Last updated on May 4th, 2025 at 01:09 pm
One of the most breathtaking sights we’ve ever seen was the sunrise over Mount Bromo. The view is that good, it almost looks fake in photographs, yet this fantastic sight is real.
At first, we weren’t sure where to go to catch this majestic view. But eventually, we found out the name and the best spot to witness this spectacular event – King Kong Hill.
This Indonesia travel guide will provide you with all the necessary information and tips, so you too can experience one of the world’s best sunrises from King Kong Hill in East Java, Indonesia.
Don’t have time to read this whole article? Here’s the top-rated Mount Bromo tour to experience the iconic Mount Bromo sunrise, and a hike to the crater. This is the perfect one-day tour for adventurers seeking a hassle-free, budget-friendly experience of Indonesia’s most unique attraction.
Why Visit King Kong Hill?
Mount Bromo is an active volcano within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park on the island of Java in Indonesia. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Java and one of the top travel destinations in Indonesia, known for its stunning volcanic landscapes and unforgettable sunrise views.
The best place to experience these iconic sunrise views is King Kong Hill, a popular viewpoint that offers a breathtaking panorama of Mount Bromo, the smoking crater of Mount Semeru, and the vast Sea of Sand. As the sun rises, the sky lights up with golden hues, casting dramatic shadows over the misty valleys and volcanic peaks of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park – creating one of the most iconic sunrise scenes in Southeast Asia.
If you are traveling to East Java, visiting Mount Bromo and witnessing the sunrise from King Kong Hill is an experience you won’t want to miss. The sunrise at Mount Bromo is a breathtaking sight that truly has to be seen in person to be believed – one of those rare moments that words and photos can’t entirely capture.
Find out more about how to hike Mount Bromo for free!
We traveled around Indonesia for 30 days on our second visit to this magnificent country, and without a doubt, during our East Java itinerary, Mount Bromo stood out as the highlight of our adventure.
For more amazing Java attractions check out the following articles:
- Tumpak Sewu Waterfall – Indonesia’s most beautiful waterfall
- Mount Ijen The largest acid lake in the world
Come on, with these unique Java attractions along with the world’s best sunrise views, we’re looking at one seriously epic Indonesia holiday, right?
When visiting East Java, don’t miss the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur. This breathtaking temple complex is a must-see attraction in Indonesia and very affordable.
For more information click on the link below.
Where To Stay When Visiting King Kong Hill
Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to Mount Bromo and King Kong Hill. It serves as a perfect place to base yourself as both Mount Bromo and King Kong Hill are within walking distance of the town.
We recommend staying here for two days. On the first day, you will arrive and take in the beautiful surroundings, then have an early night as you will be getting up at 3 AM, to start your hike at 3.30 AM at the latest.
After catching the famous Mount Bromo Sunrise, head back to your accommodation for some rest or leisure time.
Later in the afternoon, you will set off for your hike to Mount Bromo itself. By then, you’ll avoid the hundreds of morning crowds that flock to the area after sunrise.
Unfortunately, if you arrive immediately after sunrise, you’ll likely encounter the same large crowds of visitors that were standing next to you at King Kong Hill. However, don’t worry – there’s plenty of space to accommodate everyone, so you’ll still have a fantastic experience of Mount Bromo.
Cemoro Lawang offers incredible accommodation deals starting at just €10 per night. To secure these amazing rates, we recommend booking in advance, don’t miss out on this budget-friendly gem!
How to Get to King Kong Hill
To catch the iconic Mount Bromo sunrise at the King Kong Hill Viewpoint requires an early start. Sunrise at Mount Bromo typically occurs between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. This means you must leave your accommodation in Cemoro Lawang no later than 3.30 AM.
The distance from Cemoro Lawang to King Kong Hill is approximately 4 Kilometers (2.5 miles) one way and will take around 1 to 1.5 hours of walking.
This is a generally easy hike for three-quarters of the way, but let’s break it down into four parts for further detail.
Check out our 21 Best Landmarks in Asia and let us know how many you have visited.
Stage 1 – “Homestay Pak Suyon Seruni Point“
Make sure that when you input “King Kong Hill” from Cemoro Lawang into Google Maps, it displays the shortest distance. Occasionally, Google Maps may suggest the longer route, which is nearly 12 kilometers (8 miles) long. You only have to walk for 4 kilometers!
In the case that Google Maps tries to bring you on a longer distance, you can break up the trip by typing in “Homestay Pak Suyon Seruni Point“.
This is a 2.6-kilometer (1.5-mile) walk and will take around 30 – 50 minutes. The road is flat, straightforward, and surprisingly lit up with street lights for the majority of the walk.
Along the way to King Kong Hill, many taxi motorbikes will offer you a ride. Drivers will charge 100.00 IDR ( around 6 Euro) per person.
But be aware that they CAN NOT drive the entire way, and will stop around “Homestay Pak Suyon Seruni Point” where you will still be required to walk a certain distance.
If you’re starting to feel anxious about finding your way to King Kong Hill Viewpoint, just remember that there will be hundreds of other visitors in jeeps and motorbikes heading to the same area. Don’t stress about getting lost, simply follow the crowds and you will be fine!
Stage 2 – Seruni View Point
Once you reach the guesthouse you will see numerous street vendors and small restaurants selling food, snacks, water, and tea/ coffee, extending up to Seruni View Point.
Continue following the road towards the Seruni View Point. This is around 750 meters uphill on a paved pathway with some stairs along the way as well. Altogether this will take 20 – 30 minutes.
The road will no longer be lit up, but with a headtorch, the market stalls, and all the other hikers, it is again straightforward to your next point on this King Kong Hill hike.
Along that stretch of the path, you’ll also observe the hundreds of jeeps and motorbikes parked, affirming your decision not to spend money on the short distance they transport you!
Stage 3 – King Kong Hill
The final kilometer of the track leading to King Kong Hill is where the adventure truly kicks in. On the right side of Seruni Viewpoint, you will start on a narrow hiking path to the famous Bromo viewpoint.
You might notice other hikers already on the path, but if in doubt ask the friendly locals who will guide you in the right direction.
This is not a hard track, but it is also not a wide pathway you would have experienced up until now. The only real obstacle is that it is in darkness. So again, make sure to have a head torch!
Follow the blue pipe for the first half of the track until it stops. Simply continue and keep following the zig-zag track until you reach King King Hill View Point. This will take another 20 – 45 minutes.
Once you get to the popular King Kong Hill Viewpoint, you relax, sit down, and wait for the magic to unfold before your eyes!
Stage 4 – Back to Cemoro Lawang
After witnessing the Mount Bromo Sunrise, follow your path back along the same trail, which has become much easier to navigate in the daylight.
During your walk back towards Cemoro Lawang you’ll again encounter numerous offers for motorbike taxi rides. Whether you opt for this convenience is entirely your decision.
Our King Kong Hill hike tip: Take a casual stroll back, embrace the scenery, and engage with the friendly locals who have started to tend to their crops
We returned to Cemoro Lawang at around 8 AM and instead of starting the hike to Mount Bromo immediately, we had breakfast and relaxed for the morning.
We eventually began our hike to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park after lunch (and a nap!), finding Mount Bromo pretty much to ourselves without the crowds. How special is that!!
If you would prefer not to hike Mount Bromo independently, check out these top-rated Mount Bromo Tours departing from different cities in Java:
- From Yogyakarta: Bromo, Ijen & Bali 3-Day Tour All Inclusive – Embark on this small group 3-day trip to see the world-class natural phenomenon of Bromo Volcano and Ijen Volcano departing from Yogyakarta and drop-off in Bali.
- From Malang: Mount Bromo Shared Tour
- From Surabaya: Mount Bromo Shared Tour
Is There An Admission Fee For Hiking King Kong Hill?
Hiking to King King Hill is free of charge. The only time you should be spending any money is if you are on a Mount Bromo tour, or take one of the many available Taxi Motorbikes.
However, there is an entrance fee to Cemoro Lawang that is 30.000 IDR per person which is paid when you enter the town.
Do I Need a Guide to Hike King Kong Hill?
You do not need a guide to hike King Kong Hill Viewpoint. The trail is well-marked, and many visitors hike it independently without any problems.
However, some travelers prefer the convenience and additional information provided by a local guide from Cemoro Lawang.
Whether you choose a guide to hike to King Kong Hill Viewpoint ultimately depends on your comfort level with hiking independently and your preference for having a guide’s assistance.
If you are the type of traveler who would like to have a hassle-free East Java adventure, consider booking a tour that not only takes care of transportation and accommodation. But will also include a visit to Mount Ijen, famous for its mesmerizing blue flames and the world’s largest acid lake.
Find out the budget-friendly offers by clicking below.
Mount Bromo: Other Mount Bromo Viewpoints
Although there are several viewpoints to experience the sunrise at Mount Bromo, we believe King Kong Hill Viewpoint is the best. This is due to its easy-to-reach location and the spectacular views of Mount Bromo compared to others.
Penanjakan Viewpoint – also known as Seruni Point or Bukit Cinta. If you want to hike an extra kilometer from King Kong Hill you will find yourself at Penenjakan Viewpoint. This is a very popular viewpoint for the Mount Bromo Sunrise, but also very crowded due to the many tours that park up here.
Love Hill – Best reached by car or motorbike due to its location. Not as busy as Penanjakan but in our opinion not the best view because Mount Gunung Batok blocks out a lot of the view of Mount Bromo.
Mentigen Hill – If you’re not up for hiking or waking up at 3 AM, then Mentigen Hill offers a convenient and accessible option. Situated just one kilometer from Cemoro Lawang, it’s an easy place to visit with a great view of Mount Bromo.
Although Mentigen Hill provides impressive scenery, it doesn’t offer the same views as Penanjakan or King Kong Hill viewpoints due to its lower elevation. On the bright side, it serves as an excellent spot for watching the sun set over Mount Bromo.
Before you read our final tips on visiting King Kong Hill below, don’t be afraid to check out the FREE links to see the costs of a holiday of a life time to spectacular Java in Indonesia.
King Kong Hill: Final Tips
- To see the Mount Bromo sunrise requires an early start. Do not leave Cemoro Lawang later than 3.30 AM to allow yourself plenty of time.
- Make sure to bring a headtorch, torch, lamp, or spare phone as you will be hiking through darkness.
- King Kong Hill viewpoint is located around 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) above sea level. That means it can get quite cold at night time. Ensure to bring warm clothing such as a warm top, tracksuit pants, and wooly hat.
- DO NOT wear your warm clothing at the start of the hike! You will warm up as soon as you start the hike. Once at King Kong Hill Viewpoint, you can put on your warm clothing.
- Bring at least 1 liter of water per person and snacks.
- It will be crowded, but there is plenty of space for everyone to get that spectacular photograph of the sun rising over Mount Bromo!
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Have You Visited Mount Bromo?
Have you visited Java’s Mount Bromo? If so, what, in your opinion, is the best viewpoint for the famous Mount Bromo sunrise? Did you hike King Kong Hill on a Mount Bromo Tour or independently?
We absolutely love Indonesia and feel that Mount Bromo is one of Java’s best attractions. We would love to hear your thoughts or questions about visiting Java, and Indonesia in general.
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