My eyes struggle to flutter open; the room is pitch-black, the curtains are drawn, and the birds won’t be awake for another four hours. It’s 2 a.m. in Bali. We’ve been asleep short of five hours and our day is only just beginning. On the agenda: hike to the top of an active volcano with our tour guide, Jero, just in time to watch the sun rise up through the thick clouds.
Most weekends, it’s a stretch for me to wake up for an 8 a.m. hike, yet alone a 2 a.m. hike in a foreign country. But the adrenaline flowing through my veins this morning is enough to keep me awake and motivated to hike a steep volcano in the outskirts of Bali.
Hiking with our guide Jero
After an hour and a half ride along the desolate streets of Bali during twilight hours, we finally reach Mount Batur. We park in the dark woods, secure our headlamps, pull out our trekking poles, and quickly begin the steep ascent up Mount Batur. Although it isonly 3:30 a.m. in the morning, there arethrongs of people eager to complete the same challenge, which only adds to the excitement. Unfed, hungry, and determined to get the peak, our trek begins and our heart rates quickly elevate as we hike up the “easy” portion of the trail.
The trail starts off on a dirt trail and progressively transitions to rocky, jagged volcanic rock as weclimb. Though I am half-asleep, I have to pay careful attention to my footing to ensure I don’t twist my ankle during a misstep. Luckily, as time wears on, I become more alert and thus the journey uphill becomes more enjoyable.
Finally, after about an hour and a half of strenuous uphill climbing, we reach a small wooden shack where we will take a short break and wait for the sun to rise. At this point, mountain-peddlers come by offering soda and water. We are stocked on water, but this could be helpful for those that may need a little bit extra. After we sip our hot chocolate (included in the price of the trip), we indulge in egg sandwiches and fried bananas while watching the sun rise above the clouds.
After fully taking in the sunrise, Jero leads up a little further to the top of the crater. To our surprise, we are greeted not only by other humans, but also a plethora of monkeys. Side note on monkeys: don’t be fooled by their cuteness; these creatures are out for your water bottles and food and aren’t afraid to go for it.
Admiring the monkeys from afar was a half-hour endeavor. When we have our fill of cute, fuzzy creatures we make our way over to warm volcanic rocks. Here, the locals actually use the volcanic steam to fry bananas. The rocks aren’t oozing lava as one might imagine, but rather emit a cloud of steam into the air.
Walking back down the volcano feels like an entirely different hike in itself. Instead of hazily making your way through the early morning mist and darkness, you are treated to the sights illuminated by the brightly lit sky, such as the glistening Lake Batur below. Your guide will also likely take you past a mountain temple, made evident by a tattered flag.
Once you reach the base of the volcano, your tour guide will likely reward you with a trip to the nearby hot springs. This is generally also included in the price of your excursion and offers you an opportunity to lay in the multiple warm pools surrounding Lake Batur.
Overall, I’d highly recommend a sunrise hike up Mount Batur for those who are in good shape and looking to do something adventurous on their vacation. The experience is unique, and one of the highlights of my trip to Bali.
Hot springs reward
Mount Batur Volcano Trail Tips
Tip #1: Bring some extra cash. It is customary to tip your tour guide/s for this excursion. 40,000-50,000 rupiah should be sufficient.
Tip #2: Dress in layers. The early morning air is frigid but as your heart rate speeds up you’ll quickly want to strip down to something cooler. A windbreaker is also recommended in the event of rain (which just so happened to us).
Tip #3: Wear the right shoes. I brought my hiking boots which made it much easier for the technical portion of the trail where you will be climbing atop jagged volcanic rocks.
Tip #4: Do not attempt if you haven’t been hitting the gym. Although it is only 1,717 meters to the top of Mount Batur, the trek is strenuous and there are many portions of the trail that will leave your quads and calves burning.
Tip #5: Arrange your tour in advance. There are many travel agencies that offer similar packages that range on average between $60-75 USD. I used Bali Volcano Trekking and was very pleased with our tour guide. I’d highly recommend this company to anyone.
Tip #6: Keep in mind this is an active volcano. The last eruption to take place on Mount Batur was in 1968, however the trail was temporarily closed in 2009 after some activity was detected. Keep safe and stay up to date.
