or Sketchiest Journey EVER.

So I never knew what I had really got myself into when booking a tour upon arrival to head to Gurung (Mount) Bromo and the Ijen Crater. I had read up and done a lot of research on these tours and was forewarned of scams, crazy rides, and unexpected happening. I guess until you experience it first hand, you will never fully comprehend what that person fully experienced as you think you are more than aware to avoid these scenarios.
I do love how GREEN Indonesia is!
First of all, these tours are common and tend to be 3 days/2 nights or the like and consist of long driving distances depending on your starting point. Today I spent 12+ hours in an "air con" mini van (in quotations because the air con was terribly weak) and though there were breaks, I did definitely get antsy and couldn't have anticipated more to get off the vehicle. Another thing is, the two drivers knew minimal English so communication was little to nothing and details of breaks, stops, and even vehicle changes??!! weren't made known to us until the moment it happened. Yes, I know. Sketch is the word.  So besides being clueless, constantly incubated, and feeling what in the world I had got myself into, the ride was crazy! Indonesian drivers just do whatever they want and though I was sitting towards the back of the van, I felt like we were going quite speedy and cars kept honking from every which way while motorcyclists just weaved through traffic like they rule the roads. I did fall asleep quite often which was nice, but waking up because I had bumped my head on the window or vehicle was not fun.

Worse part is, I thought I had done enough research to not be scammed and through getting price quotes about these types of tours to finally booking through my guesthouse, I actually thought I had scored the best deal. Turns out, the fellow travellers on my van paid less if not half of what I paid and theirs included a Mount Bromo jeep tour which mine didn't (HIGHLY recommend paying for regardless because the intoxicating walk is ugly). Well, when I exchange the rate, this tour is still affordable, but it just seems unfair how some people are getting more than what I paid for at an even lower cost. Also to clarify, I did have to pay extra to be dropped off in Denpasar rather than just at the Bali ferry station and to supplement the cost of staying alone as prices usually reflect a minimum of two people/room. So a tip so far is that you really have to shop around LOTS if you have the time to that is. When I inquired about the price difference at the office, turns out different agencies may price these tours drastically different, so instead of opting for the lowest price you find, look again and then decide on what price/package is best for you. Some things you just don't know until you find out, so I will take it as a learning experience. Though, at this rate, I rather wish I paid more for a better tour with English speaking drivers, guides/legit itinerary, and inclusion of more 'fees' instead of sticking to the bare minimal and my budget.
Things you don't know on these group van tours:

-meals are not included but stops are made for washroom breaks at gas stations and at a restaurant for lunch (whenever- no set time)

-vehicle changes happen at midpoint or at any time to swap passenger coming/going from either direction (no clue why they do this)

-an hour before reaching your accommodations at the bottom of Mount Bromo, you are dropped off at the office for (finally) details of the tour by English speaking Indonesians (Praise The Lord!) then followed by a confirmation of where you are staying (yes where you are told to stay may change)

-accommodations aren't bad, but lacking toilet paper etc.

So the plan of attack for Mount Bromo:

3:30am-take jeep to Mt. Pananjakan (highest mount in the area) to see sunrise and see over all the other mountains and the volcanos-told to be the best view (1hr travel time from accommodations)

4:30-5:30-spend an hr or so here

5:30-6:30-drive to base of Mt. Bromo

6:30-7:30-spend an hr or so here to sightsee

7:30-drive back to accomodations to freshen up and eat breakfast

10 ish-drive back to the office to transfer to Ijen Crater
This is honestly the craziest experience I've had so far-perhaps even in my lifetime. I'm writing this at 11pm, so in 4.5 hours I will be up, good thing I slept so much on the ride here. If you have any questions, just ask me, I have so much more details (and advice) to give you if you are to embark on a tour like this.