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Mt. Bromo & Semeru, A Spectacular
Volcanic Landscape in East Java
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
covers some
800
square kilometers in the centre of East
Java. It is the largest volcanic region
in the province and there stands Mt.
Semeru, which rises 3676 meters above
sea level. At its northern end is the
spectacular Tengger Caldera, Java's
largest, with its 10 km barren
desert-like sea of sand. Within the
caldera rise the deeply fissured
volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the
latter is still active with a cavernous
crater from which smoke blows skyward.
Temperatures at the top of mount Bromo
range about 5 to 18 degrees Celsius . To
the south is a rolling upland plateau
dissected by valleys and dotted with
several small scenic lakes, extending to
the foot of Mount Semeru, a towering
grey forest-skirted cone dominating the
southern landscape.
Tengger sandy area has been protected
since 1919, and its believed
to be the only conservation area in
Indonesia, even probably in the world
possessing a uniq
ue
ocean and sand at the attitude about
2000 m above sea level. There are
several mountains inside
the
calderas namely: Mt Watonga (2,661 m
asl)., Mt Batok (2,470 m asl), Mt Kursi
(2,581 asl), Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl),
and Mt Widadaren (2,650 m asl).
On the fourteenth day of the Month
Kasada, the inhabitants of Tengger
Mountain range gather at the rim of
Mount Bromo's active crater to present
annual offerings of rice, fruit,
vegetables, flowers, live stock and
other local produce to the God of the
Mountain, as adherents of religion
combining elements of Hinduism and
Mahayana Buddhism the Tenggerese ask for
blessing from the supreme God, Sang
Hyang Widi Wasa. This ceremony called
Kesodo Ceremony.
While the Great Mountain or Semeru offer
a wonderful place to 3 days hike.
Serenity of small lakes and large
meadows, a three hours struggling
through loose screw
to the peak and breathtaking views from
peak Semeru explodes every half hour and
sends billowing smoke upwards. These
gases and belching lava make Semeru
dangerous " stay well away
from the vent. The fine scenery and
bracing climate, easy access and
reasonably visitor-oriented facilities
make this one of the most popular
reserves in Java.
Bromo Tengger Semeru can be reached by
private and
public
vehicle. There are four gates to access
the place, Probolinggo, Wonokitri,
Ngadas and Lumajang.
Probolinggo approach is the easiest and
by fat the most popular route,
especially if you go
by
public
bus, Wonokitri is the closes and the
easiest one if you go by private vehicle
from Surabaya (5
hours journey). To get closer to Mt.
Bromo you must rent 4x4 vehicles (there
are many 4x4 vehicles rental there).
There are a few options that you can
choose to stay. You can stay at The
Bromo Guest House which is located at
Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater
rim. Or you can choose other hotels at
Cemoro Lawang because it this situated
at the crater rim.
Walking on the sea of sand and stepping
up on the 249 steps to rim is worth to
try. Enjoying the unique crater in
crater, watching the dawn at Bromo is
the main attractions in the area.
Its kindly hard to find some food at
night, because mostly of warung are
closed after 7.30 pm. If you are in
Wonokitri area, there are some warung in
Tosari market, which still open at 7-9
pm.
There are many souvenir shops around
Mount Bromo viewpoints who are selling
T-shirts, scarf that are made from wool
and others. There are also street
hawkers who are selling these things too
at the caldera area.
You can moving around on foot and
normally it will takes 2 hours, or you
can ride a horse or even rent a jeep
(for this two, you are suggested to ask
first and make a negotiation)
-
Necessities for the trip include
a torch, warm clothing,
comfortable trekking shoes, and
glove as a protection against
the freezing temperature which
hovers between zero to five
degrees Celsius (33 to 41
degrees Fahrenheit).
-
If you buy or rent something
please Bargain.
-
Sunrise starts at 5.00 am till
6.00 am (If weren't cloudy), so
you may leave from your hotel or
guesthouse at 3 am or even less
than that.
-
Before start trekking, hiking or
climbing, be sure that you
already eat, or you can bring
some food and drink from your
places of stay.
-
Otherwise, you can buy some food
and drink on the nearest markets
for your supply before you start
your activities on mountain.
-
If you come in the right time,
you may possible to watch the
annual ceremony of Kesodo.
