Mount Ijen Reopens as Tourism Operators Prepare for the Return of Visitors

BANYUWANGI, East Java - September 29, 2026 - The East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA Jawa Timur), acting on technical evaluations from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), has officially reopened the hiking trail to Mount Ijen (Kawah Ijen) for public tourism and trekking, effective immediately.

The internationally acclaimed volcanic destination, situated on the border of Banyuwangi and Bondowoso regencies, had been temporarily closed to all tourist activities following heightened volcanic seismicity, deep volcanic tremors, and elevated concentrations of toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emitting from the crater lake floor.

With seismic monitoring data confirming a decisive return to baseline background levels, PVMBG downgraded Mount Ijen's alert status to Level I (Normal).

The reopening clears the way for the resumption of the park's iconic night-time trekking expeditions, allowing international visitors and domestic hikers to once again observe the world-famous natural "blue fire" phenomenon and witness traditional sulfur miners harvesting mineral deposits along the shores of the world's largest acidic crater lake.

Strict safety protocols and environmental monitoring in place

While tourist access has been fully restored, BBKSDA authorities emphasized that public access will operate under rigorous safety guidelines to safeguard visitors against fluctuating volcanic gases.

Under the updated operational standard operating procedure (SOP):

• Crater Rim Radius Exclusion: Visitors are strictly prohibited from descending to the immediate water's edge of the crater lake or approaching the active sulfur fumarole solfatara zone, which remains reserved exclusively for registered traditional miners equipped with specialized safety gear.
• Mandatory Safety Equipment: Every trekker ascending Mount Ijen must carry a certified half-face chemical gas mask equipped with multi-gas vapor cartridges. Simple cloth masks or medical surgical masks are strictly prohibited as primary safety equipment.
• Health Clearance Certificates: Trekkers must present a valid medical health certificate issued by a licensed physician or clinic within 48 hours of ascent, verifying healthy cardiopulmonary function and absence of severe asthma or respiratory conditions.
• Real-Time Atmospheric Sensors: BBKSDA and PVMBG have installed automated multi-gas telemetry monitoring stations along the rim. If sulfur dioxide gas concentrations exceed 5 parts per million (ppm), park rangers are authorized to immediately suspend trail access and execute evacuation procedures.

"Safety remains our paramount consideration," stated the Head of BBKSDA Jawa Timur. "Mount Ijen is an active, dynamic volcano. We welcome travelers back with open arms, but every tour operator and independent trekker must respect natural safety boundaries. By enforcing gas mask compliance and health screenings at the Paltuding base camp, we ensure that travelers can marvel at this extraordinary geological wonder safely."

Crucial link in the Bali-Java overland tourism circuit

The reopening of Kawah Ijen carries immediate economic benefits for the regional tourism economy across eastern Java and neighboring Bali.

Mount Ijen forms the crown jewel of the popular "Java-Bali Overland Circuit." Thousands of European, Australian, and Asian travelers book integrated adventure packages combining the sunrise over Mount Bromo in Probolinggo with midnight blue-fire trekking at Mount Ijen, followed by a short ferry crossing from Ketapang to Gilimanuk into Bali.

For tour operators based in Sanur, Ubud, and Seminyak, Ijen represents one of the most profitable and requested multi-day regional extension tours.

"During the weeks of Ijen's closure, inbound operators had to modify hundreds of tour itineraries, redirecting clients or cutting overland trips short," explained an executive member of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA). "The reopening restores confidence across international wholesale travel networks. Local homestays, jeep drivers, sulfur miners who provide tourist guiding, and local warungs in Licin and Banyuwangi can now resume normal livelihoods."

Essential planning advice for prospective hikers

Travelers planning an expedition to Mount Ijen should take note of critical logistical guidance:

• Online Booking Requirement: Entry tickets must be purchased in advance via the official BBKSDA East Java online booking portal (tiket.bbksdajatim.org). Daily visitor quotas are strictly capped to prevent overcrowding along narrow crater paths.
• Paltuding Gate Opening Hours: The trailhead gate at Paltuding opens for night ascents at 02:00 WIB. The 3.4-kilometer trail to the crater rim involves a steady uphill gradient on hard-packed volcanic sand and gravel, requiring approximately 90 minutes to two hours of moderate hiking.
• Thermal Apparel: Nighttime temperatures at the crater rim (2,386 meters above sea level) typically range between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, accompanied by strong mountain winds. Hikers require windproof jackets, thermal base layers, gloves, and reliable headlamps.

With comprehensive atmospheric monitoring active and tourism operators fully mobilized, the reopening of Mount Ijen re-establishes one of Southeast Asia's most breathtaking geological spectacles.