Mount Batur Sunrise hike – All you need to know
The Mount Batur sunrise trekking is an amazing experience during your time in Bali. It offers one of the best viewpoints of Bali and is one of the best spots to watch the sunrise in Bali. The Mount Batur sunrise hike is not too long and difficult and therefore doable for (almost) everyone. In this blog post you will find all the information you need to know about the Mount Batur sunrise trekking. Is it worth it, the price of Mount Batur Sunrise trekking and how to book your Mount Batur hike, how long it takes to get to the summit of Mount Batur and what you need to prepare.
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How much does it cost to hike the Mount Batur Bali
Prices for the Mount Batur sunrise trekking may vary depending on what’s included or not. When you book with Four Elements Adventure which I highly recommend, then you’ll have everything included. No hidden costs. From transportation, entrance fee for Mount Batur park, the guide, breakfast, lunch, drinking water and the rent for a headlamp. There is basically nothing else you have to think about. Except wearing the right hiking shoes, bringing a jacket and setting your alarm.
If you want an adventurous day tour in Kintamani, then you can also book tours including more activities after climbing Mount Batur. Here are the options:
- Sunrise hike Mount Batur and relax at the hot springs afterwards
- Hike Mount Batur with sunrise and visit NungNung waterfall
- Mount Batur sunrise hike and white water rafting
- Camp at Mount Batur overnight and watch the sunrise
- Mount Batur sunrise hike and white water rafting
- Sunrise jeep tour up Mount Batur. Great if you’re not feel like hiking up but still want to experience the volcano from up close!
Where is Mount Batur
Mount Batur, also known as Gunung Batur, is located in Bali, Indonesia. It is a 2-hour drive from Canggu/Seminyak and about a one hour drive from Ubud. The district where the volcano lies is Kintamani District. It sits at 5,600 feet above sea level which is 1717 meter of altitude. The Mount Batur is an active volcano, just like the Mount Agung. Although Agung’s last eruption was in 2019, and the last eruption of Batur was in 2000.
About Mount Batur
Mount Batur is a sacred stratovolcano in Bali of 1717 meters height located in Kintamani. Batur volcano is considered to be more than 50.000 years old and was even more than 4000 meters high before the first eruption 29,300 years ago. This eruption caused a collapse of the magma chamber that created two concentric calderas. Nowadays Mount Batur is marked by a collapsed top that is called a caldera.
Mount Batur is still an active volcano but is highly monitored and safe to climb. The last eruption of Mount Batur was in 2000 and you can you see the wide lava fields that was created by the eruption. You can also explore the lava fields by foot, jeep or motorbike tour.
Mount Batur hike key facts
Before you set off for the Mount Batur hike, below some key facts! It’s important to know that there are two different routes to get up Mount Batur. The ‘longer’ but less steep version which takes about 1,5 hours one way and is 11 kilometres out and back. And the shorter but much steeper route which only takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top and is 7 kilometres out and back. We did both routes, the longer version in April 2019 with the amazing tour guides of Four Elements Adventure and the shorter version in October 2021.
Hike distance and duration: The total distance of the Mount Batur hike is 7 kilometres out and back for the short route and 11 kilometres out and back on the longer route. The shorter route will take you anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour if you have a fast pace. The longer route will take you about double the time as you first trek a bit through the forest while on the shorter route you start already at a height of about 1250 meters at Pura Pasar Agung.
Difficulty and incline: The Mount Batur hike is done by many people, young and old. However, you do have to conquer incline and many uneven steps. The longer route has about 700 meters of inline over 11 kilometres of hiking. The shorter version has 500 meters of incline over 7 kilometres of hiking. I wouldn’t say the Mount Batur hike is difficult, it’s moderate but can be heavy at some points. It all depends on your fitness level and if you’re used to hiking. However, the view with sunrise is well worth the climb!
How to book a Mount Batur sunrise trekking
The best and only way to get to the Mount Batur summit is by booking a sunrise trek. You can’t do the Mount Batur hike by yourself. If you want a private Mount Batur sunrise trekking experience including transfer from your accommodation then I highly recommend booking with Four Elements Adventure. They have very experienced English speaking guides with amazing service and go the extra mile to give you an unforgettable hiking experience up Mount Batur.
Another huge plus is the secret route they take which avoids the crowds. The Mount Batur trekking is very popular and most guides take the usual route so you’ll be walking in line with many others.
If you want to combine the Mount Batur hike including visiting the hot springs then you can also book the Mount Batur hike and hot springs tour.
How to get to Mount Batur
The most common way to do the Mount Batur sunrise hike is to book a tour including hotel pick up. Four Elements Adventure company offers the tour including pick up, drop off, breakfast, lunch, drinking water and safety gear such as a headlamp. This will make the whole experience a bit easier as you don’t have to drive yourself in the dark towards Kintamani in the middle of the night. And believe me, after the hike you definitely want to have a nap in the airconditioned car instead of driving back to your hotel in the heat of the day.
Best time to hike the Mount Batur
The best time to hike the Mount Batur volcano is in the dry season. Roughly from May until October, but any other period when it’s dry could be a good time. During the rainy season it might get dangerous as slides may arise or rocks can be slippery. That also brings us to the subject of wearing quality hiking shoes with good grip. But I’ll get more into that later with “What to prepare before you hike Mount Batur”.
About the best timing to hike the Mount Batur in terms of a great sunrise, you have to be lucky depending on the season. We had a great sunrise with some low hanging fog in April. When we went in October it was completely clear without any clouds and we could see all the way until the volcanos in Lombok and East Java! If you want to have low hanging clouds the best months are July, August and September. The other months you have to be lucky to get a magical blanket of low hanging clouds which really makes you feel as if you’re in heaven! Always communicate with your guide about the best day to go up if you are flexible in your schedule.
How hard is the Mount Batur sunrise trekking?
This question is quite subjective as it all depends on your fitness level and experience in hiking. It was interesting for us to do the Mount Batur sunrise hike in 2019 and 2021 to compare. Also because we did a different and shorter route in 2021. Overall I think the Mount Batur hike is a moderate hike and doable for everyone with little to no hiking experience. Of course the way up you are hiking in the dark, so you will have to hike with your full attention and need a headlamp or flashlight.
And yes, it can be steep at some points and yes your heart rate will go up. But the view is so rewarding! There are some technical parts with loose stones and sand which can be slippery but no huge drop offs. Just stay focussed on your steps and you will be fine. Locals even do this hike on flipflops, not recommended of course…
What to prepare before you hike the Mount Batur
- Wear a jacket
- Wear good hiking shoes. Sneakers also do the job
- Band-aids (in case of blisters..)
- Headlamp. But when hiking with Four Elements they’ll have it for you
- Energy snacks
- Camera and lenses
- Drone
In total you will hike around 2 hours, so you will need at least 1 liter of water. It can get cold at the summit especially when it’s windy. So you will also need a (light) jacket. Wear shoes that are comfortable for you to hike in. Take some band-aids with you in case of blisters or other small wounds. A headlamp or camera flashlight is needed in the first hours. The paths are uneven so at some points you have to climb a bit. If you know you’re getting hungry after an early morning workout, take some (healthy) snacks with you to keep your energy level high. Most trekking tours include breakfast, which consists of boiled eggs that’s cooked using the heat of the volcano, some bananas and hot coffee or chocolate drink. Nothing fancy at all so that’s why I suggest to bring a few snacks along.
And of course if you’re climbing the Mount Batur to catch some stunning footage then you really want to bring your camera and drone!! Different lenses are also recommended.
Our experience with the Mount Batur sunrise trekking
We hiked the Mount Batur volcano two times, in 2019 and 2021. The first time in 2019 was with a group of 25 people, organised by Four Elements Adventure. In 2021 when Bali was closed we had a completely different experience because we were only with a handful of other people on the crater of Mount Batur. Very special and happy we could experience the sunrise on Mount Batur in such silence without many other people!
If you’re lucky with low hanging clouds or fog you will be treated with some amazing lightrays that pierce through the clouds. If you have a telephoto lens then this gives amazing opportunities to create some compressed images of the trees and fog. In 2019 I shot this image below with my 100-400 lens.
Making your way down Mount Batur
Of course you can stay as long as you want on the crater of Mount Batur, but at some point you will have to make your way down. Most likely you will go another way down as you came up while walking along the crater ridge. The way down is a bit challenging as it’s super loose black lava sand. Be careful here and be prepared to have your shoes full of sand! Via this side you will have incredible views on the lava fields and Lake Batur.
The final part can be challenging again with rubble stones that can feel very unstable under your feet. We almost tripped over a few on our way down as our legs felt tired. So keep your attention with hiking all the time but of course don’t forget to enjoy the views along the way! When you’ve descent along the black lava sand and turn around, you can see the impressive crater ridge of Mount Batur that you’ve just conquered! When it’s clear of course…
The final meters back to the parking lot felt good after an amazing sunrise on Mount Batur! Are you convinced to do the Mount Batur sunrise trekking?
Have breakfast or brunch at one of the Kintamani cafes
The past couple of years there have been so much development going on in Kintamani considering hip cafes and new accommodations. So if you’re planning to explore Kintamani area then it’s definitely recommend to catch another sunrise in the area at some of the amazing Bali viewpoints.
If you’re looking forward to a good breakfast with great coffee and views on the volcano you just climbed, then there is enough choice these days! Go to Montana cafe for the instagrammable hammock overlooking Mount Batur. Or go the Paperhills for some amazing Expat coffee and a Canggu foodie menu. It’s just incredible that the standard of food and coffee has been brough to Kintamani with some of the most amazing views you can have in Bali!
General travel must haves for Bali
Before we dive into all the things you need to know about the Mount Batur hike, let’s check a few things to make your travels in Bali easy and safe.
Have you thought about how to get around in Bali? A scooter is the easiest way if you’re comfortable driving one yourself.
- Book your scooter or motorbike here to get around in Bali. This is the most convenient way to arrange your rental motorbike, especially because it gets delivered and picked up for free to your accommodation within Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Denpasar, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kerobokan, Jimbaran, Sanur. Requirements: 20 years old; international car (B) drivers license for scooters (or moto (A) license for motorcycles); copies of passport and drivers license.
Do you prefer a private driver for the day and the freedom to create your own itinerary?
Did you already book your accommodation?
Are you insured during your travels?
- Buy your travel insurance here. Safetywing not only includes coverage for travel delay, lost checked luggage, emergency response, natural disasters and personal liability. But also covers all your medical expenses for hospitalisation.
Best places to stay in Ubud
If you plan on staying in Ubud which is perfectly located in the centre of Bali, then there are plenty of jungle resorts and private villa’s to choose from. We have stayed at some amazing hotels, villa’s and resorts in Ubud, so hereby our recommendations.
→ Check out this great tool to compare prices on hotels around the world and book your favorite hotel!
Super Luxury hotels in Ubud
Book here your stay at Four Seasons Sayan Ubud
Located in the lush valley of Sayan with views on the Ayung river, Four Seasons Ubud offers her guests an extraordinary experience with top class service. The private villas with pool are very spacious, luxury and besides that the resort offers an outdoor pool, four dining options and a gym.
Book here your stay at COMO Shambala Ubud
COMO Shambala is a true wellness sanctuary in the jungle of Ubud. The holistic, Asian-inspired body treatments which can include your stay at COMO Shambala are specifically designed to rejuvenate and restore the body. The private villa’s at COMO Shambala are incredibly big with each their own private pool and butler.
Book here your stay at Capella Ubud
If you love being close to nature with all luxury comforts, then glamping at Capella Ubud is the experience for you. The tented accommodation with salt water pools amidst Ubud’s lush greenery is some of the most unique experiences in Ubud.
Mid Luxury hotels in Ubud
Book here your stay at Kamandalu
Kamandalu is designed to capture the essence of a real-life Balinese village. The authentic villa’s and style of the 5 star resort really gives you the feeling that you’re in Bali. There are many awesome experiences inside the resort to do. You can book the jungle swing, lunch on a boat and have a romantic jungle dinner.
Book here your stay at Alila Ubud
Alila Ubud is a fantastic getaway for the whole family with an incredible infinity pool overlooking the lush valley. The hotel offers rooms and private villa’s, with and without pool. All rooms have views on the green surroundings. With a Spa, great restaurant and plenty of activities, you can enjoy your time at Alila Ubud all day long!
Book here your stay at COMO Uma Ubud
COMO Uma Ubud is a bit more affordable than COMO Shambala but still offers the hospitality and quality of the COMO brand. With beautiful villa’s with views on the jungle but still close to the centre in Ubud you can have best of both worlds at COMO Uma Ubud.
More Bali travel inspiration
We hope you will hike Mount Batur and enjoy the beautiful view! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments.
For more in-depth information about Bali, head over to these blog posts:
Bali itinerary – The ultimate guide
50 best instagram spots in Bali
25 best things to do in Sidemen
20 best things to do in Munduk
this is very helpull to hiker for to know good place in bali
Thank you so much!
You don’t need a guide by the way. The mountain is free to hike but the guides will try to scare you into paying for them. I hike it by myself, it was quite easy.
Hi I loved your each n every detail u explained so well ❤️ but I want to ask u that if we go by our own scooter to kintamani where to park our vehicle ??
Hi Ruchi, thanks a lot for your kind comment! When you go to Kintamani by scooter you can easily park it on a designated parking area or near the temple where the hike starts. Your guide can also advice you where a good spot is to park. Have fun!! Ilse
Hi Ilse,
I found your blog so helpful and it helped me with choosing the guide for my hike. Contacted Wirya and I had the most amazing hike with him. Thank you so much for the detailed description of what to expect at Gunung Batur. I will definitely be following your blog for my future hikes.
Wirya is such an amazing guy with excellent photography skills.
Thanks Ilse and please do contact me on my IG @norlizazuhannes if you are planning any hikes in Malaysia.
Hi Liza, Thank you so much for your comment! Happy to hear you enjoyed the hike with Wirya. When we’re coming to Malaysia and would like to do some hikes we will definitely contact you! Always in for some new explorations 🙂
Best, Ilse
Hi Ilse, what a great content! I’m staying in the Kintamani area and would love to catch Sunrise in Mt. Batur too. Can you tell me the specific location where you met your guide? You wrote it that it was only 5 minutes away from where you started the climb.
I’m a group of four and will drive ourselves by car to the nearest meeting/ start point if possible.
Thank you!
Hi Chesa! Thanks a lot happy to hear you enjoyed the blog post! You will meet your guide (the one I mention the Instagram and watsapp from) near Jl. Pendakian Gn. Batur and then drive with the guide to the parking lot close to Pura Pasar Agung. From there you will start the hike which only takes 45 – 60 minutes to get up Mt Batur. Enjoy the adventure!!
HI Ilse, what a beautiful pictures and info about Mount Batur at Bali. The sunrise looks amazing !