Trekking and Climbing Arjuno and Welirang in East Java

Arjuno and Welirang are two volcanoes that exceed 3000m and are not touristy and completely off the beaten track. Welirang, like Kawah Ijen, produces sulfur and there are porters of sulfur (sulfur miners) working there.

And you wonder: How to climb these 2 volcanoes and reach their summits? Where to start? How to get there? When to go? How much does it cost to climb Arjuno and Welirang? Where to find guides and carriers? Where to find camping gear? What are the mistakes most people do?

How is the climb going? What are its stages?

Many questions without answers! and a lot of time and effort to do research without finding the necessary information to hike Arjuno and Welirang! As mentioned above, it is outside the tourist paths (although we will always find groups of young Indonesians trying to climb).

The purpose of this article is to give you all the information needed to climb these 2 volcanoes and the mistakes to absolutely avoid.

Then, for those who do not want to have the slightest hassle and who want to delegate the organization and the logistics of the trek to Go Volcano, you will find the program and all the corresponding prices below.

And finally, for the curious, at the very end of the article, we will write a description of Arjuno and Welirang and their volcanism.

7 things to know before climbing Arjuno and Welirang

How to go to Mt. Arjuno & Mt. Welirang ?

Surabaya and Malang are the two largest cities near Arjuno and Welirang. Depending on the route you choose your starting point will be different.

How to get to Tretes?

Tretes is located between Surabaya and Malang, and there is an airport in each city. Malang can be reached from Jakarta, Bandung and Bali by plane. However, Surabaya airport is accessible from almost all major cities in Indonesia, and also Singapore, Malaysia, China, and other countries.

Tretes is about 2 hours drive from both cities.

From Surabaya:

Private taxi: from Surabaya airport, it costs about IDR 300,000 / taxi that can fit up to 4 people.
Bus: From Surabaya Airport take a DAMRI bus to Bungurasih Bus Station. From there take a bus to Pandaan, then take an Angkot (mini bus) or an ojek (motorcycle taxi) to Tretes.

From Malang:

Taxi: from the airport or Malang train station it costs about IDR 350,000 / taxi that can fit for up to 4 people.
Bus: From the Arjosari bus station, take a bus to Pandaan, then take an Angkot (mini bus) or an ojek (motorcycle taxi) to Tretes.

How to get to Cangar?

To go to Cangar, the easiest way is to go through Batu.

Due to its relatively cold temperature, Batu has become a city of leisure and local tourism, famous for its apples and market of fresh farm products.

To get there, there are buses leaving from Arjosari bus station in Malang. However, to go from Batu to Cangar it will be necessary to negotiate a taxi or ojek (motorbike taxi).

When to go to Arjuno and Welirang?

Arjuno and Welirang are open for climbing all year round. However, the best period is during the dry season between May and October. See average yearly climate of Indonesia here.

Is there an entrance fee and how much?

Yes, you have to register and pay an entrance fee. Based on the last news that we have, the cost was IDR 25.000/person/day. But to our knowledge, there is only one office on the busiest path in Tretes.

Where to sleep?

In Tretes, it is very easy to find accommodation from the most basic to the most sophisticated, and for all price ranges. For Cangar, the best is to spend the night in Batu where there are also all types of accommodation for a very wide price range.

Climb Arjuno and Welirang : with or without a guide?

The ascent of Welirang alone from Tretes is possible without a guide. The path is wide and you can not get lost.

However, for the ascent of Arjuno, as well as for all other climbing routes of Welirang, it is strongly advised to use a guide. The paths are not very well marked, the vegetation invaded the path that it almost disappears! And another point, the beginning of the climb is hard to find.

Where to find guides and porters?

The Arjuno and Welirang mountains are still off the beaten path kind of destination and there are very few tourists. It will be difficult to find guides and porters and even more difficult to find competent guides.

However, you can try your luck at the registration desk in Tretes. This is also why most trekkers from outside of Malang – Batu – Tretes region go through organized tours.

Where to find camping equipment?

Again this is not a tourist destination! So it is almost impossible to rent camping equipment, especially since the hike very often starts from point A and ends at point B (Tretes – Cangar). The best is to bring your own equipment.

What to do around Tretes and Batu?

Hindu temple in Tretes, called Candi Jawi.
A waterfall called Kakek Bodo in Tretes.
A safari park 30 minutes from Tretes, perfect for a family getaway.
There is a possibility of paragliding in Batu (depending on weather conditions)

Mt. Arjuno and Welirang Hikes and Climbs

The crossing of the Arjuno-Welirang volcano chain is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Java. It is an immense territory so you will have to camp a night or two. The best would be to climb the 2 summits, which will take you 3 days 2 nights (it’s possible to do it in 2 days but it will be a very very long and difficult trek).

There are at least five known routes to climb Mount Arjuno:

Tretes
Purwosari
Lawang tea plantation
Dayurejo village
and the region of Cangar in Batu.

Each of the roads offers magnificent views, ranging from farmland, tea plantations, to rainforest.

The most popular and accessible route is the one from Tretes (760m), a village located 2 hours drive away  from Surabaya.

Tretes is a holiday resort popular with Surabaya city dwellers, thus finding accommodation will be easy.

For those who want to only climb Welirang, the roads from Tretes and Cangar to Batu are the shortest.

Climbing of Welirang and Arjuno from Tretes

From Tretes, the hiking path to Welirang is a wide stone road that starts from the parking area (with payment of an entrance fee, as always in Indonesia!) to the huts of sulfur miners ( about 5h walk), then to Welirang volcano (3156m, and another 3h walk / trek to the highest point of the crater at the other end of the active crater Kawah Jero). The trek is through a sparse pine forest. You will cross the following points:

Pet Bocor Warung (970m)
Pos Pantau / Pos Jaga (1,000m)
Pos Kokopan (1,650m) which has a good source of water and a hut
A small stream (2.115m)
Refuge of the miners of sulfur (several sheds 2,450m).
After 30 minutes of walking, there is a camping area (2,485m) where you will probably spend the night.
From the east, you will go north for the ascent of Welirang or south towards the Arjuno. it is almost in the middle of the two volcanoes.

In our case, we continued to the north in the direction of Welirang to a hill at 2965m where the path will become quite flat with a great view of the other side of the mountain, towards Cangar and Gunung Anjasmoro.
Further, a small path that goes to the left. This is the track used by the sulfur miners that you should be able to see, surrounded by bags of big yellow rocks. You will take the path that turns slightly right for the attack of the summit. Where you should reach the top of Crater Kawah Jero with its fumaroles.
You can then go around the crater quite easily in 30 minutes. If conditions are good, you will see all the surrounding mountains and volcanoes as far as Lawu to the west and Raung to the east. You will see the volcanoes and surrounding mountains like Semeru and the Tengger massif, Penanggunan (the perfect cone-shaped volcano seen from the mainroad between Surabaya, Tretes, Lawang and Malang), Ngliman, and Argopuro. This is one of the best views of Java.

This climbing route is relatively easy to follow (in the sense that we do not get lost!) However, we climb from 760m to 3156m, in about 2400m of total elevation gain !! Just as you say.. it goes up steep … (Although the climb is done in 2 days, but the descent by this way is done in 6h (for those who would only climb Welirang) and it is a torture for the knees, especially if you are carrying a heavy load).

That’s why the road from Sumber Brantas / Cangar is gaining popularity (it starts at 1750m … the highest starting point for this climb).

Regarding other roads, the main drawback is that the paths are not marked and it is very easy to get lost or never find the right hiking route without a competent guide.

For those who have climbed Welirang and wish to attack the summit of the Arjuno, you will pass by the twin “Kembar” mountains, be warned this is the place where it is the easiest to get lost.

Climbing Welirang and Arjuno from Cangar

Hiking / trekking from Cangar is a good starting point for a quick climb to Arjuno or Welirang. This hiking path leads to a pass between the “Kembar”. Either we head north for the Welirang trek, or south for the Arjuno trek.

The ascent begins at 1750m (2 pillars of concrete marking the entrance to a village) which is just before the road that descends to Cangar ” sumber air panas” (it’s a hot spring, where it is great to take a bath at the end of the trek). The start of the hike is an agricultural road that crosses fields of potato and carrot. There are many intersections and paths, so it is very difficult to find one’s bearings without a guide. At an altitude of 2000m, you will enter a forest. At the altitude of 2350m, there is a camping area, from there the Kembar are visible in good weather. The trail continues through a pine forest. At an altitude of 2650m, in the middle of the pine forest, you will encounter hot steam coming out from under the rocks. The forest ends around 2900m and the beautiful views begin. Soon, the trail reaches the top of the pass (2.910m) between the Kembars. It is an excellent and popular place to camp.

To reach Arjuno, turn right (towards the south). The trail is quite difficult to see at this point, just follow the outline of the ridge of the mountain and you will find the correct trail. The first peak you reach is Kembar (south) and from here you can enjoy the fantastic panorama. There are shallow and grassy craters and lots of sulfur vents on this summit, so be careful not to inhale the gases. From this summit, the trail plunges steeply between South Kembar and Arjuno – now clearly visible and impressive, narrow and steep right in front of you. The trail down from Kembar south is very steep so take the time and be careful not to go down one of the very dangerous cliff areas. Then there is a huge area of huge volcanic blocks. In bad weather, it is easy to get lost. Continue straight until the climb to Arjuno and take the path that climbs the steep slopes. the views are incredible – Gunung Butak in the west, Gunung Penanggungan and Welirang in the north. But at the top it’s even better with a view of the surrounding mountains and Semeru.

Hike and Trek of Arjuno Welirang with “Go-Volcano”

The highlights of the trip:

1. An active volcano with fumaroles and sulfur extraction by miners

1. Off the beaten path and far less touristy than the famous Kawah Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi, East Java.

1. Trek from one of the 7 peaks of Java
2. The end of the trek in a volcanic hot spring

Hiking and climbing Arjuno Welirang in 3 days 2 nights (Tretes)

Duration: 3 days
Price: from IDR 2,850,000 (€ 178)
Level: 4/5

Detailed Program and Itinerary

Option: Day 1: Pick up in Surabaya – Transfer to Tretes (760m above sea level)

You will be met by your guide at Juanda Surabaya Airport. You will then go to Tretes which is about 2 hours away with our private air-conditioned car. You have the opportunity to tour the city around the historic site Candi Jawi and waterfall Coban Rondo. You will stay and dine at a hotel in Tretes.

Accommodation: Hotel (twin / double)
Included meals: Dinner

Day 1: Trest (760 m above sea level) – Kokopan (1650 m above sea level) – Lembah Kijang (2485 m above sea level)

You will have breakfast at the hotel at 07:30 in the morning, and start the trek right after. The hike to Kokopan is about 3 hours, and you will have lunch there. You will continue trekking to Lembah Kijang camp for about 4 hours. On this day, you will walk through a wide stone path to the Sulfur Miners’ Refuge and then a small dirt road to the campsite. You will camp and dine at the Lembah Kijang campsite.

Accommodations: Tent
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Lembah Kijang (2485m above sea level) – Summit of Mount Arjuno (3339m above sea level) – Wot Lemah (2965m above sea level)

You will start early in the morning to attack the summit. You will walk for 3 hours to the summit, from where you can see the beautiful view from around. You will then return to Lembah Kijang where you will have breakfast. You will continue to walk to Wot Lemah where you will have lunch. Camp and dine at Wot Lemah.

Accommodations: Tent
Included meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Summit of Mount Welirang (3100m) – Hot Spring of Cangar – Surabaya

You will have breakfast at 6:30 in the morning, and walk to the top of Mount Welirang for about 1.5 hours. You will see many active fumeroles along the path, from where the miners extract the sulfur. You can also go further to the summit and see the largest crater of this volcano. You will then descend for 3 hours to Cangar, where you will have lunch and take a bath in a public hot spring. Then a chauffeur-driven car will take you back to Surabaya.

Hosting: –
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

There is also the possibility to make the way in the opposite direction, or only to make a return Cangar – Cangar hike (contact us for variants in the hiking routes)

Prices of Welirang Arjuno Trek in 3 days 2 night

Do not hesitate to ask us your questions and to requests a price estimation with the options chosen and the dates by contacting us.

For 8 people and more: from IDR 2,850,000 / person (178 €)
For 6 or 7 people: from IDR 3,050,000 / person (€ 190)
For 5 people: from IDR 3,200,000 / person (€ 200)
For 4 people: from IDR 3 350 000 / person (€ 209)
For 3 people: from IDR 3,700,000 / person (€ 231)
For 2 people: from IDR 4,400,000 / person (275 €)

Hiking and climbing Welirang in 2 days 1 night

Duration: 2 days
Price: from IDR 2,100,000 (€ 131)
Level: 3/5

Detailed Program and Itinerary

Day 1: Trest (760 m above sea level) – Kokopan (1650 m above sea level) – Wot Lemah (2965m above sea level)

You will have breakfast at the hotel at 07:30 in the morning, and start the trek right after. The hike to Kokopan is about 3 hours, and you will have lunch there. You will continue trekking to the Wot Lemah campsite for about 4 hours. On this day, you will walk through a wide stone path to the Sulfur Miners’ Refuge and then a small dirt road to the campsite. You will camp and dine at Wot Lemah campsite.

Accommodations: Tent
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Wot Lemah (2965m above sea level) – summit of Mount Welirang (3100m) – Hot Spring of Cangar – Surabaya

Departure at 4am, you will walk to the summit of Mount Welirang for about 1 hour. You will see numerous active fumaroles along the road, from where the miners extract the sulfur. You can also go further to the summit and see the largest crater of this volcano. You will go down for breakfast. Then for 3 hours descent to Cangar, where you will have lunch and take a bath in a public hot spring. Then a chauffeur-driven car will take you back to Surabaya.

Accommodation: –
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

There is also the possibility to make the way in the opposite direction, or only to make a return Cangar – Cangar (contact us for variants in the hiking routes)

Price of Welirang Trek in 2 days 1 night

Do not hesitate to ask us your questions and to make a request of budget estimation with the options chosen and the dates by contacting us.

For 8 people and more: from 2,100,000 IDR / person (131 €)
For 6 or 7 people: from 2,200,000 IDR / person (137 €)
For 5 people: from IDR 2,350,000 / person (147 €)
For 4 people: from IDR 2,500,000 / person (€ 156)
For 3 people: from IDR 2,800,000 / person (175 €)
For 2 people: from IDR 3,400,000 / person (€ 212)