The lush jungles of Indonesia are framed by a bubbling, active volcano that’s calling your name… Start your holiday on the right foot with the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike in Bali!

Bali’s captivating beauty seems to exceed just about everyone’s expectations; its rolling rice terraces, roaring waterfalls, exotic jungles and alluring views… On top of all that, trekking to the summit of Mount Batur seamlessly showcases Bali’s diverse, fiery landscape in all its glory. The sublime scenery along the scattered slopes of the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike is an experience you won’t forget.

Situated in the Kintamani region in the northeast of the island, this active volcano promises panoramic views at every angle. Hugging the heights, you can only imagine the luminescent landscapes that await you…

Here’s what we cover:

• When is the Best Time to Hike Mount Batur?

• How Long Does it Take to Hike Mount Batur?

• My Experience Hiking Mount Batur

• Sunrise or Sunset?

• Guide or No Guide?

• How Hard is it to Hike Mount Batur?

• Hiking Essentials

How Long Does it Take to Hike Mount Batur?

Climbing Mount Batur is relatively short and sweet. Reaching the top takes around 2 hours, but this can vary depending on your pace, group, guide, and fitness levels. If you want to know the nitty-gritty details, the summit of Mount Batur sits approximately 1717 meters (5,633 feet) above sea level. And to be completely transparent, the Mount Batur hike is challenging but not too difficult. That being said, it is enough to make your muscles roar!

So, now that you know a bit of background info on the Mount Batur hike, let’s dive deeper. Here’s what it’s really like to hike Bali’s bubbling active volcano…

We hiked Mount Batur in late March, during Bali’s rainy season, and luckily, it wasn’t too slippery.

Our sunrise mission kicked off around 2:30 am, prompt and in pitch black. Our local Balinese guide picked us up from the hotel, and just a short 2 hours later, we arrived at the base of the giant crater lake.

The surrounding region was dotted with rural villages nestled in amongst lush tropical flora, and the quiet night was graced with the vivacious chitter chatter of native Balinese people.

In what seemed like the middle of nowhere, we were warmly welcomed into a humble local’s bamboo home.

Thoughtfully, the family provided us with some much-needed coffee, along with a few rounds of freshly cooked banana pancakes.

We chatted and conversed with the local couple living there, who had been situated in the area for multiple generations. We learnt a bit about how the Mount Batur sunrise hike helps support the local communities, and we felt proud to participate in sustainable tourism.

They were kind enough to share their knowledge and impart some insightful information about the history of two of Bali’s most prominent volcanoes, Mount Batur and Mount Agung, including the shockingly devastating reality of Bali’s most recent eruption and its impact on them on both a personal and collective level.

After a drowsy-eyed, surprisingly filling breakfast and a handful of heart-warming conversations, we collected all of our trekking essentials and embarked on our journey.

An unforgettable experience of the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike was about to begin. At first, the thought of conquering the active volcano’s rocky terrain via a myriad of questionable paths was a little intimidating. To say the very least…

As we began to scale higher ground, fear was quickly replaced with an intrepid drive, thanks to the reassurance of our guide and the all-encompassing, jaw-dropping views.

It’s safe to say that those initial bursts of doubt eventually diminished as the adrenaline started to kick in. Upon reaching the peak of Mount Batur, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

It was very foggy, and the clouds were mingled with the patter of excited footsteps and chatter of other avid hikers and sunrise enthusiasts.

Thankfully, the golden sun ultimately emerged over the active volcano, shooting colourful tones throughout the sky.

The crowds that spanned the summit simultaneously burst into cheer, chatter, and applause.

The villages below glistened as the jungle brimmed with vibrant, verdant tones, highlighting a unique contrast to the adjacent Mount Agung lit up in the distance.

At that point, Bali’s signature humidity started to make its return, and along with it came the sounds of native wildlife roaming nearby. Along Mount Batur’s peak were birds chirping and wild monkeys frolicking freely around their mountainous territory.

Some monkeys were even daring enough to mingle with a handful of people. Keep in mind that these foreigners were luring them in with snacks, hoping they could snap a quick photo.

Reflecting back, sitting at the peak of that summit was indeed a distinctive sensory experience. Sheer magic, to be precise... The sweeping panoramic views, unusual harmony of sounds, and of course, the somewhat questionable smells… It’s most certainly one that I will never forget, and I have yet to experience anything like it.

So, now that you’ve heard my own personal account of the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike, there’s no doubt you’ll be left tossing and turning up your options. Let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions.

Mount Batur: Sunrise or Sunset?

The ideal time for the Mount Batur sunrise hike is early morning.

You should aim to reach the top for sunrise, just before the day's heat starts to kick in. That way, you can descend the volcano when it’s warm but not sweltering hot.

You’ll need to set your alarms early for the Mount Batur hike. The general pick-up time is around 2 am from Ubud, but it depends on which direction you’re coming from and which area you’re based in.

Guide or No Guide?

So, do you need a guide to hike Mount Batur?

Honestly, the steep path on the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike is ideally done with a local guide. It can get relatively slippery and become a potential hazard, especially if you’re doing it in the dark.

By booking with a guide, you’re also helping support the local community, and you can learn about Balinese life from a local’s perspective.

Your guide will usually provide a flashlight, and they will help guide you in the difficult sections.

Before booking, check with local trekking companies for advice on the weather because the views are essentially dependent on the day’s forecast.

Generally, trekking companies will include the following in the total fee:
1.     Pick up and drop off
2.     Breakfast and snacks
3. Basic flashlight or headlight

Optional: There are some companies that offer a package deal, and they either include the guided tour of Mt Batur sunrise hike + a visit to the Natural Hot Springs or Coffee Plantations. It’s important to remember that after all that strenuous exercise, you will be running low on energy. So consider that if you’re going to book a package deal.

By the end of our trek, I was feeling flat-out exhausted; I ended up burying myself in a makeshift nap station and passed out in the car. Thank god it was a private transfer. A grand siesta t’was.

How Hard is it to Hike Mount Batur?

Like any hike, the difficulty depends on your level of fitness.

The hike up to Mount Batur has a relatively slow but steady incline, with the temperature dropping as you ascend. It takes, on average, 2 hours to hike up. However, it can vary between 3-4 hours depending on weather conditions and whether you’re in a group or not.

The only downside of a group tour, and my only regret, was getting stuck with a slow couple... If you’re an avid power-walker or if you’re not so good when it comes down to your patience skills, book yourself a private guide.

My best advice: get a private guide. Only book a group tour if you don’t mind missing the first rays of light making their entrance.

What Should You Bring to the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike?

• It’s advisable to wear proper hiking boots, but it can be done in a pair of sneakers, as long as you don’t mind getting them dirty. Preferably, your sneakers should have grooves so you’re not sliding around like a penguin on ice or, better yet, a stripper on a pole…

• Do not, I repeat, not wear thongs (flip flops) or sandals! These scream Blisters-R-Us.

• Bring a light bag with a water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, some extra snacks, and a camera (unless you’re lucky enough to have a decent phone). Remember that you’ll have to hike with the weight of it all on your back, so don’t go ham. Packaging an extra layer for watching the sunrise is advisable, as it can get quite chilly at such a high altitude.

• The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike is teeming with sublime scenery but beware of the deceivingly cute monkeys. They can be straight-up savage. Expect to see them rummaging the mountaintops for leftover snacks or snatching people’s food right out of their hands.

The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike is brimming with opportunities, so what are you waiting for? Book your journey knowing you’re in the best hands on this day trip!

Bali bound?

The ‘Island of the Gods’ is famous for its bounteous, pounding waterfalls, dense tropical jungles and lush green canopies. Bali is home to an ample array of roaring hidden gems far off the beaten track, and lucky for you, there’s a ton of them to choose from. Now’s the time to whip out your bucket list - don’t miss this comprehensive guide to Bali’s Best Waterfalls.

From the challenge of trekking an active volcano to the sweeping views, cheeky wildlife and warm-hearted locals, the memories made on this fiery landscape will last you a lifetime. The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Bali is an unforgettable experience, so what are you waiting for?