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Hendrie Oktaviannur

21 Sep 2019 - 11 min read

Treading Every Corner of Bromo Tengger Semeru

with David John Schaap

The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park never fails to capture the hearts of people including this extreme sports addict, David John Schaap.

”Bromo is one of my favorite destinations. Not just because I get the chance to pursue my hobby, but also because there are so many places here with beautiful landscape and cool weather to boot. For those who want to enjoy magnificent mountain sceneries which offer easy access, Bromo is the answer,” David claimed.

To prove it, we asked David along to traverse every corner and try out a multitude of activities in Bromo Tengger Semeru. Want to know how it’s like? We invite you to explore Bromo Tengger Semeru through David’s eyes and in his own words.

Best Spots to Watch the Sunrise

“I didn’t know there are so many spots in Bromo to watch the sunrise. And every spot has its own uniqueness that makes each one a joy to visit.”

- David John Schaap

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (1 hour from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

This is the highest point from which you can watch the sunrise at Bromo Tengger Semeru.

The only point that provides public restrooms and food vendors.

The most popular tourist spot so it gets really crowded at dusk.

To get to the top, you have to trek on foot for around 15 minutes.

Tips:Start your journey as early as possible (we recommend starting around 3:00 a.m.) to avoid having to navigate your way through the crowd for the best spots to view the sunrise.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (45 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

This location can be an alternative spot to view the sunrise if Penanjakan I gets too crowded.

It has a lower point of view than Penanjakan I.

The route to Cinta Hill is less steep than Penanjakan I.

This place is called Cinta Hill (Cinta means “love” in English) because it used to be a place where couples often come for dates.

Tips: Be respectful of the local customs because the Tengger tribe often makes this place their offering spot.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (50 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

Located adjacent to Cinta Hill, this can also be an alternative spot to view the sunrise if Penanjakan I is too crowded.

The route to Kingkong Hill is steeper.

The area is relatively bigger and is fenced up.

It’s called Kingkong Hill because one part of the cliff found on this hill looks like the head of a kingkong.

Tips: Choose this place to save traveling time if you are planning to visit other tourist destinations surrounding Mount Bromo because it is located at a lower altitude compared to other sunrise-viewing spots.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (20 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo).

Info:

This is the closest sunrise-viewing spot from Cemoro Lawang village.

Be prepared to be surrounded by 360 degrees of breathtaking views: the rising sun on your left, a close-up view of Mount Bromo dan Mount Batok on your right, at the back is a quaint little village and right in front of you are green hilly slopes.

The most popular tourist spot is a 5-minutes walk from the car park.

Tips:

The recent extended dry weather makes this hill astonishingly beautiful with its multi-colored foliage.

A tip from David: “Don’t hesitate to walk up to the peak, other than being less crowded, the view gets increasingly more beautiful up there.”

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (2.5 hours from Ngadisari Village in Sukapura District, Probolinggo).

Info:

Behold the view of Mount Semeru surrounded by white clouds during sunrise.

Unlike other sunrise-viewing spots, the B29 peak is located on a flat terrain.

Viewed from this spot, the sun rises from right behind Mount Lemongan, Raung and Argopuro.

After reaching the car park, you have to walk around 150 meters to reach the peak.

You can take an ojek (motorcycle taxi) to the peak for Rp60.000 for a roundtrip.

Tips: We recommend starting your trip in Lumajang instead of Probolinggo due to the lighter traffic from Lumajang.

Explore the Wonders Around Mount Bromo

“Bromo Tengger Semeru can be enjoyed by anyone from teenagers to the elderlies. It’s relatively more accessible so we don’t have to make too much effort just to get there and enjoy its beauty. In fact, we’re able to cover all of the following tourist attractions only within half a day!”

- David John Schaap

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (50 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or 20 minutes from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

A hilly terrain covered by limitless green savannah.

This is a favorite spot among tourists to take pictures with the green undulating hills as a backdrop.

The perfect choice for those looking to do casual trekking.

You can rent a horse to bring you around the hills with fees starting from Rp100.000 per person.

Tips:Come between 07:00 – 08:00 a.m. and prepare to be captivated by the view of the fog-covered hills as the morning sun rays gently sweep over it.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (1 hour from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

See the majestic shrine at the foot of Mount Bromo.

It takes around 25 minutes on foot to get to Luhur Poten Temple.

You can ride a horse to take you around the foot of Mount Bromo as well as to see the temple.

Tips:

Pay attention to the signs around the temple because there are some sacred areas that are restricted to tourists.

Refrain from being too noisy around the temple as many of the local people still pay their respects in this place.

If you’re here in July or August, you may have a chance to see the Yadnya Kasada ceremony.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (1.5 hours from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

See the crater of Mount Bromo up close and listen to the rumbling sounds of an active volcano.

From the carpark, it takes around 45 minutes by foot to get to the peak of Mount Bromo.

A staircase with steel handrails is available to assist your climb to the top.

Tips:

Use a mask or a mouth-cover to protect yourself from the overpowering sulphur smell.

Wear a jacket or a scarf to cope with the strong winds at the mountain top.

To save energy, you can rent a horse to get to the bottom of the staircase for Rp150.000 for a roundtrip.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (45 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or 30 minutes from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

The whispering sand is a desert located within the Bromo Tengger Semeru caldera.

When it’s quiet, you can hear the howl of the sand as if it’s whispering.

Tips:Prepare a mask to cover your nose and mouth from the sand and dust.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (Ngadisari Village in Sukapura District, Probolinggo).

Info:

This is one of the edelweiss cultivation areas within Bromo Tengger Semeru.

Get to know more about the edelweiss flower, from the species variety, the time it takes to grow, to its ties with the traditional customs of the Tengger tribe.

You can bring home an edelweiss flower as a souvenir. Selling price starts from Rp10.000 to Rp50.000 depending on the size of the flower.

Tips:This is a relatively new place to visit so many tour guides and drivers may not be familiar with this place. Ask the locals in the village if you need more information.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (45 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

Enjoy the scenery with the large expanse of rice fields grown across rolling hills as you bask in the cool weather that can only be found in the suburbs.

You can trek through the rice fields and the local residential areas.

Tips:

Bring medication to beat motion sickness as the route can be bumpy.

The best time to visit is in the afternoon so you can meet the people of Tengger as they return home from their farms.

Experience the Extraordinary

+2

“I’ve been pursuing some of my favorite activities in Bromo, such as riding a trail bike or down hill. But when I visited this place again, I’m surprised to find that there are still so many new places and new activities to be discovered, all while being surrounded by the most picturesque natural wonders.”

- David John Schaap

Location: The Whispering Sand, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Info:

The limitless stretch of sand and the undulating terrain makes for an adrenaline-pumping ride.

One of the trail bike rentals is Kaldera Adventure (081333779301). The rental fee is around Rp175.000 – Rp250.000 for 12 hours depending on the type of bike.

Some of the accommodations around Bromo Tengger Semeru also offer trail bike rentals.

Tips:

A tip from David:“There are many types of trail bikes and not all of them are made for jumping stunts.”

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (Ranu Pani, Senduro, Lumajang District, Jawa Timur).

Info:

This place offers an exotic natural landscape with a large expanse of water that’s hidden amidst the greeneries.

It’s an alternative destination for those who want to enjoy the view of a lake without having to climb up the mountain.

To get to the location, you have to walk for 1 km (around 10 minutes).

You can also opt to camp by the lakeside.

Tips:Come before 05:00 a.m. to see thick fog floating over the lake as the landscape catches the morning sun.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (1.5 hours from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo, or from Wonokitri/Tosari entry point in Pasuruan).

Info:

Tread along the narrow path along the tip of the Mount Bromo crater.

A trek to the top takes more than 1 hour.

Beware of the steep trail and strong winds.

Tips:

Highly recommended for experienced mountain climbers.

Seek help from a professional hiker.

Location: Teletubbies Hill, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Info:

The lack of light source on the hill allows you to see a sky full of stars, and even the Milky Way.

You can now take advantage of the Bromo Night Tour that can be booked through Traveloka.

Tips:

Use an astronomy app to see when are the best times to catch the Milky Way such as the Stellarium, Star Walk 2, TPE, and many others.

The weather, location and star guidance all affect whether or not you’ll be able to see the Milky Way.

Location: Teletubbies Hill, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Info:

Have a sumptuous breakfast in the middle of the grass-covered hills.

The breakfast is provided by Plataran Bromo, a hotel located within the vicinity.

This activity costs Rp1.200.000 and it includes jeep rental, sunrise-viewing and a visit to the Teletubbies Hill and The Whispering Sand.

Price does not include an entrance fee to the national park.

Tips: You can choose any breakfast menu that your heart desires, be it Indonesian cuisine or other international menus.

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (30 minutes from Cemoro Lawang entry point in Sukapura District, Probolinggo).

Info:

Get a work out while enjoying the natural scenery hidden around the villages.

You can get a view of the rice fields and green farms that are surrounded by the pine trees with the beautiful Mount Semeru as the backdrop.

You can rent a bike from the various accommodation options, one of them is Jiwa Jawa Resort that rents out bikes at Rp150.000/hour.

Options for biking routes are plenty, starting from a more extreme route which is steep and arduous, to more relaxing routes with paved roads and gentle slopes.

Tips: We recommend biking in the afternoon at around 03:00 – 04:00 p.m. when the sun is starting to set and you can interact with the friendly villagers as they make their way home from their farms.

Where to Stay?

Bromo Terrace Hotel

Private villa for the whole family.

Bromo Terrace Hotel

8.6

•

Jalan Raya Bromo, Desa Sapikerep, Sukapura, Probolinggo, Jawa Timur.

Starts from: Rp1.300.000/night

See Hotel

Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo

Luxurious resort with a strategic location.

Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo

8.3

•

Jalan Raya Bromo , Wonotoro, Sukapura, Probolinggo, Jawa Timur.

Starts from: Rp1.820.000/night

See Hotel

Plataran Bromo

A resort with many exciting activities to offer.

Plataran Bromo

8.9

•

Ngadiwono, Tosari, Pasuruan, Jawa Timur.

Starts from: Rp2.123.550/night

See Hotel

Bromo Ecolodge Hotel

A comfortable and eco-friendly lodging.

Bromo Ecolodge Hotel

7.8

•

Desa Sapikerep Sukapura, Sukapura, Probolinggo, Jawa Timur.

Starts from: Rp580.000/night

See Hotel

How to Get There

To Surabaya by Air

Bromo Tengger Semeru can be accessed through the Juanda Airport in Surabaya. Almost all major airports in Indonesia have direct flights to Surabaya.

To Malang by Air

You can also access Bromo Tengger Semeru through the Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport in Malang. Only certain cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Balikpapan offer direct flights to this airport.

To Bromo Tengger Semeru

There are many options to get to Bromo Tengger Semeru, starting from: car rentals, public transport or hiring a tour guide. For a more convenient option, we recommend hiring a tour guide that will pick you up from the Juanda Airport in Surabaya or the Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport in Malang. The tour package prices vary, starting from Rp278.000/person.

Getting Around Bromo Tengger Semeru

Within half a day, you can cover most of the tourist destinations in Bromo Tengger Semeru which includes seeing the sunrise at Penanjakan I, visiting the crater of Mount Bromo, Luhur Ponten Temple, Teletubbies Hill and The Whispering Sand. A tour package starts from Rp 287.000/person inclusive of a driver, gas and an entry ticket to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

Fun Facts About Bromo Tengger Semeru

“The Tengger tribe loves to tie sarong around their necks. They want to show that they are proud being a part of the Tengger tribe.”

- Luisiana Indrawati, tour guide

”The edelweiss flower can live up to 10 years without water as long as they have enough sunlight. Therefore, the flower is often called "the eternal flower".”

- Teguh, Edelweiss Garden manager

“According to the data, many tourists complete their visit to Bromo Tengger Semeru in 2 days. They arrive on Saturday, visit Bromo at night, go sightseeing in Kota Malang the next day and go back home on Sunday.”

- R. Agung Harjaya, Malang City Tourism Board

“Anytime is a good time to visit Bromo. Because Bromo offers something unique in every season.”

- Suprapto, Plataran BromoSales Promotion

“The edelweiss flower is deemed sacred by the Tengger people. This flower is included in the offering wreath that symbolizes the immortality of the ancestors of the Tengger people.”

- Cahyo, Edelweiss Festival Committee Chairperson