| The volcanic
cone of Ijen dominates the landscape at the eastern
end of Java. Crater of Ijen is filled by a spectacular
turquoise blue lake, its surface streaked in wind-blown
patterns of yellow sulphur. Kawah Ijen is the world's
largest highly acidic lake and is the site of a labor-intensive
sulfur mining operation in which sulfur-laden baskets
are hand-carried from the crater floor. Many other post-caldera
cones and craters are located within the caldera or
along its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera
cones forms an E-W-trending zone across the southern
side of the caldera. Coffee plantations cover much of
the Ijen caldera floor, and tourists are drawn to its
waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery.
To Ijen Crater :
Is a nature wonder that can be reached from Bondowos.
The Crater has 5,466 acres wide on the elevation of
2,386 m above sea level. During dry season from April
through October the temperature drops to 2 - 18 Centigrade.
Down to the crater sulphur mining can be found. Packed
to this journey. A plantation tour to Perkebunan Nusantara
XII in Jampit can be arrange. You will get a new experience
enjoying an arabica coffe plantation tour. A Very fresh
air on the elevation of 900 m above sea level will make
your tour as unforgettable trip.
Anyone travelling on a clear day across the narrow strait
separating East Java and Bali will almost certainly
be impressed by the two towering mountain peaks dominating
the Javanese horizon. These are the summits of Mt Merapi
and the crater rim of Ijen, just two points lying on
the edge of a vast caldera, which at its widest point
is some 20 km in diameter.
The Ijen plateau lies in the centre
of the Ijen Merapi-Maelang Reserve, which extends over
much of the mountainous region directly west of Banyuwangi
and borders on the Baluran National Park in the north
east. As at Bromo, the caldera is best viewed from the
air. Fortunately, almost all commercial flights operating
between Denpasar and Surabaya, Yogyakarta or Jakarta
usually fly, if not directly over, then close by the
Ijen plateau, where the seemingly luminous blue/green
crater lake forms an unmistakeable landmark. The lake
lies at the far eastern end of the plateau and is without
doubt among the most impressive of East Java's natural
wonders. Despite the long and arduous journey along
punishing roads (a four wheel drive vehicle is essential),
the trip to Ijen is more than worth the effort and is
sure to prove an unforgettable experience for anyone
who makes it to the end of the trail.
Kawah (crater) Ijen can be reached
from either the east or the west. The latter is the
more popular approach, since the climb from the road's
end to the edge of the lake is only one and a half hours.
The road from Banyuwangi, on the other hand, involves
a six to seven hour trek from the village of Licin.
The western route starts from Wonosari, a few kilometres
outside Bondowoso, the town famous for its bull fights.
A narrow road, full of potholes, runs east and up from
Wonosari, rapidly deteriorating into bone shaking loose
rock and gravel. Seemingly endless hairpin bends ascend
into forests of casuarina (cemara) trees, giving way
to pine forests and coffee plantations. The temperature
drops. At night, near the crater rim, it can fall to
about 5 degrees celsius.
The road ends at Jampit, where very basic shelter is
available. It is also possible to sleep in the old vulcanology
station further up the hill, now used by sulphur collectors,
but permission must be obtained in advance.
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