2 Day Kawah Ijen Expedition from Surabaya
From Surabaya, Indonesia · 2D1N
Starts from
Verified Police Led
Active POLPAR officer
NIB Registered
PT Java Volcano Rendezvous
Medical Screening Included
BBKSDA SE.35 compliant
What's Included
10 items coveredPrivate Transport
Air-conditioned private vehicles (MPV for 1-3 guests, Minibus for 4-11 guests) with a dedicated driver. This includes fuel, tolls, and parking fees.
Tour Guides
Experienced English-speaking guides. For 1-3 guests, a driver-guide. For 4+ guests, a separate local guide will be provided at each main destination (Bromo, Ijen, Madakaripura).
Mineral Water
Daily supply.
JVTO Travel T-Shirt
One complimentary JVTO branded T-shirt per person on every confirmed booking. Available in sizes XXS–XXL. Groups of 10+ pax receive a custom-designed group T-shirt.
Full Assistance
From your arrival to your final drop-off.
Quality Hotel Accommodation
including daily breakfast.
Hassle-free
Meals, gear and medical checkup covered.
About This Trip
Trip Highlights
Key Experiences
Ijen Crater
Acidic crater lake
Why This Trip is Unique
- Witness the stunning Kawah Ijen crater lake before sunrise
- See the stunning turquoise sulfuric crater lake at dawn
- Observe local sulfur miners at work in extreme conditions
Itinerary
2-day planSurabaya to Bondowoso for Ijen Staging
Surabaya to Bondowoso Transfer
Pickup by our team at your location in Surabaya. After meeting at the confirmed pick-up point, begin the overland transfer toward Bondowoso (Ijen area) as scheduled in the route plan.
Lunch at Local Restaurant
Stop at a local restaurant for lunch (cost not included). This is the planned meal break during the transfer, allowing time to order food and rest briefly before continuing to Bondowoso.
Local Restaurant to Bondowoso Transfer
Continue the overland journey from the restaurant toward Bondowoso, arriving in time for hotel check-in.
Check-in Bondowoso Hotel
Arrive in Bondowoso and complete the hotel check-in process. This step covers arrival at the accommodation and the basic check-in procedure so you can settle in after the transfer.
Ijen health screening
A health screening will be conducted by medical personnel directly at your hotel. This is a scheduled screening session as listed in the itinerary to complete the required check before the Ijen-area program.
Dinner at Accommodation
Dinner is served at the accommodation or a nearby restaurant (included). This is the planned dinner time after the transfer and screening, scheduled as an included meal for the day.
Meals Included
Surabaya to Bondowoso Transfer
The first day is a dedicated transfer from Surabaya to the Bondowoso side so the route can stage properly for Ijen. After hotel check-in, the required health screening is completed before the climb window begins.
Accommodation
1 night
Ijen Crater
Riverside Homestay
Relax in a curated accommodation selected for comfort and proximity to nature.
Transport
Private fleetTravel in comfort and safety with our private fleet.
Toyota Avanza/Innova
MPV
Toyota Hiace
Hiace
Bromo Jeep
4x4 Off-Road Vehicle
The Practicalities
What's Covered
- Private Transport: Air-conditioned private vehicles (MPV for 1-3 guests, Minibus for 4-11 guests) with a dedicated driver. This includes fuel, tolls, and parking fees.
- Tour Guides: Experienced English-speaking guides. For 1-3 guests, a driver-guide. For 4+ guests, a separate local guide will be provided at each main destination (Bromo, Ijen, Madakaripura).
- Mineral Water: Daily supply.
- JVTO Travel T-Shirt: One complimentary JVTO branded T-shirt per person on every confirmed booking. Available in sizes XXS–XXL. Groups of 10+ pax receive a custom-designed group T-shirt.
- Full Assistance: From your arrival to your final drop-off.
- Quality Hotel Accommodation: including daily breakfast.
- All Entrance Fees & Permits: to attractions
- Meals: As mention in the itinerary
- Health Screening: Ijen authorities require a doctor's health certificate. This will be conducted the evening before your trek. You only need your passport.
- Gas Mask: Professional volcanic-grade gas mask, owned and provided by JVTO for each guest on Ijen Crater routes at no extra charge. Mandatory during descent to crater floor due to H₂S/SO₂ gas.
What's Not Covered
- International/Domestic Air Tickets: To and from your tour's starting and ending points.
- Indonesian VISA: (If applicable).
- Travel Insurance: Optional but highly recommended for peace of mind, covering trip interruptions, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.
- Meals Not Stated in Itinerary: Specific lunches and additional dinners are at your own expense.
- Personal Expenses: Such as snacks, souvenirs, beverages, laundry, etc. It is recommended to carry at least IDR 500,000 per person for these.
- Tips: For drivers and guides (at your discretion).
Fitness level
Requires good physical condition. Expect hiking on uneven terrain for 2-4 hours, including steep sections.
Health & safety
Standard JVTO Police-Led Safety
Essential gear
- Warm layers (5–15°C)
- Sturdy hiking shoes & water shoes
- Waterproof bag
- Rain jacket
- Beachwear
- Sunscreen
- Personal medications
Mandatory Requirements: Ijen Crater Tour
To ensure safety and compliance with the access rules published by the Ministry of Forestry for TWA Kawah Ijen, please review the requirements below.
| Attribute (Category) | Value (Requirement) |
|---|---|
| Entry Document | Health Certificate (Surat Sehat) Must state "Fit for hiking/physical activity". Included in your JVTO package, done at your hotel the evening before the climb. |
| Safety Gear | Professional Gas Mask Provided by JVTO. Mandatory for sulfur fume protection. |
| Age Limit | 10 – 60 Years Old Strict regulation. ID card required for verification. |
| Start Time | 00:00 AM – 01:00 AM To reach the summit before sunrise. Blue Fire visibility is subject to authority access policies and natural conditions, including sulfur gas levels and weather, and cannot be guaranteed. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Ijen Requirements
Do I really need a health certificate for Ijen?▾
Yes, it is absolutely mandatory. You cannot purchase an entrance ticket without showing a valid health certificate issued by a licensed doctor. On JVTO packages the screening is included and done at your hotel the evening before the climb.
Can children hike Ijen Crater?▾
No. Children under 10 years old are strictly prohibited by BKSDA regulations due to safety concerns, especially related to sulfur gas exposure.
What's it like?
Quick Answers
What exactly is covered in the all-inclusive price?
Every JVTO booking covers: private transport throughout, accommodation with breakfast, all park and crater entrance fees, a HPWKI-licensed guide, unlimited mineral water, and a JVTO travel T-shirt. Bromo packages additionally include the mandatory 4WD jeep for caldera access. Ijen packages include the professional gas mask required under BBKSDA SE.1658/K2/BIDTEK.1/KSA/9/2024, whose access conditions specify basic climbing safety equipment. There are no surprise "local payments" — every cost is itemised in your booking confirmation.
See inclusions & exclusions →Is JVTO a licensed Indonesian tour operator?
Yes. JVTO operates as PT Java Volcano Rendezvous, AHU-registered February 2023, with NIB 1102230032918 (KBLI 79121 / 79911 — Travel Agency / Tour Operator) and HPWKI Ijen guide-association membership. Every credential is verifiable on Indonesian government registries.
Verify on /verify-jvto/legal →Do you offer student discounts through ISIC?
JVTO is listed as a provider in the ISIC student discount directory (Provider ID 259268). Valid ISIC cardholders receive a student rate on Ijen and Bromo tour packages. Show your ISIC card when booking; the student rate is confirmed in your booking summary before deposit. Verification: isic.org/discounts/?providerId=259268.
See ISIC student packages →Who runs my tour?
JVTO is founded by Bripka Agung Sambuko (Mr. Sam) — an active Tourist Police officer (POLPAR) appointed by Polres Bondowoso, also serving as HPWKI Pengawas. On-trip guides are HPWKI-licensed (KTA card), issued through BBKSDA Jawa Timur after BBKSDA-run training. No anonymous freelancers.
See our team + KTA cards →Is JVTO an eco-responsible operator?
JVTO holds Spotlight Network membership in INDECON (Indonesian Ecotourism Network), the national ecotourism advocacy body. All Ijen and Bromo operations follow BBKSDA Leave No Trace protocols; guides are HPWKI-certified in BBKSDA environmental compliance. No off-trail access, no wildlife interference, and responsible waste-management standards on every trip.
INDECON Spotlight: indecon.id/spotlight-networks/java-volcano-tour-operatorWhat is the Ijen health screening you mention?
Before Kawah Ijen crater entry, every guest needs a doctor-issued health certificate under BBKSDA SE.35/K2/BIDTEK.1/KSA/1/2024. The screening is included in your package and done at your own hotel the evening before, with vitals checks and a BSrE-signed digital certificate issued by Dr. Ahmad Irwandanu, whose licence is publicly verifiable on satusehat.kemkes.go.id. If a guest is not cleared, only that guest's climb is cancelled and safe-zone alternatives apply.
See health screening guide →What happens if I need to cancel?
Cancel the complete booking 48 hours or more before Day 1 and you receive Lifetime Package Credit: it never expires, preserves the same package, original pax entitlement and original confirmed price, and can be transferred once. It is not cash and cannot be exchanged for cash. Cancel less than 48 hours before Day 1 and the booking is forfeited, with no credit created. If one traveller cancels while the tour continues, that traveller is refunded 100% at 48 hours or more, 50% within 48 hours, and 0% after Day 1, provided at least 2 paying travellers remain.
See cancellation policy →What if the volcano closes on my trip date?
Volcanic alert level changes and BBKSDA closures are outside any operator's control, so the remedy depends on when the closure lands. If a verified official event makes the whole tour impossible before Day 1, you choose between Lifetime Package Credit and a cash refund less any non-recoverable vendor cost. If it affects only part of the tour after Day 1 has begun, JVTO first offers an alternative route or activity of equal standard, and where none is suitable a refund of the affected component applies. We monitor PVMBG alerts and notify guests proactively; our weather-and-closures policy documents the full SOP.
See weather & closures policy →What do past guests say about JVTO?
JVTO holds 4.9 ★ across 184 Google Maps reviews, verified 2026-10-03. Reviews are also independently verifiable on Trustpilot and TripAdvisor. Reviews consistently cite Mr. Sam's police-safety background, guide professionalism, and the all-inclusive no-hidden-cost model. All review profiles link to the original platform so you can verify authenticity.
Read verified reviews →Tour FAQs
Where is Kawah Ijen located?▾
Kawah Ijen lies in East Java, Indonesia, between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso Regencies, at coordinates 8.058° S, 114.242° E.
What makes Kawah Ijen famous?▾
It is globally known for its turquoise acidic crater lake and the rare “blue fire” phenomenon caused by burning sulfuric gas.
What is the altitude of Kawah Ijen?▾
The summit reaches 2,799 meters, with the crater rim around 2,386 meters above sea level.
When is the best time to visit Kawah Ijen?▾
Between May and October during the dry season — clear skies, minimal fog, and the best visibility for blue fire and sunrise.
What time can you see the blue fire?▾
The blue fire is visible between 01:00–04:00 AM before sunrise when the temperature and wind are stable.
How difficult is the Ijen trek?▾
Moderate (3/5). The round trip is about 6 km with ~530 m elevation gain.
Show all 13 questionsShow fewer questions
Is the crater lake safe to touch?▾
No. The lake has a pH of 0.2–0.5 and contains sulfuric acid; it can cause severe burns.
Do you need a gas mask at Ijen?▾
Yes, especially when descending toward the crater floor due to sulfur gas exposure.
Who are the sulfur miners?▾
Local “Wong Ijen” miners manually extract sulfur using basic tools, carrying loads up to 90 kg daily.
Can you see the Milky Way from Kawah Ijen?▾
Yes, between May and September from 00:30–04:00 AM during clear dry-season nights.
How cold is it at Ijen?▾
Temperatures range from 5–10°C at the rim before sunrise.
How long does it take to climb Kawah Ijen?▾
Approximately 1.5–2 hours to the rim and another 45–60 minutes to descend into the crater.
What should you bring to Kawah Ijen?▾
Gas mask, headlamp, warm clothing, gloves, and at least 1L of drinking water.
Private expedition
Starts from
Reviews of this tour
1 review5 / 5 from 1 guest reviews of this tour
- Clemenzia Tortomano★★★★★
· Google
(Translated by Google) We had a wonderful experience! Our driver, Yendi, was always super responsive to our requests and is reliable. It's a challenging tour, but definitely recommended. Water was always available, and we would have appreciated some snacks/fruit or a second breakfast upon returning from the Ijen trek (especially since the takeaway breakfast was very meager: just a toast and a bottle of water). Dinner could also have been more filling, especially since it was delicious. Thank you for everything! (Original) Abbiamo avuto una bellissima esperienza! Il nostro autista Yendi è stato sempre super disponibile alla nostre richieste ed è un autista affidabile. È un tour impegnativo ma indubbiamente raccomandabile. L' acqua era sempre disponibile e avremmo gradito anche qualche snak/frutta o una seconda colazione al rientro dal trekking Ijen (anche perchè la colazione take away era molto misera: solo un tost e una bittiglietta d'acqua) così come la cena potrebbe essere più abbondante, anche perchè era buonissima. Grazie di tutto!