National park · Indonesia
Ijen National ParkTaman Nasional Ijen
Visit Ijen for a sunrise hike: pay the entry fee (≈ Rp100 000), drive from Banyuwangi (1.5 h) or Bondowoso, start the 90‑min climb before 02:00 for blue fire, and wear a mask for sulfur fumes.Visit Ijen for a sunrise hike: pay the entry fee (≈ Rp100 000), drive from Banyuwangi (1.5 h) or Bondowoso, start the 90‑min climb before 2:00 AM for blue fire, and wear a mask for sulfur fumes.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Approximate park area based on the Ijen caldera and surrounding forest.
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Banyuwangi
Ijen National Park sits on the Ijen volcanic complex on East Java’s border between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso regencies. The park is famed for its turquoise crater lake, active sulfur mining, and the nightly blue‑fire display. Visitors can reach the crater via a 90‑minute, 500 m ascent from the parking lot, with sunrise and night‑time hikes as the main experiences.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 1992
Approximate park area based on the Ijen caldera and surrounding forest.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Banyuwangi.
Why go
- Witness the blue‑fire phenomenon at night.
- See the turquoise crater lake and active sulfur mining.
- Hike a 90‑minute, 500 m ascent to the crater rim with panoramic views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, less crowd
- FebCool, occasional rain
- MarStart of dry season
- AprDry, clear skies
- MayDry, good visibility
- JunRain increases, trails slippery
- JulRainy, higher fog risk
- AugRainy, mud on paths
- SepRainy, occasional storms
- OctDry, clear, ideal for sunrise
- NovDry, cooler evenings
- DecCool, less crowd
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds of the caldera forestMar–May, Oct–Nov · Typical forest species, no specific rare sightings. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Banyuwangi
Drive 1.5 h on sealed road to the parking lot; 4×4 not required.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bondowoso
Hire a 4×4 guide; road is potholed but passable.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Parking lot / trailhead | Entry point, ticket kiosk, parking for cars and motorbikes. | Open daily; fee collected at 02:00.Open daily; fee collected at 2:00 AM. |
| Crater rim trail | 90‑min ascent, wide but sandy; leads to viewpoint. | Open with ticket. |
| Crater lake & sulfur pits | Steep descent, sulfur mining area, requires mask. | Guided descent recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre‑point of the Ijen crater area; exact gate location may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (crater access) | IDR 100,000–120,000 (≈ US$7–8) | person | Collected at the trailhead at 02:00; price check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Night hike guide no permit
Park rules
- Mask
- Wear a gas mask when descending to the crater lake; masks sold at the trailhead.
- Guides
- Recommended for night hikes and lake descent; not mandatory for rim hike.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Banyuwangi or nearby villages.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires allowed.
- Vehicle access
- Only the parking lot is reachable by car; last kilometre may be rough.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ijen Resto & Guest House
Budget rooms in Licin village, 20 km (12 mi) west of the crater.Budget rooms in Licin village, 12 mi (20 km) west of the crater.
Near the park
Ijen Cliff Resort
Mid‑range bungalows near Licin; offers guided climbs.
Safety
Sulfur fumes high
Cold at altitude medium
Road accidents at night medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot reachable by car; short walks to trailhead.
- Steep sections and rocky descent not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides; fees help maintain the trail.
- Do not buy souvenirs made from sulfur or wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ijen?
The park entry fee is about Rp100 000–120 000 per person, paid at the trailhead before the night hike.
What are the best hikes in Ijen?
Sunrise hike to the crater rim (≈ 90 min) and the night trek for blue fire (≈ 2 h) are the main routes; both start from the parking lot.
When is the best time to visit Ijen?
Dry season April to October offers clear skies; the night fire is visible year‑round but rain in June‑September makes trails slippery.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not required for the rim hike but is strongly recommended for night treks and the lake descent.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Camping inside the park is prohibited; stay in nearby villages such as Licin or in Banyuwangi.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Ijen
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ijen, revision 5271675 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Ijen National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?