Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is probably Indonesia’s most famous volcano. It sits at the Eastern end of Java between Surabaya and Yogyakarta and is quite often lumped in as part of a tour heading out of one of those two cities. This typically involves taking a private van with a few other tourists and staying in accommodation that has been pre-booked.

The bus will make multiple stops at pre-arranged eateries and rest stops. The guest houses may or may not be nice to stay in. The experience will be cookie-cutter. It will end at Mount Bromo for the sunrise, where multiple vans arrive with boat loads of tourists who will leave shortly after 5am.

My jumping off point happened to be Bondowoso after climbing Kawah Ijen, which I also did independently of a tour and was really happy with my experience when all was said and done.

A public bus departed the Bondowoso bus station bound for Probolinggo (just as it would from Surabaya or Yogyakarta) several times per day. Catching the afternoon bus, I paid 16,000 Rupiah (USD $1.60) to the bus attendant and settled in for the 4-hour ride. Stopping a few times to let on guitar-playing buskers and snack touts, the ride took me through absolutely stunning countryside and only made minimal, and very brief, stops.

From Probolinggo, a small bus takes off for Cemoro Lawang (the base of Bromo) when full. This can be arranged for 30,000 Rupiah one-way at Toto travel at the Probolinggo bus station..

Knowing that I wanted to use my own legs to hike to the summit for sunrise, rather than taking a jeep, I searched out accommodation at the highest point near the trail head. While there are many options, I ended up at Losmen Setia Kawan home stay.