If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Ubud, then a sunrise tour to Mount Batur volcano is definitely worthwhile. Climbing this active volcano is not only a fun physical challenge, but also offers breathtaking views of Bali's surrounding landscape.
Mount Batur volcano is located at about 1,717 meters in altitude and is one of the most popular treks in Bali. You are recommended to do the tour with a guide, but after my experience with a "guide" I can definitely recommend doing it without one as well. In this blog you'll find my unveiling of the Mount Batur, with an answer to that burning question: is it worth the climb?
Preparation
It is windy and cold if you are going to make the climb in the middle of the night. So thermal clothing is definitely desired! Since you will be walking over stony terrain, hiking boots are absolutely no luxury for extra grip and comfort. Furthermore, especially in the rainy season you will also need to think about a poncho. There is nothing more annoying than arriving at the summit completely soaked.
You get a flashlight when you do a tour, but I personally liked the main flashlight from Decathlon. Your hands are free and the light was more than bright enough to see everything in front of me. Taking 1 liter of water and some sugars with you is also recommended, especially since I didn't think breakfast was much for the energy your body uses.
Costs
For a tour, I paid 400,000 Rupiah (about €26.50) through my hostel. You will have to get up around 01:30 and be back at your Ho(s)tel around 10:00.
The tour
The tour begins in the early morning hours, around 2 am. You will be picked up at your accommodation and then taken to the base of the volcano. In between, you will stop for a small breakfast (I had a pancake and a cup of coffee). Once at the starting point, around 04:00 am, you start the hike to the real starting point, accompanied by your guide.
The first part of the walk is on a road where cars and scooters can still drive. So every now and then a scooter passes by offering you a cab ride to the real starting point. Nice and authentic . .
After about an hour you arrive at the real starting point, from where you enter the rough terrain where no car or scooter will come. From this point it is another hour or so up the stoned terrain.
Maybe I was unlucky with the guide, but he didn't know how to tell us anything at all about the volcano. With a good flashlight, you could see the route quite well, so you could do it without a guide. It's careful watching at times, but really not to the point where you can't go up without a guide.
With trails like this, hiking boots are definitely a luxury!
Sunrise
Once at the top of the volcano, you can enjoy spectacular views of the sunrise and the surrounding mountains. The view is truly breathtaking and the experience, especially with a good sunrise, will definitely stay with you for a long time.
At the summit you get another sandwich and a banana as the 2nd part of breakfast, coffee and tea are available for a fee. The local vendors who make the trek up in the middle of the night every day have to make a living after all.
The scenery at 06:25, some 15 minutes after the official 'sunrise'
Fortunately, the clouds moved away much later!
Going down
Once you have enjoyed the sunrise, you will go down to the crater, where you may even encounter some monkeys. Then the trek down begins, after which you can choose to go to a coffee and tea plantation. I had already been there myself after visiting the nearby Tirta Empul temple, so I declined this offer.
Around 10:00 you will be back at your hostel, after which you can relax.
Conclusion: is Mount Batur worth climbing?
All in all, I definitely thought it was a unique experience, although it was somewhat overshadowed by the huge crowds on the way to the summit. The average tourist did not even have hiking boots on yet, nor did they have such a high hiking pace. So if you put on your hiking boots more often, the hike might feel a bit slow, since you will most likely get to join the line to the summit.
Once at the top, you will forget everything while enjoying the beautiful view. So, the answer to my question if Mount Batur is worth climbing? Yes, absolutely!
Did you know that?
The volcanic soil around Mount Batur is very fertile, which is why it is an important agricultural area in Bali. The soil is rich in minerals and nutrients that are essential for the growth of crops. Due to the fertility of the soil, coffee, tea and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, peppers and potatoes are mainly grown on the slopes of the volcano.
In addition, the volcanic soil is an important source of water for the surrounding villages and towns. Rainwater flows through the porous soil and then rises to the surface as spring water. This water is then used for irrigation of crops and for drinking water.
The fertile volcanic soil also has cultural significance in Bali. According to Balinese Hindu tradition, the soil is considered a sacred and divine resource that is the basis for Balinese agriculture and economy. Therefore, several temples and shrines have been built near the volcano to honor the divine powers of the volcano and give thanks for the fertility of the soil.
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