THE BEATING HEART OF SUKAMADE
Day 1 | Madakaripura Waterfalls
We will pick you up at Airport or Train station. A car and your guide will be waiting for you to begin the short journey to east, the area famous for some of Indonesia's most majestic volcanoes. Along the way, you'll stop to admire the striking Madakaripura Falls , which are just a short trek away after a short motorbike taxi ride. After admiring the beautiful waterfalls and walking underneath them (optional but recommended), you'll reach the town of Cemoro Lawang, the starting point for excursions to Mount Bromo. The journey is long and winding, but you'll enjoy an unexpected view in the tropics. Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon and settle into your room at your lodge. Free time and the option of dinner at the lodge.
NOTE MADAKARIPURA WATERFALLS
The waterfall hike involves a short motorcycle ride as a passenger to the start of the trail. Suitable clothing for wading in the water is required, such as water shoes or flip-flops. For those wishing to hike beneath the falls, we recommend bringing a change of clothes.
Day 2 | SUNRISE ON MOUNT BROMO
We wake up very early in the morning and depart by off-road vehicle towards Penanjakan (3:00 AM) to witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Bromo and its caldera. Once the sun is high, we hop back in the jeep to cross the sea of sand and reach the slopes of Mount Bromo. From there, it's possible to hike up to the crater's edge. The steepest part of the climb is made easier by steps. For the lazy, there's the option of horseback riding to the base of the steps. Around 10:00 AM, we return to the hotel for breakfast and check out. We continue towards Kalibaru, arriving in the late afternoon. We settle into our room and have the rest of the day at leisure.
BROMO SUNRISE NOTE: Temperatures at night while you wait for sunrise can be quite cold for Indonesia, dropping to 10 degrees Celsius. Appropriate clothing is recommended.
Day 3 | MERU BETIRI NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. We depart for Sukamande, crossing Meru Betiri National Park in a 4x4 jeep. The journey is long and exhausting, certainly quite eventful, as you must traverse the jungle and its rough roads, fording rivers along which you can glimpse the daily sights of remote villages. You'll feel like you've arrived on another planet, but if you're able to appreciate the surroundings with a little adjustment, your eyes will see situations and contexts that very few travelers have ever had the pleasure of discovering. Along the way, you'll stop to visit beautiful Green Bay before arriving in Sukamande, where you'll stay in simple rooms at the ranger station. Don't expect comfort; the rooms are basic and basic. The bathroom is private, but drinking the water from the sink is not recommended, and the toilet is a simple squat toilet. Electricity is cut off from 8:00 PM until morning, but the rangers will leave you a flashlight if needed. Meals consist exclusively of white rice, but you can purchase what you like before leaving the city and entering the park. At sunset, you'll head to the beach to witness, with a bit of luck, the turtles laying their eggs. An unforgettable experience. Don't forget to visit the park's nurseries to see where the eggs collected each night by the rangers are kept.
Day 4 | THE BEATING HEART OF SUKAMADE
Wake up in the early hours of the morning to reach the picturesque beach where baby turtles will be released. You'll witness their desperate dash toward the ocean, hoping to escape predators. The baby turtles are released at dawn, when there are fewer birds around; the ranger is the only one who can intervene, trying to protect the turtles as they try to reach the water. Travelers are asked to keep a safe distance and not interfere with the merciless flow of nature. After this unforgettable experience, return to the station and enjoy breakfast in the ranger's galley.
After breakfast, then continue towards Banyuwangi . Arrival in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Free time for a rest or a dip in the pool.
Day 5 | IJEN VOLCANO AND FERRY TO BALI
An early wake-up call and departure for Paltuding Post, reached by crossing a pine forest dominated by the three imposing peaks of Ijen, Merapi, and Raun. From there, a trek of about an hour and a half takes you to the summit of Ijen volcano , where you can see the crater, the infamous sulfur mines, and the sulfur lake. At the end of the hike, we return to the hotel for breakfast, passing through villages and their coffee plantations. After checking out, we head to Ketapang Port, from where we take a ferry across the Java Strait to Gilimanuk Port at the northern tip of Bali. During the crossing, you'll be accompanied by one of our representatives who will handle the ferry ticketing, check you in, and, once you arrive in Bali, arrange for your transfer to your next destination. Once you land on the Island of the Gods, a private transfer will take you to your next destination resort for some well-deserved rest after two busy days exploring volcanoes.
THE BEATING HEART OF SUKAMADE
