Java is the most densely populated island in the world. Its area is comparable to 1/3 of Norway, one Greece or two Latvia. At the same time, the population of the island is about 140 million – this is like throughout Russia. And also on Java 120 volcanoes, of which 30 are active. Imagine 120 volcanoes in the territory a little smaller than the Omsk region.
I want to go to Java!
For the Javans, the expression “live on a powder barrel” has a direct meaning. Muslims live here mainly, but there are also Buddhists, Christians, Protestants. Outside, depending on the denomination, all Javans relate to volcanoes in a special way. They regularly carry out rituals and bring offerings – throw flowers, food, money into volcanoes. Not to appease the volcano on time – it means to be prepared for the fact that he will be offended and exploded, turning everything around the mountains of ash. Volcanoes are the air gates of the Indonesians. Aircraft here fly depending on the mood of the volcanoes. He will play the wind in the wrong direction, and the air traffic is stopped until the volcano calms down.
Photo: Beawiharta/Reuters
If you want to get acquainted with the coolest volcanoes in Java, we suggest that you consider the following route, which includes the “pearl” of the island, Vulcan Bromo, a blue acid lake in the crater of the Izhen volcano, and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world – Merapy, as well as several attractions along the road.
What and how much to go?
If you rush, you can drive this route in a week. If you lay time for normal sleep and stops on the way, it will take two weeks. If you go on a bike, not in a hurry, then up to a month. Plus, along the way there is sure to see what to see. Java is very colorful, and local residents are smiling, friendly and very interested in tourists passing through their settlement.
Photo: Cahyo Afianto
In Indonesia, it is good to travel on a motorcycle or scooter. Complete independence, you can consider everything on the way, get acquainted with the local life and at the same time do not stick out in traffic jams. One trouble is long distances. You can go from JoKyakart to Malang or Surabay for 2-3 days, while the train or bus will deliver you many times faster. In addition, if you take the bike for rent, you need to return it to the same place where you took it. And if you get from Joki to Ijen (about 1000 km),
You will have to go back the same amount.
Movement options for this route:
1) fly to the Jokyakart, visit Mespi and temples (on a rented bike or using agencies),
From there, take an excursion to Bromo and Ijen, then you may be delivered to Bali or back to Jocue.
2) fly to the Jokyakart, visit the Meperpi and temples, from there to go by public transport or fly to malang/Surabay, from there to take a tour or bike for rent. Make a circle on Bromo and Ijen and return to the rental point.
3) fly to Jokyakart, buy a bike and go to it through Bromo and Ijen to Bali or at least to Papua. It is no need to return it anywhere, complete freedom. At the end of the trip, the bike can be sold.
The cost of transport:
• Renting a simple bike will cost you an average of $ 5 per day, sports – from $ 15.
• Buying a bike will cost $ 200 for a simple (floor) machine, from $ 700 per bike of a sports class.
• Public transport in Java is quite miserable, but cheap. On average $ 1.5 per 100 km of road.
Jokyakarta
The starting point of the trip is the cultural capital of Indonesia. The city of students, street musicians, Batik masters, jewelers, dancers and poets. But the main attractions of the Jokyakarts are beyond its borders. The ancient Buddhist temples of Pramambanan and Borobudur are the hallmark of these places.
And the Merrapi volcanoes and Merbaba nearby are the peculiar gates of the city. Merbaba has been sleeping for 300 years, but Mespi is a very dangerous fiery mountain.
Mespi volcano, height of 2914 meters, is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. It is erupted on average every 7 years, small eruptions occur every six months, smokes almost every day. During his life, he ruined thousands of people, forced 9 rivers to change their directions. In 1006, as a result of the awakening of the volcano, the Java-Indian kingdom of the Mataram was completely destroyed.
Photo: Jonathan Lin
Tracking to the measurement crater takes about 5 hours under good conditions. You need to go out at 1-2 at night to be in time for dawn. The nearest settlement to the volcano is the village of New Selo. The agencies also offer a transfer from Jokyakart and vice versa.
Vulcan Bromo
The most cosmic view of the volcanoes that can be seen on our planet is here.
Photo: Frank Douwes. Bromo -Tengger National Park – Semeru
In this famous photo, three volcanoes are actually visible. Bromo is the one on the left, smoking, with a demolished top. In the middle is small, embossed, covered with greens – this is a batok, an extinct volcano. Behind them is the semer – a beautiful cone of the correct shape with a constant haze on top. By the way, this is the highest volcano in Java.
The view of these volcanoes opens from the observation sites, the road to which begins in the village of Chemo Lavang. There it is customary to meet the dawn. And after that, you can go down to Calder, drive a motorcycle or run along volcanic black sand.
You can climb to the crater of the vulcan bromo with a diameter of 600 meters and look inside.
Photo: Ken Marshall
The volcano gives local residents an excellent opportunity to earn. Someone carries tourists on jeeps or horses, someone sells water and offers at the crater itself.
A woman sells water 100 meters from a vulcan seething crater
Those of the locals who are too lazy to walk every day on a volcano and vice versa, work in the gardens. Right on the mountain slopes, at an angle of 60º, beautiful mosaics from cabbage, potatoes and onions are laid out. The volcanic ash perfectly enriches the Earth, vegetables grow here like mushrooms after rain.
If desired, after Bromo you can visit the Madakaripura waterfall, the height of which reaches 200 meters.
Photo: Isen Majennt
Ivzhen volcano
Photo: undeklinable
In the crater of this volcano there is an acid lake of beautiful turquoise color. And Jeng is famous for being extracting sulfur. Every day, dozens of Indonesians descend without respirators into a smoking crater, chop off pieces of mineral and take them up 80 kg at a time, getting about $ 6 per working day.
Photo: Jean-Marie Hullot
For tracking on Ijen, you will need a respirator that you can take with you or rent on the spot. In extreme cases, a gauze bandage will save, which must constantly be moistened with water, since vapors of sulfur are poisonous. The road from parking to the crater takes about two hours. It is important to get there until dawn to see the blue lights – this is how sulfur burns.
Photo: Michael Heiniger
After the “blue lights” you can safely climb the observation. At dawn, the views from there are simply wonderful.
Photo: Pieter Edelman
Photo: Pieter Edelman
General recommendations for tracking for volcanoes:
1) Security is the most important. The volcanoes are constant observation. In the case of the impending activity of the volcano, warnings are usually published in the media, roads are blocked and tourists are prohibited from approaching. Actual information about the activity of volcanoes can be obtained on the site or at local travel agencies.
2) In Indonesia, it is customary to climb the volcano at night. Firstly, to meet the dawn on top and see fantastic views. Secondly, because at night it is not so hot and not so difficult to go uphill.
3) Choose comfortable trekking shoes. Firstly, it is more convenient and safer in it than in sloppers, and secondly, it is very cold at the top at the top. Take a jacket with you, and better and a jacket with pants too.
4) If you go to the volcano not with the tour, take food and water with you. For cameras, the presence of a protective cover is desirable – sometimes a volcanic ash enters the gear of the lens, which is fraught with breakdown.
If Indonesia is a country of volcanoes, then Java is its very heart. Traveling to “hot spots” will be remembered for your life. If you are lovers to look at the unearthly beauty of creation and destruction, tickle your nerves, but at the same time are not ready for heavy physical exertion and exhausting campaigns, this route is for you. Explosive emotions in a short period of time are guaranteed.
Author: Irina Shapoval
You can find a suitable hotel on the site or in the OneTwotrip application.
