What to expect:

Okay, that was intense.

To go to Ijen, we definitely recommend hiring a guide. This saves you the medical check-up and queuing at the entrance – in short, it makes everything more relaxed.

The climb to the crater is steep and strenuous, but we made it up there with our 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. I carried the little one from time to time, but it's doable. Once you reach the top, you have to split up, as children are not allowed in the crater due to the high concentration of toxic gases. There are also sulfur clouds at the top. With a bit of luck (which we didn't have), you can see a surreal sunset over the volcano. It's unique! But be warned that this place is anything but child-friendly.

Inclusions of the private Tour for 1.7million IDR:

• Park fee

• Pick up and drop from accommodation

• Guide for the hike

• Head lamp and gas mask

Health Check fee: 35000 IDR (we didn't have to do!)

How to get here:

We took a guided tour. Pick up from Hotel to the Starting point (1.5h), hiking up to the top (2h) and then another 30min down to the bluefire.

We start at 00:30am and return at 11:00am in our Hotel in Banyuwangi.