January 12th, 2014

In the eastern part of the island of Java, which is located in Indonesia, there is an amazingly beautiful, but very dangerous in nature, place - the volcano Kawah Ijen. The volcano is located at an altitude of about 2400 meters above sea level, the diameter of its crater is 175 meters, and the depth is 212 meters. Probably the strangest and most frightening lake of a beautiful apple-emerald color is located in its mouth, in which only the Terminator dares to swim, because instead of water in it sulfuric acid. More precisely, a mixture of sulfuric and hydrochloric acid with a volume of 40 million tons.

Renowned French photographer Olivier Grunewalda recently made several trips to the sulfur mines in Kawaha Ijen volcano crater located in East Java, Indonesia. There he made with the help of special equipment breathtaking surreal photos this place in the moonlight, lit by torches and blue flames of burning molten sulfur.

See photo © Olivier Grunewal.

Descent into the caldera of the Kawaha Ijen volcano, where there is a kilometer-wide sulfuric acid lake. Sulfur is mined on its shores

Each liter of this deadly goo contains an additional 5 grams of molten aluminum. In total, according to rough estimates, the lake contains more than 200 tons of aluminum. On the surface of the lake, the temperature fluctuates around 60 degrees, and at its bottom it is all 200!

Acid gases and steam are emitted from yellowish lumps of sulfur

So that people could imagine the danger of the lake for their lives, an experiment was conducted. A sheet of aluminum was lowered into the lake for 20 minutes, already when immersed, it began to become covered with bubbles, and after all the time, the aluminum sheet became thin, like a piece of cloth.

A worker breaks off a piece of solid sulfur. Then the sulfur is carried to the weighing station

However, the lake and the crater of the Kawah Ijen volcano itself is not used to attract tourists, but to extract sulfur in very unfavorable conditions for humans. And there is a myriad of sulfur in this crater, but since this is still Southeast Asia, manual labor is fully used.

Night. A miner with a torch is inside the crater of the Ijen Kawaha volcano, looking at a stream of liquid sulfur glowing in an uncanny blue:

The workers are local residents without any protective suits and gas masks, and inhaling the smell of sulfur is still disgusting, extracting lumps of sulfur day and night, using only their unprotected hands and a scarf tied around their face to protect their mouth and nose.

Miners work here in hellish conditions during the extraction of sulfur. Photographer Olivier Grunewalda described the local smell as unbearable, requiring a mask or gas mask for safety precautions. Some of the miners wear them, others work without them.

Miners with crowbars, which break off pieces of sulfur:

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A worker puts pieces of sulfur into baskets to carry it out of the volcano:

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Do you think it's all drawn? Watch the video:

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These bizarre forms formed from a stream of liquid sulfur inside the crater of the Kawaha Ijen volcano. When sulfur is molten, it is blood red. As it cools, it becomes more and more yellow.

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Molten sulfur drips from a ceramic tube that condenses the sulfur gases from the volcano into a liquid. Then it cools down, hardens, and workers mine it.

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The miner reached his destination with his cargo. The miners make two or three sulfur trips a day, earning about US$13 per shift for their hard work.

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A mechanism for the initial processing of sulfur, where large pieces are broken into smaller pieces

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Then lumps of sulfur are placed over the fire, and it melts again.

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Molten sulfur is poured into containers

The last stage of this process is the distribution of liquid sulfur on the plates for cooling. When it cools and turns into sulfur sheets, they are sent to local local rubber vulcanization plants and other industrial facilities.

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Photographer Olivier Grunewalda: “It feels like you are on another planet.” Grunewald lost one camera and two lenses in the harsh environment of the crater. When the shooting was over, he threw all his things into the trash: the sulfur smell was so strong that it would be impossible to get rid of it.

And now the daily report from this mine:

An Indonesian miner carries sulfur from the Ijen volcano on May 24, 2009 near Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images )

The acid-filled lake inside the Ijen volcano crater is 200 meters deep and a kilometer wide. Photo taken May 24, 2009 in East Java, Indonesia. The lake is filled with a solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen chloride at a temperature of 33 Cº. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

A worker repairs pipes in which sulfur dioxide condenses. Ijen volcano complex on May 24, 2009 near Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

A miner extracts sulfur from a pipe at the Ijen volcano crater on May 24, 2009 in East Java, Indonesia. Molten sulfur flows out of the deep red pipes, and as it cools it gradually turns yellow and solidifies. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

Workers repair pipes in which sulfur dioxide condenses. Ijen volcano complex on May 24, 2009 near Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

A miner extracts sulfur from a pipe near the crater of the Ijen volcano on May 24, 2009 in East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

In this photo taken through a segment of a spare ceramic pipe, workers are repairing a large sulfur condensing pipe. Ijen volcano complex on May 24, 2009 near Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

Workers repair pipes in which sulfur dioxide condenses. May 24, 2009. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

A piece of sulfur mined from the Ijen volcano. Photo taken May 24, 2009, East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

A miner extracts sulfur from a pipe at the Ijen volcano crater on May 24, 2009 in East Java, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

A miner carries sulfur to his baskets near the crater of the Ijen volcano on May 24, 2009. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images) #

A miner takes a short break while working near the Ijen volcano on May 24, 2009. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images) #

Loaded with gray baskets, ready to be carried up the steep crater walls and then to the weighing station. May 24, 2009. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

And volcanoes are inseparable concepts. Here, in the most seismically active region of the planet, there are impressive giants constantly spewing lava, gases and ash. Among them, one special one stands out, which has no analogues in the whole world. It is engulfed in the bright blue flicker of burning sulfur dioxide. The radiance is light and visible only at night. But it is not lava that burns, but gases that come out of fumaroles - cracks on the slopes. Sulphurous gases mixed with water vapor are called solfatans. When they reach the surface, they spontaneously ignite, reacting with oxygen. It is sulfur that is responsible for the unusual and beautiful color of fire. Sulfatans are denser than air. During strong eruptions, they flow along the slopes, forming entire fiery streams ...

Ijen - blue lava volcano

In fact, this is a whole volcanic complex on the island of Java. Its composition includessymmetrical conical stratovolcanoes. They border the caldera - a huge depression that occurs when the fiery mountains are destroyed.The most high point complex - Merapi (2803 m).But to Rather Ijen is especially curious, because he filled with hot H2 SO4 - sulfuric acid.

Kawa Ijen - acid lake

Kawah Ijen, or simply Kawah, It has a diameter of 1 km and a depth of 200 meters. Everything is interesting here: the color of the water, the fog from sulfuric fumes, the temperature and depth of the reservoir. The temperature on the surface of the acidic lake reaches 60 degrees Celsius!

The lake owes its special blueness to its unique composition - a mixture of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids with impurities of various metals. The color and transparency of the waters of Kava are associated with tectonic activity and change even during the day. The spectrum ranges from bright turquoise and green to milky white and grey.

Sulfur mining at Ijen

Near the shores of the acid lake, local residents have been extracting sulfur with their own hands for hundreds of years, which is formed as a result of the activity of the volcano. It actually condenses from vapors that have not had time to burn. The Javanese insert special pipes into the most active fumaroles (cracks), accelerating the condensation process. But the bulk of the mineral is mined manually with the help of picks and hammers.

Physically, it is very hard work. During the day, a worker carries about 100-150 kg of yellow sulfur, loading them into wicker baskets ... Not to mention the fact that at any second they can be scalded by red-hot toxic sulfate. It is noteworthy that locals rarely wear masks to protect against fumes, although tourists are not allowed to go without them.

This work is officially recognizedthe most harmfuland dangerouson the planet. The average life expectancy of prospectors is 30 years! Daily salary - 5$ ... However, in Java, the profession is considered an elite one.

As a souvenir, tourists are offered local handicrafts made from sulfur. They can be purchased right at the top.

Excursions to Ijen

The ascent takes about 2 hours at night and 1 hour during the day. The length of the path is 3 km.

To see the legendary blue lava, you need to go out at night - at 1:00.

It is good to start climbing early in the morning to meet the sunrise at the top. In Indonesia, it is customary to visit most of the sights at dawn: the weather is better and not hot, and the views are especially beautiful.

The landscapes here are absolutely cosmic at any time of the day. Photos from Ijen will be simply amazing - the lifeless stone slopes of the volcano, huge clouds of steam escaping from the bowels of the earth, combined with a sky-blue lake at the bottom of the crater. From the top, picturesque panoramas of the entire complex open up.

What to bring and how to dress

Be sure to bring a couple of liters of drinking water with you. Thirst will make itself felt, and if there are springs, then you can’t drink from them.

Take care of closed shoes with good soles. There are a lot of small stones and sand on the trail. Don't forget your jacket, because it's pretty cool and windy up there. Take headlamps for night climbs.

Are there eruptions on Ijen?

In general, it is in a period of attenuation. It erupts, but without magma, which was last seen here back in 1817 (far by Indonesian standards, of course :). It is characterized by phreatic (or gas) activity, which we talked about above. Earthquakes are frequent, but on a scale of seismic activity - within 1 point.

Visiting these places is allowed subject to safety rules and the presence of a guide. The use of a respirator or a special mask to protect against harmful sulfur dioxide is MANDATORY. A handkerchief, buff, or something to cover your airways and eyes will come in handy.

How to get to Ijen

H and Java is international Airport in Surabaya. B the nearest settlements to the volcano are the settlements of Pos Paltuding (Pos-Paltuding) and Kalisat ( Kalisat), and from large x - the city of Banyuw ang and (Banyuwangi ). Banyuwangi from Surabaya can be reached by train, and then by minibus to Paltuding (2 hours).

If you arrive in Jakarta (Jakarta), from there you can fly to the town of Jember (Jember) in Java, which also has an airport. Jember is located near Pos Paltuding, and domestic flight costs about $50.

Getting to Ijen from Bali is very easy. In the same Banyuwangi there is a large Kepatang crossing (Kepatang) where ferries run regularly. In Java you can rent a car, having reached your destination in an hour and a half from the ferry station.

Please note that the services of a local guide cost about $190.

In the photo - Ijen from the ferry to Bali

The path to the goal will give you a lot of pleasure - a serpentine jungle road, coffee plantations, colorful little villages, green hillsides and towering fire-breathing peaks of Indonesia ...

We recommend visiting Bromo after Kawah Ijen - it will take about 5 hours by car. Bromo-Tenge-Semeru Park is especially nice in the early morning;) We always enjoy the sunrise over Bromo in our trekking in Indonesia.

Ijen Volcano is one of the most amazing, and at the same time the most dangerous places on the globe. It is a whole volcanic complex, as it includes craters, old volcanoes, volcanic cones, some of which are located at a distance of 20 kilometers from each other. In a thirst for adventure, thousands of tourists come here every year to see with their own eyes an incredibly beautiful blue fire, the largest volcanic lake and inhuman conditions for sulfur mining.

The volcano is located on the island of Java, on the border of two districts: Banyuwangi and Bondosovo. It is a whole complex, which includes about 10 objects. From a tourist point of view, the most remarkable is the crater of the Ijen volcano. Being in constant activity, he continuously spews tubers of gray smoke.

Ijen differs significantly from other volcanoes. In its crater, instead of bubbling lava, there is an emerald lake. The dimensions of the reservoir are 950 × 600 meters. But instead of ordinary water, the lake is filled with a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. On the surface, the temperature of the mixture is 50-60 degrees. Its color is constantly changing, it is either turquoise, or malachite, or emerald. On the shore and a little away from the lake, streaks of a bright yellow hue may appear. This is exactly what sulfur is.

In liquid form, sulfur has a bright red hue. Flowing down the slopes, it cools and brightens. After that, it becomes solid and acquires a yellow color. At night, as a result of oxidation, sulfur has a beautiful blue tint.

Near the lake, the local population is engaged in the extraction of sulfur. This is quite difficult and dangerous work. After filling the baskets with lumps of sulfur, workers manually lower them down. The weight of one such burden is about 80 kilograms. During the day, the guys manage to do only two such descents, as a result of which they receive $ 10-13. By the standards of the island of Java, this is a very prestigious and highly paid job. The population density is high here, the unemployment rate reaches a maximum. Therefore, residents try to take on any job.

How to get to the volcano from Bali?

There are two ways to get to Ijen from Bali. If you do not want to worry and worry about something, then you can order a group tour. You can take it. This direction is very popular among tourists, so trips are organized regularly. The cost of the program in a large group starts from $ 95. This tour is for 2 days.

IN independent travel there is nothing complicated on Ijen either. Initially, from Bali, you need to get to Banyuwangi - this is the closest locality where the tourist infrastructure is well developed. It is also the base point of departure to the volcano. By the way, by contacting local travel agencies, you can also book a tour to climb to the top. Of course, this is not necessary, since you can get to the volcano on your own.

Using any transport, you need to get to the Pos Paltuding camp, located at the foot of the mountain. All the necessary infrastructure is concentrated here, there are cafes, shops, and parking. From the camp begins a hiking ascent, the duration of the entire route is about 3 kilometers. Here you can also use the services of a guide who will accompany you there and back. But given that the road is not so difficult, you can climb without his help.

The distance from Banyuwangi to Pos Paltuding is 30 kilometers. There is only one road that leads there. best quality. To the right place public transport does not run. And you will have to use a taxi, a motorcycle taxi, an organized tour or a rented bike. The last option is the cheapest, since the daily rental of transport costs an average of 65 thousand rupees, plus you will not depend on anyone for time.

Ijen Volcano on the map

On this map, I marked the exact location of the Ijen volcano.

How to climb the volcano?

As I already noted, the hike to the volcano starts from the Pos Paltuding camp at an altitude of 1875 meters. You need to walk 3 kilometers. You will have to overcome a height difference of only 500 meters, this route can take from 1 to 3 hours, it all depends on your physical endurance.

Climbing can be both night and day. The advantage of the night ones is that you can see the "blue fire" in the crater of the volcano, as well as meet the dawn on the top of the mountain. There are always many night travelers. If you decide to hit the road at night, take a flashlight with you, it is better that it is attached to your head.

It is unlikely to get lost, as the only wide path leads to the top. Sulfur miners also walk along it, so if you meet them on the way, try not to interfere, do not forget that each of them carries about 80 kg. If you decide to take a picture with them, then try to thank them for it. Usually 5-10 thousand rupees is enough.

After you climb to the top, you need to go down another 200 meters to the lake itself. This descent is quite steep, it will take about half an hour, be careful. It is in the crater that you will see a blue flame, this is sulfur oxidizing. Sulfur miners also work here. Having admired this spectacle, rise again to the top of the crater and go to the meeting point of dawn.

volcano crater

The volcanic crater with an acid lake located in it has a width of 361 meters, its depth reaches up to 200 m. It is quite dangerous to be in it, but this does not stop tourists.

Climbing to the top, you will see that the crater is filled with acrid gray smoke - sulfur vapor, which has an extremely negative effect on human health. There is always a high temperature near the pipes from which sulfur flows, it is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. That is why, when climbing Ijen, be sure to take a protective mask with you, and the better it filters the air, the easier it will be for you to breathe.

But if you watch the crater from the side, that is, lingering on its slopes, then you will see a picture of incredible beauty: devastated rocky slopes, corrosive sulfur tubers rising up and an immovable acid lake, considered one of the most dangerous in the whole world.

Hotels near the volcano

The best options for staying overnight are the cities of Banyuwangi and Bondosovo. They have a good tourist infrastructure, and there will be no problems with the choice of housing. If you are traveling from Bali, then it is better to give preference to the city of Banyuwangi. To the number the best hotels this city includes:

Also, several cozy guesthouses are located near Ijen. 2 of them are located in the village of Sempol, 10 kilometers from the mountain, and one is in the camp, from where the hiking route to the crater begins. In Sempol, you can stay in the houses of the local population, they usually rent out rooms.

If you are going to visit the volcano, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. The ideal time to travel is from April to October, when it is dry and warm.
2. The entrance ticket costs only 15,000 rupees, but at the same time, take money with you for travel, meals and accommodation.
3. The trip to the volcano is physically exhausting. Therefore, the issue of accommodation should be decided in advance. Good hotels are located in the city of Banyuwangi. You can also spend the night at a tea plantation that you will meet on the way. In addition to a place where you can spend the night, you will be offered a tasting of fragrant tea and an exciting tour of the plantations.
4. The length of the path from the foot to the top is only 3 kilometers, but this section of the path is considered the most difficult. Due to the fact that the route consists of gentle paths, people of any age, including children, can go on a trip. I advise you to get acquainted with the weather forecast in advance, during strong winds and rain, visibility will be limited. Of the unpleasant consequences - a cold and poor health.
5. Please note that the mountain is quite high and literally in the middle of the way you will want to dress warmly. Accordingly, it will be even cooler at the top. So take warm clothes with you.
6. The emitted sulfur vapors impregnate the air with a fetid odor, which irritates the mucous membranes and can provoke asthma attacks. Be sure to bring masks, respirators or gas masks with you. The higher the protective properties of the product you have chosen, the better for you. There have been cases of sulfur poisoning among tourists.
7. If you want to do a good deed, you can take with you a few respirators or cotton-gauze bandages for the sulfur miners, since they don’t even have enough money for such vital trifles.
8. Take care of comfortable equipment. You should have stable shoes, insulated clothing and preferably gloves.

Ijen is such a popular place that people from other countries specially come here to see another natural miracle with their own eyes. If you are relaxing in Bali, then try to find time and get on the volcano. The main thing is not to forget about the basic safety rules, and you will get a lot of positive emotions from such a trip.

Ijen is active volcano, which is located on the eastern part of the island of Java. Ijen Volcano is known worldwide as the volcano with the largest acidic lake (Kawa Ijen). An acid lake of turquoise hues is located in the crater of a volcano. You can go down to the lake and stand on the shore of this fantastic natural attraction.

In general, Ijen is a whole complex of volcanoes, the highest of them are

• Round - 3332 m
• Merapi – 2800m
• Ijen - 2368 m

The most interesting of them is, of course, Ijen, since you can not only climb it, but also descend into the crater itself, see the blue fire, burning sulfur, and of course the acid lake.

Blue fire is unique a natural phenomenon, which can be seen in the crater of the Ijen volcano at night. What is it? Blue fire is the burning of hydrogen sulfide at a temperature of 600 degrees Celsius, which is the reason for the blue color of the fire. The glow is not strong, so it can only be seen at night. And that is why most people climb the Ijen volcano at night, to first see the blue sulfur burning, and then at dawn the extraordinary views of the Ijen volcano.

From Bali

From the island of Bali to the volcano Ijen can be reached independently or as part of an excursion.

You can get there on your own by rented moped or car. In this case, you will need to go to the ferry in Gilimanuk. The ferry to Java runs every hour, the time on the water is 60 minutes. You will need to pay money for the transfer. On the ferry you can sit, have a bite to eat, in general, relax. After you set foot on the island of Java, you will need to drive to Banyuwangi and from there to the Ijen volcano to the Pos Paltuding camp. It is from him that the ascent to the volcano begins. There is a toilet, parking for cars, a small shop, and even a guesthouse.

In principle, exactly the same road awaits you as part of an excursion from Bali. We went with our friend on the island, who organized an excursion for us and 5 other people. The road from Kuta to the ferry took about 6 hours, then the ferry 1 hour, and after that another hour and a half along Java to the Ijen volcano.

From the island of Java

If you are coming from the island of Java, then you need to get to the city of Bondowoso and after it go to the Ijen volcano.

You can also arrive in advance to the Ijen volcano and stay at the hotels closest to it - Arabica Hotel (Bondowoso village), Homestay Anyar

Excursion from Bali

You can buy an excursion to the Ijen volcano in advance and comfortably get to and climb the volcano with excursion guides.

Description of the Ijen volcano and the cost of visiting

To the crater of the Ijen volcano you will need to climb to a height of 500 meters from a height of 1875 meters to 2368 meters, the length of the road is about 3 km. In time, it takes about 1.5-2 hours, it all depends on your physical fitness. After that, the descent into the crater to a height of 200 meters. The Ijen volcano crater is 361 meters in radius.

It is best to come and start climbing the Ijen volcano at night. A ticket to climb the volcano costs 150,000 rupees per person. Ticket offices are located here, at the foot of the volcano. Further, people stand and wait for the passage to the volcano to be opened. Usually it is opened around one in the morning, but it can be opened later due to the activity of the volcano, do not forget that the volcano is active. We were lucky, and the passage was opened exactly at one in the morning. Thus, we were not in a hurry and walked at the usual pace upstairs. You have to be in the crater by around 4am to see the blue fire. So you will have time to enjoy the amazing spectacle. After 5 in the morning it gets brighter and the blue fire is almost invisible.

Be sure to take an aspirator with you, because it will be difficult for you to breathe near burning sulfur, take flashlights with you, and also dress warmly - I had 3 warm sweaters on, it is also fashionable to take gloves and a hat. At night it is very cold to rise 10-12 degrees, and I even saw people in fur coats 🙂 Most likely they are locals. We also had a mask, but we didn't need it.

Our ascent to the Ijen volcano and descent into the crater to the lake

We arrived at the Ijen volcano around 12 midnight, slowly bought tickets and waited for the opening of the passage. Exactly at one o'clock the passage was opened and we, together with a crowd of other people, rushed to conquer the Ijen volcano. We walked in a group of 5 people, but there is absolutely nowhere to get lost here - there is only one road and it is quite wide. We walked in total darkness, illuminating with flashlights now to the right and to the left, and thanks to this we saw quite a bit where we were going. On the way back, we walked when the sun rose and it was very interesting to see the places we walked at night 🙂

We were dressed warmly enough for 12 degrees of heat, stopped a couple of times to rest and again moved on. As a result, our ascent took only about an hour and a half. We were pleased because we had enough time to look at the blue fire in the crater of the volcano. The road was not difficult and it was quite comfortable to go - everyone chose their own pace and the crowd quickly dispersed.

But the descent into the crater of the volcano was not at all easy, I think it needs about 45 minutes more. We walked in a line, man after man. We walked along the stones in places it was almost necessary to climb, holding on to the ledges near the huge stones with our hands. You can also easily slip here, so you constantly looked under your feet. We went down for a long time, about 45 minutes. At the very beginning of the descent, a blue fire was visible in the distance, and we were getting closer to it.

Burning sulfur is a very beautiful and unusual sight at night. Blue flames popped up here and there. It `s very unusual. It's hard enough to do here. nice photos, because there is a lot of smoke and everything floats in the photo. Gradually it began to get light and the blue lights were no longer so clearly visible, but we began to look around and finally saw where we were.

Of course, it is very unusual to walk through the area in complete darkness, and then, with the onset of dawn, finally see the whole landscape. We were completely delighted, we were surrounded high by large stones of various sizes and shapes, and in general the landscape was somehow cosmic, as if on another planet.

The photo shows how one by one we snaked down from the very top of the Ijen volcano into its crater.

Everything around was smoking, sulfur is burning. Right there, the locals mine it and put it in a device, which they then carry first from the crater to the top of the volcano, and then go down to its foot. Then again they go to the crater - and so 2 walkers a day. For this they receive 4-6 dollars a day, which is very little by our standards, and by the standards of the island of Java, they earn good money. All workers are mostly thin and not tall. Due to the fact that they constantly breathe sulfur, their health is not very good, and 30-year-old guys look like 50-year-olds. They do not use special protection, the maximum is to cover their nose and mouth with a rag when they are very close to sulfur fires.

We, at the bottom of the crater, still put on our respirators. Of course, it is also not very comfortable to breathe in it, but it is much easier than without it.

We decided not to go down to the lake itself, but to take beautiful photographs against the background of it, a bit on a hill. Lake Ijen - Kawa Ijen is striking in its color, it is turquoise and very beautiful. Its depth is as much as 200 meters!

I can't even believe that it is very dangerous. Although, it can even be touched. The temperature on the surface is 60 degrees Celsius, while at depth it is 200 degrees.

We stayed in the crater of the volcano for about an hour and after that we started our way up. For some reason, it was easier for me to go up than to go down, since it was still light and every pebble was visible, and during the descent I was very afraid to fall while not seeing anything around me.

From above, the crater of the volcano looks even more unusual, I was in such a place for the first time. It's like it's actually on another planet.

Here is such a burden weighing 70-80 kg, workers 2 times a day are to the foot of the volcano for a very meager salary.

By the way, local workers will offer you to buy sulfur figurines from them for a small price. You can please them and buy figurines for yourself as a keepsake.

And this is a view of the neighboring mountain, and in general, the way back was very beautiful, we passed through the area and saw how the clouds were below us.

My offer will appeal to those who love romance and unusual adventures. There is a fantastic place on the island of Java. It is called Ijen volcano. Once here, you will feel like an interplanetary traveler and the hero of Dante's "Divine Comedy" at the same time.

Excursion to the volcano Ijen includes:

• Transfer from hotel to Gilimanuk Port
• Ferry to Java
• Transfer from the port of Ket apang to the volcano
• ascent
• Optional - lunch at the restaurant

What is interesting about the Ijen volcano

One of the most unusual volcanic complexes in the world consists of 14 cones, one crater and two stratovolcanoes. It occupies an area of ​​about 20 km². It is located around an ancient caldera, inside which is the world's largest acid lake.

The depth of the reservoir is about 200 m, the radius is 361 m. The temperature on the surface of the lake is 60°С-70°С, and at a depth of 170°С-245°С (sulfur boils at such figures). The concentration of sulfurous and hydrochloric acid is very high, life in such water is impossible.

The Ijen volcano has a very high fumarol activity. Clubs of hydrogen sulfide are constantly emitted from the crevices of the rock. When reacting with air, they ignite. The fire is weak, it can only be seen at dusk. It has an amazing blue color. Sometimes the amount of gas and liquid sulfur is so large that a kind of blue lava is formed. For the first time this phenomenon was recorded on film and shown to the world by the French photographer Oliver Grünewald in the 90s of the last century.

When condensed, hydrogen sulfide turns into elemental sulfur. In the liquid state, it has a bright red color. Then it gradually cools and hardens, becoming at first translucent, with an amber tint, and then yellow.

Sulfur deposits on the slopes of the volcano are a source of income for many local residents. It is obtained in an almost artisanal way. Men break off pieces of minerals with hand tools, load them into baskets and carry them to the nearest village. The weight of the cargo is 60-80 kg, and the distance to the receiving point is about 4 km. The work of the miners is very harmful, and the income is only 8-13 dollars a day.

Now I want to tell you about the journey to the volcano.

How is the tour

I will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 18:00-18:30. We need to start the trip in the evening to climb the slopes of the volcano at dusk and see the blue fire. We will travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan.

First of all, you need to get to the port of Gilimanuk; it is located in the westernmost point of Bali. The road will take 5-5.5 hours and will pass along the busiest route of the island.

Closer to midnight, we will board the ferry and go to Java, to the port of Ketapang. The swim is short - only 30 minutes. Upon arrival, we will be met by my partner, an English speaking guide.

After getting to know my partner, we will transfer to his four-wheel drive cars. Further to the volcano we will go by jeeps.

At 02:00 the ascent will begin. Before that, you will receive protective masks and flashlights to prevent the inhalation of poisonous gases and light the way.

The distance from the foot to the top is about 3 km. The path at the beginning of the ascent is steeper than at the top. It meanders between large stones and boulders. Having reached the peak, we will go down 200-300 m, this can be done in 30 minutes. So the road will take 2-2.5 hours.

Having reached the observation platform, we will admire the blue glow of burning hydrogen sulfide. It is unlikely that you will be able to observe such a natural phenomenon anywhere else. If we are very lucky, we will see real blue lava flowing from the acid lake.

Approximately at 06:00 we will meet the dawn. You will see yellow-orange rocks, turquoise expanse of the lake and clouds of smoke rising from its surface. If desired, you can go down to the lake. The water is hot and highly acidic, but you can safely touch the surface and even rinse your hands.

In good weather, from the top of the volcano is visible neighboring island Bali. The surroundings of the caldera are very beautiful, the slopes on the outside are covered with rainforest and coffee plantations.

The descent will take us less time than the ascent. From early morning, a small warung is open on the side of the mountain, we can relax next to it, drink coffee and have a snack.

At the foot they sell original souvenirs. The miners pour liquid sulfur into special molds, when it cools down, simple figures are obtained. So, if you wish, it will not be difficult to acquire souvenirs.

At 07:30-08:00 in the morning we will be at the parking lot. On the way to the port, you can stop by one of the local restaurants for a bite to eat. We will return to the hotel in Bali after lunch, around 16:00-17:00.

Important information!

Climbing the Ijen volcano is not always possible.

There are two reasons for this:

1. High seismic activity
2. High concentration of gases in the valley

However, I always know about it in advance. Therefore, if such a situation occurs, I will warn you, and we can plan a trip for another day.