Meet your guide and driver at Surabaya airport (flight to be confirmed) and transfer to the town of Tumpang, in the western foothills of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru massif. Depending on the timetable, there may be a stop en route at the Singosari temple, and a visit to the Jago temple in Tumpang.
Dinner and overnight in a homestay.
In the early morning, 4x4 vehicles take you to the Tengger region, where the famous Mt Bromo (2,329 m) lies. Your route takes you through the forests of the Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, skirting the crests of the caldera before climbing to Ranupani, the last inhabited stronghold on the edge of the Semeru volcano massif.
From Ranupani, you begin your approach walk. You cross hills and forests before arriving on the shores of Lake Ranu Kumbolo (where you can enjoy a pleasant picnic). In the afternoon, you continue your trek to the Kalimati plateau, situated at the foot of Semeru, Java's highest volcano (3676 m). A very active volcano, it is not unusual for Semeru's eruptions to blanket its flanks with lava flows, which then reach the ocean, covering beaches with black sand and sparkling crystals in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.
Night in a tent
Vertical rise 600m
In the dark, you adjust your headlamps to climb the steep slopes of Semeru. First you cross a relatively dense forest. At around 3,000 metres, the greenery gives way to a spartan backdrop of volcanic rock: you begin the final ascent of Java's highest volcano. At the summit, the sunrise and successive eruptions are a spectacular sight…
A hundred metres or so away from us, the Semeru crater occasionally releases volutes of ash and dust. Depending on the intensity of the volcanic activity, a plume of ash can be thrown into the air, accompanied by the rumbling of the crater.This sensation of witnessing first-hand the manifestations of the bowels of the earth will remain one of the highlights of your tour…
Positive altitude difference: 1000 m. Negative altitude difference: 1600 m.
With your mind full of images, you make your way back down to the camp, and head back to Ranupani.
Night in dormitories.
Morning 4x4 transfer to Cemorolawang, a village on the edge of the caldera of the famous Bromo volcano (2329 m). Mt Bromo is the most revered of the Hindu Tengger people who live in the region.
At the end of the night, you descend by Jeep to the bottom of the caldera, cross part of the "sea of sand" and then climb back up to reach an altitude of 2775 metres, at the summit of Mount Pananjakan, the highest point of the caldera, at its northern end. When the first rays of sunlight appear, you can watch the world awaken in a lunar setting, with a breathtaking view of Mount Bromo, its sea of sand, and the volcano Semeru, both of which emit thick fumaroles. You then make your way to the foot of the Bromo volcanic cone, which you climb in the beautiful morning colours.
After a short rest at your hotel, you will head for the north coast and then Surabaya airport, for your next flight (flight to be specified).