Ijen reopened on 28 September 2026: check before you go

Checked on 20 October 2026: TWA Kawah Ijen reopened on 28 September 2026. This post was written during the closure that began on 4 September. Its earlier “no reopening date” message is now out of date. The URL stays the same so readers following an old link can find the correction.

The official KSDAE update refers to announcement PG.2398/K.2/BIDTEK/KSA.04.01/B/9/2026. It covers the reopening of the TWA tourist park. It does not promise access to every section or a blue-fire sighting.

What to check before booking your night transfer

Start with the date. The official Kawah Ijen page lists 6 November and 4 December as the remaining Ijen Rijik closure dates in 2026. It gives the gate hours as 02:00–12:00 WIB. Further closures can follow because of weather, volcanic activity, conditions on the ground or a management decision.

Before paying for transport, check:

1. The latest park announcement and your date in the official ticket system.
2. Which sections are accessible. Ask your operator what is permitted on that date.
3. Documents and equipment. The Ijen preparation guide explains what to check.
4. Your accommodation and transport change terms if the park closes again.

A missing ticket or a website error does not by itself prove that the park is closed. The quota may be full, sales may not have opened or the system may have a technical problem. Look for a management announcement rather than drawing a conclusion from an empty calendar.

Volcano activity and trail access are separate checks

MAGMA/PVMBG reports volcanic activity; park management sets visitor access. A low activity level does not rule out a closure after a fire or during bad weather.

The September closure followed a fire. A later KSDAE notice dated 13 October describes another fire in the reserve and a subsequent inspection that found no active fire. It does not announce a new TWA closure. Before travelling, you still need the latest notice, not just a blog's update date.

Keep an alternative in your route

On a Yogyakarta → Bromo → Ijen → Bali trip, treat Ijen as a separate decision. A closure in one park tells you nothing about the others. Start with the two- or three-day Yogyakarta itinerary, then planning Bromo independently, and confirm the current Ijen status before fixing that overnight stop.

If Ijen closes, the easiest adjustment may be a quieter day in Banyuwangi or an earlier crossing to Bali. Baluran and Pulau Merah are separate outings: check their own access and transport before treating either as a ready replacement.

If you are still near Malang, Tumpak Sewu can be a separate part of the trip. Weather and local restrictions matter there too. I would not add it after a sleepless night just to fill the day.

Put the rest of the trip together

Use the Java route planner to choose a trip length. You can read the free Volume 1 sample before buying. Volume 1: East Java covers the route from Yogyakarta eastwards; check park opening decisions with the operator before travelling.

Update history

• 4 September 2026: closure following a fire; this post first covered it on 7 September.
• 28 September 2026: reopening according to the KSDAE announcement.
• 20 October 2026: status, links and remaining Ijen Rijik dates corrected against official sources. We did not make a booking or verify ticket availability for a particular day.