TOUR MOUNT BROMO AND MOUNT IJEN, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW (FAQ)

 

1. Are Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen safe for children?

Mount Bromo is family-friendly destination. It is easy to explore and relatively safe for the children.

However, Mount Ijen may not be suitable for children under 7 years old. Even though hiking only to the rim of the crater is considered safer, the toxic gas can be unpredictable and may pose a risk to young children.

Seeing the Blue Flames is absolutely not recommended for children. The hiking trail is unsafe and quite narrow in some parts, consisting of unstable rocks. In this area, the toxic gas is very dense, and children may panic in such conditions.

2. What time does the tour to Mount Bromo & Mount Ijen start from Surabaya?

Please choose a flight or train schedule that arrives in Surabaya before 11:00 AM. Alternatively, we can pick you up from your hotel in Surabaya at 9:00 AM. For your information, Madakaripura Waterfall closes around 4:00 PM.

If starting in the morning is not possible for you, we will remove Madakaripura Waterfall from your itinerary. Visiting Madakaripura on the second day would result in arriving at Licin Village in the evening, leaving you with less sleep and potentially too tired to explore Mount Ijen.

3. What time does the tour finish in Bali?

If you stop in Pemuteran, you are estimated arrive by 03:00 PM. It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Gilimanuk Port to Pemuteran, making it the shortest distance for a private transfer.

If you stop in Ubud or North Kuta, you are estimated arrive by 05:00 PM. It takes about 4-5 hours drive due to traffic and narrow roads.

Please note that Bali Island is an hour ahead of Java Island.

4. How much is the additional fee for drop off in an alternative location in Bali?

The additional fee for a stop in Ubud is 500,000 IDR (approximately 30 EUR*). A stop in North Kuta is 600,000 IDR (approximately 36 EUR*), and stops in Amed or Uluwatu are 700,000 IDR (approximately 42 EUR*)

Please note that this additional fee is charged per car, not per person. For the private transfer, we will use any available car at Gilimanuk Port. Each car can accommodate up to 4 people with large luggage.

Please let us know in advance if you would like to stop at another location. Bali is not a very small island; the journey may take several hours, and we need to arrange a driver willing to accommodate this type of trip

5. If I don’t plan to visit Bali, what is the alternative stop?

If you decide not to visit Bali, I recommend heading back to Surabaya. It has an international airport, making it convenient for your next domestic or international flight. Traveling back to Yogyakarta is not recommended as it is too far.

6. Is it possible to start the tour from my hotel in Yogyakarta?

For your journey from Yogyakarta to Surabaya, I suggest taking a train. It is faster and more affordable. Here are the schedules:

Sancaka Train: Departs at 6:45 AM from Yogykarta Station (YK), arrives at 10:45 AM at Surabaya Gubeng Station (SGU)

Sancaka Train : Departs at 11:30 AM from Yogyakarta Station (YK), arrives at 3:30 PM at Surabaya Gubeng Station (SGU).

Choose executive class for comfortable seat. The tickets are available 45 days prior to your departure and can be purchased on traveloka.com or tiket.com

Avoid booking the train at the last minute, as it might sell out.

7. During my journey to East Java, can I stop in Mojokerto instead of Surabaya Gubeng Station. It seems I will arrive earlier?

Yes, you can, but please note that the train only stops for a few minutes in Mojokerto. If you’re confident you can disembark quickly, we can pick you up at Mojokerto Station. However, for your information, the train stops for about an hour at Surabaya Gubeng Station, making it almost impossible to miss. This is why we prefer to pick you up at Surabaya Gubeng Station.

8. Is a deposit required to secure the booking?

Yes, a 50% deposit is required to secure the booking. This deposit will be used to book the hotel we propose, ensuring that you get the room and the tour meets your expectations.

9. When should the remaining balance be paid?

The remaining balance should be paid 14 days prior to your departure.

10. When is the best time to book the tour to Mount Bromo & Mount Ijen?

If you are traveling during the high season, which spans from July to September, I advise booking the tour 3-4 months in advance. The reason is that reputable hotels in the Bromo and Ijen area are limited. Booking early ensures you secure nice rooms for your trip with us. Especially for families or large groups, it is better to book the tour earlier.

11. What if I unexpectedly need to cancel my booking for some reason?

If you need to cancel your tour unexpectedly or at short notice, we are very sorry about that. However, please note that some hotels may refuse to refund the fees, and we may need to charge you for that. The remaining amount will be refunded to you after deducting a 7% booking fee. We also recommend contacting your travel insurance for reimbursement.

12. What if the tour to Mount Bromo or Mount Ijen needs to be cancelled due to a natural disaster?

Volcanoes and waterfalls can be very unpredictable. We are extremely sorry if this happens. However, we suggest purchasing travel insurance that covers such situations, so you can receive reimbursement.

Alternatively, we will do our best to arrange another activity for you. However, we will not make any changes to the booking confirmation document without your permission. Our travel experts will ensure to contact you and work together to find a suitable solution.

13. Is there anything I need to be aware of for my trip to Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen?

Please note that Mount Ijen is closed on the first Friday of every month. Additionally, access to view the Blue Flames up close is not always available, as it depends on volcanic activity.

Mount Bromo is also closed on Silence Day (March 29–30, 2025) and during the Kasada Ceremony. The exact date of the Kasada Ceremony is typically announced about six months in advance.