Mount Ijen: Kawah Ijen Volcano Hike & Blue Fire
Climbing Mount Ijen is a must-do in East Java, Indonesia, and we loved it. During the tour, you can see the world’s largest acidic crater lake and the famous Blue Fire, as well as an epic sunrise at the rim of the crater of Ijen. This is an incredible experience that you don’t want to miss if you visit the island of Java.
Wondering how to visit Kawah Ijen Volcano? Banyuwangi is the best base for sunrise hiking and volcano climbing. But you can also easily join an overnight trip from Bali.
This ultimate guide to Mount Ijen includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the hike, and tips for visiting. Use the map at the bottom of this post to find the best sunrise spots and hike independently.
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- Mount Ijen: Kawah Ijen Volcano Hike & Blue Fire
- Where is Mount Ijen?
- Best Time to Visit Ijen Crater
- How to Get to Mount Ijen
- Mount Ijen Tour from Bali
- Mount Ijen Opening Hours
- Mount Ijen Entrance Fee
- Mount Ijen Hike on your own
- Mount Ijen Blue Fire
- Mount Ijen Sunrise Tour
- Ijen Hike Health Certificate
- Where to Stay near Mount Ijen
- What to Pack
- Tips for Hiking Kawah Ijen Volcano
- Mount Ijen Map
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Ijen Volcano Tour Details
Hike Distance: 3,5 km to the crater rim
Hike Duration: 3 hours (1.5-2 hours uphill and 1 hour downhill)
Blue Fire: An additional 25 minutes downhill from the crater rim to the Blue Fire
Hike Difficulty: Moderate difficulty
Where is Mount Ijen?
Mount Ijen, also known as Kawah Ijen, is an active volcano located near Banyuwangi in East Java, Indonesia.
Best Time to Visit Ijen Crater
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Java is a popular destination all year round. However, the best time to visit Mount Ijen is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for hiking.
Mount Ijen is located at 2,386 meters above sea level. Check the weather forecast before visiting, as the weather is often unpredictable.
The rainy season in Java runs from November to April. Hiking during the rainy season is more challenging when the trail is too muddy and slippery.
You can only see the Blue Fire in the dark, so we recommend starting your hike as early as possible.
Java Island has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round. However, we recommend that you pack some warm clothes for the Kawah Ijen volcano tour.
Read our → Ultimate Java Itinerary
How to Get to Mount Ijen
Most people come from Bali, Surabaya, or Banyuwangi. To get to Kawah Ijen volcano, you first need to get to Java Island, Indonesia. Flying is the most convenient and fastest way to get to the island. From Bali, you can fly to Java from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS).
Java has several airports. The nearest airport to Ijen is Blimbingsari/Banyuwangi Airport (airport code BWX). Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Bali.
The flight from Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (airport code CGK) to Banyuwangi takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and plane tickets start from 75 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.
TIP
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.
We have a detailed post on how to get to Java from Bali with all the information you need, including the cheapest way.
From Banyuwangi to Ijen
The gateway to Mount Ijen is Banyuwangi, which is just a 1-1.5 hour drive away.
If you’re already in Java, you can easily get to Banyuwangi by train from Malang, Surabaya, Probolinggo, or Yogyakarta. Banyuwangi is only a 10-minute taxi ride from the train station.
Once you arrive in the city, you can rent a motorbike and drive there yourself or hire a private driver to take you to Ijen. The parking fee is 5,000 IDR (0,30 USD) for motorbikes and 10,000 IDR (0,60 USD) for cars.
Alternatively, book this excellent Mt. Ijen Midnight & Blue Fire guided tour from Banyuwangi.
Mount Ijen Tour from Bali
If you don’t want to worry about how to get to Java or visit Ijen on your own, take a day trip from Bali.
The tour price includes pickup and drop-off, return ferry, accommodation, local dinner, Javanase breakfast (buffet), the entrance fee, gas mask, headlight, gloves, and an English-speaking guide.
We recommend booking your tour online through GetYourGuide.
Mount Ijen and Bromo Tour
The best way to visit these epic places is to join a multi-day tour from Bali or Yogyakarta. The most popular option is the 3-day excursion to Bromo and Ijen Crater, which includes all transportation, an English-speaking guide, a 4×4 jeep, entrance fees, meals, and 2 nights of accommodation.
Alternatively, you can book a 3D2N tour from Surabaya or Malang that includes the impressive Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Bromo, and Ijen.
Recommended post → How to Visit Mount Bromo
Mount Ijen Opening Hours
The official climbing hours for Ijen Crater are from 2 AM to 12 PM. If you want to see the natural phenomenon of electric Blue Flame, start your hike after the gates open at 2 AM.
Please note that the Ijen Crater is closed to visitors on the first Friday of every month for conservation and maintenance.
Important note
During the rainy season, Ijen may only open at 4 AM, depending on weather conditions.
Mount Ijen Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Mount Ijen volcano is 100,000 IDR (6 USD) on weekdays and 150,000 IDR (10 USD) on weekends. You can easily buy your entrance ticket after arrival or online.
*Update: The entrance fee for foreigners is 150,000 IDR (10 USD) on both weekdays and weekends.
For domestic tourists, the ticket costs 20,000 IDR on weekdays and 30,000 IDR on weekends/public holidays.
Mount Ijen Hike on your own
We wanted to make the most of our visit to Kawah Ijen volcano, so we traveled from Bali to Banyuwangi. After that, we rented a motorbike for the next day. We recommend renting a motorbike over 110cc as there are many steep ascents.
We checked into a hotel where we could sleep for a few hours before the hike. Then, at midnight, we started our tour to Mount Ijen. We reached the entrance from Banyuwangi by motorbike in about 1 hour.
It is worth setting off with a full tank. But there is one petrol station on the road, and you can also buy petrol from the locals. Drive carefully, and always wear a helmet!
Once you arrive, buy your entrance ticket, and you can rent a headlamp, gas mask, or warm clothes.
If you want to see the Blue Fire and the world’s largest acidic lake, we recommend renting a gas mask to protect yourself from toxic gases. Renting a gas mask costs between 25,000 and 50,000 IDR (about 1.50-3 USD).
TIP
Make the most of your experience by visiting the Ijen and Bromo volcanoes on a 3-day tour from Bali.
Mount Ijen Blue Fire
It’s time to start the Ijen volcano tour. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from the parking lot to the Mount Ijen Crater Rim.
From the crater rim of Kawah Ijen, it takes about 25 minutes to get down to the beautiful turquoise lake, the largest acidic lake in the world. Put on your mask and enjoy the famous Blue Fire view.
The trail was crowded, and the hike was dangerous in low-light situations. We recommend using your phone’s flashlight or renting/bringing a headlamp. The path was steep and slippery in some parts, and we had to climb without handrails.
Blue Fire is not actually a fire but the result of a chemical reaction. The sulfuric acid gas comes into contact with oxygen and leads to the combustion of the gas. It was a fantastic experience to see.
Keep reading → Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
The Blue Fire burns day and night but is only visible from 2 AM to 5 AM.
Kawah Ijen has been mined since 1968. Did you know that the miners work in dangerous and exhausting conditions for low wages?
The miners carry large pieces of sulfur (around 70-90 kg) in baskets on their shoulders and climb the Ijen volcano several times.
The crater air is thick with toxic volcanic gas, and many miners work without a gas mask. If you can, support them with donations or buy handmade figures made of sulfur.
Mount Ijen Sunrise Tour
After you’ve taken enough photos at the Blue Fire, hike back to the crater rim and enjoy the beautiful sunrise.
Unfortunately, the weather was foggy, but it was still a fantastic experience to hike to Mount Ijen. At sunrise, the temperature at Kawah Ijen will be between 8 and 12°C, and it can be even colder in windy weather.
After watching the sunrise, walk along the crater rim and then hike down, which takes about 1 hour.
Another way to get down is to pay for a human-powered cart (“Gojek”) ride. The ride down costs around 200,000 IDR (12 USD) per person.
We think this is one of the best hikes in Java that you shouldn’t miss.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Java
Ijen Hike Health Certificate
Since 6 January 2024, all visitors who want to climb Mount Ijen must have a health certificate. This health certificate is required to prove that you are in good physical condition.
Most Ijen tours will arrange an appointment for you. Alternatively, you can obtain a health certificate from a local medical center or clinic/hospital before climbing Mt. Ijen.
The health certificate is usually valid for 3 days and costs 50,000 IDR (3 USD) per person.
Hiking is not allowed for those who:
- suffer from cardiovascular diseases
- asthmatic persons
- overweight traveler with more than 100 kg
- women with pregnancy
- children under 3 years old
Where to Stay near Mount Ijen
Banyuwangi is a city in East Java and the gateway to the Ijen volcano for hikers.
If you want to make the most of your hike, you can camp at the Kawah Ijen. The camping fee is just 5,000 IDR (0,35 USD).
You can spend 1-2 days in Banyuwangi, these are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Banyuwangi
- Mid-Range: Aston Banyuwangi Hotel or eL Hotel Banyuwangi
- Budget: Banana Homestay
What to Pack
- Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
- Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Camera gear
- Plenty of Water
- Snacks
- Mosquito repellent
- Hat and sunglasses
- Local money
- Headlamp
- Hiking shoes or boots & socks
- Warm clothes
- Hiking poles (If you need it!)
Tips for Hiking Kawah Ijen Volcano
- You don’t have to hire a guide at the entrance, as you can do the Ijen volcano hike on your own. However, it is worth considering for safer climbing.
- Don’t bring unnecessary things with you.
- Wear closed hiking shoes and warm clothes, as the weather is usually cold and windy in the early morning.
- Bring enough local money! Entrance fees, toilets, human-powered carts, and gas masks can only be paid with cash.
- As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
- Allow enough time for hiking, as the trail is steep and slippery. We recommend using a headlamp for safer overnight hiking.
- Before you start the hike, use the toilet. But take toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you.
- Be careful when taking photos/videos at the volcano’s rim!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Mount Ijen Map
We hope you found our guide to Mount Ijen useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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If you just want to go to the top of Mt Ijen (not looking for blue fire).
Do we need to use the gas mask? or the normal mask N99 is sufficient enough? Please share. Thank you
Hi! If you are not visiting Blue Fire, you do not necessarily need to wear a mask. Otherwise, most people don’t wear a mask just for the photo.
Take care and enjoy your visit!
You mentioned that hiking can now only start at 4am due to volcanic activity. May I know if there is a website or somewhere where we can get the latest status as we are planning to go in a few months?
Hi! Previously, you could only start the hike at 4 AM. But fortunately, this has changed. We have updated our post with the latest information. Enjoy your trip!
Hi! Could you tell me where to get a health certificate? Is it possible to obtain one from any clinic? Thank you!
Hi Jee!
You can usually obtain it from any hospital/clinic. But we recommend you ask the locals for up-to-date information or contact your accommodation in advance. Have a good trip!