Bromo, Kawah Ijen & Sukamade Turtles

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yogyakarta – Sukuh Temple – Tawangmangu – Tumpang

  Morning transfer to the Sukuh temple, the last bastion of Hinduism in central Java in the face of the spread of Islam. This temple features original iconography, such as phallic figures and large turtle-shaped tables, which would reveal the existence of initiatory, even orgiastic, rituals. Then, we begin a walk towards the village of Tawangmangu, on the slopes of Mount Lawu. This walk is an opportunity to discover some plant species present in this region, but also to admire superb panoramas of the pine forest and the surrounding high-altitude plantations. We end our walk by crossing the Tawangmangu park. Our first steps in the park lead us to a beautiful waterfall (Grojogan Sewu) in the middle of a tropical forest inhabited by a large community of monkeys. In the afternoon, transfer to Tumpang, near Malang. Overnight in a homestay. 10 hours of transfer – 4 hours of walking Positive elevation gain: 400m / Negative elevation gain: 300m Meals: Dinner

• day 2

  Tumpang – Cemorolawang – Mount Bromo

  In the early morning, 4×4 vehicles take us to the Tengger region, where the famous Mt Bromo (2329 m) spews its plumes, and the surrounding caldera forms a gigantic sea of sand. During this journey, we cross the astonishing forest of the Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, also skirting part of the rim of the Bromo volcano's caldera, before descending towards the sea of sand to reach the village of Cemorolawang (located on one of the opposite ridges). Mt Bromo is the most revered by the Hindu Tengger people who live in the region. Ascent of Bromo volcano in the afternoon, with the possibility to hike around the crater. We can thus admire its crater, resembling a smoking cauldron. It is then easy to understand why the Javanese once considered this place as the entrance to purgatory. Night at the hotel. 2 hours of transfer – 3 to 4 hours of walking Elevation gain (positive & negative): 250 m Meals: Breakfast

• day 3

  Cemorolawang – Mount Pananjakan – Kalibaru

  By 4×4, we reach the summit of Mt Seruni (2400 m) very early, then continue on foot to the summit of Mt Pananjakan (2775 m) to witness a fabulous spectacle. We watch the world awaken in a lunar landscape, with a breathtaking view of Mount Bromo, its sea of sand, and the Semeru volcano, both releasing thick fumaroles. Unique! Possibility to climb back up to the summit of Bromo in the beautiful morning light. Then, transfer to Kalibaru, located among various plantations. Overnight at the hotel. 5 hours of transfer – 2 hours 30 minutes of walking Elevation gain (positive & negative): 375 m Meals: Breakfast

• day 4

  Kalibaru – Sukamade – Meru Betiri National Park

  Early departure by 4x4 to Meru Betiri National Park. After about 5 hours of driving, sometimes chaotic but through beautiful plantations of rubber trees, cocoa trees, and coconut palms, we arrive in the small village of Sukamade, on the edge of the park. In the afternoon, first hike to discover the surroundings, then, in the evening, we head to Sukamade beach, where we witness a fabulous spectacle: the nesting of sea turtles. Night in a guesthouse. 5 hours transfer – 3 hours walking Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• day 5

  Sukamade – "Cape Verde" – Ketapang

  Short morning hike to "Cap Vert", a superb white sand beach bordered by crystal-clear waters. Possibility to swim. Then, drive to Ketapang, near Kawah Ijen. Night at the hotel. 7 hours of transfer – 1 hour of walking Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 6

  Ketapang – Kawah Ijen Volcano – Bali

  At the end of the night, we set off again by 4x4 towards the slopes of Kawah Ijen. At sunrise, the landscape surrounding the crater is simply extraordinary. Shortly after the first rays, we will witness the work of these men who extract sulfur at the edge of the largest acid lake in the world. At the bottom of the crater and at the edge of the acid lake, these true sulfur laborers carry nearly 100 kg of ore on their backs, over about 15 km to the processing plant! We then witness the weighing and the various work contracts. A very powerful and striking image of our journey. At the end of the morning or early afternoon, transfer to Bali. 5 hours of transfer – 4 hours of walking Elevation gain (positive & negative): 350 m Meals: Breakfast Note: At the end of your stay, our team can, at your convenience, drop you off wherever you wish in Bali, at no extra cost.