Mount Kawah Ijen also known as the Kawah Ijen Crater is situated in Banyuwangi, East Java, far away from the bustle of Bali. It is the world’s largest active acidic volcano, with a turquoise-blue lake at the base and mounds of Sulphur adorning the lake’s shores. This is an active Sulphur-mining site and the best time to catch the spectacular “Blue Fire” is early morning before sunrise. The blue flames sometimes reach a height of up to 5 meters, but this phenomenon depends on a lot of factors. The water in the lake though, is known to be so acidic that it cuts through flesh, clothes and even metal. The trek is quite steep, and one has to be physically and mentally fit to undertake this trek. But the sights are, simply put, very rewarding.
Location : Banyuwangi, East Java
Summit Height : 2386 M above sea level
Trek Difficulty : Moderate but steep trek – average fitness required
Time taken : 3-4 hours (excluding transportation to base camp and back)
Ideal visit : April through September
