Amazing sunrise climb, we were very lucky to have a beautiful clear morning with incredible views! Our guide JRO was great and super helpful, helping out anyone that was struggling... read more and was so prepared and friendly. We were given Coffee, breakfast including eggs he had cooked in the volcanic steam and a prime seat at the top! Highly recommend!

  I booked the airport transfer to Ubud. The driver (Kadek) was waiting for us with my name on a sign. We also booked a sightseeing trip around Bali (rice... read more terraces, temples and waterfalls). I will definitely recommend and use again. Excellent service!

  Our guide JRO was professional and patient. Even though some of us were behind, he was very encouraging and lead us on. Kudos to his professionalism. Event was well... read more planned , with headlamps provided and breakfast too. He is definitely a good guide to have !

  Amazing experience! The team were lovely, picked us up on time, our guide was absolutely lovely and got us to the top in time for sunrise and gave us a... read more lovely breakfast and tea/coffee. Would highly reccommend, lovely people!

  TLDR: Dino has the patience of a saint, the volcano is incredible, and if you are not fit take the damn taxi.

I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity... read more to visit one of only 2 blue fire volcanoes while I was visiting Bali. Unfortunately I wasn't in the best physical shape by the time I got to Bali due to long COVID, but I was determined to make the climb! Had I known just how gruelling it would be beforehand, I would have taken up one of the taxis at the entrance (900,000 IDR for both ways).

Alas the darkness of 2am hid the torment awaiting me and I naively walked right past the taxis calling out to me and began the hike with my (unfairly fit) husband and Dino Lian, our guide. Did Dino explain the hike in detail before we even started the hike? Yes. Am I geographically challenged and had no idea what any of it meant? Also yes.

We had to stop for a break many, many times on the way to the summit and both my husband and Dino spurred me on without too many jokes at my expense. Dino, my husband, myself, and my jelly legs successfully made it to the rim of the caldera! Happy days! Dino then reminded us that to get to the blue fire and sulphur mine, we would have to descend into the caldera to the lakes edge.

Once again my path forward was hidden by darkness and so I did not know of the further horrors that awaited my legs. The hike up the side of the mountain turned into a scrambling climb for the descent and I absolutely regretted not buying that new pair of Brooks sneakers with superior grip (seriously, it is VERY slippery in places). We eventually made it down to the sulphur mine and were able to witness the absolutely beautiful blue fire. We watched the miners work and bought a little sulphur turtle for 200,000 IDR. The climb back up was the most horrific physical exertion I have ever imposed upon myself and as the sky slowly lightened I was able to finally see the insane climb I had got myself into. By the time I hauled myself Gollum-style back up to the caldera's rim my muscle's muscles were on fire. Dino and my husband both had the gall to not even be out of breath.

From there we watched the sun come up and were finally able to see the beautiful scenery around us. Unfortunately we were unable to see the lake clearly due to the amount of volcanic gas that day, however Dino kindly sent us some photos and videos he had previously taken on a clear day. As wise as he is kind, Dino then organised a taxi to get my pathetic bag of bones back down the volcano (400,000 IDR for the down trip).

Overall the tour was fantastic, each of the staff were super friendly and professional, and I highly recommend this tour.

  Highly recommended! The tour is really well organised and the tour guides cannot be more helpful and friendly. The sceneries from the trek itself is stunning, we enjoy every second... read more spent on mount Ijen!