-A GUIDE TO MOUNT BROMO –
“Collect Moments, Not Things.”
In Southeast Asia, you don’t need to travel far to see the wonders of the world. Typically, one would expect to see clear blue islands, lush rainforest and the hustle and bustles of street markets. But what if we were to tell you that within just 2 nights, you can cover an array of majestic landscapes from cold mountainous view tops to the tropical moist of hidden waterfalls to even the vastness of a savanna where black sands meets the green valley.
Enter the realm of real moments over a weekend escape to Mount Bromo in East Java, Indonesia. Let us take you on a guide through the four elements which make Mount Bromo, the crate of life.
~EARTH~WIND~FIRE~WATER~
Mount Bromo is an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia, and part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National park. It is a 4 hour’s drive from Surabaya in which flights come in from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Follow us as we take you across the rugged terrain of this desolate beauty by the 4 ELEMENTS:
WIND
Site: B30 Mountain Top
(4:00am) After a four hour drive from Surabaya City, we reached our destination in pitch darkness, where we were greeted by the Tenggerese, experts of the hills. Without much knowledge to what comes next, we jumped on a bike and rode into pure darkness on the tips of the hills towards sunrise point of B29, B30 and B31. It was freezing cold – 10 degrees Celsius. It was the most invigorating feeling of chasing the unknown.
The view after sunrise at B30.
With the Tengger mountain rangers!
Site: Mountain top of B31
(5:30am) We continued on bike through the narrowest walking tracks covered in high grass, barely seeing what was ahead. However, once we go to the top of the mountain, we were able to see a glimpse of the view below.
B31 is the highest point for catching the sunrise and a great camping site.
Meet East Java! A sight under the golden sun where the air was freshest and crisp.
Site: Mountain Point of B29
(7:30am) Tracking back down and passing through point B29, we roamed in lush layers of greenery. Indonesia is truly blessed with life and fertility. 80% of the Tengger people are farmers where they grow crops such as potatoes, cabbage and onions.
Coming down was a total eye candy – 100% Life! The view coming down from the mountain was a stark contrast from hiking up.
Meet the Tengger locals. We loved the functionality of the beautiful traditional sarong (cloth) worn. Unlike, how it is typically used by locals where these sarongs would be wrapped around the waste, the Tenggerese wear them as head and body cover from the cold.
Site: Sunrise Point at Mount Bromo
(4:00am) We stayed the night in Cemoro Lawang, a gorgeous mountain city nearest to Mount Bromo crater. With the close proximity of green hills and massive farms of fresh vegetations, it nearly felt like we were on the site of the movie “The Sounds of Music.”
We realized why the Javanese treasure catching the sunrise. The unpleasant cold and wait for the break of dawn was totally worth it. There is absolute beauty in patience and being present.
Full view of Mount Bromo and wondering what lays underneath the clouds. Continue down with us.
En route to uncover what lays underneath the clouds.
Un-layering as we head down and temperature rose as we head towards Bromo Crater.
FIRE
Site: Bromo Crater
They call it the Hungry Mountain. The Tengger people follow a tradition where they perform an offering ceremony at the Crater to appease the mountain God -the origins of today’s Yadnya Kasada, an anual festival by the Tenggers.
You can choose to go up to the Crater by foot or by horse.
A panoramic view from the Crater edge – an absolute Beauty.
You’re looking right at Mount Bromo live volcano.
If the wind blows your way with the weather on your side, you’ll be lucky enough to walk around the Crater. Not recommended, but we took that fatal risk to chase Beauty.
EARTH
Site: Savanna Bromo – Whispering Sands
The massive and unique plane where Mount Bromo resides. It is a protected nature reserve since 1919.
When we reached the Savanna by Bromo Crater, it was still 7:30AM and the clouds were still heavy. The drive down was eerie as you can’t see what is ahead of you by entering the fogs. But as the the day broke, the fog slowly made way to show us the beauty of where we were.
Pasir Berbisik (Whispering Sands) setting is a large “sea of sand.” They say that the sands here cannot be taken.
Never without the travel blanket that keeps us warm as we enjoy the scene and the ride.
Site: Savanna Bromo – Teletubbies Hill
A stunning ride from the vastness of black sands sea to rolling hills of green and golden landscape. Here, the grass is truly greener on the other side.
WATER
Site: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
Hidden in Sidomulyo Village, Pronojiwo District lies a 120 meter waterfall – an epic find!
Coming back down from the mountain tops to what felt more familiar, we wander in the midst of tropical rainforest in pure humidity. We were still blown by the drastic change of landscape and weather just within hours away.
Tumpak Sewu means “one-thousand waterfalls.”
Site: Madakaripura Waterfall
The biggest waterfall in East Java! The mysterious waterfall is a historical site where legend has it that one of the prime minister of the largest Javanese empire Majapahit, Gadjah Mada, who was also a spiritual figure, vanished in air near the waterfall and has not been seen since. It is believed that swimming in the Madakaripura falls gives health, strength, and youth.
At this exact spot, was where Gadjah Mada meditated and vanished in thin air.
To get to Madakaripura Waterfall which is a 200 meter waterfall within a canyon, you have to walk a kilometer in the jungle until you reach a shallow pathway of 4 waterfalls before reaching.
Curtains for waterfalls gently ironically, on a rugged and dangerous site.
It’s been a complete whirlwind of adventures. We leave with our hearts full. So much can happen and change within just 2 nights!
-END-
Ready to see for yourself? Here is a look at a 2 NIGHTS Itinerary:
DAY 1
10:00pm – Airport Pick-Up in Surabaya
11:00pm – Depart to B29 Hill
04:00am – Begin the Bike Ride to B29 view
05:00am – Sunrise at B31, B30, B29
09:00am – Head down from B29
10:00am – Depart to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
11:00am – Visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
12:00pm – Lunch Break
3:00pm – Depart to Probolinggo City
5:00pm – Check in Villa
-End-
DAY 2
03:00am – Depart to Sunrise Point Bromo
04:00am – Arrive Sunrise Point Bromo
06:00am – Depart to Bromo Crater
07:00am – Visit Bromo Crater
09:00am – Savanna Bromo – Telletubies Hill
10:00am – Savanna Bromo – Whispering Sands
11:00am – Check-out at Villa
12:00pm – Lunch Break
1:00pm – Depart to Madakaripura Waterfall
2:00pm – Visit Madakaripura Waterfall
4:00pm – Depart to Surabaya
8:00pm – Touchdown at Surabaya
-End-
Pack Light so you can LIVE LARGE! Here is a list of Essentials to pack:
- Sneakers that are ready to get dirty and has a good grip!
- Winter Hat
- Gloves
- Jacket! Yes! It’s going to get real cold at the mountain top, between 10-16 degrees Celsius.
- Wet wipes
- Travel Blanket come Towel
- Drone! You won’t regret it!
For More Details & Travel Interest: