Mount Bromo

Standing proud at 2,329 metres above sea level, Mount Bromo really is a phenomenal sight to behold, especially at sunrise when it appears almost otherworldly.

Located within Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, this natural wonder is still very much an active volcano. Its symmetrical shape is arguably most impressive during a spectacular sunrise when seen from the rim of Mount Penanjakan: we guarantee that you’ll forget all about your early morning wake-up call as soon as you’re greeted by the striking views! Mesmerising vistas over the nearby volcanoes, Mount Batok and Mount Semeru, are equally unforgettable. With wisps of smoke and dramatic sounds from the smouldering craters filling the air, you are bound to be entranced by the sheer power of Mother Nature here.

The journey to the viewpoint is an adventure in itself, as you travel over fertile rice paddy fields to the imposing Laotian Pasir (known as the Sea of Sand), a vast expanse of volcanic ash surrounding the volcano like a moat around the castle, before reaching the main spectacle. Remember to wrap up warm as it can get surprisingly chilly here at night, dropping to near-freezing temperatures, before the sun makes its glorious appearance.

If you are tempted to get under the skin of Indonesia and join in with an ancient religious ceremony, visit during the Yadnya Kasada festival to witness the local Tengger people gather by Bromo’s crater for their yearly homage to the gods.

We recommend visiting this beauty spot in tandem with the scenic Ijen Plateau to see its renowned ‘Blue Fire’ crater, which lies along the Java's north-eastern coastline nearby, before spending a few days recovering from your adventures at the charming Puri Ganesha in Pemuteran, Bali.

All in all, Mount Bromo is worth including in your trip if you are after something active and magnificent landscapes - we are certain that keen hikers and photographers will not be disappointed by this thrilling experience.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson