Active volcano Bromo
The desolate landscape surrounding Mt. Bromo has a strange end-of-the-world feeling, particularly at sunrise, the favored time to climb to the rim of Bromo's crater. Bromo itself is not one of the great volcanoes of Indonesia, it is the whole landscape that is breathtaking.
Bromo is one of three mountains that have emerged within the caldera of the ancient Tengger volcano. Bromo is flanked by the peaks of Batok (2440 m) and Kursi (2581 m). Mt. Semeru (3676 m, the higherst mountain in Java) - further south - oversees the whole landscape. The Tengger massif also contains four lakes and 50 rivers.
Activity of the volcano
On Tuesday, 23 November 2010, the Indonesian Center of Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation (CVGHM) confirmed the activity status of Mount Bromo at 'alert' due to increasing tremor activity and shallow volcanic earthquakes at the mountain. Concerns were raised that a volcanic eruption may be likely to occur. The area surrounding the Tengger caldera of Bromo remained off limits for visitors throughout the remaining part of 2010.
Bromo started to erupt ash on Friday 26 November 2010. Government volcanologist Surono reported that the volcano was spitting columns of ash some 700 meters into the sky. December, January and February 2011, the volcano stayed very active. Sometimes tremor vibration could be felt and sounds of eruption continued to be reported from the mountain monitoring facility, Bromo Observation Post. Then, gradually, Mt. Bromo became silent again.
November 2015, Bromo's status increased to "Alert". December 2015 its status was risen to level III: "Possible to erupt", while smoke and ashes make it impossible to get near this mighty volcano. Eventually Bromo was reopened to visitors on March 12th, 2016.
Access to Mount Bromo
Access is usually via Probolinggo, because that is the easiest route. But, Bromo can be approached from 4 directions.
Via Ngadas
One of the most scenic routes is via Ngadas (you can find basic homestays in this very scenic upland village) and includes crossing the Sand Sea. From Ngadas you can trek into the Tengger crater. You can then either via the Sand Sea or the savanna via fields with edelweiss. You can find a guide in Ngadas if you like.
Via Probolinggo
From Probolinggo it is 45 kilometers to Cemara Lawang. From Cemara Lawang it's 3 kilometers down the crater wall and across the Sand Sea to Bromo. Or, you could visit Mt. Penanjakan (2770 m), the highest point on the outer crater, first.
Cemara Lawang village
Via Pasuruan
From Pasuruan you can reach Tosari (42 kilometers) and Wonokitri. Both places have accommodation. From Wonokitri it's 2 kilometers to Dingklik from where you stand right on the edge of the outer crater. From here it's 4 kilometers to Mt. Penanjakan or 6 kilometers down to the Sand Sea by a very steep road.
Via Lumajang
You can also reach Mt. Bromo via Lumajang, through the forest. You travel via Senduro to Ranu Pane village. In Ranu Pane you can find some modest accommodation.