Java - Semeru Volcano Trek

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1. How to get there

Semeru is located 4 hours drive away from Surabaya, in the eastern part of Java in Indonesia. From Singapore, several flights fly to Surabaya, but the cheapest option we found was to fly with Jetstar to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and then fly to Surabaya with AirAsia.
=> Warning: Jetstar arrives at KLIA, and AirAsia operates from LCCT. Both terminals share the same runway however, in Malaysia, one quickly learns that things are always more complicated than necessary, and those terminals are 20km apart. Although there is a modern underground train within KLIA, the ONLY way to link these two terminals are by shuttle bus (every 30mins) or taxi (takes 15mins, faster if you convince the driver to speed up. ride costs 30Ringgit from KLIA to LCCT, and 50 from LCCT to KLIA... don't ask, Malaysian logic). We managed to do the transfer in less than an hour (From touchdown with Jetstar to embarkation with AirAsia.) Note that the transfer requires entering Malaysia at KLIA and leaving Malaysia 30mins later at LCCT. Online boarding allows to hasten the process and there is no need to go to the check-in counter at LCCT.

From Surabaya airport, it is a 4 hours drive to Cemoro Lawang, the town nearest to the caldera. From there, it takes another 1.5 hours to reach the village to do the registration for the Semeru trek. This part of the journey is done by 4x4 Toyota land cruisers to battle against huge slopes and the layers of ash of the caldera.

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=> Awesome guide for any trip in JAVA: Tommy (contact: blueisland_024@yahoo.com)

Tommy organised our trip during the Bromo eruption in 2011, and this trip to Semeru. We also recomended him to a dozen friends who all had good feedbacks of this efficient and charismatic guide. Idjen, Bromo, Semeru, Solo, Yogyakarta, he has a wide range of local contacts for any trip or transports from Bali to Java.

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2. Semeru trek

In order to do the trek, it is necessary to apply for a permit at Ranu Pani, and provide a medical certificate. Usually, this part is taken care of by the local guide who can negotiate with the park rangers. The first portion of the trek goes through lush jungle and is a gentle slope progressively entering the lowest level of the clouds which mix with the vegetation. After 3-4 hours hike, a first stop is made at Kumbolo Lake for lunch. From the lake, it is a 3 hours hike to the “base camp”. The portion between the lake and the foot of Semeru is particularly nice with lots of different vegetation and very peculiar landscapes.
Night is short at the base camp, in order to reach the top of the volcano, a 1 000m climb, everybody wakes up at midnight, gulps down a breakfast, and starts the trek with the headlights. It takes at least 3 hours to complete the hike to the top. The first part is quite steep but is within a forest which allows for good grips and protection from the wind. The last part however, which lasts nearly 2 hours, is a very steep climb in frustrating ash. The hike is without doubt one of the most difficult in Indonesia, but the reward, up on the 3 676m Volcano, with eruptions every 15-20 minutes right behind is a truly spectacular experience well worth the effort.
The hike back to Ranu Pani is done in one day, using the exact same path.

3. Bromo

Bromo is still active and can easily be accessed by jeep and after a short walk to the top of the crater. The scenery from viewpoint 1 at the sunrise is really stunning, and worth the crowds because, yes, the spot is PACKED with tourists, most of them Indonesians. Coming early in the morning by jeep is worth it because it is possible to see the 3 volcanoes (Bromo, Tengger and tall Semeru) floating over the low clouds that cover the caldera. As the sun comes in, the clouds slowly vanish and reveal the whole sandy caldera. For pictures of Bromo during the eruption in February 2011 see =>BROMO<=

4. Before / After

Eruption of Bomo in Feb - 2011	Bromo, Tengger and Semeru in May - 2013