Ijen Crater Bluefire Trek: A Detailed Review and Guide

Thinking about hiking Ijen Crater to catch a peek at the famous blue fire and a magnificent sunrise? It’s quite an amazing trip, I reckon. I recently did this trek, so I want to share what that experience was all about, alongside some advice and info that’ll likely make your own trip better, at the end of the day. I’ll walk you through what to expect, like from how challenging the hike can be to what you really should bring. Okay, so here we go!

What to Anticipate on the Ijen Crater Trek

Getting started with the trek is almost always around midnight, just because you need enough time to get to the crater before the sun gets up. Now, the path? Yeah, it is fairly steep and also rocky. The first chunk of it is actually a manageable dirt road, which might lead you to thinking you’re in fine shape, yet don’t get fooled – things definitely get steeper real soon. At some point the track morphs into a much narrower path which seems covered in loose rocks. I suppose this is what makes it fairly difficult.

I suppose one thing worth remembering is that this is, for the most part, an active sulfur mine. It seems you’re gonna be passing by miners carrying rather heavy loads of sulfur up the trail. Please just be polite and yield to these men and women. I mean, these folks are laboring so very hard in truly rough conditions. Showing some support goes a good way, I reckon. At the peak, descending into the crater actually calls for another 45 minutes, could be an hour-long walk down a narrow, steep path. I believe this is where the gas masks truly come in handy – you will want them!

Experiencing the Blue Fire

The famed blue fire is very caused by burning sulfuric gas, you see. It appears most vibrantly in the dark. Therefore, getting to the crater early actually lets you see it in its full glory. Anyway, when you head down into the crater, I do recommend sticking to your guide like glue. That is because visibility may become incredibly limited thanks to the sulfur fumes. Now, witnessing the blue flames dancing near to the sulfuric lake honestly feels otherworldly – It’s actually kinda something you need to see to believe, like your very own eyes are deceiving you a bit.

You may find that the fumes could be strong, very. This is the time when you should definitely rely on your gas mask, or that cloth over your nose and mouth, or maybe both. The sight is pretty special, no doubt, but look, the fumes will make it truly hard to stay down there long, you see. So you ought to plan on a pretty quick peek prior to going back up. Still, just being near that oddity – that odd display, anyway – honestly justifies the climb alone.

The Stunning Sunrise at Ijen Crater

After you have appreciated the blue fire, probably, you’ll want to find a cozy spot in which to appreciate the sunrise. The sunrise is something else, totally, basically. Once the light commences creeping over the ridge of the crater, it does cast a beautiful glow across the whole landscape, in effect. So the views of the acidic lake, which appears turquoise, are quite breathtaking – really just amazing. I want to say they deliver an excellent background for pictures.

It is so great to view the miners heading up and down using their loads while the sun comes up – I think that the starkness of the labor against the elegance of nature does produce a strong scene, no doubt. Therefore make sure you just bring a camera – perhaps a phone with a fairly decent camera – to snag that magnificence. Believe me, these are probably pictures you will really treasure down the road.

Exactly what You Need to Carry

Good hiking shoes, certainly, really are non-negotiable, I mean, basically. Because the trek is fairly strenuous, it is important you put on some sturdy boots which have decent ankle support and which you have worn a good amount. Or I suppose trail runners might work, yet I would really recommend having great tread as well. I think you might benefit from a headlamp, too – like your hands need to be free, and a headlamp is nearly a necessity. It tends to be dark before dawn, no doubt, basically making the headlamp or flashlight a must.

And surely never ever forget the gas mask. Certain tours could give you one. You should really double-check its good working condition – those sulfur fumes are no joke. Think about bringing a backup – a cloth to hide your face might probably suffice. Basically you need clothes you may layer as it is fairly cold at the top pre-dawn. Bring snacks and water, too – you will desire those for that effort.

Picking the perfect Ijen Crater Tour

Now you have many choices in regards to selecting an Ijen Crater tour. Some people do appreciate doing a solo hike, I get that, nonetheless I believe hiring a professional tour, really, can definitely enhance the knowledge in more ways than one. They, naturally, will offer the critical safety devices like your gas mask and headlamps, in other words. Plus they understand the path as well – so they’re able to assist make sure that you stay safe.

It turns out that a local guide might share details regarding the location as well, that includes the mining operation and that of the environment, actually. As I was saying, find a trip that corresponds to your fitness level, like tours come at a multitude of levels and also at various tempos. Don’t hesitate to look at reviews and simply ask for tips. Finding a great tour may surely lead to a more enjoyable, plus safer, outing.

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