Ijen Crater is one of the most popular tourism resort in East Java, Indonesia. These attractions are part of the Ijen Resort Nature Reserve Travel. Administratively, the crater is located in two districts name Banyuwangi and Bondowoso. Ijen crater is above an altitude of 2,368 meters above sea level and is part of the Mount Ijen, one of the active volcanoes in Java .
The Crater with an area of 20 sq km is surrounded by caldera walls as high as 300-500 meters. In addition, the acid content that existed at the crater is close to zero with temperatures reaching 200 degrees Celsius, which means the crater water is enough to melt clothes or even human body in a short time.
However, just calm down. As long as you remain within safe distance , Kawah Ijen is harmless. However, due to a very high sulfur content, you are required to wear a mask for comfort when breathing. Temperatures around the tourist attractions can reach 2 degrees Celsius, so don't forget to bring warm and thick clothes.
In the western part of the crater there is a dam made by the Dutch to avoid overflowing of crater water. This defunct dam is made of concrete and could be alternative places to visit in the crater, but the path to getting there is difficult to pass.
To be able to enjoy the beauty of the crater , you can depart from Banyuwangi and Bondowoso heading to Paltuding, the final post in this tourist spot. From Paltuding, you have to hike for about 2 hours to get to the top of the caldera which is the closest location to watch the crater. From here, you can see the turquoise sea of the crater with a puff of smoke. It's an amazing sight.
If you want to get the best views of the crater, you should start climbing departing from Paltuding about 4 AM hours with the above estimate at 6-7 o'clock in the morning. At this hour, the crater is at his best and produce the most beautiful scenery.
If you want to get the best views of the crater, you should start climbing departing from Paltuding about 4 AM hours with the above estimate at 6-7 o'clock in the morning. At this hour, the crater is at his best and produce the most beautiful scenery.
How could we set off up so early? Don't worry, around the Paltuding post, there are simple lodgings run by the local Forest Service. Before dawn, you will be woken up in preparation for a hike. If you do not want to spend the night at the inn, you can set up a tent for camping with friends in this post. But don't forget to take care of a camping permit.
The best time to visit tourist attractions in East Java is in the dry season, which is between the months of July to September. In the recent months, rain is rare so the terrain or climbing way is relatively safe and you can enjoy the crater without exposed to rain or fog.
The best time to visit tourist attractions in East Java is in the dry season, which is between the months of July to September. In the recent months, rain is rare so the terrain or climbing way is relatively safe and you can enjoy the crater without exposed to rain or fog.
What's Interesting from Ijen Crater ?
Blue Flames !
If you want to see the unusual beauty , try hiking in the early morning. Ijen Crater has another miracle, in the bottom of the crater there are blue flame which became uniqueness of this tourism spot. The blue flame are coming from the liquid sulfur that dried and become mineral locals. Blue flame can only be seen when the surrounding atmosphere is still dark.
One of Two Traditional Sulfur Mine Site in Indonesia
In Indonesia, there are only two traditional sulfur mine site, in Welirang and in the crater. Mining process here is very simple and doesn't use sophisticated tools. Miners will go down closer to the crater to take sulfur bullion that has dried up with simple tools without adequate safety equipment.
Chunks of sulfur that had been frozen will be cut with a crowbar and then transported using a basket carried on the shoulders. Miners bear the heavy burden that can reach 80-100 kg and they had to take it to walk as far as 3 km to the sulfur collection points . For safety reason, each miner is allowed only to carry twice a day.
Chunks of sulfur that had been frozen will be cut with a crowbar and then transported using a basket carried on the shoulders. Miners bear the heavy burden that can reach 80-100 kg and they had to take it to walk as far as 3 km to the sulfur collection points . For safety reason, each miner is allowed only to carry twice a day.
Sulfur will be collected in an old building from the Dutch called the Round Pos. Each basket of each miner will be weighed and exchanged for money according to the weight of sulfur.
You will encounter these miners while being around this tourist attractions. Feel free to say hello to them or simply inquire about the sulfur mining process. Although they looks tired and busy with their activities, miners are friendly people.
Special Souvenirs at Ijen Crater
When visiting a tourist spot, it feels incomplete if we didn't buy typical souvenirs. What can be gained from the crater? Ijen Crater is not only known as a tourism spot, this crater is also popular as a sulfur mine site.
At the crater, precisely in the post Paltuding, there are some simple stalls that selling food to the miners, but many tourists often stop by and enjoy warm drinks and food there .
One of the shop owner is Mr. Im who also works as a tour guide at the crater. Beside that, Mr. Im's stalls also sell crater souvenirs. This souvenir is made of bamboo and shaped to resemble a miniature baskets owned by sulfur miners. Beside that, miners also sell miniature made by sulfur.
One of the shop owner is Mr. Im who also works as a tour guide at the crater. Beside that, Mr. Im's stalls also sell crater souvenirs. This souvenir is made of bamboo and shaped to resemble a miniature baskets owned by sulfur miners. Beside that, miners also sell miniature made by sulfur.
Coffe Agrotourism
If you're departing from Bondowoso, you will pass arabica coffee plantation area. Nothing wrong to stop by and try agrotourism experience here. You can walk around the estate and see the process of picking up to the processing in order to produce a coffee with the best taste.
