As a traveler, going on the internet is the fastest way to get information on a tourist’s destination. Like Instagram for photos and YouTube for vlogging videos. But let’s be real. We have no way of telling whether those contents provide real conditions of the places or not.
Take Bromo as an example. Have you ever wondered how long it takes to go from one spot to another when going on a trip to Bromo? From the jeep drive, view point hikes, and Sea of Sand exploration, these places present different challenges for different visitors.
To help your planning, find out the reality of travelling to Bromo and find the best arrangement for your travel plan in this article!
Routes to Bromo
There are 2 most-known gateways to get to Mount Bromo; Surabaya and Malang. Here are the routes taken for each departure city:
Surabaya Gateway : Surabaya Airport/Hotel → Drive to Sukapura through Probolinggo → Take Jeep → Reach Bromo
Malang Gateway : Surabaya Airport/Hotel → Transfer to Malang City → Drive to Tumpang Regency → Take Jeep → Reach Bromo
Total Duration : 3-4 hours drive
Duration Spent
An exploration in Bromo National Park normally takes half-a-day for a round trip. Here’s the duration breakdown for each activities:
➤ Bromo Sunrise Tour (±12 hours)
This tour starts at midnight and ends at midday (12 to 12)
- Pick-up : 2 hours drive
- Jeep Transfer: 1-2 hour drive
- Sunrise View Point : 2-3 hours
- Sea of Sand : 5-15 minutes walk
- Crater Hiking : 30-60 minutes hike (subject to pace)
- Bromo Crater : 5-10 minutes photo stop
- Breakfast (optional) : 1 hour
- Drop-off : 2 hours drive
➤ Bromo Day Tour (±8 hours)
This tour starts at 8 AM to 4 PM and is adjustable
- Pick-up : 2 hours drive
- Jeep Transfer : 1-2 hour drive
- View Point : 10-30 minutes photo stop
- Sea of Sand : 5-15 minutes walk
- Crater Hiking : 30-60 minutes hike (subject to pace)
- Bromo Crater : 5-10 minutes photo stop
- Lunch (optional) : 1 hour
- Drop-off : 2 hours drive
These durations depend heavily on the fitness level of the travelers. You can use the list of tour types and durations above as a reference for your preferable Bromo trip!
Walking Distances
In Bromo National Park, there are some walks you can and have to do in order to discover and enjoy the whole area. Some walks/hikes to do include hiking to the view points, crossing the Sea of Sand, and going up a set of stairs to the Bromo Crater. Here are the approximate distance you will be doing:
✦ Hiking to the View Points
To enjoy the view of the sunrise, you can opt to hike instead of riding the jeep. You can begin your hike from Cemorolawang to Seruni View Point and continue to King Kong Hill View Point.
If you choose this activity, you will have to walk for approximately 2.5 kilometers to reach Seruni and another 2.5 kilometers to get to King Kong Hill.
✦ Crossing the Sea of Sand
This is a must-do activity if you want to visit the Bromo Crater. From the jeep’s parking spot, you need to cross the vast Sea of Sand with a distance of ±1 kilometer before continuing to climb the stairs.
If you prefer not to walk, there are options to ride Bromo horses or hire a motorcycle taxi to take you all the way to the foot of the mountain.
✦ Climbing to the Crater
The crater of Bromo is accessible through a set of stairs. The stairs are said to consist of 250 steps with a length of 100-120 meters. This activity could be especially demanding with travelers with little to no preparation.
To accommodate this demand, the stairs are equipped with 3 resting posts for the people climbing up to see the dramatic crater view.
Possible Challenges
Despite being a renowned tourists destination, this magnificent mountain still holds a significant challenges for its visitors such as:
1. Temperature Drop
The temperature in Bromo can drop to 5º–10º celcius before the sunrise. For travelers coming from hotter climates, this weather can become a huge problem when visiting the place.
2. Scatters of Dust/Volcanic Ash
In drier seasons (June-August), the ash and dust in the Sea of Sand will be easily blown away by the naturally strong winds in Bromo’s caldera. This problem can cause respiratory issues without protection from a mask.
3. Overcrowded Areas
Areas like sunrise view points and the crater tend to be overcrowded with people, especially during peak seasons from June to August. When this happens, it can cause discomfort and danger for the visitors.
4. Jeep Traffic
In a peak season, the number of jeeps in the area can reach up to 800 – 1000 units. This amount will most likely result in a jeep jam during the transfer which can last for 2-3 hours.
5. Physical Restraint
The walk and hike across the Sea of Sand to the crater’s edge requires a lot of physical fitness. The distance and the mountain slope has been a big challenge for a lot of visitors.
Face this with BromoVacation!
Beside proper personal preparation, choosing the correct team to assist you is also crucial. Having the right team to arrange a trip suitable to your style and pace can save you a great amount of time and energy before your actual exploration.
Here’s how BromoVacation comes to save your day! BromoVacation will be happy to help fellow travelers with providing an adjustable itinerary for a private tour with professional guides.
Need to ask questions? Contact our WhatsApp (Ana) and enjoy a free consultation session for your perfect Bromo holiday. Bromo Sunrise tour or Bromo Day tour, pick your preferred trip, and book it now on bromovacation.com!
