How To Do Mount Batur Sunrise Hike, Bali: Visitor Guide & Tips
Are you thinking of hiking to the top of Mount Batur? Learn everything you need to know about hiking Bali’s most famous volcano, Mount Batur, during sunrise in our complete hiking guide.
As one of Bali’s most popular volcanoes, it was high on our list of must-visits during our time in Bali. We lived there for six months, so we had loads of time to make it to the summit. However, Mount Batur sees a lot of visitors, so deciding when and how to visit was challenging; luckily, we picked a beautiful day!
Mount Batur is a volcano that’s still active and standing tall at 1,717 meters (5,633 feet). It’s a magnificent volcano, part of the Batur caldera, which is basically a huge volcanic crater formed by previous eruptions. It’s also part of Mount Batur Geological Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark site.
Uncover Everything You Need To Know To Climb Mount Batur Volcano At Sunrise
In this post, I’ll share my experience hiking Mount Batur during sunrise. I’ll also cover topics like:
- What you can expect from your visit to Mount Batur
- Information on the Mount Batur Geological Park – oh yes, there’s more than just the volcano here!
- The cost of the sunrise hike, other popular tours and what’s included so you can prepare.
- The top 3 places to stay and I’ll share our journey to inspire your travels.
🌟 Guess what ->> As travel experts, our experiences have led us to be great at planning travel itineraries, so much so that I offer a bespoke travel itinerary service to all my readers. Interested? See what it’s all about here on my custom itinerary page.
Is The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Worth It?
100%, the Mount Batur sunrise hike is worth it! We enjoyed it so much that it was a highlight of our trip to Bali. We were extremely lucky to hike when it wasn’t very busy, so the lack of crowds certainly helped make the experience even more memorable.
Even so, if you plan it right, you will also have a great time. The views are breathtaking, and the sheer size of the Batur Caldera will leave you speechless. Enjoy your hike, and take your time exploring the summit.
Are You Short On Time? Check Out The Best 3 Mount Batur Treks In Bali:
🏆 BEST OVERALL MOUNT BATUR HIKE
MY TOP PICK. Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Tour
🏆 BEST COMBINED MOUNT BATUR HIKE
EDITORS PICK. Mount Batur Sunrise Hike & Hot Spring
🏆 BEST MOUNT BATUR GEOLOGICAL PARK TOUR
EDITORS PICK. Mount Batur Jeep Tour
Where Is Mount Batur Volcano?
Mount Batur Volcano is located on the island of Bali in Indonesia. Specifically, it’s situated in the Kintamani district, which is in the northeastern part of the island.
The volcano and its surrounding geological park are about 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of the popular tourist destination of Ubud making it easily accessible to travellers.
The Mount Batur sunrise hike stands out as a well-known activity in the region, offering stunning views of the sunrise over the island, Batur caldera and Lake Batur from its summit.
About Mount Batur Geological Park
The incredible Mount Batur Geological Park, also known as Kintamani Geopark, is a real gem nestled in the Kintamani district of beautiful Bali, Indonesia. If you’re into exploring the wonders of nature and geology, this place is an absolute must-visit!
Once you step foot into Mount Batur Geological Park, get ready to be blown away by the dramatic landscapes it has to offer. Picture this: volcanic cones, lava flows, and a huge lake. It’s like stepping into a whole new world!
You’ll be able to see the aftermath of past volcanic activities and learn all about the fascinating geological processes that have shaped this incredible region.
You can visit traditional Balinese villages and immerse yourself in the local culture, explore fascinating lava caves, soak in relaxing hot springs, and even enjoy thrilling water sports on Lake Batur. Talk about a paradise for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts!
About Mount Batur Volcano
Mount Batur itself was formed thousands of years ago through a series of volcanic eruptions and it’s well-known that the caldera is one of the largest and most stunning in the world! It’s hard to believe that the magnificent landscapes we saw are the result of intense volcanic activity that occurred in the past.
Mount Batur has a recorded history of eruptions dating back to the early 1800s but one of the most significant eruptions took place in 1917. When this happened a massive eruption led to the formation of a new cone within the caldera.
This eruption had a lasting impact on the surrounding areas, with lava flows covering nearby villages and altering the landscape dramatically.
Today, Mount Batur remains an active volcano; however, it’s under constant surveillance. Scientists and researchers monitor its activity closely to ensure your hike will be safe and eruption-free!
Guided Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
✔️ Helps a lot in the dark
✔️ Includes transfers
✔️ Knows the best photo spots
About Kintamani & Lake Batur
Kintamani is a picturesque town known for its breathtaking landscapes and serene charm. Nestled within the stunning Batur caldera, Kintamani offers a unique experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the shimmering beauty of Lake Batur. It’s a place where tranquillity and natural splendour come together, creating an unforgettable setting for exploration.
Lake Batur is a volcanic lake, nestled within the Batur caldera, which adds an extra layer of magic to the already captivating landscape.
Whether you choose to take a leisurely boat ride, enjoy a lakeside picnic, or simply soak in the peaceful ambience, Lake Batur is a true gem where you can appreciate the beauty of nature.
Overview: Mount Batur Volcano Sunrise Trek
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Time: 3:30 am – 7 am
Cost: IDR 100,000 (entrance fee only)
When planning a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Batur Volcano, you’ll need to consider a few things.
- How will you be visiting Mount Batur? Alone, with a guide or on an organised tour
- At what time will you be hiking Mount Bature? The sunrise is the most popular but there are also day treks, combination tours, 4×4 tours etc.
- You need to think about what to wear and what to pack, remember you’ll be hiking through the night if you choose to visit for sunrise!
- Transport, fees and what refreshments you’ll need are essential to planning a successful and fun hike.
- Consideration of where you’re going to stay during your visit is also crucial.
Tickets
To access Mount Batur, you’ll typically need to pay an entrance fee, although I have heard of people trekking without paying. The cost of the entrance ticket can vary depending on several factors such as nationality and age.
International tourists usually choose to hike with a guide or on a tour but if you prefer to hike alone you’ll only need to pay the entrance fee of IDR 100,000 ($6.50).
The entrance fee is usually collected at the entrance point or visitor centre of Mount Batur Geological Park.
It’s best to purchase tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re planning to hike at sunrise so you don’t have any issues on hike day. You’ll also know where to start your hike from, as remember it will be dark!
Best Time To Hike Mount Batur Volcano?
The best time to hike Mount Batur volcano in Bali, Indonesia is generally during the dry season, which runs from April to September. During this time, you can expect clear skies and lower chances of rainfall, providing better visibility and more enjoyable hiking conditions.
What To Pack For Climbing Mount Batur
You’ll want to ensure you’ve packed the correct gear to make the most out of your trip. In your day pack make sure you’ve packed the following:
- water
- a packed lunch
- a windproof jacket
- a headlamp
- a camera.
Don’t forget to pack snacks and lots of fresh water, it’s easy to get dehydrated on this hike. Most sunrise hikes will include breakfast but ensure you have additional snacks to have along the way as the breakfast isn’t too filling!
It wasn’t too cold at the start of our trek and as we got going we soon warmed up. However, it can get chilly once you reach the summit and have stopped before the sun comes up, so make sure you bring enough layers.
⭐ Pro tip >> Put your shorts under your walking trousers so you can remove them with ease if you start getting too hot/cold.
In all honesty, it’s not essential to wear hiking boots, some of the people in our group had trainers. That said, it is easier in hiking boots as they have a better grip. If you are wearing trainers you’ll want to make sure they have good grip. The path does turn to gravel towards the top.
Towards the top of this hike, especially the way we went, the trail does become more demanding and so if you have back or knee trouble a good lightweight walking pole can help push you along.
Where To Stay Near Mount Batur Volcano?
The perfect location is at the foot of Mount Batur Volcano in the town of Kintamani. It’s close to the entrance and walking trails. Here are 3 great options for your stay in Kintamani.
Top 3 Places To Stay Near Mount Batur
👉 The Panorama Batur Camp. Stunning views and cool little wooden huts.
👉 Triangle House. Similar to the above but with a little more privacy!
👉 Bukit Catu Bungalows. This one has a swimming pool, which would have been nice.
The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike: What To Expect
The ambience was nothing short of magical, heightened by the comforting presence of friends. As we stood there, spellbound, watching the sunrise paint its vibrant hues across the vast panorama of Mount Batur, I knew I was experiencing a moment that would etch itself into my memory forever.
The Journey To Kintamani
Before we started the hike we had to get to our hotel in Kintamani from Amed, a sleepy fishing village in the east. To be honest, our journey to Kintamani was an adventure in itself!
To get to Kintamani, we had to scale another mountain. We were on our scooters, which did extremely well considering the incline (and decline).
We went high, so high in fact that we rode through clouds and felt the temperature change on our cheeks! The landscape was stunning with panoramic views; we passed through a few small villages and farmlands before we reached the peak of the mountain.
We did get a little lost, and ended up on some terrible, dangerous, rocky road before a local, who himself was struggling to get his truck out of a ditch, kindly told us we should turn around as there was a better road not too far away, and that this one was going to worse.
⭐ Pro tip >> I would stick to the sat nav and not try taking shortcuts, also make sure Google doesn’t decide to redirect you! More travel tips for first-time travellers here…
👉 If you are choosing to do a road trip in Bali check out my post on everything you need to know about renting a scooter in Bali here.
What Time To Start The Hike?
We started the climb at 3:30 am, woken to a gentle knocking on the door by our guide. After a quick coffee, we were off…
Depending on how you choose to hike Mount Batur your time will be impacted. For example, if you’re on a pre-arranged tour you’ll likely be getting up earlier to pick everyone up and get organised at the start before you begin climbing. There are also different routes to follow with varying lengths.
We started our hike directly from our hotel, so we didn’t need any time to reach the “official entrance”, nor did we need to purchase entrance tickets as we had done this ahead of time. So, 1.5 hours was enough time to reach the top just in time for sunrise, which was scheduled at 5:10 am.
The most popular route is from the official entrance and is a 5-kilometre trail. For this route, the walking time is usually 1.5-2 hours to reach the top. We spent an additional hour or so at the top exploring and having breakfast.
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
As all volcano climbs seem to go, the Mount Batur hike started off easy and got progressively harder. The trail we followed took us along narrow farm lanes which were really pretty (only to be appreciated on the way down) slowly turning to volcanic sands and rock.
The incline began at this point and at times I was using my hands to help me scramble up the mountain! It was harder and more off-piste than the Mount Ijen climb we had done previously but it was, I guess, an acceptable level of difficulty that most people would be able to achieve.
The Views At Mount Batur
The main reason for doing such climbs is of course the views and the Mount Batur sunrise trek didn’t disappoint! With the sun popping up over the horizon we had beautiful hues of reds and oranges shooting up around us with clear views of the horizon.
The lake was on the left as we climbed and we could make out Mount Agung in the distance. The panoramic views were incredible and improved the higher we went!
On our final push through the foliage near the peak, we somehow managed to lose the group and ended up on a different path from everyone else. It wasn’t a problem, although we were by ourselves for sunrise (maybe it was meant to be). We found them a bit later on after sunrise.
From the top of the volcano, we could see the black lava fields below, left behind from an earlier eruption which blasted out of the south side of Mount Batur. The lake was sparkling below us and all of a sudden I noticed we were inside the crater of the previous super volcano. It was encasing us and as we stood central to the world, it was magical!
Breakfast At Mount Batur
After the sunrise hike, we found the group who were getting ready for breakfast which was included. It was lovely to eat the warm noodles and boiled egg while taking in the views.
A popular feature of most hikes is having your egg cooked in the hot springs, and although we never witnessed this I’m not sure that it was actually done during our tour. It was interesting to hear nevertheless!
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Cost: Guided/Non-Guided/Tour
Without A Guide
The Mount Batur sunrise hike is one of the most popular hikes on the island of Bali and it’s easy to find guides to take you up, but it’s also worth knowing that even though you might be told you have to take a guide, it’s NOT illegal to go alone!
You will still need to pay entrance 100,000 IDR. (which is very affordable and a great option if you’re visiting Bali on a budget).
Note: This pricing table is excluding transportation to and from Kintamani, the starting point is from Mount Batur Car Park.
| Hotel Price (Mid-Range) | Ticket Price | Total (IdR/$) | Add Ons: Headlamp/ Snacks |
| 330,700 | 100,000 | IDR 430,700 | 75,000 – 225,500 |
| $22 | $6.50 | $ 28.50 | $5- $15 |
With A Guide
In true backpacker style, we didn’t pre-book any tour for this adventure. We ended up organising everything once we were there which is doable if you’re not in a rush. Not recommended if you’re visiting on a 2-week holiday!
Since Bali is an affordable destination for tourists we only paid 150.000 IDR each in 2022 (this took some negotiating). It included the entrance fee, water, coffee in the morning and breakfast at the top.
So 50,000 IDR on top of the entrance fee (although at the time, the entrance fee was 80,000 IDR) and we were a group of 5.
From that, we can work out that a guide will cost around IDR 250,000 per group.
Note: Be aware that breakfast doesn’t include a drink but they will give you one anyway! They will charge you extra, so be prepared to pay.
Hiring a guide is a positive way to support the local community and gain some insights into Mount Batur Geological Park. Your guide should be able to answer any questions you have about the area during your climb.
With A Tour
One of the most popular ways to climb Mount Batur, and even more so at sunrise is to book an organised tour. There are plenty of options to choose from with additional add-ons and features such as transport, visiting hot springs, ATV rides, 4×4 tours and sunset treks.
The below highlights three popular tours, prices and features included.
| Tour / Activity | Tour Features | Rating | Est. Price |
| Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Tour – Book Here | ✔️ Sunrise hike & entrance fees ✔️A delicious breakfast ✔️ Transport to/from hotel | 5/5 | From US$39.00 |
| Mount Batur Sunrise Hike and Natural Hot Spring – Book Here | ✔️ Sunrise hike & entrance fees ✔️Hot Springs at Lake Batur ✔️A delicious breakfast ✔️ Transport to/from the hotel | 5/5 | From US$33.00 |
| Mount Batur Jeep Tours – Book Here | ✔️ full-day private Jeep 4X4 tour of Mount Batur ✔️Explore frozen black rock lava flows, caves, and fields ✔️ Lunch and soak in Batur Natural Hot Springs ✔️ Transport to/from the hotel | 5/5 | From US$29.50 |
Visitors Tips & What To Watch Out For
👉 Start early: Begin your hike in the early hours of the morning to ensure you reach the summit in time for the sunrise. The hike usually takes around two hours, depending on your fitness level.
👉 Carry a headlamp: Since you’ll be hiking before sunrise, it’s crucial to have a headlamp or flashlight to navigate the trail safely.
👉 Pack essentials: Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the hike. Snacks, such as energy bars or fruits, can also be helpful to keep your energy levels up. If you’re hiking during the wet season, pack a rain jacket or poncho!
👉 Engage a local guide: If you want more information. They are experienced and knowledgeable about the trail too, ensuring your safety.
👉 Choose a reputable tour operator: Research and select a reliable tour operator or agency that offers Mount Batur sunrise hikes. Read reviews, check their safety record, and compare prices before making a booking.
✔️ The two tour companies we use are Viator and Get Your Guide. They are great and highly recommended!
👉 Watch Out For The Monkeys & Dogs: There was a gang of stray dogs and a large family of macaque monkeys hell-bent on causing mischief. They like to steal your stuff so watch out!
👉 Respect the environment: Mount Batur is an important natural site, so it’s crucial to be mindful of your impact. Follow the designated trails, avoid littering, and leave no trace behind. Respect the local flora, fauna, and the volcanic environment.
Resources For Bali
Is it your first time visiting Bali? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Bali Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- We loved living in Bali, and we’ve written this article to share why.
- Read this post to find out if Komodo National Park is worth visiting.
- We also visited Bukit Lawang in North Sumatra. These are the reasons to visit!
- Back in Bali, we based ourselves in Canggu and discovered all the amazing things to do, but we also visited places like Ubud and Medewi during our Bali road trip.
- Read these posts if you’re looking for epic snorkelling tours, ATV adventures and old temples.
Visiting Mount Batur FAQs
When preparing for a Mount Batur sunrise trek, it’s important to wear comfortable clothing suitable for hiking.
The temperature can be cooler at higher altitudes, especially during the early morning hours. Wearing layers allows you to adjust your clothing as needed.
Choose footwear with good traction and ankle support to navigate uneven terrain. Hiking boots or trail shoes are recommended.
Protect yourself from the sun’s rays with a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen is also essential.
Climbing Mount Batur in trainers, while it is possible to hike in trainers, it’s generally not recommended. The terrain can be challenging and uneven, so having proper hiking shoes or boots will provide better stability and support for your feet and ankles.
It’s important to prioritise safety and choose appropriate footwear to prevent slips, trips, and potential injuries. If you are wearing trainers, make sure they have a good grip!
The best time for a sunrise hike on Mount Batur is in the early morning hours, typically starting the ascent around 3:30 to 4:00 am. This timing allows you to reach the summit in time to witness the beautiful sunrise.
However, it’s important to check the current sunrise time and plan your hike accordingly, as it may vary depending on the season and time of year.
Yes, you can hike Mount Batur during the day as well. While the sunrise hike is a popular choice for many visitors, the mountain and its trails are accessible throughout the day.
You can enjoy the stunning scenery, explore the volcanic landscapes, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike: Conclusion
Mount Batur Volcano is one of those beautiful natural sights which we get to enjoy with a little effort. The Mount Batur sunrise hike is the perfect way to enjoy the panoramic views and is definitely worth it!
Staying an extra night in Bali’s Kintamani region is also worth it just to try the local fish and the delicious sauce they slather over it!
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