Bromo Volcano Photo Tips: Effortless Shooting for Lazy Travelers

I had heard that setting off at midnight to climb the volcano was supposed to be a grueling special forces operation, but it turned out to be much more manageable than I expected! (Though there were still some challenges, of course.)

We decided to stay at a hotel in Surabaya because we felt that the accommodations near Bromo were infested with too many mosquitoes and insects. In the bustling city of Surabaya, there are plenty of options to choose from!

00:00 – The driver picked us up from the hotel lobby.
02:00 – It took less than two hours to reach the foot of the mountain, where we switched to an off-road vehicle. You can even choose the color of your off-road vehicle, but we were too lazy to pick 😂

02:00-03:30 – The night was pitch black as the driver navigated the winding mountain roads at breakneck speed. If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take some medication beforehand, given all the twists and turns.

03:30-04:00 – The guide led us to a small shop at the entrance. There’s no rush to start the climb; it’s freezing up there. You can warm up with a super sweet Indonesian coffee, use the restroom, or even rent a coat. The cold is biting before the sun comes up!!

At 04:00, we began our ascent. Although it only takes about 10-15 minutes, the slope is quite steep. Wearing comfortable shoes is crucial, as the path is very rugged and uneven.

Our guide was fantastic. He first took us to the sunrise viewing spot, where you can see the majestic Ijen Volcano in the direction of the rising sun. Watching the horizon slowly light up is incredibly soothing, as shown in picture 5.

The sunrise time is roughly between 04:50-05:30. Once it gets a bit brighter, the guide took us to another spot within 5 minutes, where you can see the entire volcano with few people around. It’s perfect for taking photos, and we were lucky to have great weather!! You can capture any shot you want!

After snapping enough photos, we descended the mountain around 06:30.

On the way down, you can also capture the breathtaking sea of clouds and cliffs, like a scene straight out of a Zelda game, giving an almost surreal feeling!

By around 08:20, we reached the plain below, and you can start taking photos with the off-road vehicle and the volcano 😂

We didn’t end up going to the crater because we really didn’t want to climb 250 steps 😂
If you don’t have much stamina, this itinerary is perfect for you. You’ll get everything you need! [ShyR][ShyR][ShyR]