Mt. Batur – Bali, Indonesia

Mt. Batur is an active volcano located in Batur Village, in Bali Indonesia. Mt. Batur stands 1717 meters above sea level over looking Lake Batur and a number of other small villages. According to Hindu belief Mt. Batur is a sacred place being home to Dewi Danu, a Goddess of the lake.

By:  kelseylynnmadison / Blog
See more: Asia / Bali / Hike 

How to get to Mt. Batur?
You can book a sunrise trek many different ways! There are little stalls/kiosks all around major cities in Bali that can arrange one for you, or you can book online through a number of different companies. Often times hotels offer packages or deals as well.

You will get picked up anywhere from 2:00 am to 2:30 am, and the drive is about an hour and a half depending on where you are in Bali. Some companies will stop for a middle of the night pancake and coffee break but others will drive straight to the base of the volcano.

When you get there you will be sorted and registered, along with being placed in groups and assigned a trekking guide. Most tours will at this time give you a little breakfast pack with an egg and bread! Then when you are ready you start off, working your way up the mountain under a blanket of stars.

Mt. BaturHow long does it take?

The hike upis anywhere from two to two and a half hours up and two to three hours back down, depending on your hiking ability and fitness. The entirety of the walk up is in the darkness – probably a good thing otherwise the steep incline would have seemed intimidating! It is around a 1,717-meter elevation and towards the top it does get a bit steep and is slippery due to all the ash. In total the entire excursion will be from around 2 am to 10 am, make sure to schedule the rest of your day to rest or nap!




How much does it cost?
The hike will cost you anywhere from IDR 275,000 – 400,000 which is equivalent to around USD 20-30. All travel and registration expenses should be covered if you go through an agency or trekking company.

Mt. Batur

Mt. Batur

Tips!
It is a popular hike among tourists so don’t expect to be the only group doing this! If you want to make sure to reach the summit before other tourists you would have to set off earlier rather than later, maybe start your journey closer to 1 am rather than 2 am.

While you are there make sure to observe the steam that is rising from this active volcano, you can use it to warm your hands or even try cooking an egg over it!

After sunrise, people descend the mountain very quickly. I hung back and waited until everyone else had left. The mountaintop becomes covered with little monkeys who eat the pieces of egg and bread that are left over!

Mt. Batur

Don’t forget to…!

• Hike the ridge! Going down the mountain you have the option to hike the ridge that surrounds the crater, although you will be tired I urge you to do this! It will add another 40 minutes to your hike but will also offer a new perspective and view of the volcano!

• Check the weather before you go, many companies will still book treks regardless of the conditions so just keep an eye out for the changing weather to make sure you have the best possible experience!

• Make sure to dress in layers, in the middle of the night it gets rather cold but once the sun comes up it warms up.

• Wear good shoes! The hike is definitely strenuous enough to require good shoes/hiking boots, I wouldn’t try to do this like in anything less then a good pair of running shoes. I met a girl who did it in flip flops, but I would not recommend that!




• Bring water and a snack! Depending on your tour they may give you a little bit of food, but bringing a little backpack with something extra will be smart.

• Bring a flashlight, I got lucky and could borrow one from our guide, but others did the whole hike using the light of other peoples lights. Bring your own just to be safe!

• Charge your camera! There will be so many good photo opportunities along your journey and at the summit. My camera died right as I reached the top which was such a bummer! I was able to get a few photos in before though!

This trek is an experience I know that I will never forget. The image of one hundred bobbing lights moving their way up the mountain under a sky full of stars is something burned into my memory. As well as reaching the summit, and seeing the sun breaking through the clouds, engulfing the day with light, it was truly breathtaking! The two weeks I spent is Bali were some of the best weeks of my life. I it is a place full of culture and overflowing with beauty. Make sure to make your way to Mt. Batur for an unforgettable experience!!

Mt. batu




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