"Also known as Kawah Ijen, Mount Ijen is a volcano between Bondowoso and Banyuwangi in East Java. The specialty of Mount Ijen is the presence of the largest acid lake in the world and the only crater with natural 'blue fire' on Earth."
To reach Mount Ijen, the trip can be done from Surabaya, the nearest metropolitan city, or the island of Bali. From Surabaya, there are many transportation options such as travel, buses, trains, and planes to the airport in Banyuwangi. If departing from the island of Bali, transportation by ferry can also be an option. Once there, the trip up the starting point of the climb can be booked through various residents who offer their services.
The trip to Mount Ijen is best during the dry season, from April to October. Various activities can be done when visiting Kawah Ijen.
1. Climbing and descending closer to the blue fire
Photo by Visual Karsa on Unsplash
Blue fire is a natural phenomenon that can be witnessed just before sunrise on Mount Ijen. To reach the blue fire, it takes about two hours of climbing to the top of the mountain, before going down a fairly steep slope to see the blue fire up close.
2. Reaching the top of Mount Ijen and watching the sunrise
Photo by Ridho Ibrahim on Unsplash
If you are satisfied enough seeing the beauty of the blue fire from a distance, then in just two hours you can reach the finish line at Mount Ijen. The climb is often done from dawn at 03.30 or 04.00 in the morning to catch the beautiful sunrise view.
3. Choosing a more challenging climbing route
Photo by Christian Vasile on Unsplash
For those of you who like challenges, the Mount Ijen climbing route is fairly easy to pass. However, other routes are rarely passed, such as climbing to the lower edge area to see sulfur deposits. By taking this route, you can enjoy the natural beauty that is different from usual.
4. Visiting the rainforest
Photo by ijenlandscape Java Guide on Unsplash
It turns out that the Ijen Crater also has a rainforest that is a habitat for various plants and animals. To explore the rainforest, you can also use the services of a guide or explore the forest yourself.
5. Enjoying the beauty of the acid lake
Photo by Yani Andriyansyah on Unsplash
Ijen Crater is also home to an acid lake that looks like most lakes but contains acid. It is said that you can try to put your hand in the acid lake for just a few seconds because if you are a little late, your skin can be damaged immediately.
To prepare yourself to enjoy the climb and journey to Mount Ijen, don't forget to wear special climbing shoes, prepare drinking water, and wear thin, layered clothing that can be removed when descending. Also, wear sunscreen to ward off the hot sun when descending from the mountain. Most importantly, keep yourself safe and the environment clean during the trip.
