plan your trip to the blue flame, east-java, indonesia
The blue flame phenomenon can only be witnessed in two places in the world. The crater of Mount Ijen in East Java regularly showcases the blue flame, captivating thousands of people. The location is truly overrun, regardless of age or size, as everyone wants to witness this unique natural spectacle. In this blog post, you will find out how to avoid the crowds, avoid being ripped off by tour guides, and make your adventure truly unique.
prepare yourself
clothing
Life in East Java is still traditional and mainly influenced by the Muslim faith. Since traveling is not just about experiencing beautiful nature but also about adapting to a new culture, it is important for tourists to consider certain things to respect the values and way of life of the locals.
Especially as a woman, it’s important to pay attention to your wardrobe. Try to avoid tight-fitting clothing and deep necklines. Ideally, go for wide pants or a long skirt. If the weather allows it, we would recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt.
As a man, there are also certain things you should consider. Avoid walking around shirtless. While this might be acceptable in Bali, it is considered very disrespectful to the tradition and culture of Indonesia. Especially at religious sites and buildings, you should dress appropriately, ensuring that your knees and shoulders are covered.
Dressing is always a personal choice. However, we believe that when we visit foreign countries, it’s important to show respect to the locals, their culture and religion. In the end, dressing appropriately may not inconvenience us, but it can make a significant difference for the residents, and that eventually matters.
How to get to East-Java
We planned our trip to Java from Bali. You can start your trip from Jakarta or Yogyakarta aswell, as the train connections are pretty reliable.
From Jakarta, you can take the train, which takes a total of 18 hours and includes a stop in Sidoarjo. This costs between 10-25 USD. Although the flight only takes 3:30 hours, it costs around 170 USD, depending on the season.
From Yogyakarta, you take the bus, as the flight directs you through Jakarta, making it a considerable detour. The train journey takes about 11 hours and costs around 10-15 USD.
Most of the tourists use flights or private shuttles/taxis, which is fair when you have a thight schedule. But we’re convinced that using the public transports in foreign countries or cities brings you very close to the real life of the native people and connects you deeper.
It’s best to choose the mode of transportation based on cost and time, considering the environmental factor as well. Short-haul flights are much more environmentally harmful than a train journey. Try to combine the trip to Banyuwangi with a nearby attraction, such as Mount Bromo, to make it even more adventurous and really make the best out of it.
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if you travel from bali
From Bali, there are various options to reach Banyuwangi. On one hand, there are taxis that go to the Gilimanuk Port, but they tend to be expensive and not environmentally friendly since they only take you there and return empty. We chose to take the public bus. In Denpasar, there is a main bus terminal (Terminal Ubung). However, it’s not well-signposted, so we strongly recommend going to this station a day before departure to ensure that the bus is operational. We found the buses to be punctual and reliable. You can pay for the bus on-site, and it costs approximately 3 USD, taking about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
The journey is beautiful, showcasing parts of Bali that are still uninhabited and untouristic. The roads are well-built, providing a glimpse of Bali without traffic jams.
Upon arriving in Gilimanuk, you can purchase a ferry ticket. Even though the people there may not speak much English, they try to assist you using gestures. The ferry to Java departs hourly and takes about an hour.
On the website https://www.ferizy.com/, you can also book a ticket in advance. Unfortunately, there is no English translation available, so everything is in Indonesian. However, certain things can be understood through symbols, making it possible to book a ticket. If this is not an option for you, you can easily purchase a ticket at the counter.
Ketapang to Banyuwangi
From there, it’s just a short distance to Banyuwangi. The easiest, cheapest, and most environmentally friendly option is the train.
The train operates regularly but should be booked in advance as there may be limited availability. However, this is usually not the case. The train station is only a few minutes’ walk from the port and takes you directly to Banyuwangi Station.
By plane, you can fly from Jakarta to Banyuwangi. It’s also possible from Bali, but it might not be the most practical choice for this route. If you’re in Yogyakarta, you would have to take a significant detour via Jakarta. There are no direct flights, but there is a night train that takes approximately 11 hours.
where to stay
From the train station, you can take a taxi, and there are plenty available. In Banyuwangi, we highly recommend the hostel called “Snooze” . The staff is extremely friendly and always ready to help make your stay as special as possible. Additionally, they send you activities around Banyuwangi on WhatsApp upon arrival, which is very helpful. The atmosphere at the hostel is very familial.
How to avoid the crowd?
On the internet and on-site, it is often recommended to hire a guide. These guides can be quite expensive and follow a strict schedule. For individuals without hiking experience, it is strongly advised to hire a guide.
For those seeking adventure and are familiar with such situations, as well as being aware of their own limits, going without a guide is by far the best choice.
At Snooze Hostel, we were able to rent a scooter for a day. We set out around 11 pm towards Ijen Crater. The journey took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The road led us directly into the forest, and it’s advisable to rent a 125cc scooter as the terrain is continuously uphill.
Upon reaching the gate, there are small shacks selling tea and coffee. You can also get a gas mask there with a deposit, meaning you return the mask after use.
The gate to the crater opens at 2 am. Typically, everyone hikes up within their group, and further ahead, you’ll usually find the miners heading to work. On the way up, we asked one of the miners if he would accompany us into the crater since you cannot reach the blue flame without a guide.
If you move quickly, you can be one of the first to witness the blue flame and enjoy this spectacle for a brief moment all to yourself before the large crowds arrive.
what to bring
We strongly recommend bringing a backpack where you can store a wind- and down jacket, as the night journey can be cool. Additionally, make sure to carry enough water and snacks. For the ascent to the crater, it’s essential to wear a headlamp and either trekking or hiking shoes. The trail is not illuminated and requires surefootedness.
If you plan to watch the sunrise after the blue flame, we recommend bringing gloves and a hat.
Currently, there are no drone restrictions. Therefore, we brought a drone and a camera along. If you want to learn more about our photography and videography equipment, klick here.