Friday, January 18, 2008

From Probolinggo to Bromo

This is the easiest and by far the most popu­lar route. From Probolinggo, it's 28km to Sukapura, then another 14km to Ngadisari and another 3km to Cemoro Lawang. Minibuses run all the way to Cemoro Lawang from Probolinggo. Just before Ce­mero Lawang, you must pay the 2100Rp entrance post.

As with mountain scaling anywhere in Asia, it is all important to be at the top of Gunung Bromo for the impressive sunrise.
From Cemoro Lawang, it's 3km down the crater wall and across the Sand Sea (Lautan Pasir) to Bromo, about a one hour walk. Get up at 4.30 am or earlier for an easy stroll across to Bromo.

White stone markers are easy to follow in the dark, not to mention all the other climbers. Horses can also be hired for 15,000Rp. By the time you've crossed the lava plain from Cemoro Lawang and started to climb up Bromo (246 steps, one traveller reported), it should be fairly light. Bromo itself is not one of the great volcanoes (www. lonelyplanet. com)