Standing at a mighty 2,329 meters, Mount Bromo is arguably Indonesia’s most iconic mountain. While most travelers tend to fly in to Surabaya and head the two hours by road to Bromo, we suggest stopping off at these cities for a more rounded taste of East Java. 

 

Instead of basing the majority of your trip in the rather dull and crowded Surabaya, nearby Malang City has much more to offer (and it’s also much closer to Bromo). The second largest city in the province is sometimes dubbed the “Paris of East Java,” owing mainly to its cool climate, and sits on a high plateau between three active volcanoes: Kawi, Sumeru and Bromo. Begin your journey at Singosari Temple, built back in the 13th century A.D. as the funerary temple of the last king of the Singhasari dynasty, King Kertanagara (1268-1292). The four sides of the main stupa are small chambers that were once home to sculptures of Hindu gods Ganesha, Trimurati, Brahma and Vishnu. Just a five-minute walk away you’ll find Dvarapalas, a pair of monolithic statues that were beautifully crafted to be the guardians of the royal cemetery. For another day trip, we recommend Taman Safari Indonesia II (www.tamansafari.com) in Prigen, a 40-minute drive from Malang. The biggest safari park in Asia is home to Tiger Cave Restaurant, where only a long glass window separates you from huge white tigers. 

 

Eat: In Malang, make sure you visit Toko Oen (Jalan Jenderal Basuki Rahmat No.5), the oldest ice-cream shop in town, nestled beside a colonial-style wooden house since 1930. Try Oen’s Special, a sundae-like mixed of ice cream and wafers. For a full meal, taste the traditional cuisine of Java at Inggil (Jl. Gajah Mada no. 4), which sells Javanese staples like sate komoh (spiced beef satay) and sambal tempe penyet (chili paste with soybean cake).

 

Where to stay: Hotel Santika Premiere Malang (www.santika.com/malang-premiere). Room rates start at IDR 1.400.000 (B3,500).

Just a 30-minute drive from Malang, Batu has been a highland wonderland for city-slickers since back in the colonial era. Today, Batu is popular for its farm stays and well-built theme museums. Stay at Kusuma Agrowisata (www.kusuma-agro

wisata.com), to take their fruit farm tour that lets you indulge in all-you-can-eat guava and apple, the main economic fruits of Batu. Staying here also grants you a picture-perfect view of another active volcano, the 3,339-meter Mount Arjuna.

 

For a fun history lesson, visit the giant 38,000-square-meter Museum Angkut (www.museumangkut.com).Asia’s first modern transportation museum looks like something from Universal Studios, showcasing pretty much every vehicle imaginable, from countries all over the world: Chinese junks, Vespas, retro Japanese motorcycles, German autos and London buses. Next stop is Timur Park II, the zoo where Museum Satwa (www.jawatimurpark2.com/museum-satwa), or animal museum, is located. Passing through the Roman façade, you are greeted by dinosaur fossils standing tall under a blue-hued roof, surrounded by display rooms of taxidermied animals. It also houses large collections of bugs, butterflies and marine life. 

 

 

Eat: For lunch, we recommend Waroeng Bamboe (Jl Raya Selecta, Desa Punten, Kecamatan Bumiaji), a bamboo-dominated restaurant that offers local food next to a clear man-made pond full of koi fish. The highlight dishes are fried fish and sambal tempe.

 

Where to stay: Kusuma Agrowisata Hotel (www.kusuma-agrowisata.com).  Room rates start IDR 1.000.000 (B2,560).

 

 

Now to the main attraction. The best way to enjoy Mount Bromo is to book a jeep with a driver (around IDR 550.000, B1,400) from any of the resorts dotting the mountainside. The entrance fee for foreigners is IDR 217.500 (B557) for weekdays and IDR 317.500 (B813) for weekends. Better head there early (we mean, like, 3am), otherwise the viewpoint gets extremely crowded. However, there is also an alternative to the main viewpoint, Love Hill, a small hill on the way to the peak that actually gives you a much wider view of the crater. After sunrise, the jeep will take you to the foot of the crater where you have two options: walking or riding a horse (IDR 100.000 for round trip) to the ladder that leads you to the abyss of Bromo. (Note: Bromo erupted earlier this month, so check conditions before booking!) If you want something more off the beaten path, trekking to the peak of Mt. Semeru is the real deal, requiring a 4-6-hour hike. Be sure to check the conditions before heading out and make time to stop by the stunning Madakaripura Waterfall—you’ll need to pay an extra IDR200.000 (B516) to the jeep driver to get there, though. 

Where to stay: Bromo Cottage (www.bromocottages.com). Room rates starts IDR 1.800.000 (B4,612). 

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