Explore Mount Bromo: Best Itinerary and Travel Tips for an Unforgettable Journey

🚗 To get from Bali to Mount Bromo, your journey begins with a flight to Surabaya. With numerous daily flights, the trip takes just about an hour. From Surabaya, the only way to reach Mount Bromo is by hiring a private car, as public transportation options are not available.

🚕 Many travelers opt to visit both Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater. During my stay in Bali, I had the fortunate chance to meet a Chinese expatriate working in Surabaya. She shared that the trek to Ijen Crater is quite strenuous, involving a long and tiring hike. Considering this, I decided to focus on Mount Bromo and the nearby waterfall.

🚙 If you plan to explore both volcanoes, starting from Surabaya, you should allocate at least 3 days and 2 nights. Each day, you’ll need to wake up in the middle of the night to travel and climb the mountains, making it a demanding but rewarding experience.

🎀 For those who prefer a more manageable itinerary, visiting just Mount Bromo and the waterfall can be done in 2 days and 1 night. You’ll need to set off around 1 AM, trek for 2-3 hours along a mountain path to reach the 4×4 vehicle transfer point, and then ride for about an hour in a 4×4 vehicle to reach the volcano viewing spot.

⏰ In terms of cost, I booked my 2-day and 1-night trip independently, which came to 2000 RMB. This included airport pick-up and drop-off in Surabaya, 4×4 vehicle fees, entrance tickets, a guide, one night of simple accommodation, and a basic breakfast.

🍬 Here’s a detailed 3-day and 2-night itinerary:
Day 1: Fly from Bali to Surabaya, where a driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel for rest (the drive from the airport to the hotel takes about 5 hours).
Day 2: Start early from the hotel, head to the 4×4 vehicle transfer point, then proceed to the mountain top viewing platform, visit the crater, and finally the waterfall before returning to a hotel near the airport.
Day 3: Depart from Surabaya back to Bali.

🌼 Tip 1: Every morning, a fleet of 4×4 vehicles arrives at the viewing spots. There are multiple viewing platforms, so make sure to communicate clearly with your guide or driver to ensure they take you to the highest one. Otherwise, you may need to walk uphill for another 20 minutes.

🎨 Tip 2: When hiring a private car, consider using a reputable travel website. It’s advisable to book in advance, as the price is calculated per vehicle, and the more people in your group, the more cost-effective it becomes.

🏡 Tip 3: Each 4×4 vehicle can accommodate up to 5 people, with only the front passenger seat being a standard seat. The back has two rows, each seating 2 people, providing a unique and adventurous ride.

🦋 Tip 4: Along the way, you’ll encounter many vendors selling hats, gloves, and other essentials. Personally, I recommend buying these items at the small shops near the 4×4 vehicle transfer point, where you can still haggle. Gloves are generally unnecessary, and almost everyone buys a hat to shield themselves from the sun.

🧚‍♀️ Tips:
1. As you set out early to reach the mountain top for the breathtaking sunrise, remember that it can get quite chilly up there. Make sure to pack a warm jacket. If you forget, no worries! You can always rent one at the viewing spot for just 20-50 RMB.
2. No matter where your journey begins, try to book an early flight to Surabaya.

This way, you can arrive at your hotel in good time and get some rest before the early start to the volcano. Otherwise, you might only have a few hours of sleep before heading out.
3. The volcano viewing platform is spacious but can get very crowded. Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and be mindful of your safety.

When taking photos, be cautious—some visitors venture dangerously close to the cliff edge, which can be quite risky.
4. After enjoying the stunning sunrise, make your way down the mountain to get a closer look at the crater. The hike up takes about 15 minutes, or you can opt for a horse ride, either one way or round trip.

Don’t forget to haggle; a one-way trip typically costs around 100k.
5. Ensure you wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as the paths are rugged and challenging, with plenty of volcanic ash underfoot. This will make your trek much more enjoyable and less tiring.