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Ijen Crater and a Natural Wonder of Blue Fire

Have you heard about Ijen Crater? Or have you gone there? What about “Blue Fire”? Have you seen it before?

Well, now, I’d like to tell you my experiences at Mount Ijen which has a scarce “Blue Fire”.

Ijen is name of a mount which has a crater on it’s top and it’s located in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. It’s take about 3 hours drive from Ketapang Harbour or about 2 hours drive from the city of Banyuwangi. The entrance gate to Ijen Crater is called Paltuding which is located on slopes of Mount Ijen about 1.850 M above sea level. In this place also found some homestays, stall selling, camping ground, parking area and public toilet. Before trekking to the crater, you have to buy the entrance ticket here. The price will be different between the work days and weekend.


The entrance gate will be opened at 02:00 AM local time. From Paltuding, you have to walk for ± 3 Km to the top of Mount Ijen. It’s take about 2 hours. Don’t forget to bring your own water. On the way to the top, you’ll find some resting place and many garbage bin. So please don’t throw your rubbish carelessly. Near of the top, you’ll find a stall selling, you can buy some mineral water or other things here.

Well guys, the top of the mount is located at 2.386 M above sea level, but it’s not the peak. The heist peak of Mout Ijen is about 2.443 M above sea level. To reach the crater, you have to go down through rocky cliff, it’s take about 15 – 30 minutes by walk. Don't forget to prepare your mask because the smoke from the crater can be so dangerous. If you don't have one, you can ask it to your local guide. Or if you are not using guide, local people will ask you to rent it shortly before the way down to the crater. Please be careful, beside of dangerous, there’s also some sulfur miner using the same path. So, after arriving in the crater, what you will find?


You will find a miracle! A wonder of the world. Yes, it’s a “Blue Fire”! So, what is “Blue Fire”? According to National Geographic “The glow is actually the light from the combustion of sulfuric gases. Those gases emerge from cracks in the volcano at high pressure and temperature - up to 1,112°F (600°C). When they come in contact with the air, they ignite, sending flames up to 16 feet (5 meters) high. Some of the gases condense into liquid sulfur, which continues to burn as it flows down the slopes”.


There are only 2 “Blue Fire” in the world. One is located in Iceland, Europe and another one is located in Ijen Crater, Indonesia. That’s way many people said it’s a natural wonder of the world. You can see the amazing “Blue Fire” only in the dark. So, make sure you’re already at the crater before the sunrise.


After you reach the top again in the morning, you’ll see the beauty of Mont Ijen, Mount Meranti and also Mount Raung in the distance. Local miners will also ask you some souvenirs which is made from the sulfur. You can buy it if you want and it's admittedly cheap. It's only as an additional income for them, because the sulfur which they take from the crater is not as expensive as the struggles they go through.


Let's visit Ijen Crater and see the “Wonderful Indonesia”

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