Banyuwangi and Ijen Crater

Banyuwangi and Ijen Crater Trips & Tours

Banyuwangi and Ijen Crater

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Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Feefo

4.9/5 (1007 reviews)

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Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024
Hike to the Ijen crater lake, a mesmerising UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

At 2,300-metres above the sea level at its highest point, the Ijen complex was formed around 300,000 years ago by earth-shuddering volcanic activities. The region is dominated by three volcanic cones – Ijen, Merapi and Raung – and surrounded by yellow rocks, thickly-forested alpine areas and a few hardy coffee plantations and villages. But the plateau’s most extraordinary sight is the vibrant turquoise crater lake that appeared after Ijen’s last eruption in 1999. In the early hours of the morning, blue ‘flames’ can be seen jumping from the lake and by noon, the turquoise colour intensifies to a jewel-like shimmer that makes for stunning photographs. The highly acidic conditions are also ideal for sulphur to form and, as dawn breaks, Ijen’s ‘sulphur miners’ drag their empty sleds to the top to start mining from the crater walls. It’s a gruelling process and humbling to watch.

Things to do

What to do in Banyuwangi and Ijen Crater

The Ijen Plateau and Banyuwangi region present an extraordinary combination of striking landscapes and rich cultural experiences. Begin your journey with a guided night trek to the Ijen Crater, where you’ll witness the rare blue fire and watch the sunrise over the turquoise crater lake. Follow this with a relaxing tour of Banyuwangi's coffee plantations, sampling the region’s finest beans and learning about traditional farming methods. Explore nearby villages to immerse yourself in local crafts and cuisine, or enjoy a boat trip to the serene Red Island for sun, surf, and pristine beaches. Adventurous travelers can head to Alas Purwo National Park for wildlife spotting and peaceful beach picnics. After a day of adventure, retreat to a luxurious eco-lodge near Ijen or a boutique resort along the Banyuwangi coastline, perfect for unwinding with gourmet dinners and spectacular sunset views.
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When to go

Best time to visit Banyuwangi and Ijen Crater

Excellent
Good
Mixed

january

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

Reviews

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Based on 1007 Feefo Reviews

An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel
Matt
An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel
October 2026
11 nights in Kenya and Tanzania
We recently returned from an incredible safari through Kenya and Tanzania, and we couldn't be happier with our experience working with Timbuktu Travel. Joanna and her team were wonderful from start to finish. They listened to what we wanted from our safari and designed an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. They helped us prepare for every aspect of the trip, answered our questions along the way, and made sure everything ran seamlessly once we arrived in Africa. From the accommodations and guides to the transfers and overall coordination, everything was exceptionally well organized. We were also celebrating a milestone anniversary, and Joanna and her team went above and beyond to make it special. They arranged anniversary surprises at every stop, including cakes, traditional celebration songs, and even a private dinner. These thoughtful touches made an already amazing trip even more memorable. We also want to recognize Joachim, our private guide for the final four days of our safari. He was friendly, patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and an absolute pleasure to spend time with. He made the final part of our journey particularly enjoyable. The entire experience exceeded our expectations. We saw incredible wildlife, stayed at wonderful camps, and never had to worry about the logistics. Timbuktu took care of everything, allowing us to simply enjoy the adventure. We can't thank Joanna, Joachim, and the entire Timbuktu team enough for creating such an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend Timbuktu Travel to anyone planning an African safari.

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11 Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists 2026

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"Timbuktu can take relatively complex and slightly amorphous travel plans and transform them into a well-organized, perfectly tailored trip."

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