Besides the beautiful view of the crater there is also the blue fire phenomenon
There is always extraordinary beauty that Indonesia has to offer, one of which is the Ijen Crater. Ijen Banyuwangi Crater Tour is one of the most popular Banyuwangi tours among traveling lovers. Ijen Crater or Mount Ijen Banyuwangi is located on the border of Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso Regency, East Java, with the peak height of Mount Ijen 2,443 meters above sea level.
Ijen Banyuwangi Crater is a bluish green acid lake with a diameter of about 700 meters, an area of 5,466 hectares, a depth of about 200 meters. The volume of the Ijen Crater lake reaches 36 million cubic meters, with caldera walls as high as 300-500 meters, and the degree of acidity (pH) of the lake water is close to zero, which can dissolve clothes, even skin and human bodies in an instant. However, take it easy. As long as you are still within a safe distance, Ijen Crater is not dangerous.
The air temperature around this tourist spot can reach 2 degrees Celsius, so don’t forget to bring warm and thick clothes. In this volcanic area there are sulfur mining, which indicates that the mountain is still active and active. While in the Ijen Crater area, you can see the miners who are busy carrying piles of sulfur on their backs, along steep roads filled with dangerous poisonous gases. You are required to wear a mask for comfort while breathing.
In the western part of the crater there is a dam or dam that was made in the Dutch era to avoid overflowing the crater water. This defunct dam is made of concrete and can be an alternative tourist spot in Ijen Crater, but the road to get there is difficult to pass.
If you want to get the best view of Ijen Crater, you should start climbing from Paltuding around 4 in the morning with an estimate of arriving at the top at 6-7 in the morning. At this hour, Ijen Crater is in its best condition and produces the most beautiful scenery.
Around the Paltuding post there is a simple inn managed by the local Forestry Service. Towards dawn, you will be awoken in preparation for the hike. If you don’t want to spend the night at the inn, you can set up a tent to camp with friends at this post. Don’t forget to arrange a camping permit. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery around that is no less beautiful.
The natural beauty of Ijen Banyuwangi Crater is indeed amazing. From the top of Ijen, besides you can see a panoramic view of the acidic lake of Ijen Crater, you can also enjoy the beautiful view of the Ijen mountain complex. To the east, you can see the peak of Mount Merapi, also in the vicinity are Mount Suket, Mount Rante, Mount Raung, and other magnificent, impressive landscapes.
In addition to the beautiful view of the lake crater, one thing that is well known to the world is the potential for blue fire to Ijen Crater. This is a natural phenomenon of blue fire which occurs due to the release of volcanic gas containing hot sulfur at 660 degrees Celsius which burns when it comes into contact with air. Ijen’s blue fire phenomenon can only be seen at night.
Usually tourists who intend to see the blue fire phenomenon of Ijen Crater must start climbing around one o’clock or a maximum of two in the morning from the vehicle parking area in Paltuding, so that they can arrive at Ijen Crater before sunrise. The hike from Paltuding to the top (crater rim) of Ijen is 3 km away, taking about 1.5 hours to 2 hours drive. From the peak down to the crater is about 1 km, it takes about half an hour.
To reach Mount Ijen, it can be accessed from two directions, namely, from the north and from the south. From the north, you can take it via Situbondo to Sempol (Bondowoso) via Wonosari and continue to Paltuding. Jaral Situbondo to Paltuding is about 93 km and can be picked up in about 2.5 hours. From the south, it can be passed from Banyuwangi to Licin which is 15 km away. From Licin to Paltuding, it is 18 Km and continued using a Jeep or other heavy car for about 6 Km before going to Paltuding. This is due to the winding and uphill road.