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 aims to provide you with all the necessary information and tips, so you too can experience one of the worlds best sunrises from King Kong Hill in East Java, Indonesia.
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 visited and famous tourist attractions in Indonesia, for good reasons!
The ultimate spot to witness this natural beauty is King Kong Hill where you will see a spectacular landscape and awe-inspiring sunrise view of Mount Bromo.
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.
Among the many thrilling adventures that the island of Java has to offer are the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, a breathtaking natural feature to behold. The stunning ancient temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. And lastly, the largest acid lake in the world, the majestic Mount Ijen, will provide more unforgettable experiences on your Indonesia holiday. Check out the links below for more information.
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 sunrise, head back to your accommodation for some rest or leisure time for the morning.
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.
How to Get to King Kong Hill
To catch the sunrise at King Kong Hill 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 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.
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, many taxi motorbikes will offer you a ride. Drivers try and 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 the entire way, but with a headtorch, the market stalls, and all the other hikers, it is again straightforward to your next point.
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 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 viewpoint, you relax, sit down, and wait for the magic to unfold before your eyes!
Stage 4 – Back to Cemoro Lawang
After 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 recommendation: 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 after lunch, finding Mount Bromo nearly to ourselves without the crowds.
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 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 bring you to 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.
It ultimately depends on your comfort level with hiking independently and your preference for having a guide’s assistance.
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Mount Bromo: Other Notable Viewpoints
While there are multiple viewpoints available for a Mount Bromo sunrise, we believe King Kong Hill stands out as the premier choice. This is due to its easy-to-reach location and the spectacular views it offers when 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, 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.
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 sunset.
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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