Mount Bromo is one of the active volcanoes in East Java, is a must-visit in Indonesia. It located at the "Sea of Sand" and Mount Bromo belongs to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Many people asked me how to hike Mount Bromo without the tour. Get ready for some amazing sightseeing as you embark on East Java. Personally, I think the biggest highlight at East Java so far is Mount Bromo. I am going to share some tips so that you can easily arrive at Mount Bromo and Mount Penanjakan. If you want to know where to stay in Cemoro Lawang, Food to eat, etc, please refer to the .Backpacking to East Java - Part 1's post. Here is a step by step guide on how to do it on your own. 

 How to go sunrise hike @Mount Penanjakan

We woke up at 3am, both of us reluctantly get out of bed. The drowsiness is still there. had my cup of coffee, put on the gear and headlamp in tow. We start hiking from village to Cemoro Lawang to Mount Penanjakan @ Sunrise Viewpoints. Doing sunrise hike at Mount Penanjakan is completely free. I would suggest downloading Maps.me at play store in order to get the right direction. 

As I mentioned, hiking at Bromo is relatively easy. Looking at the map itself, there is a small path to go Bromo and sunrise viewpoint was the place I put arrow. You have to find the path next to the hotel Cemara Indah. Readers, just follow the pathway to go down, oh yeah don't forget to put on your headlamp! Down all the way that head to Sea of Sand. Before arriving at the mount Penanjakan, you will embrace the view "Sea of sand" and enjoy the marvellous milky way under the sky! I can tell you the view is superb. 

How do we access to Mount Penanjakan? 

I admitted that we kinda lost at that time because there are a lot of viewpoints located! I am not gonna panic. Stay calm and move on. Finally, we asked a local with the bike to zip us up. 

We went almost all the way to King Kong Hill but we stopped a smaller viewpoint in order to avoid crowded. Please noted that there are a lot of viewpoints to watch the sunrise at Penanjakan Hill. You may stop at a different place to watch the sunrise and the view is still amazing. There is an insane incline and we were mostly running out of breath. 

The temperature is pretty low at midnight and my body was freezing. Despite it was a freezing walk, we felt warmer while waiting for the sun to rise. The golden hour glow and the sight of sun setting were truly eye-catching. 

  

Walked through the "Sea of Sand

Hiking to the crater of Mount Bromo

On the way to the actual crater and peak, you will cross the "Sea of Sand" again. We pay IDR100,000 and grabbed a local bike driver who whizzes us to the entrance. Make sure you polish off the hanging skills with them to get the best price. That's why we skip paying entrance fees by taking this trail. The entrance fee supposedly to pay is IDR 220,000 on weekdays, even higher on weekend! If you are taking a tour this is the cost probably you can't skip it. 

I can't believe we both did the sunrise hike and Mount Bromo on the same day! If you walk down from King Kong hill to the crater of Mount Bromo, it takes approximately 1 hour. When we got to the base of the volcano, the smoke coming out is strong. Mount Botak just right beside Mount Bromo. 

At the base of the volcano, a lot of offers for a ride up to the volcano. I strongly discourage to take horse ride up to the volcano, you can definitely do it by yourself. We saw how the owner treat them horribly when waiting for the customers. So, stop animal abuse. 

250 steps to go!

I would not describe it is a difficult hike but requires some fitness level. The steps to the crater of Bromo is exceptionally beautiful . Put on your mask as wind and ashes condition. 

look at all the ash and sand on our face and hair, that made us barely breathe during this condition.  

Take a closer look at this volcano, the smell of sulfur is extremely strong. By looking over into this photo was kinda terrifying but filled with a great deal of excitement. This active volcano can erupt anytime, it has been erupted in July of 2019 according to thejakartapost. The real "WOW" moment for me when I took the last step to the crater, I still remember I hold the breath hard and saw the crater in front of me. It was totally worth it. The scenery was totally insane. It feels like I am on another planet. For someone like me that had never been so close to an active volcano, it was truly a moment that worth celebrating.  Let's soak in adventure and drizzled with excitement travel moment of visiting Mount Bromo. 

You definitely need a mask or else it will be raining sand badly

We took approximately one hour's walk to our accommodation across the ash sand, included a great deal of photo-taking session. 

What to bring for Mount Bromo & Sunrise viewpoint?

Which this part is essentially important to you. Well, here are a couple of things that you need to know before visiting Mount Bromo.

1. Put your jacket on. I mean a thick and layer jacket. The temperature is insane at Mount Bromo especially turn to midnight. You'll start off in cooler weather, all you need is to adjust the temperature throughout the day. I nearly fall sick during the day and sneezing runny nose all the time. 

2. A good pair of shoes, hiking shoes of course. Advisable pair of hiking boots with good grip.

2. Bring some snack and food along. 

3. Often to apply sunblock as protection. 

4. Wear a pair of workout pants 

5. Put your mask on or thick scarf so that you can wrap around. You can't imagine when you across the ash sand as the"Sea of Sand" and the crater is terrifying. 

6. Headlamp when walking in the dark 

7. Well-prepared 

Where we stay in Probolinggo?

After a long hike in Mount Bromo, if you want to stay close to the train station, then I will suggest you stay at Clover Homestay for a night. It is truly pleasant to stay over there, the room was clean, neat and the staff offered us friendly hospitality. Had our breakfast and brunch at Clover homestay and it is too comfortable, the homestay surrounded by greenery plants and flowers. I would rate it as a homestay that feels like home. 

Day 5 Madakaripura waterfall - Brunch at Clover homestay - Surabaya

How do we access to Madakaripura waterfall?

Madakaripura waterfall is one of the tourist attraction in the area of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. go to Madakaripura Waterfall not too easy, we both are lucky enough to meet the staff in clover homestay that guided us the way to go Madakaripura waterfall. Rented for a private driver by using Grab app with the two-way return that cost IDR 300,000. However, you need to take a motorbike ride to the entrance and walk roughly 2km. The entrance fee is IDR 36,000 while motorbike charge IDR 10,000. 

Madakaripura waterfall is connected to the name of Gajah Mada, where you can see the statue of Gajah Mada along the way before arriving Madakaripura waterfall. Gajah Mada was a prime minister of the Indonesia Hindu empire Majapahit. 

There are some local people who offer help which you may need, they are very friendly and guide us to the place. Plenty of photos taken by the local so that we pay him IDR 24,000. If you feel like want to venture further into the waterfall where you may need to go through the shallow rocky stream. It is advisable to put on your raincoat or else you will get really wet. The height of 200m fall from the waterfalls, where you rewarded a truly breathtaking view. I would say this is a must-see waterfall in Probolinggo, absolutely worth it. 

Day 6 Favehotel rungkut surabaya - Surabaya airport 

The train traveling from Probolinggo (PB) to Surabaya gubeng (SGU) took approximately 2 hours that cost IDR 217,500 for two pax. We arrived at Favehotel rungkut surabaya by using Grab as well, roughly cost IDR47,000. I guess there are plenty of hotels in Surabaya, we chose Favehotel rungkut Surabaya due to good location just near to Juanda airport. so that we can easily access to the airport on the next day without hassle. We decided to explore the city on the last day in Indonesia, walked to some small hawker stall and Indomarket.

Check this out, my travel vlog is up on youtube channel. Travel Vlog: Backpacking to East Java.

In conclusion

That marked to end our 6D5N backpacking without a tour journey. Mount Bromo is definitely giving a whole new experience to us, the biggest highlight in East Java so far. this would be the most incredible adventure, those moments are unforgettable, thrill, and a great deal of excitement. Once and for all, stay safe people.

*Please note that this trip is self-planning and not a sponsored post. 

 

Had our breakfast at Warung Bu Watik, the classic Indonesian food (Nasi Rawon, Jangan Bening and Indonesian classic coffee) which costed IDR40,000. 

How to get there 

As mentioned, probably the train network is the fastest and cheapest network to access the destination in east java. Taking the train into Probolinggo from Karangasem after visited Pantai Boom. It is roughly four hours away from Karangasem by train, I paid IDR 367,500 for pax included KAI convenience fee. However, you also can access Probolinggo by bus or taxi but the transportation fee will be higher.

The scam in Probolinggo

The ride up to Probolinggo is pretty much hectic it is because of plenty of scams. A popular "Public Transportation Scam in the train station of Probolinggo. Upon arriving at Probolinggo, many locals will aggressively approach you to the place of Bromo, We were rushing on the time so that follow a man but he took us to a place called "Tourist Information Centre". Subsequently the local will force you to get off the car and sell you different kinds of Mount Bromo tours. Frankly speaking, it is very annoying as we experienced it. They refused to fetch us go to mount Bromo after we rejected to take up their service or tours. Although there are plenty of warnings about it online, we are still fell for this scam. 

We carried our stuff across the street and walked to the residential idea, called up a grab to Mount Bromo but the plan is failed. We are lucky enough to meet a local who help us along the way to Bromo, he invited us to his house and had a couple tea. Throughout the conversation with him, he mentioned that the street is occupied by the scammers however tourist scams are incredibly effective there. 

 

Where we stay at Mount Bromo?