Bali, Mount Bromo & Komodo Island Expedition
- 10 days, Surabaya to Labuan Bajo
- Max altitude 2,329 m (Mount Bromo)
- Best season April to October
- 4 to 14 travellers
- Java, Bali & Komodo, Indonesia
- Two pre-dawn volcano starts
- 10-day itinerary
About this tour
This trip crosses three islands in ten days — Java, Bali and the Komodo islands off Flores — and each one does something the others cannot. East Java has the volcanoes. Bali has the temples, the rice terraces and two nights of rest in the middle. Komodo has the dragons, and some of the clearest water in Indonesia. It is a busy itinerary with two very early mornings in it, and it is honest to say so at the start.
It begins in Surabaya and climbs into the Tengger massif to Cemoro Lawang, a village on the rim of an ancient caldera. Before dawn a jeep takes you up to the Penanjakan viewpoint, at about 2,770 metres the highest point of the trip, to watch the sun come up over Bromo's smoking crater, the cone of Batok and Semeru, Java's highest mountain, venting in the distance. Then down across the Sea of Sand and up the steps to Bromo's own crater rim at 2,329 metres.
The next night is shorter still. Ijen is a volcano on Java's eastern tip whose crater holds the largest acidic lake in the world, and before dawn its sulphur vents burn with a blue flame that can only be seen in the dark. Seeing it means leaving the hotel at about 1am, walking 3 km uphill by head torch to the rim at around 2,380 metres, and wearing a gas mask in the crater. Ijen also closes at short notice when the gas is bad, and when it does we tell you on the day rather than take anyone in.
After Ijen a short ferry crosses to Bali and the road runs to Ubud: two nights among the rice terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest and the water temple at Tirta Empul. Then a flight east to Labuan Bajo on Flores and two nights aboard a traditional wooden boat in Komodo National Park — Komodo dragons with park rangers, the ridge walk on Padar at sunrise, the pink sand at Pink Beach, and a snorkel at Manta Point, where manta rays are likely but never guaranteed.
The trip ends in Labuan Bajo, which has flights to Bali and Jakarta for the onward journey. It suits people who are reasonably fit, happy with early starts and basic comforts on the boat, and comfortable in the water.
Trip highlights
Mount Bromo and the Ijen Crater blue fire trek
Sunrise over the Tengger caldera from Penanjakan, about 2,770 metres, then Bromo's crater rim at 2,329 metres. The next night, a 3 km climb in the dark to Ijen's rim to see sulphur burning blue beside the world's largest acidic crater lake, wearing a gas mask. Ijen closes when the gas is too strong, so this part depends on the volcano.
Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest and rice terraces
Two nights in Bali's inland cultural centre. The Monkey Forest's temples sit in forest shared with several hundred long-tailed macaques, and the terraces at Tegallalang are still worked on the traditional subak irrigation system.
Liveaboard boat to Komodo and Padar Island
Two nights on a traditional wooden boat among the islands of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Komodo dragons on a ranger-led walk, and the climb up Padar's ridge at sunrise for the view over its three bays.
Snorkelling at Pink Beach and Manta Point
Pink Beach on Komodo takes its colour from fragments of red coral and tiny red organisms mixed into the sand, with reef straight off the shore. Manta Point, on the Makassar Reef, is where manta rays come to be cleaned; sightings are likely but never guaranteed, and the current there is strong.
Route
- 1 Start
- 2 Stop in order
- 14 Finish
- Route travelled
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At a glance
- 10 days, Surabaya to Labuan BajoNine nights across Java, Bali and the Komodo islands, two of them on a boat.
- Max altitude 2,329 m (Mount Bromo)Bromo's crater rim. The Penanjakan sunrise viewpoint the same morning sits higher, at about 2,770 m.
- Best season April to OctoberIndonesia's dry season: clearer volcano mornings and calmer seas around Komodo.
- 4 to 14 travellersA tour leader throughout, with local guides and park rangers where required.
- Java, Bali & Komodo, IndonesiaBromo, Ijen, Ubud, Labuan Bajo and the islands of Komodo National Park.
- Two pre-dawn volcano starts3.30am for Bromo, 1am for Ijen. Gas masks are provided in the Ijen crater.
Day by day
Day 1Arrive Surabaya
Met at Juanda International Airport and taken to the hotel. Evening briefing with the tour leader on the next three days, which are the hard part of the trip, and an early night. Overnight in Surabaya.
Day 2Drive to Cemoro Lawang, about 2,200 m
About four hours by road, leaving the plains for the Tengger highlands and the farming villages on their slopes. Cemoro Lawang sits right on the rim of the Tengger caldera; an afternoon walk along the edge gives the first look across the Sea of Sand to Bromo. It is cold here at night — around 5 to 10°C. Overnight in Cemoro Lawang.
Day 3Bromo sunrise from Penanjakan, about 2,770 m — drive to the Ijen area
Jeep at about 3.30am to the Penanjakan viewpoint for sunrise over the caldera, Bromo and Semeru. Then down onto the Sea of Sand and up roughly 250 steps to Bromo's crater rim at 2,329 metres to look into the vent. After breakfast, about six hours east by road to a hotel near Ijen, and bed by early evening. Overnight near Ijen.
Day 4Ijen blue fire, crater rim about 2,380 m — ferry to Bali, drive to Ubud
Leave at about 1am for the Paltuding trailhead, then a 3 km climb by head torch to the crater rim, roughly one and a half to two hours. Those who want to — and who have no asthma or heart condition — descend with a guide and a gas mask to see the blue flames, then everyone watches daylight reach the turquoise lake. Back to the hotel to rest, then the ferry from Ketapang to Gilimanuk (about an hour) and three to four hours' drive to Ubud. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 5Ubud — the Sacred Monkey Forest and Tegallalang rice terraces
A slow morning to recover, then the Sacred Monkey Forest, its fourteenth-century temples in forest shared with long-tailed macaques — keep glasses and anything loose out of reach. Afternoon at the Tegallalang terraces north of town, walked along the paths between the fields. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 6Ubud — Tirta Empul and a free afternoon
Morning at Tirta Empul, a water temple where Balinese Hindus bathe in spring-fed pools, and the rock-cut shrines of Gunung Kawi nearby. The afternoon is free: Ubud Palace, the market, a massage or a cooking class. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 7Fly to Labuan Bajo — board the boat
Early drive to Denpasar airport, about an hour and a half, for the flight to Labuan Bajo on Flores, roughly one hour fifteen minutes. Board the boat at the harbour around midday and sail into the national park, with a first snorkel and a short climb on Kelor island in the afternoon. Dinner and the night on board, anchored near Padar.
Day 8Padar at sunrise, Komodo, Pink Beach and Manta Point
Ashore before dawn for the climb up Padar's ridge, about 30 to 45 minutes on steep steps, for sunrise over its three bays. Then Komodo Island for a ranger-led walk to look for dragons, snorkelling off Pink Beach, and an afternoon drift over Manta Point if the current allows. Night on board.
Day 9Taka Makassar and Kanawa — back to Labuan Bajo
Morning at the Taka Makassar sandbank and the reef off Kanawa island for a last snorkel, then back to Labuan Bajo by early afternoon. Check in to the hotel; sunset from the hill above the harbour and a farewell dinner. Overnight in Labuan Bajo.
Day 10Depart Labuan Bajo
Transfer to Komodo Airport, ten minutes from town, for your flight to Bali or Jakarta and onward. Flights out of Labuan Bajo are limited, so book the connection with a few hours in hand.
What’s included
- Seven nights in hotels and guesthouses, twin share with private bathrooms
- CONFIRM — Two nights aboard a traditional wooden liveaboard boat in Komodo National Park, with all meals on board; whether the boat is private to the group, and the cabin arrangement, to be confirmed
- CONFIRM — Domestic flight Denpasar (Bali) to Labuan Bajo, economy class with checked bag
- Daily breakfast, all meals on the boat, and two dinners on Java
- A tour leader throughout, with local guides at Bromo, Ijen and Ubud
- Jeep to Penanjakan and across the Sea of Sand; gas masks for the Ijen crater
- CONFIRM — Entrance fees for Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Ijen, the Ubud sites, and Komodo National Park (park fees under review — see Good to know)
- Ranger-guided walks on Komodo or Rinca, and snorkelling equipment on the boat
- All ground transport, the Java–Bali ferry, and airport transfers
Not included
- International flights to Surabaya and home from Labuan Bajo
- Indonesian visa on arrival or e-visa, where your passport needs one
- Travel insurance covering volcano trekking and snorkelling, which is a condition of joining
- Meals not listed as included, and drinks other than water and tea on the boat
- Optional activities, such as scuba diving at Komodo or a Balinese cooking class
- Tips for guides, drivers, rangers and boat crew
- Single rooms, available at a supplement on land only
Good to know
Entry to Indonesia
Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa for tourism, valid for 30 days; some do not need one, and others must apply in advance. Check the rules for your own passport when you book. Your passport needs at least six months' validity on arrival. Bali charges a separate tourist levy on arrival, paid online or at the airport, and arrival declarations are now made online before you land. The details change, so we send current instructions before you travel.
The volcanoes — and what the altitude figures mean
The 2,329 metres you will see quoted for this trip is Bromo's crater rim. It is not the highest point you reach: the Penanjakan sunrise viewpoint, reached by jeep the same morning, is around 2,770 metres, and the Ijen rim is about 2,380 metres. None of this is high enough for altitude sickness to be a real concern for most people, but you will notice the thinner air on steps, and nights at Cemoro Lawang are cold.
Both volcanoes are active. Bromo and Ijen are monitored by Indonesia's volcanology agency, and access is restricted or closed when activity rises. Ijen in particular closes at short notice when sulphur gas levels are high, and periodically for maintenance. If either is closed on our day, we go to the nearest safe viewpoint or substitute another activity, and we do not try to work round a closure.
Ijen at night, honestly
The blue fire is burning sulphur gas, and it is only visible in darkness — which is why the walk starts at about 1am. The path to the rim is 3 km on a wide, steep track, about one and a half to two hours up. The descent into the crater is on a rough, rocky path through sulphur smoke, and gas masks are provided. Anyone with asthma, a heart or lung condition, or who is pregnant should stay on the rim, and the guide can turn anyone round. You will also see the sulphur miners who carry loads out of the crater by hand; please give them the path.
Season and weather
April to October is Indonesia's dry season and the best time for all three islands. Volcano mornings are clearest in the middle of it, though cloud can still hide a sunrise. July and August are the busiest months in Bali and at Komodo, and the seas around Komodo can be choppy then when the south-east winds blow.
Accommodation, and life on the boat
On land, comfortable mid-range hotels, with simpler guesthouse-style rooms at Cemoro Lawang and near Ijen, where options are limited. The Komodo boat is a traditional wooden phinisi-style vessel; cabins are small, bathrooms are compact and sometimes shared, and the engine is noticeable at night. The exact boat, whether it is private to the group and the cabin arrangement are confirmed at booking.
Komodo National Park fees and rules
Komodo National Park fees and visitor rules have changed several times in recent years and are under review again. We will confirm the fees in force for your departure. Komodo dragons are wild and dangerous; walks are only with park rangers, and the ranger's instructions are not optional.
Water, money and connectivity
Snorkelling at Komodo is in open water, and at Manta Point the current can be strong. You need to be a confident swimmer; life jackets are on board. Manta rays are often seen there but are wild animals, and no operator can guarantee them. Indonesian rupiah are needed for small purchases; ATMs are easy in Surabaya, Ubud and Labuan Bajo but scarce at Bromo and Ijen. Mobile data is good on Java and Bali and patchy to absent on the boat.
Questions about this trip
How hard is this trip?
Moderate. No single day is long walking, but the Bromo and Ijen mornings start at 3.30am and 1am on consecutive days, Ijen is a 3 km uphill walk in the dark followed by a rough descent into the crater for those who choose it, and Padar is a steep 30 to 45 minutes at sunrise. If you walk regularly, cope with short nights and swim confidently, you will manage it.
How high does it go — is altitude a problem?
The highest point is the Penanjakan sunrise viewpoint at about 2,770 metres, reached by jeep; Bromo's crater rim is 2,329 metres and the Ijen rim about 2,380 metres. That is not high enough for altitude sickness to be a concern for most people, and you never sleep higher than about 2,200 metres. You will notice the thinner air on steps, and the nights are cold.
Will I definitely see the blue fire at Ijen?
Not definitely. The blue flame needs darkness and a reasonably clear night, and Ijen closes at short notice when sulphur gas levels are high. When it is open, most groups see it. If it is closed on our day we tell you on the morning and substitute something else; we never take anyone in against a closure.
Will we see manta rays and Komodo dragons?
Komodo dragons, almost certainly: they are seen on most ranger walks on Komodo or Rinca. Manta rays are likely at Manta Point on the Makassar Reef, but they are wild animals and no sighting is guaranteed, and the boat crew decides whether the current is safe to snorkel that day. They are not usually seen at Pink Beach itself, which is a reef snorkel close to shore.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can buy a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa online, some need nothing for a short stay, and others must apply in advance. Bali also charges a tourist levy on arrival. We send current instructions when you book, but the official Indonesian immigration site is the final word.
What is the boat like?
A traditional wooden boat of the type used across the Komodo islands, with small cabins, compact bathrooms, a shaded deck and meals cooked on board. It is comfortable rather than luxurious, and the engine can be heard at night. The exact vessel and cabin arrangement are confirmed at booking.
Can I join on my own, or make it private?
Single travellers are welcome and are paired with another traveller of the same sex, or can take a single room on land for a supplement; boat cabins are shared. The route can also run as a private trip on your own dates, with a longer stay in Bali or an extra night on the boat. For a gentler cultural tour of the region, see our Indochina Heritage Trail.
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Photographs: Thomas Hirsch (= user Ravn) (CC BY-SA 3.0); Okkisafire (CC BY-SA 3.0); YUS JULIADI (CC BY-SA 4.0); Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0); Satdeep Gill (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Enquire about this trip
Tell us who is travelling and roughly when. A trip planner — not a call centre — replies within three hours between 9am and 11pm Pakistan time with a day-by-day itinerary and the full price, per person, with nothing hidden underneath it.
- Every itinerary written from scratch around your dates.
- Licensed operator, running these routes since 2020.
- A full costing up front — no deposit to see one.
- +92 310 5344471
- info@elhamasia.com
- 9am – 11pm PKT, seven days a week
- Office No. 227, Rohtas Road, G-9/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
