Gunung Bromo ... Bromo Mountain

Gunung Bromo (2,392m), known as Mt. Bromo in English, is an active volcanic mountain and located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java, Indonesia. Bromo Tengger Semeru national park is the largest volcanic area in East Java with Mt. Semeru (3,676m) as the highest mountain. The Tengger Caldera is at the northern part of the park. Bromo is one of many peaks inside the massive Tengger Caldera. It is still active and easily recognized as you can see the white sulphurous smoke is belched continuously from the crater. So, Bromo is not the highest mountain, but it is a well-known tourist attraction.


Which one is Mt. Bromo???

I went to Mt. Bromo in August 2003. The best time to visit this place is in April-October (during drought season) so you can have a beautiful sunrise view. It is around 4-5 hours by car from Surabaya. Therefore, if you plan to see the sunrise, you have to depart from Surabaya about 11 or 12pm. Alternatively, you can stay at a hotel around the mountain and you have to wake up at 3 am to go up to see the sunrise. I arrived at around 4 am, parked my car and rented a jeep to go up to the place to see the sunrise. The temperature at the top of Mt. Bromo is 5-16 degree Celcius early in the morning. After enjoying the sunrise, you can ride the jeep or a horse to cross the sea sand. At the end of the sea sand, there is a stairway with 249 steps. If you are in a good stamina, I suggest you to go up and you can view the unique crater.


Waiting for sunrise...


The stairway to heaven with 249 steps

There is a big ceremony held every year by the native people of the Mt. Bromo. The ceremony is carried out on the 14th day of the Kasada or on the September 7th. It is known as Yadnya Kasada festival. The Tenggerese go to Poten Bromo, they pray to the Hyang Widi Wasa (the main God) and the God of the Mountain for blessing. They also present offerings of rice, vegie, fruits and other local products to the God. This ceremony is related to a legend.

On the 15th Century, Princess Roro Anteng (she was from the Majapahit Kingdom) and Joko Seger ruled the people around Mt. Bromo. The king and queen succeeded in bringing prosperity to their people. However, the couple was not happy as they had no children. Then, they climbed Mt. Bromo and prayed to the gods. The gods granted their request with one condition, they have to sacrifice their youngest child. Finally, they had 25 children and were forced to sacrifice their youngest child, Kesuma, as they were threaten with catastrophe. They threw the child into the crater. It is believed that roro anTENG and joko seGER (look at the capital letter: TENG GER - TENGGER) were the ancestor of Tengger tribe.

Tips:
You can rent a car to go to Mt.Bromo
It is better to rent a jeep (you can find one once you reach the parking lot) to go up to the peak to see the sunrise. Remember to bargain!!
Do not forget to bring a hat because it is hot during daylight when you cross the sea sand.
Climb the stairway only if you are in a good stamina as there are lots of steps on the way up and the sulphurous smoke can be a problem for your breathing (bring handkerchief).
Bring snacks and drinks for your breakfast.