Ijen Blue Flame: A Rare Spectacle of Natural Luminescence
One of Indonesia’s natural tourist destinations that attract the world’s eye is the Ijen Blue Flame. The charm of Ijen Blue Flame can attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. No wonder, if Ijen Blue Flame is already well known by both local and foreign tourists.
Ijen Blue Flame is located in Bondowoso Regency at a distance of 35 Kilometers from Banyuwangi city, Ijen Blue Flame is only taken around one and a half hours. Because the path to Mount Ijen has several steep slopes, it is recommended to use a qualified motorized vehicle. The things that can be enjoyed by visitors are as follows:
LAKE OF IJEN BLUE FLAME
Ijen Blue Flame has a height of about 2443 Meters above sea level. Ijen Blue Flame Lake is a Tosca blue lake with almost zero acidity. The depth of Ijen Blue Flame Lake was about 200 meters with a volume of 36 million cubics and a diameter of 700 meters. Not surprisingly, Ijen Blue Flame Lake is called the largest Acid Lake in the World.
When the morning comes, usually the scenery around the lake is very beautiful. The sun’s biases give the pink color appearance to the sky and add to the beauty of the mountain panorama on Ijen Blue Flame Lake. You don’t need a professional technician to take pictures, because basically, the view of Ijen Blue Flame Lake is very beautiful. Visitors can sit on the edge of the Blue Flame rim to enjoy views of Blue Flame Lake with white cliffs or mountainsides. Guaranteed, it will be an unforgettable experience to get to the top and enjoy Ijen Blue Flame Lake.
ACCESS TO THE TOP
Along the road to the summit, visitors will be challenged by slopes with a slope of 45 degrees, with bends climbing the road and making visitors tired. However, do not push yourself if it is not strong, we can take a short break before returning to climb. Along the way, visitors will find a stall called Pondok Bunder.
REST AREA PONDOK BUNDER
Pondok Bunder is a place where miners weigh their mining products. Before, they counted again and exchanged for money in Paltuding. In addition, the Pondok Bunder Area is also a place to rest for miners who do not return home or they are unwilling to go down to Paltuding. Visitors can rest in this place before continuing the climb. While we are waiting for morning, we can drink tea or coffee here. Here, there will be many miners who sell their mining products in the form of souvenirs. They make various forms of sulfur using the tools they have prepared at home.
BLUE FIRE / BLUE FLAME PHENOMENA
Besides the beautiful blue lake, Ijen Blue Flame is famous for Blue Fire or Blue Flame phenomenon. Visitors can enjoy the blue fire at night climbing and ascent starts at 01.00 am. If there are bubbles of gas, it’s dangerous for visitors and the climb can start at 03.00 am. The climb can be taken about 4 kilometers with an estimated time of about one hour to two hours, depending on the climber himself. If you have a strong physique and are accustomed to climbing, it can take less than an hour. It needed 20 minutes with a distance of 900 meters from the summit to get to the source of the Blue Fire. The track was quite more difficult than before, visitors must be careful because the road is rocky and sandy so slippery.
Blue fire comes from burning sulfur. And at night, the color turns blue. However, when the sunrises come, the blue color will disappear. Based on the information Blue Fire in the world are only 2 parts. First, it is located in Iceland. Second, it is located in east java, Indonesia. That is why many people are curious to come and visit the Ijen Blue Flame.
SUNRISE POINT
After enjoying the beauty of Blue Fire, visitors can go back up the rocky road and enjoy the view of the cliffs that surround the Caldera. The beauty of the blue lake, sulfur, and cliffs merge into a luxury panorama. Visitors can enjoy the view for a moment before returning to the top but must pay attention to the road that will be passed by the miners.
Arriving at the top, visitors take the road to the left and climb again briefly to enjoy Sunrise Spot or Sunrise Point where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the sunrise with a very beautiful color gradation of the sky collaborated with the beauty of Ijen Blue Flame. Sunrise Spot is one of the best Spots for taking photos. From the summit, visitors can also see the beautiful panorama of the mountains lined up. Visitors can see Mount Merapi, Mount Meranti, and even Mount Raung.
MINING ACTIVITIES
During the trip, visitors will meet with sulfur miners. They are the people who take sulfur from the ‘Pawon’ term for the source of sulfur. Then bring it to Paltuding. Usually, they use trolleys for sulfur transport, but some people still use baskets made from bamboo. They were able to carry between 50 to 90 kilograms of sulfur for one day with a wage of 1000 / kilogram (2017) on their shoulders. They are usually able to take it 2 times a day. There are around 400 or more miners in the Ijen Blue Flame of various ages. Some of them are even in their teens.
In addition to sulfur mining, many miners offer their trolleys as Taxi or Ojek to transport visitors who are unable to climb or descend the Ijen Blue Flame. The cost range is starting from 250 up to one million. It depends on how many people and the route they take. And also, some of them accompany tour guides. They did it to get extra money.
ROUTE TO KAWAH IJEN OR IJEN BLUE FLAME
The first step before heading to Ijen Blue Flame is towards Bondowoso, from the city, it takes around 2 hours to arrive at the base camp or paltuding area. To more easily let order a package with us, we will be happy to assist you with all preparations so that there is no need to bother looking for the best route to get to Ijen Blue Flame.
TIPS AND TRICKS
– When going down Mount Ijen, the trick is Zig-zag walking to avoid injury because the legs hold too much weight. Zig-zag walking can reduce the risk of injury and the risk of slipping. Or if interested, visitors can half run, but it is quite dangerous for people who are physically less fit.
– Breathing through the nose when climbing so that it is not easily tired and thirsty.
– Bring safety equipment for climbing such as masks, flashlights, mountain shoes, small towels/handkerchiefs (to help to breathe if the mask is not able to protect breathing), and hiking sticks (if necessary).
– Use flexible clothes and absorb sweat because when climbing will sweat and body temperature increase, and bring a thick jacket to protect from the cold during the summit.
– Don’t eat a lot of heavy food before climbing
– Bring snacks to preserve when you are hungry
– Bring drinking water to stay hydrated
– It is forbidden to make fire at the Peak, moreover burn branches from plants around the Blue Flame.
– Bring a crackle coat
– Use a professional guide
– Make sure to use a trusted travel agent
