Of Countless Researches, Advices & Personal Experiences
After doing an extensive research and gathering valuable information from many sources, I came out with a rough but well planned 3D/2N Ijen & Bromo backpacking without a tour (via public transport) itinerary for us to follow. Our journey starts and ends in Surabaya, Indonesia.
You may use the itinerary below as a guide to plan your very own 3D/2N Ijen & Bromo backpacking adventure, travelling from destinations such as Malang or Bali. All you need to do is to tweak the itinerary according to your preferences or circumstances and you are good to go. 😉
My advice for travellers out there is to always keep an open and positive mind, be flexible to change, and just enjoy the experience by making the most out of it. If you do that, you will enjoy your adventure and have a good travel experience nonetheless. Below is my 3D/2N Ijen & Bromo backpacking without a tour (via public transport) itinerary.
– Arrive at Juanda International Airport, Surabaya @ 09:00 hours
– Have a quick brunch and get a local SIM pack @ simPATI
– Take a taxi from the airport to Surabaya Gubeng Train Station
– Take the Sri Tanjung/ 174 train @ 13:40 hours, from Surabaya (SGU) to Karangasem (KNE)
– Arrive at Karangasem (KNE) train station @ 19:55 hours
– Pick up from the train station and check-in homestay @ Kg. Osing Inn
– Rest, relax and sleep
DAY 2 : Ijen Crater Blue Fire Midnight Tour – Probolinggo – Cemoro Lawang
– Pick up from homestay by jeep @ 00:30 hours
– 1 hour drive to the base of the crater
– 2 hours hike up to reach the rim of the crater
– 45 minutes hike down to the bank of the crater
– Watch the spectacular electric blue sulphur flames and sunrise
– Travel back to the homestay for breakfast
– Take the Mutiara Timur Siang/ 86 train @ 09:15 hours from Karangasem (KNE) to Probolinggo (PB)
– Arrive at Probolinggo train station @ 13:15 hours
– Take a bemo (trishaw) or angkot (yellow minivan) from the train station to Bayuangga Bus Terminal
– Take a bison (green van) up to Cemoro Lawang Village @ 1 hour journey
– Check-in homestay @ Yoi Homestay
– Dinner at Cemara Indah Cafe
– Rest, relax and sleep
DAY 3 : Mt. Bromo Sunrise Tour – Probolinggo – Surabaya
– Pick up from homestay by jeep @ 03:30 hours
– 1 hour drive up to Mt. Penanjakan @ Viewpoint 1
– Watch the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Bromo, Mt. Batok & Mt. Sumeru
– Drive to Mt. Bromo Tengger Caldera, Whispering Sands, the Savanah and Teletubbies Hill
– Travel back to homestay and take a bison back to Probolinggo @ 09:15 hours
– From Bayuangga Bus Terminal, take PATAS Express Bus (Bay No.1) back to Surabaya @ 11:00 hours
– Arrive at Surabaya a.k.a Purabaya Bus Terminal @ 13:30 hours
– Take a Blue Bird Group taxi to Krowi Inn
– Check-in room
– Free and easy
DAY 4 : Surabaya (Free & Easy)
– Breakfast and check-out room
– Take a Blue Bird Group taxi to Juanda International Airport
– Depart from Juanda International Airport @ 12:10 hours
Take note and caution:
From the moment you step foot anywhere in East Java, especially in notoriously scam-my Probolinggo, you will be a target for scammers and anyone out there who’s out to get a few extra rupiah from you. 🙁
News update (as of 28 September 2015):
Recent travellers to East Java have shared with me that these scammers are getting smarter in their scheming ways, therefore one should be more cautious and careful at all times. Be wary if things sound too easy or too good to be true. Above all, trust your instincts and intuition. When something feels fishy or not right, it usually is. Heed my advice and you will be fine. 🙂
Blog posts on Backpacking Kawah Ijen & Mt. Bromo Without A Tour:
Itinerary & Basic Information
- 3D/2N Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (via Public Transportation) Grab & Go Travel Itinerary
- 3D/2N Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (via Public Transportation) Complete Travel Itinerary & Expenses
- Top 5 Tourist Scams in Bromo & Ijen @ East Java that You Should Know
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 1) : simPATI Telkomsel @ Reliable 3G Internet Prepaid SIM
Transportation
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 2) : Prima Taxi Ride
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 3) : Surabaya – Banyuwangi Economy Class Train Ride
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 8) : Banyuwangi – Probolinggo Business Class Train Ride
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 9) : Bison Ride Up To Mt. Bromo @ Probolinggo
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 12) : Probolinggo – Surabaya PATAS Express Bus Ride
Accommodation
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 4) : Basic Double Room at Kampung Osing Inn
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 10) : Yoi Homestay & Dinner at Comoro Lawang
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 13) : Krowi Inn Boutique Backpackers Hostel in Surabaya City
Tours & Sightseeing
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 5) : Hiking Kawah Ijen In The Dark To Find The Electric Blue Sulphur Flames
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 6) : Unforgettable Sunrise & Picturesque Kawah Ijen
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 7) : Scenic Rim Walk & The Foggy Trail of Ijen Caldera @ Kawah Ijen
- Backpacking Bromo & Ijen Without A Tour (Part 11) : Bromo Sunrise Tour, Horse Ride, The Savannah & Teletubbies Hill
🙂
Hi Erika, good day!
Came across your blog and but failed to download your expenses as reference for my upcoming trip.
The link that you send to Abby is not working for me.
Appreciated if you could share me your expenses for the trip.
Thank you in advance! 🙂 Your blog is awesome!
Hi Eywen,
Good day to you too! Thank you for the compliment, appreciate it much.
Do visit this URL:
http://erikaevatohtravels.com/2015/04/4d3n-backpacking-bromo-ijen-without-a-tour-via-public-transportation-complete-travel-itinerary-expenses/
…and copy paste it for your reference. Besides sharing my itinerary, the expenses are mentioned as well. You just got to extract it from the text.
Hope that helps. All the best to you and happy travels! 😀
Hi Gabriel,
You're most welcome, and thank you too for your support and encouragement. It means so much to me to have helped you as well as other travellers in your Ijen & Bromo, East Java trip. I am happy to know that the information I shared benefits travellers and to receive appreciation and acknowledgement for my effort, it only inspires and drives me to share more, so that many people can be better travellers and have a lovely travelling experience like you and I did.
I have noted your very helpful insight/info and updated it on my travel blog and blog posts accordingly. I'm sure it'll help a lot of travellers out there and prevent them from being a victim to such scams. Thank you so much for sharing that valuable piece of information/advice, Gabriel. Safe and happy travels to you! ^_^
I only just returned from Surabaya and I would like to thank you for your itinerary. I followed it and it went really well for me. Over there, I also met a guy who travelled using your itinerary too and we decided to stick together throughout the remaining for your journey.
Regarding Probolinggo, just to let other readers know, in the bus terminal, there are non-Patas buses carrying the Patas sign in front. The "helpers" will insist that is the Patas bus but do not listen to them. It is not Patas (no aircon + stops multiple times). Patas buses are identified by the bay it leaves from, not the sign! Ignore the sign and only take the Patas bus that leaves from its designated bay only (Bay 1 when i was there at 25/9/2015).
Hi Pris,
We booked/hired a jeep to take us up to Mt. Bromo and even Kawah Ijen respectively though the hostel that we stayed. Most accommodations in East Java offer attractive tour packages for you to choose from based on your budget, preferred destination(s) and duration of stay.
Just remember to bargain for the price and come to an agreement before you decide to take up any tours/rentals as unwary travellers might be taken advantage by unscrupulous individuals. Regretfully, this scam thing is quite rampant in Probolinggo and around East Java.
You can find more helpful information on that and other relevant topics in my blog posts on backpacking to Mt. Bromo & Kawah Ijen in East Java. I hope that piece of information helps. Happy planning your trip and safe travels to you! 🙂
Hi,
I will be heading there as well in Sept this year and would like to do it without the tour as I'm on budget. But may I know how do you hire the jeep to fetch you from your destination? and how do you managed to contact them?
Pardon me, as I'm really very lost to this.
Hi Abby,
As requested, kindly find the above for your perusal.
http://erikatoh.blogspot.com/2015/04/bromo-ijen-without-tour-budget-expenses.html
Happy travels and all the best! 🙂
Hi Abby,
Yes I do, and I will share the above information in the next few blog updates. It might take some time as I am preoccupied with work at the moment.
For the taxi fare from Juanda International Airport to Surabaya Gubeng Train Station, you can read it here: http://erikatoh.blogspot.com/2015/03/backpacking-bromo-ijen-wout-tour-part-2.html
hi
do u have details expenses such as entrance fee, fare, etc
Woohoo…to be blogged soon! Thank you for your support. 😉
Can't wait to read it!