Introduction
- Kawa Ijen is defenitely a must see. The vulcano is situated in a fertile area with coffee plantations.
- Still it is less visited by tourists then the Bromo-plateau.
- Package-tours don’t have it on their itinerary and for the packpacker is it difficultto get there by public transport.(coming f.e. from Bromo).
You have 2 approaches : Bondowoso or Banyuwangi.
Accommodation in Banyuwangi
- The
Hotel Pinang Sari at Banyuwangi is OK. It's in the center close to the busstation. They charge 20.000 Rp for a double, including breakfast and private shower. The food is good, but little english is spoken. It can get noisy on saturday evenings (6/98).
- They can also arrange your trip to Kwaja Iljen with mister Trip. Count on 175.000 Rp including transport, 2 drivers (to push the car up the mountain) and guide (6/98).
How to get to the base ‘Pal Tuding’ of the vulcano?- The trip starting from Banyuwangi is not that easy because the road to the base is steep. Try to catch up with Mr. Trip, or Mr. Sutripno with his full name. You can probably find him at the tourist information office of the ferry building of Banyuwangi. His home address is Candi Sewu 2A, Banyuwangi (tel. 0333) 426 263.
- As usual with volcanoes, it's necessary to go as early as possible (4am).
- First you'll have to drive for about 2 hours along small villages and fields (Mr. Trip will arrange a van and a guide). Ask to be dropped off at the highest parking lot Pal Tuding, although this means you will have to push the car up over the slippery track now and than.
Accommodation in Bondowoso
- Palm Hotel, Jl.A.Yani 32, tel. 421505 or 421201, fax. (0332)422953It’s the best hotel you can get in Bondowoso. They have a swimming pool, karaoke and a basic restaurant.
- It’s a 3 star hotel but because due to the lack of maintenance (low visitors) it’s losing slowly his status. You can book here a trip to the Ijen vulcano with a van (200.000 till 250.000 Rp)
-
Prices (8/2000): - Basic rooms with a mandi varying between 20.000 till 30.000 Rp. Rooms with TV and fan (50.000 Rp) or AC (100.000 Rp). High-end rooms with TV, Fridge, AC are between 150.000 Rp and 250.000 Rp
How to get to the base ‘Pal Tuding’ of the vulcano?
- From the Pal
m Hotel it’s a 2 hour drive to the basecamp Pal Tuding. So, it’s advisable to start your journey at 4 Am. You will pass three checkpoints.
- You can also try to do it by public means but it will be a lot of hocus pocus work.
Accommodation in Kalisat, Jampit and Blawan
- All the three villages are lying along the road Bondowoso – Kawa Ijen.
- They have some accommodation. You can get there by a public bus (3000 Rp) in Bondowoso.
-
Kalisat with Arabika Guesthouse (Jampit II): All rooms have hot water, you have a direct view on the Ijen vulcano and the surrounding area is nice (coffee plantations). Prices are (8/2000) for a moderate room (55.000 Rp), standard (77.000 Rp) and VIP (99.000 Rp). Transport to Pal Tuding is 75.000 Rp.
-
Jampit with Jampit I Guesthouse: 700.000 Rp for the whole house.
-
Blawan with Catimor Homestay: 15 rooms, 40.000 Rp/2pp till 60.000 Rp/3pp
From Pal Tuding up to the crater rim.
- The walk starts at Pal Tuding. It’s a basic camp where you can overnight.
- It’s very basic and costs 10.000 Rp. There is a bloc with showers and toilets.
- At night it can be pretty cold up there (sleeping bag). Take your own picknick, since the food you can buy at the parking lot isn't up to much.
- The walk up to the crater rim takes 60-90 minutes. It's pretty steep. Halfway is a small post where the sulphurworkers take a break. A cup of tea is available here.
- The path is just one-way so there is no need for any guidance.
- At the rim itself you have a nice view on the lake. You can walk around the rim or go immediately left so you can walk down to the lake for about 40 minutes. An absolute must is a handkerchief to put in front of your mouth and nose to avoid inhalation of the sulphur gases.
- The sulphur diggers will approach you for playing a guide (no need to) and sell some nice sulphur statues for 5.000 till 10.000 Rp (probably their day-income).
- These statues are very breakable so tape them in with toiletpaper and take precious care off it.
- Parcentrance : 3000 Rp (8/2000)
Go to "Bali introduction page"If you have questions on Java, please
e-mail Steven Buvens
