Banyuwangi is famous for its beautiful tourist destinations. One of them is Mount Ijen. It has the Ijen crater and is renowned worldwide because of its blue fire and other tourist attractions. The natural phenomenon of the Ijen crater and blue fire makes many domestic and foreign tourists compete to visit this unique destination. So, do not be surprised if this tourist destination becomes one of the most popular.
Get to know Mount Ijen
Mount Ijen is a crater and volcano area located on the border between Bondowoso Regency and Banyuwangi Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. Mount Ijen is famous for its unique natural phenomenon, blue fire, which can only be seen at night. There are only two in the world, namely in Indonesia and Iceland.
Another stunning attraction of this mountain is the crater, which contains highly acidic water but is also a beautiful green. Mount Ijen is 2,386 meters above sea level. This active volcano last erupted in 1999. It erupted four times previously, in 1796, 1817, 1913, and 1936.
I first visited Mount Ijen in 2012, when the facilities and accessibility were not as good as they are now. The management was not as neat as it is today. The number of people visiting this place is still limited, not as massive as it is now.
Permit to enter Mount Ijen
To climb Mount Ijen, tourists must register online through the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Centre, the government's official website for managing the area.
Best time to visit Mount Ijen
Come during the dry season between July and September. This is when you can witness the beautiful blue fire. The weather is obvious during these months, and the hiking trails are dry. Or from December to January, when the intensity of the fog is somewhat reduced, but be aware of the rainy season.
In addition, visit during the low season or not during the long holiday season, because this place will be very crowded during the holiday season, especially during the long holiday season or after the big holidays and the new year.
Activities that Tourists Can Do on Mount Ijen
There are several activities that tourists can do on Mount Ijen.
1. Blue fire
Watching the blue fire of Mount Ijen is the main attraction in this tourist destination. Blue fire can only be witnessed in two places in the world, namely on Mount Ijen and in Iceland. In addition, this natural phenomenon cannot be witnessed at any time.
The blue fire only appears at certain hours, usually at 01.00 - 04.00 western Indonesia time. And this light can only be seen by humans when there is no light, namely at night.
To enjoy the blue fire of Mount Ijen, you need about 2-3 hours by climbing from Paltuding Post. The hike can be reached from Banyuwangi or Bondowoso. The road conditions on this route are usually dry, so it is more comfortable, especially if you have to climb in the middle of the night. And the best time to leave for the hike is 22.00-23.00 western Indonesia time.
2. Ijen Crater
Another exciting tourist attraction of Mount Ijen is the Ijen Crater. This crater is very beautiful, namely turquoise green. The largest acid lake in the world has an amazing and stunning turquoise colour.
In Ijen Crater, tourists can also watch this beautiful crater, which has an area of 5,446 hectares and emits the smell of sulfur. Ijen Crater contains 35 million cubic meters of acidic water, making it the largest crater in Java. For those of you who have asthma, hypertension, or heart problems, it is not recommended to inhale this sulfur smell. And anyone visiting to witness its beauty must wear a special mask.
3. Enjoy the sunrise
Another tourist attraction on Mount Ijen is the sunrise from the top. Don't forget to document it because the sunrise over this mountain is very beautiful. Sunrise will appear around 05.00 - 06.00 western Indonesia time. So, for those of you who want to see the sunrise, do the climb around 01.00 - 02.00 western Indonesia time.
4. Photo hunting
Along the way to Mount Ijen, there are many beautiful views. Especially if you visit in the dry season, you will see caramel-brown grass.
Of course, this is in addition to the blue fire, Ijen crater, and sunrise. You can also document the locals' mining, as they carry chunks of sulfur blocks along the hiking trail.
5. Edelweiss Flowers
In addition to enjoying the sensation of climbing, tourists can also enjoy edelweiss flowers along the hiking trail. But remember not to pick them if the edelweiss grows wild in the forest, because edelweiss flowers are included in one of the protected flowers.
6. Trekking
The first activity that tourists can do is trek or hike to the Ijen Crater area. Along the way, they can see the green forest, which is very fresh and soothing to the eyes.
7. Witness the results of mining
Along the way to Mount Ijen, you will see local people who work as miners. This sulfur mining process is done traditionally by workers known as sulfur miners.
They take the liquid sulfur that flows from the cracks of the crater, which then hardens and is processed into sulfur blocks. If you visit this tourist destination, you will see many locals carrying sulfur blocks along the hiking trail.
8. Hunting local food
You can also enjoy a variety of local specialities sold by local people along the hiking trail. You can find some speciality foods or fresh fruits.
Those are some of the activities you can do while visiting Mount Ijen. In addition, you must also know the tips for climbing Mount Ijen.
Tips for climbing Mount Ijen
You need to know some tips before travelling to Mount Ijen.
- Bring a warm jacket, gloves, and thick socks because the air is frigid at night. If you are allergic to cold, it is also advisable to bring a long john. This equipment will help keep your body warm.
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp. Usually, tourists leave at night to see the blue fire, so bring a flashlight or headlamp for the trip to the crater.
- Bring a trekking pole because the road to the mountain is quite steep and uphill.
- Use proper shoes for trekking or hiking because the journey to this place is cold, sandy, and rocky.
- Bring a water bottle and food for an energy source along the way.
- Bring documentation tools to document the trip and the beauty of the blue fire at night, the green crater of Ijen, and other beautiful natural views around the mountain.
- Bring a special mask to see the blue fire and UV glasses to keep your eyes safe.
- Prepare physically for sure because this place requires climbing. For beginners who want to climb mountains, don't forget to practice sports a few days before going to this place.
That's my experience visiting Mount Ijen. Don't forget to prepare physically to make your trip more enjoyable. Has anyone ever visited Mount Ijen? You are more than welcome to share your experience in the comment section.
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