Wake up at 2 am, drive for an hour, and then trek up an active volcano 🌋 to wait as the sun comes out above the clouds for a breathtaking scene. The Mount Batur sunrise trek is one of the best things to do in Bali!
From the top of Mount Batur, you will get wonderful panoramic views over Bali, past the ocean and over to Lombok. You will be able to see three volcanos, get views over the ocean, and you’ll see magnificent skies. It’s an incredible view 🤩 that you will never forget.
My husband and I went on honeymoon in Indonesia and this was our favorite activity we did the entire time. We were in awe as we watched one of the most spectacular sunrises we had ever seen. It was made all that more magical, because we got to enjoy a private breakfast 🍳 on the top of the mountain. If you are going to Bali, then you absolutely must do this hike! Read below for all the details.
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Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Details
Quick Trek Details
Length: 5-5.8 miles
Elevation: 2000-2200 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
How to Trek Mount Batur
The only way to complete the Mount Batur sunrise trek is to hire a local guide 🧍♂️. Local guides will take you to the top of the mountain and give you a wonderful experience. You can find great local guides on Get Your Guide, Viator and at local tourist booths.
Guides will pick you up early in the morning, drive you to the mountain and then lead you to the peak. They will also make sure that you have hiking poles, headlamps, snacks, and plenty of water to fuel your trek.
There are a couple routes up to the summit 🥾 and you can choose to book treks up the less touristy side. Then, you will have more of the trail to yourself and you will not have to wade through traffic. Make sure to also book a tour that will take you to the hot springs after the trek. It’s a great way to soak your sore muscles and relax.
Facts About Mount Batur
🌋 Mount Batur is an active volcano. It actually sits in a super volcano of a larger caldera. The last eruption was in 2000, but it is still safe to climb.
⛰ This mountain is believed to be over 50,000 years old and it was once more than 13,000 feet high.
✨ The Balinese people consider Mount Batur to be the second most sacred mountain, after Mount Agung.
♨️ There are natural hot springs that lie below Mount Batur. You can visit either Mount Batur Natural Hot Springs or Toya Devasya Natural Hot Spring Wellness Resort to bathe in the springs.
☠️ Trunyan is a small village below the mountain. The people who live here do not believe in cremating the dead like most of the island. Instead, they place the deceased under banyan trees so that animals can eat them.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek Description
The Beginning of the Hike
The trek begins through the village and farmland at the base of the mountain. You’ll be shrouded in darkness, but your headlamps 🔦 will help you light the way up. Luckily the first part of the hike is relatively flat and open.
Once you have walked through the farmland, you’ll continue up through the jungle 🌴. The road will begin to get steep and you may see cars or motorbikes pass by. The road winds a bit as you make your way further up.
The Jungle
Eventually the jungle will give way and open up to the side of the mountain ⛰. At this point it will probably still be too dark to see Mt Batur above you. This trail gets very steep and the ground is very soft. It can be easy to slip or sink in, so make sure to take your time and get lots of breaks.
About halfway up the mountain, you’ll see an area where the motorbikes have to stop. From there, the trail gets even steeper. The mountain may start coming into view as the very beginning of light seeps through. You’ll make your final push to the summit.
The Summit
If you are going at an average pace, then you’ll most likely reach the summit right as purple 💜 begins to shine through the sky. You can sit on benches on the edge of the caldera or continue up to find a more secluded spot to watch the sunrise along the crater.
From the peak, you’ll be able to see an incredible panoramic view of Mt Agung, Mt Abung, and Mt Rinjani on the island of Lombok beyond the ocean. It’s a stunning landscape that is truly one of the most incredible I have ever seen. Pinks, oranges, and yellows will light up your surroundings as you sip on a hot beverage ☕️ and eat a boiled egg from the steam vents of the volcano. You’ll be mesmerized by the incredible views and the steam that billows up into the air.
The Descent
After you have watched the sunrise, you will make your way back down the mountain. You’ll take the same trail on the way down, but watch out as it can be very slippery. Most people finish the trek around 8-8:30 am ⏰ and head to the hot springs to relax. It’s the perfect way to end the trek.
What to Expect
You’ll need to get up really early for your sunrise trek, depending on where you’re staying. We were staying in Ubud, so we got picked up at 2 am, so that we could drive two hours away to the volcano.
🚗 Drive times from areas of Bali:
Ubud- 1 hour
Canguu- 1 hour 45 mins
Kuta, Sanur, and Semiyak ~ 2 hours
People come from all over to do this hike, so it gets crowded. The earlier you go, the likelier you’ll get a chance to have the trail to yourself. Then, you can choose a secluded spot to watch the sunrise.
The hike is incredibly steep and muddy. You will want shoes that have good traction and possibly walking poles. There are times when your feet will slip into the ground. You may need to take a lot of breaks.
Most guides will give you coffee, tea 🍵, and a bite at the top of the mountain. Ours even boiled eggs in the steam vents that came out of the volcano! It was such a unique experience.
Packing Guide
Weather in Bali can vary greatly from time to time. During the rainy months, you can expect large downpours that usually pass. While, in the dry months, it can be incredibly hot on the mountain even early in the morning. Sunrise is the best time to hike up to Mount Batur because it gets hot quickly 🥵 in Bali.
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Hiking Poles
- Small Pack
- 3-4 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Sunglasses
- Hat to block sun
- Shelter
- Rain jacket or light jacket
Final Thoughts
Completing the Mount Batur sunrise trek is one of the most magical experiences you can have. If you are going to Bali, then this is something you must add to your itinerary! I will never forget our experience and it will continue to be one of my favorite mornings of all time.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this guide.
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