Kawah Ijen Volcano
Mount Ijen is so beautiful and it is a must visit when you come to East Java. To reach the kawah Ijen there are two trails:
- West Trail: From Situbondo to Paltuding. Approximately 93 km distance from the city to base camp. The hike is approximately 2.5-hr hike. Longer and harder hike due to the narrow and steep trail
- East Trail: From Bali to Banyuwangi. Approximately 65 km from the city to base camp. The hike is approximately 1.5 hours. An easier and shorter hike
In the center of Kawah Ijen volcano is the largest acidic lake in the world - Lake Toscca. Lake Toscca's acidic green-blue water is located 2368 meters above sea level, is 200 meters deep, and 5466 hectares wide crater. The volcano is a chemical and physical marvel known for its world-renowned blue flames that form the combustion and ignition of sulfur at 115 C. Ijen Crater is one of two volcanoes with rare blue sulfur flames.
The volcano and acidic is important for other reasons as well as it provides scientific study into rock dissolution, precipitation, a formation of new materials, and dissolving back substances. The volcano is also an active sulfur mine that provides 12% of the world's sulfur. Sulfur is known to treat skin diseases, is an active ingredient in acne treatments, a supplement in cosmetic ingredients, and is used to make various soaps. 
Admiration for the stunning Mt. Ijen volcano does not stop here. A hike to the crater means the panoramic view of Java's untamed landscape, seascapes, and West Bali. If you hike the crater at night, you'll be welcomed with a pink and purple sunrise that washes over the entire scene for an even more mesmerizing view.
Sunrise on Kawah Ijen Hike - Blue Flames Tour
The only time to see Kawah Ijen blue flames is at night. Those, the best time to see the flames and watch the sunrise is to hike the Kawah Ijen in the dark of night.
Touring to kawah Ijen volcano is best around 1 AM and with a guide to be safe, enjoy the flames, and watch the sunrise. The base camp at Ijen includes camping grounds, mosque, rest area, and toilets.
Sulfur miners
Besides seeing the natural beauty of the Mt. Ijen you'll watch the strife of the sulfur miners who collect sulfur from Ijen daily. About 350 miners work on the volcano and come into contact with dangerous sulfur gases and carry around 60-80 kg of sulfur down the mountain.
Sulfer miners control the release of sulfur gases and use cooling iron pipes to flush the sulfur gas into a hard mineral form faster. After miners use crowbars to break up the sulfur, back it on their backs, and carry it down the mountain in a traditional bamboo basket. The miners start early in the morning around 2 AM so they can make two sulfur trips a day.
Sulfur Purification
The mined sulfur is transported and assembled together in Paltuding then transported by truck to the village Blambangan for sorting. The sulfur is purified by heating it in a large furnace and turning it to liquid. The liquid sulfur is then filtered from pebbles and shards of wood. After it is cooled, molded, and sold according to market demand.
