Discover Kawah Ijen Volcano (and Its Acid Lake)!
Kawah Ijen volcano is a natural treasure located in the East of Java island. Known for hosting the world's most acidic lake, it illuminates every night with spectacular blue flames… Climb Kawah Ijen
The Kawah Ijen volcano is a natural treasure located in the East of Java island. Known for hosting the world's most acidic lake, it illuminates every night with spectacular blue flames… Climbing Kawah Ijen by day or night? Sunrise or blue fire? Discover which tour is right for you!
What to See During a Kawah Ijen Volcano Climb?
The Volcano and Its Acid Lake
The stratovolcano Kawah Ijen (which means "green crater") is one of the must-see volcanoes of Java. Its particularity? This volcano (still active) hosts the most acidic lake on the planet! Renowned for its emerald color – which gave the volcano its name – this reservoir sits at the bottom of the crater at 2,200 meters elevation, while the volcano's summit reaches 2,386 meters.
The water's unusual color is due to its high concentration of sulfur and sulfuric acid. These substances, which come from volcanic gases emitted by the volcano, offer, through their chemical mixture, a unique hue, with a pH of 0.2… By comparison, a lake's acidity is considered neutral starting from pH 7.
At the lake's edge, sulfurous emissions escape from the volcano: invisible by day, they become visible at night in the form of blue flames!
The Sulfur Carriers
Through its activity, Kawah Ijen volcano produces a large quantity of sulfur. This chemical element is used in many industrial manufacturing processes (fertilizers, insecticides, medicines, etc.). It is therefore a very important natural resource for the region.
During your climb, you will encounter sulfur carriers. These workers carry up approximately one hundred kilos of sulfur each day under very difficult working conditions (without gas masks, in the midst of unbreathable fumes) – for a pittance (around 1000 IDR/kg, or 0.06€)…
Climbing Kawah Ijen by Day or Night: Which Should You Choose?
Climbs can be done by day or night. The trekking hours mentioned below do not include the travel time to reach the trailhead. If you're coming from Bondowoso district (trailhead at Sempol) or Banyuwangi (trailhead at Paltuding), allow approximately 1.5 hours for travel by road.
Daytime Climb
The excursion to discover the Kawah Ijen volcano can be done by day or night. Your choice depends on what you wish to see during your climb. By day, you can admire the turquoise lake below the crater and the surrounding landscape shaped by numerous volcanoes and lush mountains whose beauty is breathtaking.
You will also witness the daily work of the many miners laboring on site who descend near the lake to harvest the sulfur abundant in the crater. The difficult working conditions of these miners have been the subject of numerous documentaries, including one broadcast on France 5 several years ago. (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv151s)
The daytime climb also allows you to enjoy a superb 360° view of this entire Java region once you reach the summit of Mount Ijen!
Night Climbs
The night climb offers a different experience from the daytime excursion, and also varies depending on what time of night it is undertaken. Again, everything depends on what you prefer to admire…
Climbing to See the Blue Flames (blue fire)
If you wish to see the famous blue flames, you must start your climb around 2 in the morning. Does that seem very early to you? That's the price to pay for witnessing the spectacular blue flames! Indeed, they are only visible in complete darkness.
It is important to respect this schedule to avoid arriving at the first rays of sunlight… Allow approximately 1.5 hours to climb to the volcano + 30 minutes to descend to the crater (and the same time to climb back up).
Once there? You will be fascinated by the spectacle before you: depending on the pressure and ambient temperature, the sulfur enters combustion. In the dimness, the blue flames that dance through the night, licking the volcano's flanks, will transport you to another space and time. You can remain at the crater's bottom and observe workers harvesting sulfur near the vents.
Climbing to See the Sunrise
If you prefer to see the sun rise over Java's sky, instead opt for a hiking departure at 4 in the morning. Upon your arrival around 5:30, you will cross night trekkers heading down, and can enjoy the beauty of the place, almost alone!
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Note If you prefer excursions away from crowds, we recommend climbing Kawah Ijen after the first wave of tourists, around 7 or 8 in the morning, rather than at 4 or 5, as visitors do who climb at night to see the blue flames. You will thus meet the first visitors starting their descent, and will have the volcano almost to yourself! |
Climbing with Azimuth Adventure Travel
Want to discover this exceptional gem? We offer tours to Kawah Ijen starting at 7 am from Paltuding. Then, after a short hour's walk, we reach the weighing station located on the volcano's outer flank. This is where sulfur carriers emerge from the crater and stop to have their baskets weighed.
After a brief rest, we resume our journey toward the crater rim, which we reach after another short half-hour walk. On our way back, we will take time to stop and chat with miners weighing their sulfur.
After the Climb: Ridge Walk or Crater Visit
Once the climb is complete, it is possible to descend at a leisurely pace or continue the adventure, if you're not too tired…
Climbing onto the Ridge
Once at the top, it's possible to push a bit further to the summit by climbing up volcanic rock faces (sometimes slippery). The advantage? This higher section allows you to enjoy the landscape in solitude – or almost.
Descending to the Heart of the Crater
By descending into the crater during the day, you can see the fumaroles more closely. Be aware that approaching the lake is officially prohibited… Although everyone does. Stay vigilant then. In this case, give them way to go back up.
What is the Difficulty Level of Climbing Kawah Ijen Volcano?
Much like the Bromo volcano, one of Kawah Ijen's strong points is that climbing it is accessible to everyone. While the excursion begins with a 600-meter elevation gain over 3 km, the rest of the route is quite easy.
In reality, the difficulties lie less in the route itself than in the climbing conditions (smoke, dust, emissions, etc.) – but do not require a guide's presence. By day or night, climbing the volcano takes an average of 1.5 hours (without stops).
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Wearing a Gas Mask Remember this is an active volcano with an acid lake. During your excursion, do wear the gas mask provided by your agency (or get one). Without it, you risk fainting from sulfur emissions – especially if you plan to descend into the crater. It will also shield you from the sulfur odors… |
Our Tips for Climbing Kawah Ijen
A successful climb also depends on good planning and proper equipment…
● Choose the Right Time of Year
Climbing Kawah Ijen is possible year-round. You'll likely have less risk of rain (but greater chance of finding other tourists!) between June and August.
● Bring Warm Clothing
If you plan a night climb, bring warm clothing, as temperatures can drop to around 5°C. Also equip yourself with good hiking boots, especially for the descent into the crater (where the path is less established and sometimes slippery).
● Have a Headlamp
For night climbs, a headlamp is an essential element for a successful experience! One tip? Be sure to turn it off when you reach the bottom of the crater so you can clearly distinguish the flames.
● Bring Cash
Climbing Kawah Ijen requires payment. As such, remember to bring cash. Expect around 100,000 IDR (approximately 6.25€ per person).
If you wish to help the "sulfur carriers," know that what they need most is money, and any other form of aid may not suit their real needs. Some travelers bring good mountain boots in their luggage so miners can use them instead of their flip-flops or plastic boots.
These boots are not often worn but resold to meet the family's financial needs. Feel free to give them a small bill if you wish to take their photo, but avoid bothering them while they're working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get to Ijen Volcano from Bali?
There are two ways to reach Kawah Ijen volcano from Bali. Either by plane from Denpasar (Bali's capital) or by ferry (from Gilimanuk port) – in both cases heading to the city of Banyuwangi (where the trail starts).
Where to Stay to Do Kawah Ijen?
The volcano is accessible from the cities of Bondowoso (northwest of the volcano) and Banyuwangi (southeast). The climb, crater exploration, and descent can be completed in one day. The simplest option is to sleep in one of the two starting cities.
What Type of Volcano is Kawah Ijen?
Kawah Ijen is a stratovolcano located within the Kendeng caldera (itself composed of several volcanic cones and craters). Kawah Ijen volcano is renowned for its blue flames (formed during sulfur combustion).
Audrey Denjean
