one more amazing stop in this area; the contrasting green savanna then we continue to Ketapang.

Overnight: Ketapang Indah

Day 4: Ketapang

A day of leisure with an activity of your choice. A snorkeling tour on a private boat, a walk or hike in these amazing surroundings or a tour by mountain bike through breathtaking terrain. Whatever you choose it will be a great day. Do be aware the night is again short if you choose to see Blue Fire.

Day 5: Ketapang  - Pemuteran/Bali

Please be aware Sulfur is a hazard good and people with asthma should be cautious.

At midnight the car will drive you to the parking area of Ijen (Paltuding). The starting point of your stunning and truly breathtaking midnight (soft) hike to the top of this volcano. Your local guide will be one of the sulfur miners from Ijen. He does not speak much English but he knows the roads blind folded. Before you are rewarded with the beauty of Ijens Crater lake and Blue Fire you do need to climb the steep hill of Ijen.  Once at the top from far you see the blue 'flames' coming from the mountain. You can walk down to the mining area (do be careful it is still very dark and the path is not paved). You can walk all the way down to the sulfur mine and see blue fire very close, see the miners and stand next to the lake. As soon as first light breaks Blue Fire is no longer seen but you get to enjoy the amazing crater lake landscape. Back in the car we drive you to Bali, Pemuteran (hotel not included) for a well deserved rest.

NB. Sometimes the sulfur damps are more active at night and as small outburst cannot be detected it will not be save to go up in the night and see the Blue Fire. Your driver will inform you if this is the case. Your Ijen tour will then start at day break - 5AM.