How It Feels to Visit Bromo for the First Time

This time, we’re not going to give you tips on visiting Mount Bromo or tell you what you should and shouldn’t do. Instead, we—uhm, let’s make that “I”—want to share my own experience of visiting Bromo for the first time.

If you’ve never visited a mountain before and are wondering whether Bromo will be too difficult for you, we’re on the same boat. I had the exact same thought before my trip because I had never hiked a mountain before.

So, if you’re curious about what it actually feels like to visit Bromo as a first-time mountain visitor, this article is for you.

Mount Bromo During the Day

I went there with the media team from CheapBromo for a video production in Bromo. We started our “business trip” from Surabaya at 7:40 a.m. and arrived in Sukapura, a village near Bromo, just before 11 a.m.

Bromo during the day wasn’t really that cold. We had lunch at Kopi Dewa19, a new café where you can catch a glimpse of the Sea of Sand, the caldera, Mount Batok, and the Bromo crater.

For a little context, Dewa19 is a legendary Indonesian band. So, when you visit the café, you’ll find plenty of photos and memorabilia documenting the band’s journey. It’s a pretty interesting place to stop by, especially if you want to get a little taste of Indonesian pop culture.

After recording some footage, we headed to our homestay near Bromo. And yes, there are plenty of hotels, guesthouses, and homestays around Bromo, so finding a place to stay isn’t really something you need to worry about.

Especially if you book a Bromo tour package with us, we’ll take care of the accommodation and find a comfortable place for you to rest after a long day of exploring Bromo.

Read more: Top 11 Cafe Recommendations in Bromo, Viral and Aesthetic

So… Was Waking Up at 2 AM Worth It?

The next day, my team and I had to capture Bromo during sunrise--what people around the world looking for here. To catch it, we had to start the tour at 2 am with 4WD jeep. 

The next day, my team and I had to capture Bromo at sunrise—the very thing that draws people from around the world to this place. To catch it, we had to start our tour at 2 a.m. and ride a 4WD jeep.

The roads were winding, and the jeep was going pretty fast—although, of course, at a safe speed. I don’t get motion sickness, so I was totally fine with it. However, if you do get motion sickness, be prepared. Here’s a little spoiler: once you hit the Sea of Sand, the jeep gets much bumpier.

We headed to one of the sunrise viewpoints. There are several spots around Bromo where you can watch the sunrise. At first, we wanted to visit King Kong Hill, where you can get a clear view of Bromo and the surrounding landscape. However, due to a wildfire, we couldn’t go there.

Instead, we went to Dingklik Viewpoint, which is one of the lower-elevation sunrise viewpoints around Bromo. It wasn’t our original plan, but sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.

Before that, we stopped for some early-morning coffee and tea, along with a bowl of noodles to fill our stomachs. There are several food stalls around the viewpoints where you can grab a hot drink, have something to eat, and even rent a jacket if you’re feeling cold.

Here’s a little tip from my experience: bring some cash with you. Most of the food stalls don’t accept digital payments, so having some small bills on hand will make things easier.

At 5:30 a.m., after watching the sunrise, this was the first thought that crossed my mind: “Ah… so this is why people from all over the world want to experience Bromo.”

Rather than simply calling it beautiful, I’d say watching the sunrise in Bromo was truly… breathtaking. 

Read more: 10 Mount Bromo Travel Mistakes to Avoid for First-Time Visitors

Trekking Was Easy, I Guess…

To be honest, trekking around the Bromo area was pretty easy. My team and I walked from Dingklik to Love Hill (Bukit Cinta)—although we didn’t go all the way to the top—and it wasn’t difficult at all.

That said, make sure you wear shoes with a good grip, just in case you slip on the way down, like I sadly did.

The other time we had to walk quite a lot was when we headed to the Bromo Crater. From the jeep parking area, we had to walk across an area covered in sand before reaching the stairs. Then came the real challenge: climbing approximately 250 steps to reach the crater.

So, another tip from my experience: if you’re not used to walking or doing much physical activity, it might be a good idea to get yourself moving a little before your Bromo trip. You don’t need to become a marathon runner, just get your legs used to walking!

Another area we explored was the Sea of Sand, where we could see Mount Widodaren and Mount Batok clearly. This is also the spot where you can take those classic photos with the jeep in the background.

The Sea of Sand is, well… full of sand. And when we were there, the wind was pretty strong. So, if you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend bringing a mask to protect yourself from the dust and sand.

I was also pretty lucky to be accompanied by my coworkers, who happen to be tour guides. Having someone with us who genuinely understands the area made the whole experience much easier.

And after experiencing Bromo for myself, I think the best way to describe the trip is exactly like our company tagline: “Beyond Sightseeing, It’s Experiencing.”

Because Bromo is too beautiful to simply see. You have to experience it.

I’ve experienced Bromo for myself and now it’s your turn to experience it. Check out our Bromo tour packages and book your trip with us!