- Interesting facts about Kawa Ijen
- Kawa Ijen for tourists
- How to get to Kawa Ijen volcano
The Kawa Ijen volcano is located in East Java and is part of the Ijen complex, which consists of more than 10 volcanic objects located within a radius of 20 km around the caldera, 1 km wide and 200 m deep. It is home to the sulfur lake Kava Ijen, famous for its turquoise shade of water and deposits of natural sulfur.
The volcano Kava Ijen (its height is about 2400 m above sea level; the diameter of the crater is 175 m) is active, because it “smokes” constantly, spewing out clouds of sulfur smoke. From a distance, it looks little like a real volcano - rice fields and coffee plantations stretch around it, meadows and fields can be seen on the slopes. But as you get closer, you can see that there are plants on the mountain, burned by the poisonous vapors of the volcano, and closer to the crater, the landscapes become completely deserted. In the event of an eruption of Kawa Ijen, an acid lake will flow out of the crater and burn everything in its path.
Interesting facts about Kawa Ijen
Since sulfur comes out on the surface of the lake (at first it is a molten red liquid that flows from cracks in the mountain and pipes "inserted" into the mouth of the volcano, and then it cools down and turns yellow), Indonesian workers are engaged in manual extraction of it around the clock (there is a mine in the crater where this mineral is mined). Having collected sulfur, they overcome the path from the bottom of the crater to the foot of the volcano, to the weighing station (here the workers arrange a smoke break, and tourists can buy figures from sulfur for $ 1, which the miners themselves make using molds, in particular, in the form of animals), transferring carry about 70-90 kg in heavy baskets. The earnings of workers are small, given that they make 2-3 trips a day (about $ 13 per day) and work in difficult conditions that are dangerous to health (they do not have protective clothing and the necessary equipment, with the exception of shovels and crowbars) … Because of “harmful” work, workers live on average up to 30 years.
It is worth noting that the sulfur produced here is the purest and most expensive sulfur in Indonesia, and therefore it is used in the food and chemical industries, for example, for bleaching sugar or vulcanizing rubber.
Kawa Ijen for tourists
Climbing Kawa Ijen will take travelers about 1, 5 hours (it does not require serious physical preparation). Those who make it to the top will be able to admire the picturesque surroundings of Java.
Tourists are advised to visit Kawa Ijen at night, when they manage to witness a beautiful extravaganza of fire and molten sulfur (liquid sulfur that flows out of the lake begins to “glow” with a neon flame and reaches 5 m in height).
In addition, the lake located in the crater of the volcano is of interest - several paths lead to it (in other places, the walls drop abruptly downward). This lake (the surface temperature is about 60˚C, and at a depth of 200 meters it is three times hot), painted in emerald color, is filled with sulfuric and hydrochloric acid (the mixture contains 5 grams of dissolved aluminum for each liter). First, tourists will find a way to the top of the volcano, and then - descent into the crater (from the foot, or rather the parking lot, to the top - about 3.5 km, elevation difference - 500 m), which will take about half an hour. Since there is no road inside the crater, you cannot go down there without a guide (there will always be local guys ready to help with the descent).
For climbing and observation you will need:
- respirator with filters (sulfuric fumes are poisonous);
- comfortable shoes and clothes (a steep path leads upstairs);
- photo and video equipment;
- water (to replenish supplies, that is, to buy water, it will be possible only in the store, which is located at the scales).
As for the entrance fee, it is 15,000 rupees.
How to get to Kawa Ijen volcano
From Bali it will be possible to get to Java by ferry, after which tourists will have to travel by tourist minibus to the foot of the volcano. It makes sense to plan an ascent at night: in the first half of the day the weather is usually good, and in the second half of the day it often deteriorates (this time is characterized by poor visibility - thick clouds appear over the crater), therefore, once on the volcano in the morning, tourists have great chances to see what they are for. came here. Due to the night ascent, it is recommended to stop near the volcano during the day (good options are “Catimor Homestay” or “Arabika Homestay”).
If desired, an excursion to Kava Ijen can be ordered at any travel agency in Bali, but if you directly contact the Ijen Resort & Villas hotel (it has a swimming pool, spa-center, a restaurant overlooking rice fields and volcanoes), then its staff will take over the organization of the ascent to volcano Kava Ijen (it will cost less).
