How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

Coming face to face with the blue lava of Kawah Ijen is awe inspiring, exhilarating and risky. If you are determined to visit the blue flames of Kawah Ijen this blog will help you find your way and gives you some safety tips. How to get to the blue lava of Java

Do I need a guide?

You are allowed to trek here without a guide and many people do choose to do it independently. Guides will help you find your way and may be able to help you get close to the flames more safely. Navigation is not too difficult, partly because there will be many other visitors. However a guide may be very helpful if the thick clouds roll in, especially when you are close to the crater. We chose to do this one without a guide because we wanted the freedom and independence to explore the area and stay as long as we needed. Most of the guides we saw were genuinely caring, attentive and highly aware of your safety. Some guides may even help you take photos. How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

Can I organise a tour?

Tours can be found for 350,000rp (around 17GBP / 22USD) on arrival at Banyuwangi port. If you want to arrange a trip it is better to arrange it at Banyuwangi port rather than in town. Check exactly what is included (transport, guide, entrance fee, gas mask). You can organise tours through agents in many other destinations. The general rule of thumb is the further away you are from Kawah Ijen, the more expensive it will be to book a tour. How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

How do you do it independently?

If you want to do it independently a bike can be rented for 65,000rp (around 3GBP 5USD) for 24hr bike rental from Tripoli in Banyuwangi town (many locals know where this is and Bemos can drop you here).

If you rent from Tripoli a you can get a one week discount 400,000rp (around 20GBP or 26USD). Open 9am-5pm and 8pm-10pm. You will need to leave a passport as a deposit. The bikes are good with fairly powerful engines 113cc. There are no regular bemos (buses) along this route so if you plan to reach the volcano, travel early the day before and arrange accommodation at the entrance.

How long will it take?

The entrance to Kawah Ijen is on the small road that between Bondowoso and Banyuwangi. The location of the entrance is shown on the map below:

If you are staying in Banyuwangi you will need to set of around 9pm on the same night that you plan to see the blue flames. Alternatively you can set off at a sociable hour and rent a tent at the entrance (expensive but sleeping bags included!) The bike journey from Banyuwangi to Kawah Ijen will take 1.5hrs. The road from Banyuwangi is well surfaced but VERY steep at points. 2 people on a 113cc bike was fine with one or two slightly challenging steep sections. There is also a 3,000rp (around 0.15GBP or 0.20USD) random road permit on the way up. There are road signs for Kawah Ijen along the route. How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

It is around 1.5 – 2 hours hike to get to the blue flames from the entrance. It is advisable to set off on the trek around 1am and not much later than 2am. The blue flames gradually fade as the ambient light increases before sunrise (which is around 5.30am)  How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

Do I have to pay for an entrance permit?

Entrance tickets cost 100,000rp (5GBP or 7.50USD) on week days and 150,000rp (around 7.50GBP or 10USD) at weekends. Ticket office opens at 1am.

Can I find food and accommodation at the entrance?

There are lots of accommodation options for Banyuwangi for the days either side of your expedition. But do check the map carefully to make sure the one you pick is a good match for your plans, the guest houses are all over!!

Around the entrance to Kawah Ijen, thereare shops selling food for good prices. You can buy hot food, snacks and drinks here.  How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

If you wish to sleep here you can find a very basic bed in a shop for 30,000rp (1.50GBP or 2.20USD). There is a relatively expensive camp site: 100,000rp (5GBP or 7.50USD) for a tent for 2 people including sleeping bag and matt. You can negotiate to get it cheaper. If the locals controlling the entrance and mining allow you, it might be worth trying to ascend for sunset- the view of the sun setting to the west over the crater lake could be very nice.

What is the trek like?

It is a steep path- fairly level terrain. There is very little ambient light- a torch is essential. Navigation is easy along the trail- we didn’t see any turn offs. When you get to the rim keep following the path round to the right. It leads down to some very steps which takes you down to rubble and the blue flames. Sunrise is typically around 5.30am, varying slightly throughout the year. The blue flames are not visible by daylight. If you walk further round the rim (past the steps that descend to the blue flames) you can get a nice view of the extremely acidic crater lake.

What should I bring?

A well packed back for trekking is essential. Note, if you want to get close to the crater- things could get a little damaged so think about what you bring and how you look after it (Emma’s Marmot jacket still has a lovely yellow mark on it and if you are wearing any ever so precious travel wrist bands- they will probably stink of sulphur for months after)

• At the entrance and the peak it is quite cold at night due to the altitude.Bring warm clothes. A jacket, fleece or jumper should be sufficient. Climb in cooler clothes.
• Water and snacks.
• A good torch and spare batteries.
• We managed to rent the gas masks at the entrance.  There are a lot of locals offering this on trust that you will just return them, so although it’s not a guarantee, it is very likely you can rent one on arrival. How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

How do I stay safe?

The bottom lines is that it is a very dangerous place and it is a high risk thing to do.

If you really want to take the risk and go, it is helpful to know about the gases. The noxious gases are in the plumes of white clouds being released around the blue flames. The white clouds are visible even at night. It is wise to wear your gas mask at least from the rim onwards as you climb down the steps- or at least have it to hand. The wind can change quickly. If you find yourself in a gas cloud move slowly and carefully only if you are sure of the direction. We did quite a lot of research and could not find anything to suggest that short term exposure to these gases is detrimental to long term health, but you may want to research further if you’re unsure.

How close can I get to the blue flames and lava?

Remember the closer you get the higher the risk! If you want to be close enough to see and photograph the blue flames a gas mask is absolutely essential. As mention, gas mask can be rented from shops at the entrance or people walking around. Rental price 25,000rp (1.30GBP or 2USD)  for the night. Even people at the rim were offering rental. People may start at 50,000rp (2.50GBP or 3.75USD) but the price is negotiable. If you want the assurance of having a gas mask, try to rent it at the entrance and try to be early (before 1am if possible) because shops may run out. If you are planning to get close to the blue flames, it is also worth considering getting some goggles (the type that are sealed around your eyes) because sulphur dioxide can be very irritating to your eyes and will make them water. This is useful but not essential. If the wind changes the gas clouds can envelop you very quickly and be so thick that you cant see your hand in front of your face. This can be very unnerving on rocky terrain. If you don’t know where you are going just sit it out. If you are travelling solo really should go with a guide. If you get close to the pipes be careful because everything is extremely hot- including the ground! Oh yeah and one more thing don’t be tempted to take a dip in the hyper acidic crater lake. How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

Giving back 

If you bring your own gas mask, consider buying some extra filters and donating it to the workers. How to get to the Blue Lava of Java

Alternatively buy some bike health masks for around 8,000rp (0.40GBP pence or 0.60USD) each from an ‘Indomake’ shop (it is a chain of shops) and some energy bars / chocolate bars to give to the workers.

If you want to really get to grips with what it was like to get a bit too close to the flames and gases, check out

Trekking deep into a volcano to explore the Blue Lava of Java >>>

So, the blue Lava is in Java, but if you plan to travel to Bali, Lambok, Sumatra or pretty much anywhere worth going in Indonesia, I’d really recommend grabbing The Rough Guide for Indonesia.  I always think you don’t want more than a ‘rough guide’ as its about making it your own adventure.  Ooo, and the kindle one is only £2.49! (Really sorry if this changes over time, but its definitely a bargain as I’m writing!)