Ijen Crater, East Java : Volcano, Acid Lake and Blue Flames

Ijen Crater, East Java : Volcano, Acid Lake and Blue Flames

volcano I Dunia Kita Bersama I   12:05 AM

Ijen Crater, or known to Indonesians as Kawah Ijen, is one of the top recommended volcano in Indonesia to be visited. This active crater of 134 sq km has a landscape of volcanic cones of both Mount Ijen and Mount Merapi (not to be confused with the famous Mount Merapi in Central Java).

This group of stratovolcanoes lies in East Java. Inside the crater you will see a magnificent turquoise sulphur lake that exudes flames, blue fire at night and smoky white in the day.

Here you will also find many sulphur collectors that hike up here to mine the minerals of Kawah Ijen but this had been highlighted badly recently in the media due to the fumes being harmful to human and its extremely harsh working conditions. 

Where is it

Ijen Crater lies nearby Banyuwangi and Bondowoso. Ijen plateau stood as the centrepoint of the large mountain range west of Banyuwangi and as part of Baluran National Park to the north.

Why go

Come to Ijen Crater for the largest acidic lake in the world and for the mesmerizing blue flames in the night. Besides it is one of the best volcanic mountain of Indonesia with this one brimming with the rare sulphurs. 

When is the best time to go

June – August where there is less rain but more tourist
But that being said, Indonesia being a fairly mild weather of just rain and shine, most of the time is a good to go to Ijen Crater, just check for local weather as you head there.
Also try to avoid weekends if you do not want the crowd.

What to see

World’s largest acidic lake, which is in the brilliant turquoise color that captures not only the sunlight but every traveler’s heart.

Catch the miners hard at work, carrying heavy laden basket of sulphur though you may be disturbed by it and feel sorry for them. Note in mind that the sulphur fumes are poisonous and these miners are subjected to it daily for long hard-laboured hours.

There are coffee plantations cover the Ijen caldera floor where many travelers head there to visit the waterfalls, hot springs or just enjoy the dramatic volcanic scenery.

What to do

Hiking up to Ijen Crater at night
There are few options for visiting Ijen crater, you can either start at 2am or 4am to arrive at the top of the crater by daylight. Many travelers recommend to do the night hiking up to Ijen Crater to catch the magical blue flames or also known as blue fire. To get this you have to arrive at the top before sunrise of 6am. The hike up takes 1.5-2 hours averagely and can be quite steep The good thing is at this time there are not many other tourists around as well. After being mesmerized by the blue flames enough, you can sit back at the summit and wait for sunrise which offers another spectacular view.

Walk around the Ijen crater rim
You can take a walk around the rim of Ijen crater or approach the lake which will take about 40 minutes walk.

source: http://allindonesiatravel.com

Sikulikap fall, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Sikulikap fall, North Sumatra, Indonesia

touristic I Dunia Kita Bersama I   7:01 PM

Sikulikap fall by @rubenmk

This waterfall is located in North Sumatra, Indonesia. People call it Sikulikap. Sikulikap waterfall is around 30 meters high and take 20 minutes from Berastagi. To get there catch any bus from Berastagi going to Medan and ask to be dropped off at Sikulikap. It should cost about Rp 5000 for this trip. On the main road there are a series of basic food stalls with great views out over the gorge where the waterfall located but you are unable to see the falls from there. At the bottom of the hill near the road bridge, on the right there is a path that leads through the rain forest to the falls. Should take about 15 - 20 minutes to walk to the falls. There is a good chance you will see monkeys within the rain forest. Take attention when you step there as many rock that may hurt you when you slip.

Si Piso Piso fall, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Si Piso Piso fall, North Sumatra, Indonesia

touristic I Dunia Kita Bersama I   6:39 PM

Si Piso Piso fall by @alfansai

Some of the tallest waterfalls in South East Asia can be found in Sumatra. Some are found along the Asahan River.One of them is Sipiso-piso waterfall with 120m high is 45 Kilometers from Berastagi at the northern end of Lake Toba. The water fall is formed by a small underground river of the Karo Plateau and flows out into the Lake Toba caldera. To get to Sipiso-Piso falls catch a local mini-bus from Berastagi to Kabanjahe Rp 5000. At the bus terminal in Kabanjahe you just need to catch any buses going to Siantar and ask to get off at Sipiso-Piso. From the main road to the falls is about  2.5km. There are pedicab drivers waiting at the turnoff and will cost Rp 8000 to go to the falls. The entrance ticket is about Rp 3000.

 
Sipiso-piso waterfall is also an excellent location for paragliding. This must be a stop place while you are traveling Medan. WWhen you get a photo of this place, it looks like a postcard

Batee island, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

Batee island, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

touristic I Dunia Kita Bersama I   6:27 PM

Batee island by @teuku_chaidil

Batee is taken from local language means stone. This island belongs to someone personally and there is no people living there. This island is also surrounded by some island like Nasi and Bunta island. You need around 30-50 minutes to reach this island from Ule Lheue harbor. You can rent the boar from the local fishermen there.

Top 5 Island trips in Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

Top 5 Island trips in Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

touristic I Dunia Kita Bersama I   6:12 PM

Pisang island in West Lampung, Lampung

1. This island is so beautiful with white sand around the island. We can see sun set at the evening. This island has some families living there and working as fishermen. There is a harbor where you can enjoy the moment in this island. Pisang is taken from local word means banana as it has many banana trees long time ago.

How to get there: Bandar Lampung - Krui (West Lampung) - Koala bay -  Pisang island.

Kelapa Island, Pesawaran, Lampung, Indonesia

2. Kelapa island is located at Pesawaran regency, Lampung, Indonesia. It is also located at Kiluan bay which is popular nationally. So when you visit Kiluan bay, you must visit this island as well. Kelapa is taken from Indonesia language which means coconut as it has many coconut trees there.

How to get there: Bandar Lampung - Ketapang - Punduh Pidada - Bawang village - Kiluan bay - Kelapa island.

Pahawang island

3. Recently, this island is the most popular island in Lampung as it is close from the city central and its beauty for sure. You can do snorkeling and see beautiful underwater scenery there. 

How to get there: Bandar Lampung - Ketapang - Pahawang island

Balak island

4. If you a person who likes a place which is quiet and cozy so visit this island. In this island, you can do snorkeling, fishing and more. There are so many coconut trees along the shore and you can take the young coconut if you can climb it. Note it that the young coconut is for free as long as you take it by yourself. In front of the cottage, there is an old harbor where we can sit and enjoy the sunset at the evening. Because of the distance, this island is rarely visited by people but this thing that makes this place special!

Unique and awesome are words for this island. This island is about 200 hectares and has two different types of shore. At west you can see corals dominates the shore and in another side you will find white sand beach as long as you see. The white sand seems like a long mat that invites you to lay down on it. 

Build your tent!

To reach this island is so easy but it takes a bit your time. From Bandar Lampung, you need two hours to go to Ketapang harbor, then you go to Balak island by renting a boat. You will around 2 hours on the boat sp prepare some drink and snacks with you. During this time, you can see the views of  Lampung bay and pass some popular spots. They are Mahitam island, Kelagian island, Pahawang islang and Tanjung Putus island.
Having reached the island, its better to sleep in a tent to "feel" the nature there. Balak is a word from Lampung language means big. Yes, it is because the island is quite big. If you like trekking, you can try to climb a hill which is located in the center of the island. You may see some monkeys there. When you want to enjoy the sunset, just sit on the harbor and the sunset will greet you for sure. So, enjoy the nature there guys! see this island

 

 

Tegal island

 

5. This island is very close from Bandar lampung. It takes only 30 minutes by motorbike and 45 minutes by car. You just need to go to Sari Ringgung beach then rent a boat to go to Tegal island. You can rent the boat for whole day and visit many spots for snorkeling there. In some spots, we can see some different types of coral and clown fish. If you are lucky, you also can meet dragon fish, turtle and small shark. In the west part of the island, we also can see a sand island which sometime come up and disappear at certain time. Around this sand island, we also can do snorkeling because the corals are beautiful in this spot.

This island is located at Gebang village, Pesawaran regency, Lampung, Indonesia with population about 20 families living in this island.  They work as a fisherman and the children take study at a temporary school in this island. In west part, we can see white sand along the shore and at east part is dominated by coral.This island is not as popular as Pahawang island but they beauty of the under water is similar. Many local community come to visit this island as this island is easy to be reached.
For you are beginner is snorkeling,  you can swim in 1 or 2 meters dept area as this island has many different level for snorkeling. You also can do fishing when you do not like swimming because many people do fishing in this island. check also this

If you like trekking, you can try to climb a hill in the center of this island. Sometimes it is headt the screaming of monkeys there.

Top 3 hidden falls in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Top 3 hidden falls in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

waterfall I Dunia Kita Bersama I   5:41 PM

Ngungun Saok fall (by @nobletonga)

1. This fall is popular because of the social media. Its pictures are spreading through facebook, path, twitter, instagram and blog. It is located around 11 kilometers from Padang city and you need one hour to get there by cat or motorbike. This fall is just popular few months ago so that the route to get there is not easy. You should bring your own drink when you visit this fall. Enjoy!

Nyarai fall (by @ghalao_traveler)

2. This hidden fall is located at Gamaran forest, Korong Salibutan, Lubuk Alung, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. You need two hours to reach this fall from Padang city. You can go there by motorbike or cat and stop at parking area that already provided by local people. Then you will walk and see beautiful rice field, forest and garden along the path. It is recommended for you who like nature and village atmosphere.

Lubuk Hitam Bungus fall (by @grifvynzi)

3. This fall has three stages and located at Bungus Teluk kabung, Padang city, West Sumatra, Indonesia. When you visit this fall, you need more power because you will do trekking for about one hour. So prepare your own meals and drink.