Best of Mount Bromo - Travel Guide
Explore Mount Bromo Beyond the Beautiful Sunrise
When it comes to iconic natural wonders, few destinations can match the breathtaking beauty of Mount Bromo in Indonesia. Situated in the heart of the Tengger Mountains, this active volcano is celebrated for its dramatic landscapes and stunning, otherworldly atmosphere.
Though many visitors come to Mount Bromo (also called Bromo Mountain) to witness its world-famous sunrise, the area offers much more than just a breathtaking view. This comprehensive guide will take you through the best things to do at Mt. Bromo, from thrilling 4x4 rides through the vast ash desert to exploring the lush and serene Teletubbies Hills.
Table of Contents
What to see in Mount Bromo
1. King Kong Hill Viewpoint
Our journey begins at the famous Penanjakan Viewpoint, one of the best spots to capture the classic Bromo Mount photograph. As we stood there, we marveled at the panoramic bird’s-eye view of the stunning landscape below.
This viewpoint offers a unique geological perspective, showcasing the crater at the heart of the Tengger Caldera and the surrounding peaks within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. It's a must-visit location for anyone looking to capture the perfect Instagram or TikTok photo, with the stunning Mount Bromo volcano as the backdrop..
2. Love Hill Viewpoint
Before heading down into the crater to explore Mount Bromo, take a moment to enjoy the panoramic view from the nearby Love Hill Viewpoint. Offering a fresh perspective, this vantage point provides sweeping views of the vast crater and the surrounding sea of sand. The gentle green slopes around the crater create a striking contrast with the dark volcanic landscape, making it an ideal spot for photography and contemplation.
3. Tengger Sand Sea
Next, venture into the Tengger Sand Sea, a vast expanse of volcanic sand that encircles the active Bromo Crater. This unique landscape is the caldera of an ancient volcano, with the sand sea formed over centuries by layers of volcanic ash.
Walking across this otherworldly terrain, where the shifting sands and wind-carved dunes create a surreal atmosphere, is an unforgettable experience that transports you to a Mad Max setting, with people in bikes crossing the sand and cars getting stuck, with people running asking for help to pull their vehicles out of the deep sand. A truly spectacular experience, we assure you.
4. Bromo Crater
The highlight of any trip to Mt. Bromo is the ascent to the rim of the Bromo Crater. This active crater constantly emits white sulfurous smoke, serving as a vivid testament to the earth's internal forces. The Tenggerese people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of the region conduct annual Kasada ceremonies where offerings are thrown into the volcano's crater as a gesture of gratitude to the gods. The trek up is steep and can be challenging, but it is a short one.
5. Luhur Poten Temple
After descending from the crater, take a sneak peak at Luhur Poten, the sacred temple that sits in the shadow of Mt. Bromo. The entry is not allowed to tourists but it is definitely worth a small detour to see it from the outside. This Hindu temple holds great significance for the Tenggerese people, who are known for their annual Yadnya Kasada festival. The temple's presence amidst such a stark and wild landscape highlights the deep cultural and spiritual connections the Tenggerese have with their environment.
6. Teletubbies Hill
Later, head to Teletubbies Hill, named for its resemblance to the rolling landscapes from the children's TV show. This area contrasts sharply with the earlier terrains, featuring lush greenery and gentle, undulating hills. The hill is a testament to the ecological diversity of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, showcasing different vegetation and a more temperate climate. At this spot you can find a few locals selling typical sweets of the region.
7. Savanna
Conclude your day with a visit to the Savanna, also known as the green sea of sand. This vast, open grassland is another face of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park's diverse ecosystem.
The wide, open skies and the expansive greenery provide a soothing end to an exhilarating day.
Where to stay near Mount Bromo
When exploring Mount Bromo, a day trip from Malang is a convenient option. Malang is connected through rapid trains to all major cities in Java.
This Dutch-influenced city is located relatively close to Mount Bromo and offers a wide range of accommodation options and restaurants, making it a comfortable and convenient choice.
Malang also offers you the possibility to visit other fantastic nearby attractions such as the Tumpak Sewu or Mt. Kawi.
How to get to Mount Bromo
To visit Mount Bromo from Malang, usually you would get an organized tour to see the stunning sunrise at King Kong Hill viewpoint. If you are interested in this experience, Viator offers many options:
However, if you do not like to wake up early and you want to have the opportunity to explore the surrounding attractions at your own pace we suggest hiring a 4x4 car. Hiring a 4x4 car with a driver for a day trip in Traveloka typically costs around 80€ (price details bellow).
This alternative approach offers a more convenient and unique experience, allowing you to avoid the crowds and the chilly early morning temperatures. Additionally the local guides can take to some unique places only known by locals.
Best time to visit Mount Bromo
The best time to visit Mount Bromo in Indonesia can depend on your preferences for weather and crowds. If you want to enjoy the best weather and hiking conditions, consider visiting during the dry season, preferably from June to August. However, if you prefer fewer crowds and don't mind the occasional rain, December to February can be a quieter and more serene experience.
It is also worth taking into consideration that one of the most unique events in the area, the Yadnya Kasada Ceremony, takes place at Mt.Bromo. This ancient tradition is observed by the Tenggerese community on every 14th day of the Kasada Month in the traditional Hindu lunar calendar, which usually falls between June and July.
One month before the main ceremony, people gather at the Luhur Poten Temple to pray for blessings. On Yadnya Kasada Day, offerings like vegetables, livestock, and money are thrown into the volcano's crater to express gratitude for agricultural abundance.
This tradition originates from an ancient legend where a princess and her husband received 24 children in exchange for sacrificing their 25th child to the volcano gods, a practice replaced by animal and vegetable offerings today.
| Month | Temperature | Precipitation | Travel Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20/27ºC | 97% | Low |
| February | 20/27ºC | 97% | Low |
| March | 21/28ºC | 97% | Low |
| April | 22/28ºC | 93% | Low |
| May | 23/28ºC | 71% | Low |
| June | 23/28ºC | 52% | Average |
| July | 22/28ºC | 26% | High |
| August | 22/28ºC | 20% | High |
| September | 23/30ºC | 26% | High |
| October | 22/30ºC | 53% | Average |
| November | 21/29ºC | 87% | Low |
| December | 20/27ºC | 94% | Low |
Travel tips to Mount Bromo
There is an entrance fee to the National Park for Foreign tourists of IDR 220,000 on workdays and 320,000 IDR on holidays. We noticed that there was another stop before where the driver also paid but we are not aware of the exact amount. All of those cost were covered by the driver. The 1,300,000 IDR fee also included parking, tolls, and gas. It is customary to give your driver a tip at the end of the day if you enjoyed their service.
Be aware the 4x4 vehicles are the only way to explore some of the areas highlighted above, such as the sea of sand and the Mt Bromo crater. Bringing a scooter or small car is not recommended because the terrain is steep and sandy.
It is advised to bring some food with you as there are not many places where you will find it. We discovered some local sweets being sold at Teletubbies Hills and our guide recommended us a street food stall on the side of the road where we had a tasty Pangsit Ayam. However, these places were very rare in the National Park.
What to See Near Mount Bromo
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