Have you ever wondered travelling around East Java without a TOUR? You may think "are you serious?!" I can tell you that the answer is YES. Frankly speaking, doing Mount Bromo without a tour is relatively easier BUT planning is definitely crucial. If you are reading this blog, you are on the right path.
I can't wait to share my experience and itinerary to you guys, there are so many incredible stories behind it. My boyfriend and I decided to travel Mount Bromo 6 days 5 nights in October last year.
6D5N Full itinerary as below.
Day 1 KLIA2 - Surabaya Airport - Hotel NEO
I grabbed an Airasia flight ticket from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to (SUB) Surabaya airport that costed RM610.40 with share luggage 20kg. If you are looking for travel tips and things to know, you should be getting eyes on my content. Upon arriving at Juanda International Airport we found our way to Hotel NEO, I chose the Blue Bird taxi as it was the convenient and the fastest option. Be alert there are a lot of scams around, please ensure you negotiate with them.
Day 2 Surabaya - Ijen - Kampung Osing Inn
How to get around at Ijen?
The cheapest option we chose is by train, however, you may choose other options such as a private car, bus, etc. It took approximately 6 hours from Surabaya gubeng (SGU) to Karangasem (KNE). We always go for hassle-free activity instead of rushing all the time.
I strongly recommend downloading ticket.com app to the destination, as overseas credit cards accepted. Tickets can be bought online until 2 days before the date of travel. There is also some refreshment available, had my cup of coffee and latte while a long journey. I believe the taxi would be much more expensive than the train. The train costed IDR183,500 for 2 people. It takes more than 6 hours from Surabaya to the town of Karangasem where we can travel in a good deal more comfort than the bus and taxi.
We stayed in Kampung Osing Inn cost IDR100,000 per night with a fan, shared bathroom, and breakfast included. The best way to go is to choose a hostel to stay on that night because there are merely a few hours to sleep. I would not go for a luxurious room, the night is just very short.
Unfortunately, we could not make it to Ijen Crater as it has been blazing and the place was closed at the moment. Both of us can't do anything and just wait. The host told us it was a big fire blazing surrounded the entrance of Ijen Crater.
So.... we move on. We had changed our schedule and plan on that day. Woke up in the early morning and took a Grab to Boom Beach (Pantai Boom). It was a short distance of approximately 6.2 km 14 minutes. We kinda lost at that moment and just thought about going with the flow. Well, it happened just like things go wrong while travelling. The plan changes all the time.
Day 3 Pantai Boom - Warung Bu Watik - Kampung Osing Inn - Bromo
We arrived before sunrise, that was just a few people in the early morning usually they are from local. We thought it was merely a beach surprisingly the background filled with the golden rays of the sun reflected consistently glorious. Plus the color matched with black sand beach, the scenery is beautiful. There is IDR5,000 per person for the entrance fees.
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.
We headed to the part of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park @ Tengger Village, we decided to have our dinner at lava cafe. Surprisingly, the cafe is offered a wide variety of choices and a handful of western foods. We had a very delightful dinner over there. Although it was a "restaurant" at the town trust me the foods are looking pleasant. Frankly speaking, we could not find a good restaurant in the town, overall the dinner costed approximately IDR448,500.
Where we stay at Mount Bromo?
We stay at Bromo Deddy Homestay for RM62 a night, it is pretty much affordable yet close to mount Bromo. I would say it is a good deal for the price that you pay and very close to the start of the hike. Deddy is a very nice and kind host throughout the stay, he offered the drive for us to go down the town of Probolinggo. Also, he guides us on the secret path to Mount Bromo. There is plenty of budget homestay can book via online, mostly starting at around the IDR 150000. Don't forget you are just staying for a night, decent pickings are mostly overpriced. Lower down your expectation and stay a night instead. It was a decent bed, a warm shower and hot drinks. That's good enough for me! Should try budget travelling then you will learn to appreciate the small things.
Deddy, such a helpful host. Thank you!
Up next: If you want to know how to hike Mount Bromo without a tour, stay tuned for my next post.
