Comprehensive Travel Guide

JVTO operates private tours only. We do not sell shared-group or "seat-in-coach" trips.

The standard way to book is through our website secure checkout:

• Choose your route/package on our website.
• Select your travel date and click Instant Book.
• Enter the lead traveler contact details (email + WhatsApp).
• Review & pay via secure checkout.
• After successful payment, JVTO issues your Official E‑Voucher / Invoice (PDF) and you can access My Booking Portal.
• If you need help (or have a custom request), contact us via WhatsApp +62 822-4478-8833 or email hello@javavolcano-touroperator.com.

Your Official E‑Voucher / Invoice (PDF) is the binding reference for what is included in your specific booking.

Depending on the package and what is written on your voucher, inclusions may include:

• Private air‑conditioned transport with driver for the confirmed itinerary.
• Private 4WD jeep at Mount Bromo (when Bromo is included).
• Entrance tickets and permits for the sites listed in the confirmed itinerary.
• Accommodation and hotel breakfasts for the nights listed (when accommodation is included).
• Mount Ijen safety gear (gas mask, trekking poles) and required health screening (when Ijen is included).
• Bottled mineral water during overland sectors.
• Any additional meals, transfers, or extras only when explicitly written as included on your voucher.

Unless clearly stated otherwise on your program, the tour price does not include:

• International or domestic flights
• Long-distance trains to/from East Java (unless explicitly added)
• Visas or immigration fees
• Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you purchase your own)
• Personal expenses (snacks, drinks outside the meals described, souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
• Tips and gratuities for crew, guides, or hotel staff
• Optional activities not listed in the program
• Medical treatment costs not related to the Ijen health screening service

If you are unsure whether a cost is included, please ask us before you travel.

JVTO uses a Travel Credit system instead of cash refunds.

• If you cancel or change your tour under conditions allowed by our policy, we issue Travel Credit for the eligible amount you already paid.
• Travel Credit can be used for future private tours with JVTO.
• Travel Credit is non-expiring and can be transferred to another traveler with your written authorization.
• We do not offer cash refunds, except where required by applicable law.

The exact conditions for Travel Credit (when it applies, and how much) are defined in your full Booking & Cancellation Policy.

Where possible, JVTO may allow a date change for the same package if requested 48 hours or more before Day 1 (local Indonesia time).

All changes are subject to availability (vehicles, hotels, guides) and any supplier cost differences.

• Requests made less than 48 hours before Day 1 are generally not permitted and may be treated as a late cancellation.
• Any approved change must be confirmed in writing and reflected in an updated Official E‑Voucher / Invoice (PDF).

If you decide to cancel:

• Please inform us as soon as possible through our official contact channels.
• Any eligible amount is converted into Travel Credit according to the time of cancellation and the rules in our policy.
• In some cases, late cancellations or no-shows may result in reduced or zero Travel Credit if suppliers have already been paid and cannot refund.

We will always:

• Explain clearly which parts can be converted to Travel Credit,
• Provide written confirmation of any Travel Credit issued.

Full details: /policy/booking-payment-cancellation/

Some elements of your itinerary depend on local conditions and official regulations (weather, volcanic activity, closures, road conditions).

If a site is closed by authorities or conditions are unsafe, JVTO will adjust the program where feasible (change order, alternative stops, or timing adjustments).

If a key part cannot operate, remedies follow the Booking, Payment & Cancellation Policy (including force majeure rules).

To keep the tour smooth and safe, we ask you to:

• Provide correct personal and contact information.
• Inform us in advance of any medical conditions that may be relevant (especially for Ijen).
• Read and follow our Safety on Tours and Packing & Fitness guidelines.
• Use only our official contact channels (website, WhatsApp number, email) for payments and changes.

If you have any questions before you pay, please ask. We prefer to explain everything clearly upfront.

After payment success, you can access My Booking Portal to manage your confirmed booking.

Health screening may be required by local authorities or park/permit conditions for access to certain Ijen areas.

Screening supports safer decisions for guests and local teams.

If your confirmed JVTO tour includes an Ijen night hike, required health screening is arranged as part of the Ijen segment (as written on your voucher).

Screening results are stored in a digital system that allows:

• staff at checkpoints to verify that a real screening was done,
• less reliance on paper letters that can be forged,
• clearer documentation for both guests and authorities.

JVTO supports this digital approach as part of a wider effort to:

• reduce fake certificates,
• improve consistency of checks,
• and keep more visitors within safe limits.

The same digital system is also available to travelers who are not touring with JVTO, through participating clinics and hotels in the Ijen area.

The goal is not to restrict competition, but to:

• raise the overall standard of safety,
• make it harder for fake letters to circulate,
• and give everyone clearer information about their own condition.

Health screening:

• helps reduce risk,
• supports better decisions,
• and provides documentation.

It does not:

• guarantee that nothing can go wrong,
• replace your own responsibility to disclose medical conditions,
• replace the advice of your personal doctor.

Conditions on the mountain (gas, weather, crowding) can still change. We may still decide to modify or cancel the hike if we believe it is the safest option for the group.

Health data collected during screening is:

• used only for safety and operational purposes related to your Ijen hike,
• shared only with parties who need to verify you are fit to join,
• handled according to our Privacy & Data Protection Policy: /policy/privacy.

For how we handle personal data related to permits and health screening, see /policy/privacy.

• JVTO is a registered Indonesian travel company specializing in private volcano tours.
• JVTO operates under local regulations and works with licensed partners and authorities where required for safety and access.
• Our crews (drivers and guides) are trained to follow internal procedures and local regulations, not just chase "the best photo".

On tour:

• The tour leader/guide and driver are your first line of support.
• For larger groups, coordination may also involve local authorities when needed.

Before your trip starts, we:

• check recent updates on road and park conditions,
• review weather patterns and any official alerts,
• confirm hotel and transport availability,
• and align with local partners in key areas like Bromo, Ijen, and Tumpak Sewu.

For Ijen, health screening is a mandatory part of preparation for those doing the night hike.

During your tour, our crew:

• monitors conditions on the ground: weather, road status, crowding, and local announcements,
• communicates with other operators and local contacts when necessary,
• adjusts timings if there are delays or sudden changes.

We may:

• leave earlier or later to avoid traffic or unsafe crowding,
• switch viewpoints if one area is too congested or temporarily restricted,
• choose safer walking paths at waterfalls or along crater rims.

Sometimes, the safest decision is to change or cancel part of the plan. Reasons can include:

• heavy rain, strong winds, or dense fog,
• volcanic gas levels or alerts,
• road closures, landslides, or accidents,
• local ceremonies or regulations.

If we need to change plans:

• we will explain why,
• we will propose reasonable alternatives where possible,
• and we will apply our Travel Credit rules if key elements cannot be operated.

See: Weather & Closures and Booking Information.

Safety works best when everyone plays their part. We ask you to:

• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear (see Packing & Fitness).
• Follow instructions from guides and drivers, especially in narrow, wet, or crowded areas.
• Tell the crew immediately if you feel unwell, dizzy, or anxious.
• Be honest about your health and any conditions that might affect the trip.

If you feel something is unsafe, you can always ask to slow down, stop, or skip an activity. There is no pressure to "push through" discomfort.

For safety reasons:

• Guests under the influence of alcohol or other substances may be refused participation in certain activities (especially hikes and steep trails).
• Dangerous behaviour that puts yourself or others at risk may result in parts of the tour being modified or stopped.

Our priority is that everyone finishes the trip safely — guests, crew, and local communities.

For all routes (Bromo, Ijen, waterfalls), we recommend:

• Light, quick-drying layers
• A warm jacket or fleece (for early mornings and higher altitude)
• Long trousers or leggings (more comfortable for hiking than jeans)
• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip (avoid smooth soles)
• A small daypack for water, snacks, and extra layers
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for daytime
• A light rain jacket or poncho (especially in the rainy season)
• Personal medication you use regularly

Your main luggage stays in the car/hotel; you only carry what you need for the activity.

Packing

• Warm layers (early morning can feel near 5–10°C at viewpoints).
• Hat, gloves, scarf or buff are helpful.
• Comfortable shoes; you may walk on sand and dust.

Fitness

• Bromo sunrise is suitable for most guests with basic mobility.
• You should be able to step in and out of the jeep, walk short distances on uneven ground, and climb modest stair sections if you choose to.

Packing

• Warm layers for the night (start can feel cold).
• Long sleeves and trousers (for comfort and basic protection).
• Good hiking shoes with grip (the trail can be dusty or slippery).
• A light headlamp or torch (often provided, but bring your own if you prefer).
• Spare mask or scarf for general dust (this is not a replacement for the gas mask we provide in the crater area).

Fitness

• The trail to the crater rim includes a sustained uphill walk.
• You should be able to walk uphill at a steady pace for 1–2 hours with short breaks.
• Guests with heart, lung, or circulation conditions should consult a doctor in advance and be very cautious.
• Final permission to join the night hike depends on the Ijen health screening results and on-the-ground conditions.

Packing

• Clothing and shoes that can get wet and muddy.
• Sandals or water shoes with grip for river sections.
• A small towel and a change of clothes can be useful.

Fitness

• The trail can be steep, with sections of stairs, rocks, and wet surfaces.
• You should be comfortable with balance, descending and ascending with support from ropes/handholds, and walking on slippery ground.
• This activity is not recommended for guests with serious knee, ankle, or balance issues.

Because your tour is private, your JVTO crew (driver and local guides) are focused on your group only:

• You can ask for extra stops for rest, toilets, or minimarkets.
• If you feel tired or unwell, tell the crew early — they can slow the pace, offer alternatives, or help you skip a section safely.

Please do not hesitate to speak up; the crew is there to support you, not to rush you.

We recommend minimizing valuables on outdoor days:

• Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches on hikes and waterfall days.
• Water, mud, and tight spaces make it easy for items to be dropped, scratched, or lost.
• Crowded areas are not ideal for showing valuables.

If you bring valuables, keep them secured in your main luggage or hotel safe whenever possible.

At Ijen, volcanic gases can tarnish silver:

• Sulfur in the air can react with silver and cause it to darken or change colour.
• In some cases this is difficult or impossible to fully reverse.

For this reason, we strongly recommend:

• Do not wear silver jewellery (rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings) during the Ijen activity.
• Avoid taking silver-coated watches or accessories close to the crater area.

Bromo & Ijen

• Main activities (Bromo sunrise, Ijen night hike) typically happen between late night and early morning.
• In many seasons, heavier rain is more common later in the day.
• At higher viewpoints, conditions may be dry or lightly drizzling while lower areas have heavier rain.

Weather is never fully predictable, but we plan schedules to maximise the chance of safe and enjoyable conditions.

Our destinations are part of the Ring of Fire. Low-level activity (gas, tremors, minor events at volcanoes in the region) can occur.

For safety, we:

• refer to official Indonesian sources for volcanic alert information,
• follow restrictions and recommendations issued by the relevant authorities,
• and adjust activities when alert levels or local regulations change.

If authorities restrict access or close specific areas, we will not attempt to bypass those rules.

Depending on conditions, we might need to:

• adjust timing (leave earlier/later to avoid storms or congestion),
• change viewpoints (alternative sunrise spots or observation points),
• modify walking routes (avoid sections that are too slippery or crowded),
• replace certain activities with safer alternatives if a site is fully closed.

Our crew will explain what is happening and why adjustments are necessary.

Sometimes, despite planning, a core activity may be fully closed by authorities or unsafe to attempt.

In those cases:

• We first look for reasonable alternatives within safety limits.
• If no meaningful alternative is possible, we apply our Travel Credit policy for the affected part of your program, as described in Booking Information.
• We will always explain clearly which parts of the tour are affected and how any Travel Credit is calculated.

When conditions change:

• Your driver/guide will update you during the tour.
• Our office remains reachable via official contact channels for further clarification.
• We encourage you to ask questions if you are unsure about any decision.

Our priority is to keep you informed and safe while respecting local communities and regulations.

Official traffic police escort may be relevant for:

• school or university groups,
• incentive or corporate groups,
• other large groups traveling in multiple vehicles.

Typical segments include:

• connections from major road exits or meeting points to partner accommodations,
• specific routes agreed in advance with the traffic police.

JVTO does not provide escort vehicles ourselves. Instead:

• We submit a formal request to the competent Traffic Police unit,
• Escort is approved or declined according to regulations, availability, and clear route definitions,
• When approved, the escort is carried out by uniformed traffic police in official vehicles, based on written orders.

All arrangements are done transparently and in line with Indonesian law.

Police escort:

• is not automatic for all tours,
• is not a guarantee of special treatment everywhere,
• is not a tool to ignore speed limits or basic road rules.

Its purpose is safe and orderly convoy movement for qualifying groups, not to bypass public safety.

• If your group is eligible and escort is approved, any related costs will be clearly listed in your program and invoice.
• No unofficial payments are requested from guests on the road.
• If escort is not available or not approved, we will inform you and operate the tour using standard safe convoy procedures.

If you are planning a large group program and wish to explore the possibility of official escort:

• Inform us of your group size, vehicle count, and route.
• We will advise whether escort is realistic and what information we need to submit a request.
• Final decision always rests with the relevant authorities.