Volcanoes of Java Trek
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province. KE Land Only package services begin with a single timed airport transfer to the group hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast we transfer to Tumpang near Malang where we pick up jeeps for the drive on dirt roads to Ranupani, the last bastion of habitation on the edge of the volcano massif, Semeru. Arriving in Ranupani we have a short walk around the lake. Overnight in a basic lodge. 4 hours transfer - 1 hour walking.
Day 3: We start our trek approach of Java's highest mountain, the active volcano of Semeru (3676m). We camp on a small plateau known as Kalimati. Approx 6 hours walking. 600m. of ascent.
Day 4: Summit of Semeru. A pre-dawn start as we head up the steep trail through dense forest to the tree-line (3000m). Here the terrain becomes fine ash and we reach the summit at sunrise for some fantastic views of the volcano in this awe-inspiring place. The speedy descent takes us back all the way back to Ranupani. Overnight in the lodge. 9 hrs walking. Ascent / descent 1100m. / 1700m.
Day 5: After breakfast we transfer to the village of Cemorolawang at the base of Bromo volcano (2329m). Another active volcano this one is sacred to the Hindu Tengger people. We make the short ascent of the volcano in the afternoon, only 350m ascent, and complete a circuit around the crater rim. We return to Cemorolawang after approx 4 hrs and overnight at a mountain resort.
Day 6: An early start again takes us by 4WD transfer to the top of Pananjakan (2775m). Here at sunrise we can see its crater, and panoramic views of Bromo and Semeru with its plumes of smoke. In the late morning we transfer to Bremen at the foot of volcano Argopuro. Total drive time of 6 hours.
Day 7: We start todays climb through through plantations of coffee, tobacco, cocoa, before entering the rainforest. We pass waterfalls with some opportunity for swimming and arrive in the late afternoon at Lake Taman Hidup (2000m.) where we make camp. 5 hours walking. 1000m. ascent.
Day 8: We continue our ascent passing first through cloud forest then through grassland. The terrain is very undulating today with some steep ascents and descents as we trek to our next camp at Cisentor (2400m.). 6 - 7 hours. +800m. / - 400m.
Day 9: Today we make the ascents of Argopuro (3088m.) and Renggansi (3028m.) for magnificent views. A long descent then brings us to our camp at Ciskaur (2200m.) which was used by the Japanese in World War II as a landing strip. 6 - 8 hours. +800m. / -1000m.
Day 10: We have a long hike out today as we continue our descent dropping 1300 metres over a period of 9 hours walking to reach the village of Baderan. We meet our vehicles here and transfer to Bondowoso near the foot of Mount Raung. Overnight in a lodge.
Day 11: We begin our next trek to climb Raung at Sumberwringin (1239m.). We start trekking through dense forest with some steep sections of trail before entering the alpine zone of pines. we make camp in a clearing at 2347m. 5 - 6 hours. +1100m.
Day 12: Mount Raung has the largest crater in Java at 2 km in diameter. Our climb takes us to a high point on the crater rim of 3180m. The highest point on the caldera is a little higher at 3332m. but only accessible to rock climbers. We aim to reach our high point for sunrise and should be back in camp for lunch. We then descend to Sumberwringin. 9 - 10 hours. + 900m / - 2100m.
Day 13: Transfer (3 hours) to the foot of our next objective Kawah Ijen where we set up camp.
Day 14: We are up early again to trek in the best light and termperatures. Today we trek to Kawah Ijen's crater which contains the world's biggest acid lake. Here teams of workers extract sulphur and we spend some time here before returning. We then transfer to the most easternly point of Java and take the ferry to Bali. We then transfer to the beach at Lovina. 3 hours walk, +/- 350m., 4 hours transfer.
Day 15: We have a more relaxed day after our last few early mornings. This morning we rest or explore before an early afternoon transfer (approx. 4 hours) to Sanur Beach where we check into our hotel.
Day 16: We transfer to Denpasar Airport, where KE land only group package services end.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
