My opinion about Bromo-Ijen tour
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Jan 16, 2013 2:08 AM Last Post By: tan_ina
Jul 30, 2012 9:57 PM
My opinion about Bromo-Ijen tourI would like to give my personal opinion on the 3nights/2days tour to Mount Bromo and Ijen. My experience was terrible so I thought I should share it.
I booked the tour at my hotel in Jogyakarta. They just did the phone call, the agency was Nomad, although I guess all the other agencies are offering the same. On the first day the bus picked us up at 7:30 AM and we drove in a pretty uncomfortable bus for 13hours... Which was nerve wrecking and absolutely tiring as you may guess..! After changing the bus at Probolinggo, We arrived in Bromo at night -so cold- and we stayed at Bromo Pemari, which was better than I expected. The food was quite good and the bed was comfortable. We had to wake up at 3:30h, get inside a Jeep for another hour and then we were up in the volcano's view point. One hour later, inside the jeep again and down to see the crater of another volcano. There you had to walk for a bit and then climb 241 steps in the sun. It was not even 8 and I was knackered. After a while, back to the hotel, breakfast, and back in the bus of hell for another 8 hours...
You should know that bus conditions are very poor. There is no security at all. The driver doesn't even speak English. The roads are SO dangerous. The driver drives without control and no limits, without any respect to the signals. At maximim speed, overtaking each other car on the road. The worse part was the bus from Bromo to Ijen, specially after dinner. The rodad was clearly NOT prepared for cars and I feared for my life many times. It was very stressful and I had one of the worst experiences in my whole life, wouldn't recommend it to anyone!!!!!
And then when you reach your final destination you end up in Catimore Homestay, the worst worst hotel EVER. Terrible beds, no sheets, whole in the wall, ... Don't have words to describe it. And then again wake up call at 3:30h with a long day ahead.
It's my own opion but, overall, I just don't think it is worth it. The main problems, however, are the transportation conditions and the Catimore homestay. Of course Bromo and Ijen are nice. But I was inside the bus, dizzy and risking my life, for more hours than the ones used to sleep and see!!!
Hope it helps,
Jul 30, 2012 10:47 PM
1You just learnt a valuable lesson in caveat emptor. Next time you need to ask questions about the quality of the bus and accommodation when booking tours.
I assume you haven't done a lot of travel in the developing world because this is what the travel experience is often like. Having said that, however, there are good quality hotels in Indonesia. As for bus services, while the quality of the buses varies - and there are good quality long-distance buses - the drivers are all reckless and the roads poor. That's just how it is.
BTW, there is a train service between Yogya and Surabaya.
Jul 30, 2012 11:35 PM
2bonek you can ask those agents all the questions you want, they will tell you anything you wanna hear, coz most are just lying parasites...still best is to make your own arrangments, and check facilities yourself...coz what you see is what you get!
by far the more comfortable option is to take the train, buy your own ticket from the station, and in bromo choose you own hotel, etc...there is plenty of info available on this forum and elsewhere!
Jul 31, 2012 12:50 AM
3As belgianguy says...
There have been dozens of posts on this site in recent years from people moaning that they have been "ripped off" after booking a Bromo tour from Yogyakarta. There have been as many responses telling people that they shouldn't book Bromo tours from Yogyakarta, but should either travel independently (easy, and faster and more comfortable than the 12-hour minibus ride described above), or, if they must use a tour service, use one from somewhere closer to Bromo (Malang or Surabaya).
All that said, this poster actually doesn't seem to have a great deal to complain about - she got to Bromo without problem, had no complaints with the accommodation there, and then got to Ijen without difficulty.
Incidentally, though it's a very long way from "the worst hotel in the world", the Cattimore Homestay at Ijen is not great; it's rather damp and is not very accessible to anyone travelling independently. The Arabika Homestay is a better option.
The road up to Ijen from the west, meanwhile, is rough in places, but not particularly exposed (no major drop-offs or anything like that; no reason to "fear for your life").
Jul 31, 2012 4:08 PM
4After reading the OP several times I agree with timdog that she doesn't have much to complain about other than, arguably, the quality of the accomodation in Ijen. Long bus trips are uncomfortable anywhere, the sun is hot in Indonesia as it is in all tropical countries, Bromo is always cold at night, early starts are essential to see the sunrise, getting to the top of a volcanic crater involves a bit of climbing and at least at Bromo you have steps. No legitimate gripes in any of that.
As for #2. You can bet that if you're staying in a $10 hotel they're not going to be dealing with Amex or Thomas Cook so a basic due diligence check is a no-brainer.
It's not that difficult to check who you're dealing with. Any reputable travel agent can supply testimonials. Net searches (including this site), asking fellow travellers, checking notice boards where travellers hang out, and visiting the agent's office in person to see how much traffic they're getting and talking to their customers are all easy ways to check an agent's credentials.
I've used plenty of travel agents in Indonesia and I'd certainly disagree with the assertion that "most are just lying parasites".
Aug 1, 2012 3:30 AM
5I will speak to the agency immediatly we shoule be able to get Bromo Sunrise re-scheduled to avoid any other inconvienient time issues.
Seriosly this is about normal as soon as you go on backpacker type trips long uncomfy bus journeys poor connections having to hump your luggage around are all pretty normal and yes you will be told whatever you want to hear. This is mostly OK if your young and fit mostly I find myself abandoning the cramped mini bus and getting a Taxi these days. Its pretty well always better to fix stuff up yourself if possible.
Having said that wouls stioll agree with Timdog etc.
Aug 1, 2012 4:25 AM
6Yes, better to travel through slowly and arrange your transport at each stage, yourself. Tours like that may sound good and an easy way to 'tick off' another sight, but it's true, not pleasant. Covering all those km in a fast and cramped minibus IS dangerous. Take the train wherever possible. I would always opt for a large public bus over a hurrying tour bus, more safe. Use your guide book and choose your hotel when you get there, after you've checked it out, and stay...stay a couple of nights at Bromo, slow down, enjoy the place...and make all the long hours of travel worth it.
Aug 1, 2012 5:35 AM
Aug 5, 2012 12:44 PM
8To OP, may I suggest at least googling about the distances of places mentioned by travel agents - just to give an idea of what's in store. On top of my head, the mere mention of taking 'land transport' from Yogyakarta to Bromo is arduous for those not familiar with Indonesian roads. 300km in Malaysia or Thailand can be very different than 300km in Indonesia. Just saying ...
Aug 7, 2012 8:33 AM
9if anyone want to go bromo or ijen , i recommended to rent private car and driver in surabaya. Its more convinient , safe , relax, but its bit expensive. Rent car cost abt USD 75 / day include driver and gasoline. I do it with my friends, 3 girls around east java. And its very nice, relax, and safe.
(4 star Hotel)
From US$112.12 per night
(3 star Hotel)
From US$69.43 per night
(0 star Hotel)
From US$0.00 per night